The two sped toward their destination in silence.
Most ANBU were taciturn by nature, and Shimizu didn't mind.
What did surprise him, however, was the other man's impressive speed. Even among jōnin, that level of movement was exceptional.
As expected—anyone who could enter the ANBU must excel at the Body Flicker Technique.
It was practically a required skill to survive there.
At last, they arrived at Gate 42 of the Forest of Death.
"Almost there." It was the only sentence the ANBU codenamed "Greenfield" spoke.
From outside the gate, they could already see their destination in the distance—the river that ran through the entire Forest of Death.
But looking closely… why did the water appear black?
Sensing Shimizu's doubt, Greenfield explained, "Downstream, a species of black algae grows along the riverbed. It stains the water dark."
"I see."
And yet, that black current…
No matter how he looked at it, it felt ominous.
With a few swift leaps, the two arrived at the riverbank.
Shimizu's sensory perception detected no chakra-bearing lifeforms.
The visible area was completely empty.
Greenfield suddenly stopped advancing.
Shimizu immediately grew alert.
He drew a kunai.
"Explain," Shimizu asked coldly.
He had the urge to subdue the ANBU operative immediately—but deep down, he still held onto a sliver of hope. Sometimes, what one sees isn't the whole picture.
"Uzuki-kun, we meet again."
Orochimaru!
The Sannin slowly emerged from the soil, rising to stand beside Greenfield. That same method again—completely bypassing Shimizu's sensory range.
Once Orochimaru had fully manifested, the Anbu named Greenfield vanished from the scene. Shimizu didn't try to stop him; he knew he couldn't.
Orochimaru... he actually dares to make a move on me?!
Has he lost his mind?
At a sensitive time like this, if something truly happened... did Orochimaru really think he could just walk away unscathed?
"I know Uzuki-kun's sensory abilities are quite remarkable, so last time in the Forest of Death, I made a point of testing them…" Orochimaru smiled.
It was a chilling smile.
"It seems there are still blind spots… Otherwise, with Uzuki-kun's speed, it would be very difficult to find an opportunity to have a proper talk with you."
Shimizu's heart sank to the bottom.
If Orochimaru had gone to such lengths, then he must also have prepared a way to prevent escape.
Until a ninja possesses absolute defense or overwhelming vitality, any rash move can mean death.
Right now, Shimizu was like a mage with respectable damage output—but lacking strength in defense and survivability.
His Water Release: Water Wall might defend well against ordinary ninja.
But the venomous snake before him…
Was one of the Legendary Sannin.
Shimizu had no confidence he could block Orochimaru's attack.
He needed to create an opportunity.
"Uzuki-kun did not attempt to flee. Very wise," Orochimaru praised softly. "Smart people live longer."
The implication was clear—
Had Shimizu turned and tried to run, he would already be dead.
"May I ask what it is you wish to discuss, Orochimaru-senpai?"
"The thing I want, and yet you've refused me time and again… What do you think?"
"I don't understand. Why must you have my blood?"
"That answer lacks sincerity, Uzuki-kun… I should have realized earlier. Year 42 of Konoha, the mission to the Land of Bears—you fused cells from the Uzumaki Clan, didn't you? That is the fundamental reason you were able to break through to jōnin."
The content of those words was explosive.
Once upon a time, Shimizu had truly been nothing more than an ordinary chūnin. Though he had started earlier than many of his peers, that hadn't changed his fundamentally mediocre nature.
No matter how hard he trained, he couldn't break the shackles of his talent's limits…
Until he gained the powerful vitality of the Uzumaki…
And finally shattered the prison of fate.
"I did not fuse Uzumaki cells. Can you detect Uzumaki somatic cells in my blood? I doubt it," Shimizu replied calmly.
If he had truly fused Uzumaki cells, Orochimaru would likely have noticed the first time he provided blood.
And he wasn't some chosen protagonist template—why would he be able to perfectly integrate Uzumaki cells?
In the original history, how many had died before Yamato successfully fused Senju cells?
"…Indeed, there are no Uzumaki cells in you. But your cells exhibit Uzumaki traits—abundant chakra and powerful vitality. That is the root cause of your rapid chakra growth. I imagine your chakra recovery speed far exceeds that of ordinary people as well."
"There are countless unknowns in the shinobi world. Even someone as knowledgeable as you—how can you be certain that only the Uzumaki possess abundant chakra and strong vitality?" Shimizu still couldn't comprehend how Orochimaru had deduced it.
And if Orochimaru could see it—
Could others?
"I have my methods… So, Uzuki-kun, will you continue to honor your promise?"
Orochimaru's tone was icy, his dark yellow vertical pupils gleaming with danger.
It was the gaze of a predator watching prey.
So what if the village learned his cells now carried Uzumaki-like traits?
Did Orochimaru really expect him to hand over his blood just because of a threat?
Stop dreaming. He was no longer the mediocre ninja he once had been.
Why should he allow himself to be manipulated so easily?
Yes, for a long time, Shimizu had looked up at the lofty Sannin.
But now—
Through his exchanges with Minato, he had come to understand roughly where his own strength stood.
In terms of speed alone, aside from the "Yellow Flash," no one could keep up with him.
And in a one-on-one duel, speed advantages were magnified infinitely.
He did not fear Orochimaru.
The cold sweat in his palms was not fear—
It was surging battle intent.
"In our previous deal, Orochimaru-senpai, you also kept something back. Where are the Second Hokage's notes on space-time ninjutsu? Where is the Flying Thunder God?" Shimizu countered.
"Uzuki-kun, are you negotiating with me?" Orochimaru's patience was reaching its limit.
"Orochimaru-senpai, I'm reasoning with you. Give me all of the Second Hokage's space-time techniques, and I will continue supplying you with blood. Only then can we say both sides have fulfilled their obligations."
When Orochimaru did not immediately respond, Shimizu continued on his own:
"War is coming. You and I should focus our energy on that. Konoha needs me—and it needs a powerful shinobi like you—not a scientist obsessed with experiments."
Orochimaru's voice turned sinister. "Shimizu Uzuki, mind your place."
"Orochimaru-senpai, you should also be mindful of the timing. The Third Great Ninja War is about to begin. Wouldn't venting your anger on Sunagakure be more meaningful?"
"In that case…"
Suddenly, Orochimaru raised his right hand.
Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!
From his sleeve, several small snakes shot out at high speed toward Shimizu.
The snakes conjured by this technique attacked by biting or constricting their targets. Compared to ordinary snakes, they possessed greater strength, cunning, and tenacity.
"Then I'll simply take it myself!"