Kuroto's face changed slightly when he heard Orochimaru mentioned about Tokubetsu Jonin rank up assessment, but he controlled his emotions and replied respectfully: "Everything went smoothly in the assessment, Sandaime-sama arranged for me to enter the Anbu unit."

Kuroto was really surprised at the fact that Orochimaru knew about the test as soon as it was finished, this obviously meant that he had more than one spy in the village working for him. ​​

Orochimaru put down the sake-cup, stared at Kuroto with a very scary expression, and asked: "Kuroto-Kun, your recent growth is somewhat out of my expectation. Is there a secret you are hiding from me? Or is there some kind of discovery in the research of the Byakugan that you would like to inform me?"

Hyuga Kuroto's strength has improved exceptionally in a very short period, those who don't know him any better might not find this very strange and think of this as him entering a period of rapid growth, after all, Kuroto is at an age where his strength should increase rapidly, similar to Might Guy, Sarutobi Asuma, Hatake Kakashi, etc., strength continuously improves with the passing of days and it changed every day.

But Orochimaru is different from everyone, as he knows the person Hyuga Kuroto quite well, at least more than anyone out there possible, Orochimaru knows that the shinobi Hyuga Kuroto isn't of the kind with the unusual talent to match the likes Hatake Kakashi or other ninjas who are considered to be real geniuses, so Kuroto's recent performance and his rapid growth aroused Orochimaru's curiosity.

Kuroto knows that he can't hide his changes from Orochimaru but he wouldn't admit it, so he shook his head: "The study of Kekkai Genkai cannot be done overnight, I believe you are aware of this fact more than anyone. As for the question of hiding something from Orochimaru-sama? I don't believe I am capable of doing that."

Orochimaru squinted noncommittal manner at Kuroto's response, "Really now Kuroto-Kun…?"

Orochimaru knows that Kuroto has only participated in the research for a few years, it is unlikely to have obtained impressive results and discoveries at such an early stage, moreover, he has also checked Kuroto's laboratory, which mostly contains the basic genetic testing data involving in-vivo testing.

Imagine not even having any living subjects to conduct experiments on, how can one obtain test and research results?

Of course, Orochimaru didn't know that Kuroto had already done a very lively test, and the subject of the test was himself, so naturally, he wouldn't find any proof of test subjects or any data collected.

After thinking for a while, Orochimaru smiled and said, "It seems that I didn't notice it before. You not only have the potential to become a scientific researcher but also have the potential to become an excellent shinobi."

"Thank you for your praise Orochimaru-sama!" Kuroto stated courteously.

As if suddenly remembering something, Orochimaru again smiled and said, "I recently met an interesting guy, and he asked me for your information."

"Who?"

"The S-Class missing-nin of the Sand Shinobi Village, the Sasori of the Red Sand." Not removing the eye contact with Kuroto, Orochimaru asked word-by-word, "Have-you-had-some-encounter-with-him?"

Kuroto nodded calmly unphased by the pressure Orochimaru was putting on him, "There was indeed an encounter."

Obviously, during this period the S-Class defected ninjas like the Snake Sannin Orochimaru, the Sasori of the Red sand had joined the Akatsuki Organization successively, and Orochimaru one of the three Sannin is a natural target for Sasori to enquire information related to the shinobi's of Konoha village

Kuroto had already expected this to happen, so he didn't show any surprised or unnatural look but agreed calmly.

Observing no change of expression on Kuroto's face, Orochimaru continued, "He seems to want to kill you pretty badly, what did you do to attract his hatred?��

Kuroto believes that with Sasori's pride, he will not reveal the details of his encounter with Kuroto or the fact that he lost Sandaime Kazekage's puppet to Kuroto, so Kuroto briefly described the cleansing action Konoha authorities conducted but omitted the details of the accidental victory of Sandaime Kazekage puppet from Sasori's hands.

After explaining it all, Kuroto smiled with fake nervousness, "A mere Chunin somehow managed to escape from him, maybe this wounded his pride."

Hearing Kuroto say this, Orochimaru showed a rare laugh, which surprised Kuroto.

'Can Orochimaru also laugh naturally?' Kuroto thought silently.

What Kuroto didn't know was that although Orochimaru and Sasori temporarily formed a team in Akatsuki, they weren't really getting along well.

Although both are addicted to achieving immortality, one is taking the path of mechanical and non-biological technology, while the other is taking the path of medical and biological technology, and both of them have reached the threshold to achieve it in their respective fields. It is conceivable that the differences in their scientific views will lead to occasional ideological conflict.

