On the trees surrounding the boy, crisscrossing steel wires were strung, linking countless traps.
At that moment, the boy kept a perfectly calm face, holding his breath, a kunai appearing in each of his hands, making his intentions clear without words.
With lightning speed, he hurled the kunai, slicing through the steel wires, thereby triggering a chain reaction of traps.
From the pitch-dark depths of the forest, a shower of kunai and shuriken shot toward the boy like dense rain.
The boy seemed shocked stiff, standing rooted to the spot without massive movement.
Orochimaru's expression changed subtly at the sight—this level of danger naturally meant nothing to him.
But for a five- or six-year-old child, it was already vastly over the top.
Yet before Orochimaru could move to rescue him, the boy vanished from where he stood, dodging the first barrage of kunai and shuriken.
The boy leaped into the air, body flipping, fingers reaching toward his ninja tool bag at his waist, hooking out a kunai and making a fluid, elegant slash before his eyes.
Every step perfectly avoided the kunai and shuriken; each strike knocked aside the flying blades with just the right amount of force.
The trajectories of all the kunai and shuriken unleashed by the traps were, in an instant, more or less seen through by the boy.
Moments later, the ground was littered anew with fragments and notched kunai and shuriken.
The boy landed lightly and silently, breathing slightly heavy.
There were a few new slashes on his clothes, cut open carelessly by kunai and shuriken.
The boy frowned slightly. To think he still couldn't avoid all of that?
In other words, he still had room to grow—he hadn't reached his limit yet.
So, he began to reset the traps, continuing to sharpen his evasion and counter-attack skills.
Orochimaru, spying on this scene from the shadows under the trees, was a bit dumbfounded.
Unconsciously, Orochimaru extended his tongue and gently licked his lips, a strange glint flickering in his eyes.
Uchiha…
The boy training there suddenly shivered violently.
Without hesitation, he spun around and threw the kunai in his hand.
Two leaves fluttered down where there was nobody.
An illusion? The boy saw only the two leaves drifting down and no trace of a person, a glimmer of doubt rising in his heart.
That feeling of being watched was something he deeply hated. It was as if a snake's tongue was licking across his skin, making him feel a visceral sense of rejection and disgust.
—Orochimaru had already left the woods.
He stood outside the forest, gazing inward, a meaningful smile playing at the corners of his lips.
"An interesting brat… I didn't expect him to pull that off without even awakening his Sharingan. If he does awaken his Sharingan in the future… I'm truly looking forward to this kid's future. Perhaps he could…"
The evil glint in Orochimaru's eyes intensified.
As he brooded, a shuriken suddenly sliced through the air toward him, carrying a sharp gust of wind.
Orochimaru dodged instinctively, but the wind energy swirling around the shuriken still slashed a cut into his face, drawing blood.
Orochimaru's expression darkened as he stared at a certain spot, where, at some unknown point, two figures had appeared.
Both were clad in black cloaks, now facing off against Orochimaru.
With a cold smile, Orochimaru said, "Well, well, I wondered who it was—if it isn't our esteemed Lord Danzo? What brings you to this place all of a sudden?"
Leading Laur was, naturally, the Root Leader Shimura Danzo, standing impeccably at his side was Root's deputy commander, Aburame Ryuma—Danzo's capable right hand and one of Root's most formidable combatants.
"And you? Not hiding in your lab—what're you doing in a place like this, Orochimaru?"
Danzo's face was utterly impassive, giving no hint to his true thoughts.
"Don't get me wrong, I just came out for a stroll… but ended up discovering such an intriguing child. If I remember right, his name is Uchiha Itachi, isn't it?"
Orochimaru chuckled darkly.
Aburame Ryuma narrowed his eyes, glaring at Orochimaru with a killing intent that almost seemed to leap out.
"What exactly are you getting at?"
Danzo asked, keeping his composure.
"It's clear you two aren't here to tail me. So, your purpose for appearing here is obvious. That kid is very important to you—not just to you, but to Root, am I right?"
Orochimaru sounded as if he'd figured out everything.
Danzo showed no reaction, merely stepping forward and saying to Orochimaru, "Don't forget our agreement. If everything gets exposed, it won't end well for either of us."
"Of course I know that. But the way you look, like you're about to silence me, is just too terrifying."
"Hmph. Some things are simply not your business."
"So, you're still planning to go against Teacher Sarutobi's orders, handling the Uchiha situation your own way? True, that kid is impressive, but to take on the mighty Uchiha Clan… he's hardly qualified."
"That's not your concern. If there's nothing else, return to your hideout and continue your research."
Danzo was clearly dismissing him.
"As you wish. But just let me say this—even if you always lurk in the shadows, you'll never get to be Hokage."
Orochimaru spoke as if giving Danzo a piece of advice.
"Is that the loser's reflection—after your failed bid for Fourth Hokage?"
Hearing Danzo's remark, Orochimaru's smile became even more forced and insincere.
Without another word, Orochimaru's figure vanished from ground.