CHAPTER 120
The air inside the tent instantly fell silent.
Ebisu and Shiranui Genma's eyes widened.
They looked at Orochimaru in disbelief.
Then they looked back at Guy.
The same thought appeared in their minds almost simultaneously.
No way!
Has becoming a disciple of one of the Sannin become this easy nowadays?!
Just because he displayed a single technique, Orochimaru wanted to accept him as a disciple?!
That was Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin!
Just moments ago, they had been envying Anko's heaven-defying fortune.
In the blink of an eye, that opportunity had landed right on Guy's head.
After the initial shock faded, their emotions became incredibly complicated.
On one hand, there was a deep sense of reluctance and loss.
If Guy truly became Orochimaru's disciple, then his status and future path would become completely different.
It would be nearly impossible for him to continue forming ordinary teams with people like them.
From the Battle of Mount Kikyo to the campaign in the Land of Waves, they had fought side by side for more than half a year.
The experiences of life and death they had shared together...
Were they all about to end here?
Yet on the other hand, a sincere sense of happiness and relief emerged from the depths of their hearts.
That was Orochimaru!
A legendary powerhouse whose strength they had witnessed with their own eyes.
For Guy to receive such recognition meant that his talent and potential had been acknowledged by one of the strongest shinobi in the world.
How could they not be happy for him?
In Ebisu and Genma's minds, Guy would definitely agree.
There was absolutely no reason to hesitate.
Countless people dreamed of becoming a disciple of one of the Sannin.
Only a fool would refuse.
Anko's eyes also brightened.
A delighted smile appeared on her face.
If Guy could become Lord Orochimaru's disciple as well, that would be wonderful.
She would gain a powerful fellow student and junior brother.
They could train together and assist Lord Orochimaru with research together in the future.
Just thinking about it made Anko excited.
For a moment, the gazes of all three people focused entirely on Guy.
However, Guy fell silent for a moment before lifting his head.
He looked directly into Orochimaru's golden snake-like eyes.
Then he slowly shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Lord Orochimaru."
Guy's voice was clear and firm.
"Please forgive me, but I cannot accept."
The moment those words left his mouth, everyone in the tent froze.
He refused?!
Guy had actually refused?!
Was he out of his mind?!
Ebisu almost had the urge to rush over and cover Guy's mouth.
Then force him to repeat his answer.
The senbon in Genma's mouth nearly fell out.
He stared at Guy with wide eyes.
He simply could not understand it.
Even Orochimaru's golden pupils narrowed slightly.
A trace of genuine surprise flashed across his face.
"You... refused?"
Guy looked at Orochimaru and answered seriously,
"Thank you very much for your recognition, Lord Orochimaru. Being favored by someone like you is an honor."
"However, I walk a path devoted entirely to taijutsu, and all of my future plans revolve around that path."
"Lord Orochimaru, your ninja way and research are broad and profound."
"But my path and yours... are probably not compatible."
He paused briefly before speaking even more sincerely.
"Furthermore, I still have many shortcomings."
"I hope to continue accumulating experience and tempering myself on the battlefield."
Orochimaru stared at Guy for a long time.
Those snake-like eyes seemed determined to see through every secret hidden inside him.
After a while, the corners of Orochimaru's mouth slowly curved upward.
An unreadable smile appeared.
"Very well."
His hoarse voice echoed through the tent.
"In that case, we shall leave it at that."
Orochimaru did not continue pursuing the matter.
Instead, he turned his gaze toward Anko.
"Anko, take them around and familiarize them with the camp."
"Tomorrow, I will arrange transfer orders for them."
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru!"
Anko immediately answered.
The four of them bowed before leaving the tent.
The moment they stepped outside, Ebisu suddenly spun around.
His expression was both shocked and complicated.
His eyes were even slightly red.
His voice trembled with emotion.
"Guy! You... you... ugh..."
He looked as though he was about to cry.
Guy was completely baffled.
"???"
Ebisu sniffled loudly and spoke with overwhelming emotion.
