Konoha's Tatsuya

While the two giant serpents clashed fiercely in the Death Forest, hundreds of meters away in Konoha's Training Ground 18, Tatsuya was engaged in solitary training. This was a secluded training ground located on the western edge of the village. Due to its proximity to the dangerous Death Forest, lower-ranking ninja rarely used it.

On the training ground, Tatsuya was practicing basic taijutsu, as well as kunai and shuriken throwing techniques. Improvement in these fundamental skills required countless hours of dedicated practice.

"Hmm?"

After throwing three kunai that accurately struck the bullseye of a target dozens of meters away, Tatsuya abruptly stopped his movements. From afar, he felt a familiar chakra signature, and the ground beneath his feet vibrated slightly.

"This chakra...? Seiryu?"

Upon sensing this familiar fluctuation, Tatsuya's mind quickly recalled the Seiryu, which he had essentially abandoned for the past six months. He hadn't bothered with this unexpected byproduct of his secret jutsu experiment during this time.

Firstly, Seiryu's appetite was enormous. Rather than spend his own money feeding it, Tatsuya had decided to let it fend for itself in the Death Forest. He used the same strategy with his two current summons: one freeloaded off the village, and the other he entrusted to Kyoko's care. Cha-maru had officially become Kyoko's summon after she signed a contract with the dog.

Secondly, Tatsuya believed that although Seiryu was growing rapidly, it would still take some time before it became strong enough to be useful in battle. However, judging by the distant chakra signature, Seiryu's growth rate seemed to have far exceeded his expectations. He'd only confirmed after a quick sensing investigation.

A flash of delight crossed Tatsuya's face, quickly followed by hesitation. Judging by the commotion coming from the distant Death Forest, Seiryu was clearly engaged in combat. Such a ruckus would undoubtedly have alerted the village. If he went there now, or even summoned it directly, he would inevitably attract unwanted attention. Exposing Seiryu could lead to significant trouble.

After a brief pause, Tatsuya bit his finger and performed the Summoning Technique on the spot.

Poof!

White smoke billowed, and a massive form appeared before Tatsuya.

Meanwhile, back in the Death Forest...

The giant serpent summoned by Orochimaru missed its target, its upper body crashing heavily to the ground.

"It's a summon?" Mizuki stared, dumbfounded, at the spot where the serpent had vanished.

"Over there!" Minato Namikaze and Orochimaru, however, both turned their heads simultaneously towards Training Ground 18.

There, they once again sensed Seiryu's chakra. Both their figures vanished instantly.

Back at Training Ground 18, Tatsuya gazed in astonishment at Seiryu, which occupied nearly half the training area. The serpent's immense size was shocking. Although its scales bore some scars from the recent battle, they didn't seem serious.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The sound of rushing wind heralded the arrival of Minato Namikaze and Orochimaru, who appeared one after the other in the training ground.

"Lord Hokage, Lord Orochimaru..." Tatsuya, startled by their sudden appearance, quickly bowed in respect after recognizing them.

Behind Tatsuya, Seiryu hissed, warily observing the two newcomers.

"You're a student of Shinno Ichikawa, the Chunin?" Minato recognized Tatsuya, but only vaguely.

"Yes, Lord Hokage. I was previously a genin of Squad 31, Akimichi Tatsuya," Tatsuya replied respectfully.

"Akimichi Tatsuya?" Minato's expression turned slightly odd upon hearing Tatsuya's answer. He had just been reviewing this young man's file, and now they were meeting so soon! And, through this meeting, Minato also recalled that Tatsuya was the kid who had expressed a desire to join the Sealing Corps.

He could sense a level of chakra from Tatsuya that was no weaker than that of an average Special Jonin. And now, a powerful summon, a giant ninja snake! Minato was quite surprised by Tatsuya's rapid development.

"You're an Akimichi?" Orochimaru's deep voice cut in.

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru," Tatsuya replied, a slight chill running down his spine.

Orochimaru was not like Minato Namikaze. This man was capable of anything. Without sufficient means of self-preservation, Tatsuya was understandably apprehensive of him.

Orochimaru, seeing Tatsuya's reaction, simply smiled faintly without a word. In a flash, he disappeared.

"Impressive. The Akimichi clan has produced a fine talent! Your summon is very powerful. It's far too strong for the Death Forest to handle. Do not release it there again." After Orochimaru's departure, Minato clapped Tatsuya on the shoulder, nodding in approval. He didn't ask any further questions. After giving him those instructions, he also vanished in a flash, leaving Tatsuya alone to deal with his colossal summon.

Not far from Training Ground 18, Shisui's figure stood silently on a large tree branch.

"Truly astonishing. He has such a powerful summon at his disposal..." Shisui's crimson eyes, with their three tomoe spinning, gazed at the Azure Serpent in the training ground, his expression filled with surprise.

In the past six months, during their many perilous encounters, he had never seen Tatsuya summon this ninja snake. Could it be a newly acquired summon?

Back in the training ground, Tatsuya's expression shifted continuously as he observed the massive form of Seiryu. He was utterly baffled by its astonishing growth rate.

In just over eight months, it had transformed from an ordinary green snake into a summoning beast nearly on par with a Jonin. This rate of growth was unheard of. Even with the effects of the Fujinhōin, it shouldn't have been possible. Something else, something he was unaware of, must have occurred!

However, overall, Seiryu's rapid growth was a good thing for him. This wasn't the place to investigate, though. Tatsuya quickly produced a summoning scroll and sealed Seiryu within it, then swiftly left the training ground.

The Hokage's words had been clear: the Death Forest was no longer a suitable habitat for Seiryu. Judging by its growth rate and size, the serpent had clearly caused quite a bit of trouble there in the past six months. He was fortunate that the Hokage hadn't held him accountable. To push his luck any further would be incredibly foolish.

Having secured Seiryu, Tatsuya lost all interest in further training. He turned and headed towards his family's secret chamber, intending to thoroughly investigate the cause of Seiryu's mutation. At the same time, recalling Orochimaru's strange expression before he left, Tatsuya felt a slight weight settle in his heart.

Meanwhile, in the underground Root headquarters...

Shu!

"Lord Danzo, the significant disturbance in the Death Forest was caused by a village genin's ninja snake summon," a Root operative, wearing a bird mask, reported, kneeling respectfully before Danzo in the main hall.

"A genin's summon?" Danzo's voice held a note of surprise.

"Yes, Lord Danzo. The Hokage and Orochimaru were both alerted. Orochimaru even summoned his giant serpent to battle the ninja snake."

"What was the outcome?"

"Before a victor could be determined, the ninja snake was summoned away by the genin. Both the Hokage and Orochimaru went to meet with him. He is a genin from Squad 31, named Akimichi Tatsuya."

"His ninja snake was able to contend with Orochimaru's giant serpent!" Danzo murmured, a cold glint flickering in his eyes.