The eighteen-member elite squad traveled for another hour. Suddenly, a broad river, about a hundred meters wide with a rapid current, appeared before them. Dozens of meters above the wide river surface, a rickety suspension bridge spanned the banks, marking the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers.
Sarutobi signaled for everyone to stop. Looking at the turbulent river, his expression relaxed slightly. He said, "Let's find the border outpost. Everyone take a rest. Once we cross this river, we'll be on the soil of the Land of Rivers."
The border outpost was a three-story building with a courtyard, resembling an inn and restaurant. Sarutobi led the group straight in and booked all the remaining rooms.
This was just one of the border outposts, manned by about thirty regular soldiers. They served as both military personnel and, to make ends meet, ran small businesses like inns and restaurants, providing food and lodging for passing merchants and travelers.
Seeing the generous amount of money Sarutobi's group paid, the soldiers smiled ingratiatingly and, daring not to delay, immediately made arrangements.
The group gathered in a private room. With Sarutobi silent, the ninja remained quiet. Sarutobi gave Hyūga Harano a look.
Harano understood and nodded.
Orochimaru clearly sensed an unusual chakra fluctuation suddenly erupting around Harano's eyes. Immediately after, snow-white veins bulged and extended from his temples and even the upper part of his cheeks, merging into his strange, white pupils. The Byakugan was activated!
Hyūga Harano raised his eyes and scanned the private room. The miraculous Byakugan easily pierced through the room's partitions, taking in all the movements within the entire inn and restaurant.
In the lobby outside the room, a traveler who had been staying there for a week looked suspiciously at the private room where Sarutobi's group was gathered. He carefully pulled out a drawing, settled his bill with shifty eyes, and turned to leave.
The man's suspicious actions naturally did not escape Hyūga Harano's scrutiny, and he faithfully reported them to Sarutobi.
Uchiha Tomoshige's eyes narrowed. He asked, "Should we take him out?"
Sarutobi offered a knowing smile: "Let him go! If those small things, like ants and mice, hide in their holes and ambush us on the road after we enter the Land of Rivers, they'll be a hassle. It's better to lure them out and deal with them all at once!"
Uchiha Tomoshige and Hyūga Harano nodded.
Orochimaru smiled faintly, silently agreeing with Sarutobi: You must cast a long line to catch a big fish!
Hyūga Harano was about to deactivate his Byakugan. His 360-degree field of vision suddenly caught sight of Orochimaru's slight smile, causing his heart to stir. He pretended to look casually toward Orochimaru.
Just then, an intense internal warning flared up in Orochimaru's mind, followed by a sudden, peculiar sensation of being seen through from the inside out.
With his exceptionally strong spiritual power, Orochimaru immediately sensed Hyūga Harano's little action. His dark-golden snake eyes shot an uncompromising glare toward Harano. Simultaneously, a powerful surge of killing intent, like a massive tide, swept over Harano.
Everyone in the room was startled by the killing intent radiating from Orochimaru and immediately changed their expressions.
"Hmph—"
Sarutobi, sitting in his chair, let out a cold snort and suddenly erupted. A powerful aura filled with dignity and might instantly surged from his body. In a flash, it forcefully suppressed Orochimaru's killing intent. Without losing momentum, it then fiercely rolled toward Hyūga Harano.
Hyūga Harano subconsciously mustered his own aura to fight back, but Sarutobi's vast and imposing presence crushed Harano's aura like a giant hand descending from the heavens, making Harano suffer a considerable but silent defeat.
Sarutobi's voice, tinged with coldness, then reached everyone's ears: "Hyūga Harano, I respect you as an elder, which is why I gave you face. Do not push your luck! What do you think you're doing to my disciple, Sarutobi Hiruzen's disciple?"
At the pinnacle of his ninja career, Sarutobi's aura was truly terrifying, leaving Harano completely subdued.
The Hyūga elder was also a shrewd veteran. He immediately deactivated his Byakugan, lowered his posture, and said, "Lord Sarutobi, please don't be angry. Hyūga Harano sincerely apologizes to this young friend here!"
Harano then offered an apologetic smile and a slight bow to Orochimaru.
Orochimaru keenly noted the complex, unreadable look the elder gave toward his chest. Unsure if the elder had seen the Curse Seal or Yamata, Orochimaru licked his lips, his eyes flashing with a cold light, having already entertained a killing intent.
Seeing that Hyūga Harano had humbled himself, Sarutobi saw no need to press the matter further. He retracted his aura and said calmly, "Have something to eat and then go rest. Remain vigilant while you sleep tonight."
Hyūga Harano slightly bowed his head, his eyes flickering with an unknown meaning, lost in thought.
This small interlude made the atmosphere extremely tense. The group of Chūnin didn't dare to breathe loudly and quickly finished their meal.
After eating, everyone returned to their respective rooms. Hyūga Harano, his eyes still flickering, deliberately fell behind and called out to Orochimaru: "Young friend?"
Orochimaru pretended not to hear him.
"Orochimaru?" Hyūga Harano's voice carried a hint of annoyance.
Orochimaru stopped and turned around. His dark-golden snake eyes stared coldly at Hyūga Harano. Bothering with formal language, he asked impolitely, "Is there something you need?"
Pleased that Orochimaru had stopped, Hyūga Harano walked closer and said warmly, "I wonder if you could do me a favor, young friend, and visit the Hyūga clan after the mission is over and we return to the village?"
A trace of doubt flashed in Orochimaru's eyes, but he quickly concealed it. He knew Harano's invitation was definitely related to the secret the elder had just tried to see on him, though he wasn't sure if it was the Curse Seal or Yamata that had piqued Harano's interest.
Unable to figure it out immediately, Orochimaru did not agree rashly. He gave an ambiguous answer: "Let's talk after the mission is concluded."
Hyūga Harano was surprisingly understanding of Orochimaru's reply. He smiled fully and patted Orochimaru's shoulder: "Young friend is wise and composed—a truly rare talent.
My actions just now were far too reckless. I ask for your forgiveness!
The moment you wish to visit, this old man will happily roll out the welcome mat at the Hyūga clan!"
Orochimaru's suspicion deepened, but he still nodded.
Returning to his room at the inn, Sarutobi was waiting inside.
Seeing Orochimaru, Sarutobi asked kindly, "Although Hyūga Harano's actions were reckless, his character isn't bad.
Now that I've warned him, I assume he won't dare to cross the line again. You don't need to hold a grudge."
"Thank you, Sarutobi-sensei. Orochimaru will remember," Orochimaru replied. However, his mind was still on Hyūga Harano's words.
Sarutobi noticed that Orochimaru seemed troubled. He suddenly recalled the sight of Orochimaru and Harano lingering behind a moment ago and couldn't help but ask, "Did Hyūga Harano say anything to you?"
Orochimaru's heart skipped a beat, but he evaded the question: "No, nothing, Sensei. I just feel a little guilty about Maji, always being away from her side."
Sarutobi smiled and didn't press for details: "The old men of the Hyūga clan have been alive for decades; they are all shrewd veterans. Just be careful yourself."
Orochimaru nodded, his eyes gleaming with a cold light. If that Hyūga Harano tries anything against me, I, Orochimaru, am not to be trifled with!
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