"I never thought... Guy, that you'd go this far for us..."
"I... I'm so moved! Really!"
Guy became even more confused.
"Eh? What are you talking about?"
Ebisu excitedly pointed at him.
"You refused Lord Orochimaru because you couldn't bear to leave us behind, right?"
"You didn't want to separate from us!"
"You would rather give up the chance to become a disciple of one of the Sannin than stop being teammates with us!"
"This friendship! This loyalty! Wahhh, I'm so touched!"
After hearing that, a vein immediately popped on Guy's forehead.
His face became completely speechless.
"...You're thinking too much."
He patted Ebisu's shoulder and calmly explained,
"I was telling the truth."
"Lord Orochimaru is powerful, but the path he walks genuinely doesn't suit me."
"Becoming his disciple would certainly be an honor."
"But it doesn't fit the growth path and training plan I have prepared for myself."
"That's all."
"R... really?"
Ebisu wiped his eyes.
Tear stains were still visible on his face.
His expression clearly showed that he only half believed it.
Seeing that reaction, Guy couldn't help laughing.
Then he deliberately spoke in a relaxed tone.
"Don't worry."
"If a top-tier taijutsu master ever decides to accept me as a disciple and teach me supreme taijutsu..."
"I'll abandon you two without hesitation."
"So don't blame me when that day comes."
Ebisu and Genma froze for a moment.
Then the corners of their mouths twitched simultaneously.
"Y... you bastard!"
Ebisu immediately pushed up his sunglasses angrily.
The emotional atmosphere vanished in an instant.
"Hahaha!"
Guy laughed loudly while stretching his body.
"Let's go, let's go!"
"I'm starving after traveling for so long!"
"We should eat first!"
Anko watched them bickering from the side and couldn't help laughing as well.
"So that's what Guy really thinks."
Although she felt slightly disappointed, she was genuinely happy.
A friend she acknowledged had a clear understanding of his own future.
That was something worth celebrating.
Standing in front of the three of them, she patted the bulging wallet hanging at her waist and boldly declared,
"Let's go!"
"Today is my treat!"
"I'll take you to try the specialties of the Land of Rice Fields!"
The eyes of all three immediately lit up.
Ebisu looked at Anko suspiciously.
"You... actually have money?"
Anko proudly slapped her wallet.
A thick sound immediately echoed out.
"Don't worry!"
"As Lord Orochimaru's disciple, I have more than enough money to treat everyone to a meal!"
She paused.
Her gaze shifted toward Guy.
Suddenly, memories from those three days in the Forest of Death surfaced in her mind.
Her confidence instantly weakened.
"It... should be enough..."
She knew Guy's appetite far too well.
A giant centipede as large as a person.
Guy alone had eaten nearly two-thirds of it.
Seeing the uneasiness flash across Anko's face, Guy immediately grinned.
It was the exact same bright smile he used whenever he saw a free meal.
Anko's heart skipped a beat.
A terrible premonition appeared.
Her wallet was probably going to suffer today.
Still, her old classmates had come all the way here.
Not treating them would be unreasonable.
Gritting her teeth, she stomped her foot and raised her chin proudly.
"Hmph!"
"It's just one meal!"
"It's not like you can actually eat me into bankruptcy, right?"
"Come on!"
"I'll take you to try the most famous vegetable meatballs in the Land of Rice Fields!"
"Alright!"
Guy immediately answered enthusiastically.
The four of them headed toward the part of the camp where the aroma of food drifted through the air, chatting and laughing along the way.
Not long after they departed, the tent behind them quietly opened by a small crack.
A single golden snake-like eye looked out through the gap.
Silently watching the backs of the four young shinobi as they walked away.
Its gaze lingered on Guy for noticeably longer than the others.
From within the tent came Orochimaru's low and hoarse voice, sounding almost like a private murmur.
"A taijutsu master, hm..."
"What a pity."
The curtain slowly closed once more.
All sound and sight within the tent vanished behind it.
Outside, silence returned once again.
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