With an enemy in front and another closing in from behind, Sora Hanyū halted his escape.
But thanks to days of taijutsu training with Might Duy, confidence surged in his heart.
He didn't freeze in panic. Instead, he chose to go on the offensive, rushing directly toward the tanuki-masked ninja blocking his path.
"Leaf Whirlwind!"
Sora planted one hand on the ground and spun into a high-speed kick, aiming straight for the ninja's head.
But the tanuki-masked assailant dodged nimbly to the side, then flipped his grip on a kunai and thrust it toward Sora's chest.
"Leaf Rising Wind!"
Sora countered with an upward high-kick, knocking the kunai clean from his opponent's hand.
Seizing the opening, he surged forward and drove a punch deep into the attacker's abdomen.
Poof!
A burst of white smoke erupted.
"A shadow clone… again?!"
Sora's heart sank.
Shadow Clone Jutsu really is overpowered… whether for battle or training. I've got to learn it as soon as I can.
But while distracted by his thoughts, strong arms suddenly locked around him from behind, binding him tightly.
Still, Sora remained calm.
Now's the time to test my theory.
"Eight Inner Gates, First Gate: Gate of Opening… Open!"
Harnessing the Door-Door Fruit, he flipped an internal "switch."
A surge of energy flooded his body. His chakra flow accelerated rapidly, and his control over his limbs became frighteningly precise. For a moment, it felt like he could even command each strand of body hair.
Sora stomped hard on his attacker's foot, twisted with all his might, and broke free.
"Leaf Shattering Rock Ascend!"
With a full-body spin, he slammed an elbow into the tanuki mask, shattering it, then launched a powerful knee straight into the ninja's jaw.
"Wind Style: Wind Cutter Jutsu!"
A spinning wind blade whooshed in, forcing Sora to retreat.
The hummingbird-masked ninja had arrived to support his partner.
To Sora's surprise, even after such a beating, the tanuki-masked ninja rose to his feet.
Side by side, the two black-clad assassins began weaving hand seals.
"Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu!"
"Wind Style: Gale Palm!"
Flames and wind merged into a massive fire dragon that barreled down the narrow alley.
There was nowhere to dodge.
Using a compound jutsu like this against a student from the academy?! That's just cruel!
Sora was out of options.
He reached for the wall, ready to activate the Door-Door Fruit and phase through to escape.
"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!"
A shout echoed behind him, and a towering wall of water erupted in front of him.
The massive fire dragon clashed with the water barrier, unleashing an explosion of scalding steam that filled the alley.
"Sora, are you alright?! Come with me, quickly!"
Through the mist, a golden blur sprinted toward him, it was Nonō Yakushi.
Her voice trembled with worry as she grabbed Sora's hand and broke into a full sprint.
In that moment, with her wind-tossed blonde hair and frantic concern, she seemed like a ray of sunlight piercing through storm clouds.
How could someone this kind-hearted… end up in Root?
Sora wondered.
"Aaahh!" "Aargh!"
Cries of agony rang out behind them.
Neither looked back.
"No need to run anymore."
A cold, hissing voice cut through the fog.
From the shadows stepped Orochimaru, his pale, serpentine face calm and unreadable.
Behind him slithered two giant snakes, each as thick as a water barrel.
Coiled tightly in their tails were the battered corpses of the masked assassins.
Their bodies were twisted like ropes, blood slowly dripping to the ground.
"Sensei!" Sora's face lit up in relief.
He hadn't expected his teacher, supposedly away on a mission, to return just in time.
"Lord Orochimaru," Nonō quickly bowed her head.
The moment the danger passed, Sora released the First Gate.
His body, suddenly devoid of support, collapsed into Nonō's arms.
"Sora, what's wrong?!" she cried, trying to hold him upright.
"I'm… okay," Sora panted. "I just used a technique beyond what my body could handle…"
The First Gate, when used properly, wasn't inherently dangerous.
But Sora's body wasn't ready to handle even that.
By forcefully opening the gate with the Door-Door Fruit, he had temporarily unlocked power, but the recoil was punishing.
His legs, in particular, had suffered clear muscle damage from the sudden burst of speed.
Nonō gently laid him down and activated her healing chakra, performing the advanced technique Mystic Palm Jutsu.
This was no ordinary healing method, only elite medical-nin could use it. Under its glow, Sora's torn muscles began rapidly regenerating.
But there was a limit, no technique could restore stamina.
He'd need at least a full day of rest to recover.
Orochimaru watched silently for a moment, then spoke.
"You have my thanks for saving my student. What is your name?"
Still kneeling beside Sora, Nonō lowered her gaze.
"Lord Orochimaru… I'm Yakushi Nonō."
"When you're finished here, take Sora home."
"Yes, my lord."
She gently lifted Sora onto her back and began walking.
Orochimaru stood in place, watching them disappear into the distance.
Then, his golden eyes turned cold.
With a flash of movement, he vanished.
Root Headquarters – Konoha's Underground Base
"Danzo… you owe me an explanation."
In the dimly lit chamber, Orochimaru stood calmly.
With a snap of his fingers, the two corpses were spat out from a giant snake that had slithered in silently behind him.
Danzo stared at the bodies, his face darkening with both shock and anger.
These were two outer-circle Root shinobi he'd assigned to work with Nonō Yakushi.
The plan had been simple: the masked assassins would stage an ambush, and Nonō would arrive at the last moment to "rescue" Sora, gaining his trust.
Everything had been going according to plan.
So why were they dead?
Wasn't Orochimaru on a mission? How did he come back so fast?!
Danzo's expression twisted.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he said coldly.
"I don't recognize these men."
Then, he sneered.
"In fact, I should be asking you, what gives you the right to storm into my office and throw corpses at me?"
<150 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter>