Chapter 28 Orochimaru's Trail
Chapter 28 Orochimaru's Trail
Upon hearing Inuzuka Fu's words, Uchiha Touhuan also took them seriously. This was the first ninja clan to proactively show goodwill to the Uchiha. It
seemed that with the Senju clan, their former leader, in such a state in the village, the Inuzuka clan, which served as dedicated veterinarians in Konoha and struggled to enter the village's power center, had developed some special intentions. However, out of caution, they hadn't yet formally chosen sides.
Nevertheless, the fact that Inuzuka Fu, a Jonin, had brought this up with Uchiha Touhuan made the intention of showing goodwill all too clear. Unlike the Uchiha, the Inuzuka clan didn't have dozens of Jonin; their members could fill several rows at clan meetings. Inuzuka Fu's status within the Inuzuka clan was probably second only to their clan head.
"Brother Feng's news is truly a lifesaver for our Security Department," said Uchiha Touhuan. "Our newly recruited ninjas haven't fully developed their skills yet. With the assistance of the Inuzuka clan's ninja dogs, it would be even better."
Uchiha Touhuan readily accepted the Inuzuka clan's overtures. The Uchiha clan hadn't officially taken center stage yet, and the Inuzuka clan's current attitude was already a pleasant surprise. The Inuzuka
clan's overtures represented a good start.
"Speaking of which, the Security Department's benefits are truly enviable," Uzuki Yugao suddenly said. "After learning about the Security Department's benefits, I even considered resigning from the Anbu and joining the Security Department."
"Yugao-nee, you can't have that kind of thinking!" Uchiha Touhuan said seriously. "Wherever you work, you're serving Konoha. If the Third Hokage heard that, he'd think I'm forming cliques for personal gain."
"Oh, I was just kidding," Uzuki Yugao stuck out her tongue. "I finally managed to climb up to the rank of Special Jonin in the Anbu, there's no need for me to resign."
"Alright, enough of that, come on, everyone, cheers!" Uchiha Touhuan raised his glass, clinked glasses with everyone, and then downed his drink in one gulp.
Throughout the meal, Kakashi, sitting next to Uchiha Touhuan, remained silent, but his eyes were fixed on the events unfolding at the table, lost in thought.
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, they returned to the inn.
The next morning, they continued their journey.
However, this time, they didn't even have the most basic communication with Utatane Itsuki and Mitokado Hayato.
At noon that day, the group arrived at the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rice Fields.
Before reaching the specific area indicated by the clues, Kakashi began to fulfill his duties as the person in charge of this mission.
"Inuzuka Fu, you and Sumeraru search along the scent trail. Hyuga Kenya and Hyuga Takato, you two keep an eye on your surroundings and make sure your Byakugan is always active. Everyone else, prepare for battle."
"Understood." Everyone, including Uchiha Touhuan, nodded in agreement. Even Utatane Itsuki and Mitokado Hayato, who had essentially broken ties with the group, had no objections.
...
Inside Orochimaru's experimental base in the Land of Rice Fields.
Orochimaru seemed to suddenly sense something and put down the test tube in his hand.
Orochimaru, who was still working for the Akatsuki organization, had no intention of establishing the Sound Village, but he had set up an experimental base here for research. This small country, located between major powers and without any ninja villages, was a lawless land for powerful ninjas like them.
Although Orochimaru had betrayed the village, he still had some backup plans within Konoha. Orochimaru was fully aware of the recent changes in the village, especially the death of Danzo, with whom he had previously cooperated, and Uchiha Touhuan's recent major moves.
Furthermore, the moment the team tasked with capturing Orochimaru departed the village, his spies left behind reported back.
Not wanting trouble, his first thought upon learning of the pursuit team's presence was to flee.
However, upon learning that Uchiha Touhuan, an Uchiha who had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, was among the team, Orochimaru felt a surge of curiosity.
Although Orochimaru wasn't yet obsessed with the Uchiha clan's bloodline limits, the Mangekyō Sharingan was, after all, the eye of the legendary Uchiha Madara, and driven by a researcher's instincts, Orochimaru naturally felt a certain curiosity.
During the pursuit team's search of the surrounding area, Momo suddenly tensed up and let out a low growl.
Hyuga Takato,
who was on alert, also noticed something amiss and shouted a warning: "There's a chakra reaction underground, and a giant entity is approaching at high speed from the west—it's a snake!" "Prepare for battle!" Kakashi yelled, assuming a fighting stance. "Watch out below!" Hyuga Takato shouted, then pulled Hyuga Kenya beside him and leaped up to avoid it.
Just then, the ground around them shook violently, and several giant white snakes burst from the earth, opening their scarlet mouths from below.
The group, locked on, leaped high into the air at the critical moment, each using their own methods. Inuzuka Fu immediately merged with Sumeraru, using a clan secret technique to transform into a giant two-headed dog to dodge the attack from the ground. Uchiha Inahisa and Uchiha Zaito fired kunai wrapped in silk threads at the surrounding trees from the left and right, catching them and changing their direction in mid-air. Then, they formed hand seals and unleashed a powerful Fire Dragon Technique, striking the giant snakes attacking from below.
While Nagai Seiichi appeared somewhat disheveled under the attack, he narrowly escaped a fatal blow with a water substitution technique.
Conversely, several special Jonin in the field reacted a little slower and found themselves in danger.
Fortunately, just as they were about to be devoured by the snakes, a blue lightning bolt flashed, and Uchiha Touhuan, in Lightning Release Chakra Mode, moved like a phantom, instantly transporting them to safety. However, Utatane Itsuki and Mitokado Hayato, who had deliberately distanced themselves from the others during the search due to internal conflicts, were not so lucky.
The attackers, intending to eliminate those who were alone, launched an attack from underground with four giant snakes. Furthermore, the distance meant that the two needed time to react to Hyuga Takato's warning; these factors combined resulted in a devastating attack on the two.
Although the stronger Utatane Itsuki survived the surprise attack, his entire right arm was bitten off, while Mitokado Hayato, who only possessed the strength of a Special Jonin, perished in the snake's jaws.
Before anyone could think further, in the direction Hyuga Takato had indicated, amidst the dust and smoke rising from the fallen trees, the silhouette of a giant snake tens of meters tall loomed faintly.
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(End of Chapter)