Orochimaru and Yotsuki A sensed something amiss, and their expressions changed. As if by unspoken agreement, they launched synchronized attacks at a section of the nearby forest.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
A fiercely condensed, scorching Great Fireball was spewed from Orochimaru's mouth, soaring toward the forest.
Lightning Release: False Darkness!
From Yotsuki A's mouth erupted numerous strands of hair-thin but incredibly numerous lightning chains. With a sharp "Crack! Crack! Crack!—" sound, they shot into the forest.
Rumble!
The fireball and lightning chains violently exploded in the depths of the forest. Grass and trees flew, and dirt scattered everywhere.
Orochimaru and Yotsuki A exchanged a look without speaking. They both knew they had sensed a faint, unusual chakra fluctuation emanating from that part of the forest, indicating a third party was lurking nearby, spying on the battle between Konoha and the Cloud ninja.
Seeing Orochimaru and Yotsuki A's strange movements, the others also realized something was wrong. They stopped fighting and converged around Orochimaru and Yotsuki A, looking toward the section of forest that had been attacked.
Jiraiya shouted loudly: "What kind of 'rat' is hiding in there? Come out immediately, or don't blame Lord Jiraiya for getting rough!"
The yellowish-brown smoke from the explosion and the scattered wood chips slowly dispersed, revealing the scene within: a solid, black iron wall made of magnetized sand iron stood erect.
Shh... shh... shh...
As the sand iron scattered, the wall slowly dissipated, exposing the Sand ninja team who had been hidden behind it.
Upon seeing that the third party was yet another Great Nation's ninja team—and the Sand ninja, with whom they had a prior conflict—Jiraiya couldn't help but mutter: "What a small world!"
Despite his complaints, Jiraiya's actions were quick. He and Orochimaru, along with the others, swiftly formed a defensive formation that allowed for mutual cooperation and cover. Manji was subtly protected within the group's point of fire, and Chi was prepared to slip into the shadow dimension at any moment to launch an assassination or sneak attack.
The Cloud ninja side also demonstrated excellent combat quality for a Great Nation's team. Yotsuki A and Yotsuki Tee, who excelled at Lightning Release Taijutsu, stood at the front. Kitagawa Ryūun, who specialized in Lightning Release Ninjutsu, stood back about a body-length, forming a reverse-triangle team formation that allowed them to be both offensive and defensive.
Orochimaru subtly led Jiraiya and his team to distance themselves from the Cloud ninja. The three teams formed an eerie triangle, eyeing each other, on high alert. No one dared to make a sudden move. Each side quickly calculated the potential benefits and losses in their minds.
Moriyama Nagai gave an awkward laugh and explained: "Uh, we were just passing through. Please, carry on, carry on!"
The Sand ninja team was caught red-handed spying, clearly intending to play the role of the opportunistic fisherman. Naturally, they were embarrassed and afraid that the Cloud and Konoha ninja would ally to eliminate them first. They stood guard, afraid to act rashly. Of course, Moriyama Nagai's weak explanation convinced neither themselves nor Orochimaru and Yotsuki A.
Orochimaru, however, was secretly delighted by the sudden exposure of the Sand ninja. It seemed the Sand ninja were unaware that the mission map was in his possession. Given the strength of Yotsuki A's team, they certainly wouldn't dare to reveal that information rashly. In the current standoff, a full-blown fight was unlikely to break out, which was perfect for preserving his team's strength for later.
Orochimaru gave a wicked smile and taunted: "Yotsuki A, we've gotten to know each other through fighting. These three Sand ninja are acting quite dishonestly. How about we deal with them together first, and then we continue our battle?"
Upon hearing Orochimaru's words, the Sand ninja's hearts clenched. Their chakra surged. Sasori, young but prodigiously talented, summoned two humanoid puppets, which made continuous "clack, clack, clack—" clicking sounds. Sharpened, poisoned steel needles jutted out from the puppets' arms.
Yotsuki A of the Cloud ninja certainly wouldn't believe Orochimaru's deceptive words, but he was torn. On one hand, he wanted to ally with the Sand ninja, who seemed unaware that Orochimaru had the map, to take out the Konoha team and seize the scroll.
On the other hand, he felt that even if they succeeded in taking the map from Orochimaru, their team would be weakened after an intense fight with the Konoha ninja. They would be at a significant disadvantage against the well-rested Sand ninja. Their situation would become extremely perilous, and they might end up snatching the chicken only to lose the rice.
Seeing Yotsuki A's silence and flickering expression, the Sand ninja felt slightly relieved. At least the Cloud ninja did not seem to be planning to ally with Konoha just yet.
The atmosphere returned to an eerie silence. After another few moments of quiet standoff, Orochimaru knew it was time to disengage.
He made a subtle gesture to Jiraiya and the others to retreat. The six individuals maintained their formation, keeping a watchful eye on both the Sand and Cloud ninja, slowly backing away one step at a time, following Orochimaru's lead.
Orochimaru's action was clearly a signal. The Cloud and Sand ninja, unwilling to entangle themselves in a major battle here, watched as Orochimaru retreated.
The Sand ninja, unaware that Orochimaru held the mission map, remained relatively calm. However, Yotsuki A's team wore grim expressions, grinding their teeth in frustrated hatred.
When he saw Orochimaru backing away, Yotsuki Tee wanted to say something more: "Brother..."
Yotsuki A stopped him with a hand and gave a suggestive glance toward the Sand ninja.
Yotsuki Tee was not an idiot; he understood the hint and merely shot a look of deep resentment at Orochimaru.
Once they had retreated about twenty meters to a safe distance, Orochimaru allowed Jiraiya and the others to use the Ninja Walk technique to retreat at full speed. He personally stayed at the rear, taking in the expressions of the Sand and Cloud ninja. He gave Yotsuki A a cryptic smile, then turned and left without further hesitation.
Yotsuki A naturally caught Orochimaru's final smile. His face turned bright red, swollen with a mix of fury and humiliation, as if he had been brutally slapped.
The Sand ninja's Moriyama Nagai looked slightly perplexed, but seeing the Cloud ninja also preparing to leave, he swallowed his questions.
The six members of Orochimaru's team ran for several kilometers before finding a relatively hidden spot and stopping.
Jiraiya and Tsunade were calmer and immediately went out to set up some routine Ninjutsu traps.
Meanwhile, Manji and the other two leaned against the trees, breathing heavily.
First, an intense, frightening battle, and then almost falling into a pincer attack by two Great Nation ninja teams—the constant threat to their lives had stretched the nerves of the three, who were facing such a brutal and perilous situation for the first time, to the breaking point. Now that they were relaxing, they were all panting and immensely relieved.
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