Why did Orochimaru appear here?
And why was he wearing that lewd expression like he had been waiting for Ryosuke?
This matter must be traced back to not long ago.
After Uchiha Itachi annihilated his entire clan in an instant and followed Tobi to join the Akatsuki, he was paired with Orochimaru to carry out internal missions of the Akatsuki.
During repeated missions, Orochimaru set his eyes on Uchiha Itachi's Sharingan, wanting to make it his own. He tried to ambush him, but ended up being counter-killed by Itachi, who even chopped off one of his arms. Orochimaru fled the Akatsuki.
Orochimaru was someone who knew how to adapt.
Weren't there still two more Uchiha outside?
He targeted the rising-in-fame Ryosuke. However, Ryosuke had previously been in the Land of Water, with elusive whereabouts, and Orochimaru never found a suitable opportunity, until he heard that Jūgo and Kimimaro had encountered Hope Village.
Kimimaro had once followed Orochimaru through many lands, learning the customs of various nations. After coming to Hope Village, he quickly noticed that the people in this village… were not normal.
Habits from the Land of Water.
Hope Village was not recorded in the village maps of Konoha.
And combined with the recent uproar over the human trafficking case in the Land of Water, the survivors who sought refuge in Konoha had clearly said that a group of them planned to establish their own village.
Connecting all the intel, Orochimaru deduced that the villagers of Hope Village were those survivors.
"…So I went along with the plan, killed some people, let some go, all just to lure you here."
Orochimaru's pair of snake pupils carefully observed Ryosuke, as if looking at a work of art.
Ryosuke drew the Ruin Greatsword. "Just to find me, you killed so many people?"
Orochimaru gave a light chuckle. His voice was hoarse, but not unpleasant to hear. It sounded strangely comfortable, like inserting one's hand into super-dry rice.
"Ryosuke, I understand you. We are the same kind of person."
Orochimaru raised one finger, "Life is the most precious thing in the world. But look at them, they live in difficulty, worried daily about food, taxes, and labor.
If living is just to suffer, then it's better to end early and enter the next cycle of reincarnation. I kill them, relieve them, achieve my goals, it's a win-win."
This was Orochimaru's theory. Kimimaro's face showed admiration.
He had long been brainwashed by Orochimaru and firmly believed in this "liberation doctrine."
"Arrogant! Disgusting!"
An angry rebuke came from the side.
Orochimaru turned his head to look.
It wasn't Ryosuke who spoke, but the small Sasuke standing to the side.
The so-called poor people, trapped by hardship every day, gloomy and joyless… This was purely the imagination of the elite class projecting onto the bottom tier to satisfy their own pity.
Sasuke used to think the same.
But during his time living in Snowy Village, he found that even the poorest people, even the crippled, widows, and childless elderly, would still find fun and satisfaction in life.
They would cry, laugh, tell jokes, and have their own moments of beauty.
Killing them in the name of liberation, in the name of noble justice... disgusting!
Sasuke wanted to throw every word from his heart at Orochimaru's face.
But when he made eye contact with Orochimaru's snake pupils, fear surged from deep within him. Cold sweat seeped down his back, he forgot how to breathe, nearly suffocating,
A figure stepped in to block Orochimaru's gaze.
"I also think it's pretty disgusting."
Ryosuke looked at Orochimaru, Kimimaro, and Jūgo, "Whether it's you guys, or…"
He looked again at the five Root members. "…you guys."
Before arriving at this village, Aerosmith had been flying ahead. Ryosuke had long noticed the five hiding around the village's perimeter.
Whatever Danzo was up to, Ryosuke was no longer surprised.
As for Orochimaru… Ryosuke used to think that, daring to target Uchiha Itachi, he was a man.
Now it seemed, just another madman.
A figure swept over and landed beside Ryosuke. It was Jiraiya, who had been lying in ambush behind.
Jiraiya's brows were tightly furrowed, his expression grave.
The enemy side had Orochimaru, Kimimaro, and five Root jonin.
Their side had Ryosuke, Jiraiya, and Sasuke.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru were evenly matched.
Ryosuke was definitely stronger than Kimimaro and the Root members, on paper, their team had the advantage.
But… they ambushed Orochimaru, only to be counter-ambushed. That was a completely different matter.
"From what I know of Orochimaru, he suffered a loss to Uchiha Itachi. This time, he must be fully prepared."
Jiraiya said in a low voice, "Retreat."
With his personality, if he were alone, he would've charged up long ago without hesitation.
But in the past few days of traveling with Ryosuke and Sasuke, Jiraiya had come to respect their resolve. Outstanding young people like this shouldn't die here.
"You two go first. I'll hold them off. Orochimaru and I were once classmates, even if I lose… he surely won't kill me."
Jiraiya said it lightly, but he felt no confidence at all.
Orochimaru seemed to see through his old friend's worries and shook his head. Strips of venomous snakes slithered from his pant legs, devouring the flesh of the dead villagers.
