"Hostage?" Orochimaru glanced at Anko Mitarashi, quickly showing a trace of suspicion.
If it was just about preventing Anko Mitarashi from leaking information, he could have simply killed her. But with benefits ahead, he didn't dwell on it.
"That's up to you, but don't even think about deceiving me. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind making you my next test subject," Orochimaru coldly swept his gaze over Ye Liang. His serpentine pupils made Ye Liang shiver down his neck, and he hurriedly nodded repeatedly.
"Of course! Of course!"
"Hmph!"
Watching Orochimaru walk alone toward the cave entrance, Ye Liang quickly moved beside Anko Mitarashi, untied her ropes, and lifted her onto his back.
Well, someone had to do these unpleasant tasks, and Ye Liang, with his nimble hands and feet, was the willing one!
"Carrying a woman's nothing for my Shinra Tensei!" Ye Liang forced himself to comfort his conscience before placing Anko Mitarashi firmly onto his back.
Truth be told, Anko Mitarashi wasn't as plump as she'd been during Boruto's time.
Her body was incredibly light yet had its natural curves—nothing too exaggerated, but definitely there.
Ye Liang chuckled mischievously, soon feeling a smooth softness under his palms.
After all, ninjas' skin was surprisingly tight and firm, just like the girls from his past life who worked out regularly at the gym. Years of physical training left them without an ounce of unnecessary fat—and now his hands were resting right on Anko Mitarashi's butt...
"Beautiful lady, no offense intended, but when carrying someone, your hands naturally end up here," he justified himself, shamelessly reinforcing his reasoning.
"Hah! You spies won't escape unharmed; Third Hokage will never let you go freely. Just wait and die!" Anko Mitarashi spat angrily while glaring at Ye Liang, although inexplicably blushing slightly.
Ye Liang gave a sheepish laugh and ignored her remarks.
This wasn't the time for flirtation—the ever-watchful Orochimaru still eyed them cautiously ahead, so Ye Liang carefully monitored his behavior. One mistake could spell disaster.
He shook his head, forcefully pushing aside such thoughts, and walked formally behind Orochimaru.
"It seems Itachi Uchiha's current body is pretty appealing. Though suspicious, Orochimaru hasn't acted hostile yet," Ye Liang assessed.
Ahead, Orochimaru continued striding forward briskly.
He looked to be around thirty.
Judging from his past-life memories, Ye Liang believed Orochimaru was still studying under the Third Hokage at this point. Since he hadn't implanted Anko Mitarashi with the Cursed Seal yet, he probably hadn't defected either—and therefore wasn't especially strong yet!
That was extremely important!
Orochimaru hadn't succeeded in his human experiments yet, so he only knew some of the higher-level basic Ninjutsu techniques. Definitely, he hadn't mastered those insane god-tier techniques he later wielded—techniques like [Impure World Reincarnation], [Triple Rashomon], or the awe-inspiring [Eight Branches Technique]!
"I must say I showed great foresight indeed. Haha." Ye Liang admired his own bravery. In his eyes, if he successfully completed the system's mission and obtained its reward, there was a solid chance he could stand equal against Orochimaru.
Escaping should at least still be possible...
"Yeah, that's right!"
Ye Liang nodded firmly before starting to imagine what it would feel like to obtain the Shinra Tensei.
After advancing a bit further, a glimmer of light finally appeared ahead.
"It seems we're finally out."
Ye Liang murmured inwardly, and then he saw an endless stretch of jungle.
It looked pretty plain, with a touch of green.
"Where's your leader then? Kid!" Orochimaru exited first. He warily scanned the surrounding bushes, then turned to glare at Ye Liang with fury.
With his Tokubetsu Jonin strength, he couldn't detect any hiding spots among the shrubs.
"Don't get impatient. The leader is hiding outside," Ye Liang replied casually.
Since Orochimaru was walking ahead of him, he stepped out first, but Ye Liang was still inside...
"Just don't fail me when it matters most!" Ye Liang quickened his pace immediately.
"One step! Two steps! Three steps!"
Ye Liang stepped forward nervously, carefully counting down—One step! Two steps! Three steps!
Ding Dong!
[Congratulations, Master!] You've completed the SSS-rank mission—Saving Anko!
[Reward being distributed:] Advanced Taijutsu Max Level! Advanced Chakra Control Max Level! Advanced Ninja Tool Usage Max Level!
[As a bonus for completing the mission perfectly, here's the God-tier Ninjutsu—Shinra Tensei!]
"I did it!"
Ye Liang tightly clenched his hands and feet in disbelief.
A terrifying force was flowing within his muscles.
The power granted by the system was directly infused into his body without requiring learning. Therefore, Ye Liang was certain he had already reached Jonin-level strength.
His head buzzed as a unique chakra circulation path appeared in his mind.
"This is how the Shinra Tensei works! So that's how it's used!" he laughed loudly.
Immediately afterward, he tried channeling chakra through this mysterious pathway!
"Kid, you really were lying to me all along!" Finally losing his patience, Orochimaru shouted.
Seeing Ye Liang suddenly freeze up inexplicably, he rushed straight toward him.
In Orochimaru's eyes, Ye Liang was merely a Genin, so there was no need to use any Ninjutsu—he could easily subdue him with pure physical strength.
And that's exactly what he intended.
"Shinra Tensei!"
Just as Orochimaru got close, an invisible wall erupted from Ye Liang's body, repelling everything outward.
Peng!
Unprepared for the impact, Orochimaru was sent flying backward.
"What kind of Ninjutsu is that! What immense power!" Orochimaru spat out a mouthful of blood.
Shinra Tensei didn't just push enemies back—it sent them flying with overwhelming force. In Ye Liang's memory, the Shinra Tensei was even powerful enough to defeat the three giant toads of Myōboku Mountain—a feat no ordinary technique could accomplish!
Gamabunta's body was much tougher than Orochimaru's!
After crashing through several trees, Orochimaru finally rolled onto the ground.
"He was clearly just a Genin not long ago! How did he suddenly become this strong! His power has now completely reached Kage level!"
"No, even the Third couldn't possibly have such a powerful jutsu!"
"Who exactly is he? Could he really be the leader of that mysterious organization Akatsuki?" Orochimaru had once dealt in black markets and traded human subjects, so he'd heard rumors about Akatsuki before.
After all, as an agent representing Akatsuki, he frequently visited black markets too.
He cautiously eyed Ye Liang again but hesitated to make his move.
Ye Liang was practically laughing inwardly.
As expected, this Orochimaru was only at Tokubetsu Jonin level! With his current strength, a single Shinra Tensei would more than handle things. Besides, Ye Liang was basically Jonin-level himself. Without any jutsu under his belt, he could still get away safely!
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