Chapter 255: Kabuto and Kimimaro
Swish! Swish!
"This way."
Kiba Inuzuka led the team, his nose twitching as he rapidly analyzed the direction the enemies had fled. Shikamaru and the others followed closely behind. Naruto's expression was grim; he was determined to drag Sasuke back.
Bang! Bang!
Along the way, it seemed the Sound Ninja ahead had realized they were being pursued and had set traps. However, all four members of the recovery team had undergone Tonbo Tobitake's "real battlefield" training, where they had been "killed" by traps countless times. They dismantled the obstacles with fluid precision and continued the chase. Kiba only needed a sniff to tell where something had been tampered with, and if that failed, Akamaru was there to assist.
Boom!
They triggered another explosive tag trap intentionally to clear the path.
"Heh, looks like my training wasn't for nothing after all!" Tonbo Tobitake watched their trap-disarming techniques from the shadows. The seamless way they handled it proved his efforts had paid off.
From the way the Sound Four were setting traps, it was clear they hadn't encountered the special Jonin squad led by Genma Shiranui as they did in the original story. Without that drain on their stamina, the Sound Four should have been in peak condition, which gave them the energy to set so many obstacles.
However, because they hadn't fought Genma, the Sound Four were moving faster.
"They should still be able to catch up for a fight. My students' speed in clearing traps is already much higher than any average squad," Tonbo mused.
Whoosh!
Tonbo erased all traces of his aura and scent, continuing the pursuit. His four clones followed doggedly. Having massive chakra reserves truly made things convenient.
Konoha.
Tsunade arrived at Rock Lee's house and called him out.
"Lord Hokage." Lee stood at attention upon seeing her.
"Is your body feeling alright now?" Tsunade asked. It had been some time since Lee's surgery. She had come personally to check if he was fit for backup duty, as the reinforcements from the Sand Village might be a bit slow.
Lee's eyes sparkled. "Thanks to your treatment, Lord Hokage, and Captain Tonbo's assistance, my body has returned to its former state. Not only can I train, but I could even open the Eight Inner Gates again if I had to!"
That was the light of hope. He was a living miracle.
"Is that so? His method might be taxing, but it's quite effective," Tsunade admitted. After the surgery, Lee was supposed to recuperate for a long time. But Tonbo had stepped in, using Genjutsu to stimulate the body's natural accelerated self-healing. Unlike standard medical ninjutsu that forces cell division, Tonbo's method guided the body's natural processes—it was less "violent," though it required several secret medicinal pills worth tens of thousands of ryo each.
She had thought Lee would still need more time, but he looked ready for action.
"I have an emergency mission for you..."
Tsunade briefed him. Without hesitation, Lee packed his gear and vanished. Tsunade finally felt a bit of relief. She would have preferred sending a Jonin, but her hands were tied. Konoha needed its defensive core to stay behind to deal with any potential raids. Sasuke was important, but the village's safety was paramount.
Orochimaru's Secret Base, Land of Rice Fields.
This base was separate from the Hidden Sound headquarters. By hiding in plain sight, Orochimaru had successfully evaded the search parties led by Shibi Aburame.
"Kabuto, I have a bad premonition. I'm afraid I'll need you to step in," Orochimaru said. For some reason, he felt the Sound Four's journey wouldn't be smooth.
Kabuto paused while shaking a vial of medicine. "Lord Orochimaru, you are too kind. But if I leave, your body..."
Kabuto hesitated. He was currently the one managing everything regarding Orochimaru's health.
"Cough... don't underestimate me. Besides, your intervention shouldn't take too long," Orochimaru coughed several times. "I must perform the reincarnation in half a day at the latest. Without you out there, I can't rest easy."
Kabuto's eyes gleamed behind his glasses. "In that case, I shall take my leave."
"Take Kimimaro with you."
"I was thinking the exact same thing." Kabuto had intended to bring Kimimaro anyway; for the sake of Lord Orochimaru's new vessel, they could not afford a single failure.
Cough! Cough!
After Kabuto left, a look of agony returned to Orochimaru's face. "Is this body already at its limit? Sasuke, hurry..."
Tap, tap!
Kabuto navigated through various tunnels and entered a hidden room. A young man lay there, his bare torso covered in monitoring equipment and sealing formulas.
"Teacher Kabuto... is it something for Lord Orochimaru?" Kimimaro's eyes shifted toward Kabuto.
"Yes. I'm sorry, Kimimaro, but you have another mission. It might be your last," Kabuto said.
Kimimaro smiled gently. "Is that so? Then let me use this dying husk to do one last thing for Lord Orochimaru. I am happy to help him obtain a better body."
"Heh, it's not just you; I'm going with you." Kabuto hadn't expected Orochimaru to send him away at the critical moment of his reincarnation. Was it because of that man, Tonbo Tobitake, again? As a veteran spy, that was Kabuto's best guess.
"Even Teacher Kabuto is being sent out? It seems this mission won't be easy," Kimimaro said, somewhat shocked. Kabuto was Orochimaru's favorite assistant; sending him away now was a serious move.
Kabuto walked over to a computer and operated it. The screen displayed numerous experimental subjects in various cells. He spoke into the microphone: "Kill each other. I will release the families of the last survivor."
The subjects on screen paused for a moment before their eyes exploded with murderous intent. Kabuto didn't stick around to watch.
"Kimimaro, let's go."
"Teacher Kabuto, wasting test subjects like that must be stressful even for you?" Kimimaro asked as he tore off the monitors and followed. High-quality test subjects were hard to find.
Kabuto pushed up his glasses. "Yes, but to prevent any accidents, there's no other way. We can't be certain we can bring Sasuke back before Lord Orochimaru's current body gives out."
"You've thought of everything," Kimimaro agreed. If they didn't make it back in time, Lord Orochimaru would at least have a survivor from that death match to use as a temporary vessel.
"Adjust your mindset. Our enemies this time might just be Konoha's finest elites." Kabuto's lips curled into a smirk.
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