"No need to struggle, Jiraiya. Today, anyone can leave, except Ryosuke."
The venomous snakes circled the village, exhaling poisonous mist, sealing Ryosuke's retreat.
Orochimaru curled his lips into a smile, "Ryosuke, I don't enjoy fighting. How about this? I let Jiraiya and the boy go. You come back with me and assist my research."
"Otherwise?"
"Otherwise, I'll kill them and bring you back by force."
Ryosuke nodded slightly, indicating he understood.
"Ryosuke!"
Jiraiya grabbed Ryosuke's arm, signaling for him to escape now while he still could.
The fox-mask Root ninja spoke, "Orochimaru, this is beyond your agreement with Lord Danzo. Ryosuke is a rogue ninja from Konoha. We have the right to bring him back."
Without waiting for Orochimaru's reply, the five Root ninjas came in front of Ryosuke. One even took out shackles.
The fox-mask ninja said coldly, "Bind your hands, break your own legs, and I will bring you back to Konoha to stand trial. If you dare resist, we will join with Orochimaru to kill you."
Ryosuke nodded again.
Seeing this, two Root ninjas carrying shackles walked toward him.
The Ruin Greatsword was raised.
Ryosuke didn't ambush. He let the two clearly see the motion of raising the blade, but when they tried to escape its range,
It was already too late.
"You dare!" the fox-mask ninja shouted.
Thump! Thump!
Two headless bodies fell.
Ryosuke flicked the blood from his blade.
"You people are really strange. All of you love to force me to make choices. If you like choices so much, why don't you leave yourselves any room for choice?"
He took one step, and charged toward Orochimaru.
The other three Root ninjas, faces cold, attacked Ryosuke from behind. Jiraiya stopped them, angrily scolding, "You lot even deserve to be called Konoha's ninja?"
The three remained expressionless, "Lord Jiraiya, we protect Konoha as the Root. Please don't interfere with our mission."
"Bunch of fools!" Jiraiya cursed.
With Jiraiya handling them, Ryosuke ignored the enemies at his back.
Both hands gripping the Ruin Greatsword, Yamabuki-colored Ripple fully activated, streaks of golden lightning appeared, wrapping around the blade.
With a single swing, Orochimaru's body liquefied, turning into countless little snakes. They leaped up, attacking Ryosuke from all directions.
"Star Platinum!"
"Ora! Ora! Ora!"
Punches like the wind shattered the snakes in midair.
At that moment, the ground split open, a straight blade stabbed toward Ryosuke's chest.
Orochimaru had hidden underground when he liquefied.
Ryosuke didn't dodge. Ripple power gathered beneath his feet, he stomped down hard. A muffled groan came from underground. The stabbing blade turned limp, powerless.
The earth broke apart. Orochimaru appeared on the other side. Blood at his lips, but in the blink of an eye, his injuries vanished. He spread his arms toward Ryosuke.
"Hidden Shadow Many Snakes Hands!"
Hundreds of thick pythons surged at Ryosuke like a tidal wave.
One hand summoned giant snakes, the other had already finished forming hand seals. If Ryosuke dodged, a Fire Release jutsu awaited him.
But Ryosuke didn't dodge.
Because Star Platinum stood in front of him.
Hundreds of snakes bit its body, but the only sound was fangs breaking against metal, none pierced its skin.
This was the Platinum Skin gained after upgrading to level 3.
Floating mid-air, Star Platinum looked down coldly at Orochimaru. It was a majesty not belonging to this world, as if a god or a Buddha.
Orochimaru instinctively gulped and tried to take half a step back.
A violent tug pulled him forward.
Star Platinum pulled Orochimaru like a tug-of-war.
Orochimaru immediately severed the connection with the snakes.
But it was too late. The inertia still flung him toward Star Platinum.
Its raised fist.
"ORA!!!"
Star Platinum punched Orochimaru's head. Crack! The skull shattered instantly. Orochimaru screamed "Wagaa!" as he was launched like a torn sack.
At this moment, Orochimaru remembered Itachi's description of Ryosuke.
"Don't let Ryosuke catch you off guard, not even for a second."
Previously, Orochimaru didn't understand. Others might be worried, but with his regeneration and combat skills, even if he took a punch from that "evil spirit," what could happen?
Now, he understood.
Orochimaru had over ten jutsu for accelerated regeneration.
His body had undergone countless modifications, almost undying in battle.
But there was no time.
Star Platinum, like a true evil spirit, had already caught up. It inhaled deeply, power gathering at its fist, ready to strike again.
A snake tail shot out, coiled around Orochimaru, and dragged him away.
Ryosuke looked toward the source of the tail.
A strange green-haired woman wearing a golden crown was holding Orochimaru.
For the first time, Orochimaru showed reverence on his face, "…Thank you… Kunitsukami."
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