While Nara Shikamaru was still gathering his team, Hyūga Shigeo had already set out.
Land of Fields —
After confirming Orochimaru's latest base location through Blue Gate's intelligence network, Shigeo perched on the thick branch of a large tree overlooking the hideout and stretched out lazily.
He didn't need to intercept Uchiha Sasuke.
He simply had to wait.
Once Naruto, Shikamaru, Neji, Choji, and Rock Lee defeated the Sound Five, he would appear—then speak with Sasuke directly, to see where his heart truly stood.
If persuasion failed… force was always an option.
But then he shook his head.
He was not like Evil Zither, Demon Drum, or even Zabuza and Haku.
Sasuke's hatred ran too deep—and Shigeo knew his bond with Itachi.
If Sasuke wasn't willing to come willingly, bringing him to Nanmo would only invite danger to his village.
This time, the choice had to be Sasuke's.
He yawned and closed his eyes to rest.
Time passed quietly.
Clear skies, soft wind—the weather was almost too peaceful.
Then, an itching sensation crawled across his forehead.
He opened his eyes—and froze.
The entire tree was covered in spiders, swarming toward him.
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu! (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique)"
Flames roared. The spiders were instantly burned to ash.
But at that moment, attacks came from three directions simultaneously.
"Bubble Release: Butterfly Form!"
"Wild Spider Technique!"
"Paper Cut Technique!"
A deafening explosion followed.
The ambushers had planned their strike meticulously—but the next second, they realized they'd hit nothing.
On the tree, the target was not a man at all—just a log.
"Kawarimi no Jutsu? (Substitution Technique?)"
"Bold fools—!"
A voice came from the thick fog in the nearby ravine, followed by hurried footsteps.
Orochimaru appeared with several subordinates, glaring coldly at the attackers.
"Are you insane? How dare you strike when my master is here?! Do you all have a death wish?"
He dropped to one knee, pale and trembling.
"My apologies for the disrespect, my lord. I did not expect your sudden arrival. Please forgive me…"
He bowed deeply—toward empty air.
The three attackers looked on, stunned.
Master?
Even Orochimaru bowed and begged forgiveness?
Their spines went cold. Whoever could make him kneel—what kind of monster was that?
They didn't have time to wonder.
A magnetic field surged through the air. The ground cracked, the air itself shrieked—and before they could move, their bones shattered like glass.
The sound of crunching echoed through the valley as their bodies collapsed, crushed from the inside out.
All three were dead in seconds.
Inside the underground base, Orochimaru staggered as he led Shigeo deeper in. Sweat beaded on his forehead; his face was ghastly pale.
He glanced sideways at Shigeo with hunger and fear.
If only he could be my vessel…
It was his time again—three years since the last body transfer.
The perfect host stood right beside him, yet he dared not act.
Not only because of the black rods embedded in his heart, but because he knew—he would fail.
He couldn't even defeat Uchiha Itachi.
How could he possibly survive against Hyūga Shigeo?
That was why he had set his sights on the much weaker Sasuke instead.
They reached the largest chamber of the hideout.
Orochimaru could barely stand now; he didn't want Shigeo to see his condition, yet he had no idea why this man had come.
"My lord," Orochimaru said, forcing steadiness into his voice, "to what do we owe the honor of your visit?"
Shigeo didn't waste words.
"I came for Uchiha Sasuke."
"Impossible!" Orochimaru snapped instantly.
He had planned this for years, sacrificed so much—there was no way he would let his perfect vessel slip away.
The Sharingan bloodline was his dream.
But the moment the words left his mouth, regret followed.
This was Hyūga Shigeo—if he grew angry, there would be no second chance.
Around them, the Sound ninja tensed, eyes wide.
The chamber's air thickened as Shigeo's killing intent spread, a suffocating pressure that made even the stone walls groan.
It felt like hell itself was about to descend.
Everyone held their breath.
"What's possible or not isn't your call," Shigeo said evenly.
"When Sasuke arrives, he'll decide for himself."
He turned, sat casually in a chair, and smiled faintly at the terrified onlookers.
Then, with a flick of his hand, Mokuton (Wood Release) chakra surged—forming a twisting wooden dragon that lunged toward Orochimaru.
For a moment, Orochimaru's heart stopped.
He was at his weakest during body transfer.
Why did I even go out to greet him? Am I insane?
Kabuto and several Sound ninja rushed forward, placing themselves between Orochimaru and the dragon.
The mountain shook violently.
Rocks fell, the floor cracked, and dust filled the chamber.
When it cleared, both Orochimaru and his followers were gone—vanished into underground tunnels.
Shigeo yawned and looked around the ruined chamber.
With a faint smirk, he turned—and disappeared.
…
"That was terrifying… I thought I was dead," Orochimaru gasped, clutching his chest.
He had invited Shigeo in, hoping to obtain a blood sample, and had nearly died instead.
If Shigeo had unleashed any infection or viral chakra techniques, even his rebirth wouldn't save him.
A Sound ninja asked cautiously, "Kabuto-sama… who is that man? For even Lord Orochimaru to fear him so much?"
Kabuto remembered vividly—the battle where Shigeo fought four Edo Tensei Kage alone.
He sighed. "He's… terrifying indeed."
Because of the relocation of their base—and the fierce resistance from Naruto and the others—Sasuke didn't reach Orochimaru until three days later.
By then, Orochimaru had already taken a new body.
And Sasuke had no idea that someone else had been following him all along.
When he finally entered the new hideout, the entire Sound Village base nearly erupted in panic.
Orochimaru's subordinates paled in terror; even Orochimaru himself froze.
Behind Sasuke stood Hyūga Shigeo.
"L-Lord Shigeo," Orochimaru stammered, "no matter what terrible things I've done over the years, I've always been loyal to you! Please, spare me!"
His newly possessed body trembled, hands sealed and bound.
If Shigeo struck now, he had no way to defend himself.
(End of Chapter)
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