Drip.
Drip.
The sound of falling water echoed endlessly through the dark underground laboratory.
Ren, dressed in standard ANBU gear, moved forward with extreme caution, following closely behind a purple-haired female ANBU operative. The pitch-black corridor ahead felt like a passage leading straight into hell itself—enough to chill anyone to the bone at first glance.
"Stay alert. This place is very likely one of the rogue ninja Orochimaru's laboratories."
The purple-haired girl scanned the darkness ahead before lowering her voice to warn Ren behind her.
"And we've already been separated from the others. A fight could break out at any moment. You need to stay focused."
"I understand, Yugao-senpai."
Ren nodded, but the moment he spoke, the figure in front of him paused.
"Wasn't your ANBU evaluation rated as excellent?" Yugao Uzuki snapped, clearly displeased. "Then why don't you know to use code names while on duty? And take this seriously—we're facing Orochimaru!"
"Yes, yes, senpai. I get it."
Yugao's dissatisfaction with Ren was obvious. As ANBU, they represented the Hokage himself—they represented Konoha.
And in recent years, Konoha's situation had been anything but stable.
Five years ago—Konoha Year Forty-Seven—the Nine-Tails incident had taken the life of the Fourth Hokage.
Then, in Konoha Year Fifty, one of the Legendary Sannin—Orochimaru—had defected from the village.
And just last year, Kumogakure had nearly gone to war with Konoha.
The village was teetering in the storm.
That was precisely why ANBU had to work even harder to uphold Konoha's honor—especially now that they had finally obtained solid intelligence on Orochimaru.
"Contact—watch out!"
Before Yugao could say anything more, Ren suddenly spoke. He grabbed her arm and yanked her sharply to the side.
Whoosh—
Whoosh—
Whoosh—
Several kunai tore through the air where they had just been standing. Faint sounds of combat echoed elsewhere in the laboratory.
They had walked straight into an ambush.
"Damn it!"
Yugao steadied herself and cursed under her breath, swiftly drawing the ninjatō from her back as she turned toward Ren.
"Prepare for combat—we—"
Before she could finish, the explosive tags attached to the kunai detonated.
A burst of fire and thick smoke swallowed the area, and through the smoke, several figures charged toward them.
At the critical moment, Ren formed hand seals.
The ground trembled.
"Such powerful chakra…?"
Yugao's eyes widened in shock.
Though she was only thirteen, being admitted into ANBU already proved her exceptional talent. She had read Ren's file—this new recruit was even younger than she was.
No wonder his evaluation was perfect across the board.
Cracks split the earth as countless stone spikes erupted upward, instantly impaling the attackers rushing in.
Shrouded in smoke, Ren leapt forward, plunging directly into the chaos.
Yugao's expression changed again.
"That's too reckless… Orochimaru's subordinates are not people you rush head-on!"
Despite her earlier irritation, Yugao was genuinely worried.
ANBU were the Hokage's direct subordinates—those who embodied the Will of Fire most deeply. Without it, no one would ever earn the Hokage's trust.
Though ANBU could be ruthless in carrying out missions, they were nothing like Root, which discarded comrades without hesitation.
"I have to help him!"
Yugao tightened her grip on her blade, preparing to move.
But very quickly, she realized—
She might have been completely wrong.
Even through the smoke, she could clearly make out Ren's figure—shorter than the others, unmistakable.
Yet his height did nothing to diminish his combat prowess.
His movements were ghostlike, weaving between the attackers, striking again and again.
Clang—
Clang—
Clang—
Metal collided endlessly. The sickening sound of blades piercing flesh rang out repeatedly.
That speed.
That precision.
That mastery of ninjutsu.
Yugao could only stare in disbelief.
Before long, the smoke began to clear.
Ren landed calmly, standing where he was. Around him, the ambushers lay strewn across the ground, lifeless.
Yugao froze, momentarily dazed.
I… didn't do anything at all.
"Y-you're not hurt, are you?"
Though frustrated, she couldn't help but ask.
But as soon as Ren turned around, he grabbed her hand and pulled her behind him.
Yugao was about to speak when she froze.
Footsteps.
Unhurried. Steady.
And with them came an invisible, suffocating pressure.
Moments later, a man in white robes emerged from the shadows—pale-faced, with amber, snake-like eyes.
Behind her mask, Yugao's face turned deathly pale.
"Orochimaru…"
Her grip on her sword tightened instinctively.
This was one of the Legendary Sannin.
Countless shinobi had grown up hearing his name. Facing him directly, fear was unavoidable.
"Yugao-senpai, don't worry. I'm here."
Ren's quiet voice reached her ears—and unexpectedly, her racing heart steadied.
"I… lost my composure."
"No. Anyone would be nervous facing Orochimaru."
Ren shook his head, then spoke seriously.
"Yugao-senpai, leave this place. Find the others and bring reinforcements as quickly as possible. I'll do my best to hold Orochimaru back."
"No!"
Yugao interrupted him immediately.
"How can I leave something this dangerous to you alone? I—"
"There's no time to argue."
Ren said quickly as Orochimaru drew closer.
"You're strongest with kenjutsu, senpai—but against someone like Orochimaru, swords won't be effective.
I'm different. You've seen what I can do. Please—trust me."
The approaching footsteps grew louder.
Yugao clenched her teeth. She knew she had only moments to decide.
Finally, she nodded.
"Don't you dare die. Wait for me to come back!"
She cast Ren a deep, lingering look before turning and sprinting away.
At that moment, Orochimaru stopped roughly three meters from Ren.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
The sound echoed softly.
Both Ren and the departing Yugao felt a cold sensation—like being stared at by a venomous snake.
"Such commendable courage," Orochimaru said hoarsely, amusement flickering in his eyes.
"But tell me… how long do you think you can stop me?"
The pressure intensified.
Yugao quickened her pace.
Ren, however, remained perfectly calm.
Once he was sure Yugao had gone far enough, he slowly removed his mask.
Short black hair, refined features—his appearance naturally put others at ease.
Facing the sinister Sannin, he inclined his head slightly.
"Lord Orochimaru," he said softly.
"It's been a long time."
[Side Quest Completed: Meeting Orochimaru]
[Mission Rank: A]
[Reward Acquired: Free Point ×1]
[Special Condition Met: Target is Orochimaru, Rank A Completion]
[Special Reward Granted: Unbound Cursed Seal].
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