After laughing for a while, Orochimaru said, "Although I didn't give him any information about you, he must have some other source of information too, so you have to be careful. He is a paranoid person. I don't want to see you becoming part of his puppet collection."

Kuroto replied with a bitter smile, "To have the attention of such a strong person on myself is definitely not a pleasant experience.

And some more discussion between Orochimaru and Kuroto continued…

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The Uchiha Clan grounds.

Seeing Shisui's figure coming back, Itachi who was hovering on the side of the road, hurriedly greeted him, "Shisui-san, how did the assessment go?"

Shisui replied while stroking Itachi's head: "Well, it did go pretty well I suppose!"

"So Shisui-San, are you now a Tokubetsu Jonin?" Itachi was overjoyed when he heard Shisui, and immediately asked, "What were the judging criteria? Tell me quickly."

Shisui was also not reserved and talked about the interesting and incident during the Tokubetsu Jonin assessment.

Itachi listened carefully to all the details, then suddenly asked, "Shisui-san must have easily defeated all the opponents, right?"

Shisui's face became a little stiff at Itachi's questioning, and he shook his head slightly, "In the final round of the assessment, I lost to my opponent, but Hokage-sama felt that I performed well and allowed me to be promoted to Tokubetsu Jonin."

"Itachi was surprised: "Lost? This… how is this possible!!??"

Shisui is the most genius shinobi in the Uchiha's, he has earned this title based on his track record.

And it is already believed that Shisui possesses the strength of a Jonin, and this information has been recognized as a fact by the Uchiha Clan, so it never occurred to Itachi that in the assessment for being promoted to Tokubetsu Jonin, someone could beat Shisui.

"Look at you being so shocked, in fact, even I didn't think I would lose." With a helpless smile, Shisui continued: "You also know the person who defeated me, and he is Kuroto-san of the Hyuga Clan."

Itachi suddenly muttered, "Kuroto-san…?"

Since a very young age, Itachi has the keenness and wisdom beyond that of ordinary people. He who is an extremely observant person can always find some details that other people don't pay attention to. Because of this the last time when he encountered Cloud Village's team, he was able to notice that Kuroto-San was not afraid of the Nibi's Jinchuriki.

At that moment, he was able to deduce that Hyuga Kuroto was definitely not any run of the mill Chunin.

While Itachi was processing the information, he has of the person named Hyuga Kuroto, Shisui continued with a solemn expression, "There is an endless stream of strong individuals in the ninja world. We must never be blinded by the power of the Sharingan. We must always remain humble and polite, being prideful is not wrong, but we must not develop arrogance in our character."

Itachi seemed to understand what exactly Shisui is referring to, he nodded seriously.

Looking at the people passing through in the distance, Shisui asked in a low voice, "What is the first thing you see in them?"

Itachi observed carefully and said with some sadness in his tone, "Pride!"

"Yes, they are prideful for being born in the Uchiha Clan!" After a short pause, Shisui continued in a deep voice, "But this pride has turned into arrogance, and when that happens a person becomes too much unbearable for those around him!"

In the previous battle with Kuroto, not only didn't use the Mangekyo Sharingan he also had some reservations in going all out even only basic combat skills.

The reason for that isn't only because he is aware of the village's suspicion of the Uchiha Clan, but also because he clearly felt the undercurrent surging within the Uchiha for the past few months.

Even the other Shinobi villages know about the lack of power Konoha is facing currently not to mention the Uchiha Clan who lives in the village itself.

There has never been a lack or ambitious people within the Uchiha Clan, but until now there were too many strong people in the village, such as the Sannin, Yondaime-sama, the Kyuubi's Jinchuriki, Sandaime-sama, etc., so the Uchiha could only choose to stay silent.

But now that there is no news of the Slug Sannin, the defection of the Snake Sannin, the death of Yondaime-sama and the second generation Kyuubi's Jinchuriki and the aging or Yandaime-sama, coupled with the suppression the Uchiha's are facing because of the Suspicion, so the ambitions of many people that were silent until now have started to break out irresistibly.

Shisui doesn't wasn't to do anything to put oil in those already burning ambitions with his actions, all he could do is try to contain it as much as he can. Therefore, when put against Hyuga Kuroto in the Tokubetsu Jonnin assessment, he chose to concede defeat quite early, this is one of the methods he chooses to destroy the ambitions of the Uchiha Clan…

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