"Don't fret, Anko." Orochimaru sipping tea in a diner within the Land of Birds' capital.
Their escort mission was complete. Saki, the merchant, had thanked them profusely before hurrying off.
Being around ninjas like Orochimaru's team felt perilous to him.
Especially during the clash with the Iwa-nins, Saki had been certain of his doom.
Not at the hands of his rivals, but in a random skirmish between villages.
By sheer luck, the Iwa-nins chasing Tengen hadn't bothered with him, and Orochimaru's battle with Han had occurred far enough away.
Thus, the merchant survived.
"I'm worried about Tengen." Anko said, her voice tight with anxiety.
"Look at Jurin. He's calm." Orochimaru said with a faint smile.
"Jurin doesn't care about Tengen." Anko muttered, pouting. "And Tengen practically saved him."
Jurin, seated nearby, glanced at Anko but said nothing.
"Enough, Anko. I know you're concerned for Tengen, but Jurin's your teammate too." Orochimaru said. "We'll wait one more day. If Tengen doesn't show by then, he might be…"
He trailed off. The battle site wasn't far from the capital.
Tengen had ample time to arrive.
Orochimaru knew Tengen far surpassed fresh ninja academy graduates. In combat experience and skill, he outshone most new genin.
In Orochimaru's estimation, Tengen's chunin-level strength meant he could escape unless he unluckily faced a jounin.
"Tengen." Anko murmured, her worry deepening. Then a figure appeared before her, the very person she'd been fretting over.
"Tengen! You're back! Those three ninjas..." Anko scanned him closely. "You had us so worried!"
"Anko, I could've been here sooner, but I got lost chasing the thread of fate." Tengen said, shrugging. "Your markers were clear, though. Found you easily."
"Joking again." Anko rolling her eyes.
"Tengen, thanks." Jurin nodded solemnly.
"No big deal." Tengen said with a grin, settling beside Orochimaru. "Sensei, mission's done."
"Of course. We were just waiting for you." Orochimaru's unperturbed by Tengen's casual demeanor. Geniuses were often eccentric.
"But you seem… different." Orochimaru eyeing him intently.
"Faced off with those Iwa-nins. Made some progress." Tengen said nonchalantly.
"Is that so?" Orochimaru smiled. "Then let's head back to Konoha."
"So soon? I haven't even rested." Tengen groaned.
"Stay in the Land of Birds if you want. I don't mind." Orochimaru smirking.
"Fine, Sensei. Let's go." Tengen's downing a gulp of tea.
The Konoha squad packed up and left the Land of Birds, bound for home.
Days later, Tengen spoke up. "Orochimaru-sensei, I've sensed another thread of fate."
"Really?" Orochimaru paused, skeptical.
"For real." Tengen said. His system's map had pinged another HD video signal. He needed Orochimaru's strength to secure it; if he alone, he might not handle a powerful foe.
Using Orochimaru to block Han last time had proven his foresight. Without him, Tengen might've faced Han's wrath.
Even with two Senzu Beans, it felt dicey.
"Let's check it out." Orochimaru intrigued. He suspected Tengen's "thread of fate" was a sixth sense for danger, perhaps a unique talent.
He needed to verify it.
Tengen knew this excuse wouldn't hold forever. It risked stoking Orochimaru's curiosity.
And Orochimaru's curiosity was dangerous, given his shift toward scientific experiments.
But Tengen trusted his growing strength. As he grew stronger, Orochimaru would find it harder to act against him.
Strength was paramount.
Anko and Jurin's faces fell. The last thread of fate nearly got them killed. Luck had saved them in the Land of Birds.
Now another?
"Tengen, let's just go back." Anko urged.
"Here's the plan, Anko and Jurin, you wait here. Tengen and I will investigate. If anything happens, I'll bring him back." Orochimaru said. He was determined to test Tengen's instincts.
If Tengen balked, Orochimaru would find another pretext to drag him along.
"Don't worry, Anko, Jurin. With Orochimaru-sensei, I'm safe. Just wait." Tengen chuckling.
"Sensei, don't let Tengen get hurt." Anko said.
Orochimaru nodded.
Tengen and Orochimaru sped off toward the signal's source.
Moments later, they arrived at a new location. Orochimaru's pupils narrowed.
Tengen had nailed it again. But this time, the enemy was from another village, the Kumogakure.
Leading them was a young ninja with bronze skin, pale yellow hair, and seven swords strapped to his back, a Kumogakure headband on his forehead.
The Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.
Killer Bee.
***
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