Chapter 228: 224: Orochimaru and Response

Chapter 228: 224: Orochimaru and Response

The steady patter of water droplets echoed through a passage.

At the end of the passage stood an iron door, behind which lay a vast, well-equipped laboratory.

Cylinders filled with animal parts were meticulously arranged on numerous tables, both short and long, bearing test tubes, distillation bottles, and various tools.

Cables crisscrossed the aisle, casting a somewhat harsh, white light, causing heads to involuntarily squint.

Before a table, a slender figure stood, engrossed in contemplation while holding a notebook. The figure had a black soft, flowing hair, their skin mirrored the paleness of a candle. With fang-like teeth, the figure let out a husky laugh.

"He... he.. It's still a little bit... It's almost finished..."

The specifics of what was nearing its completion were known only to the figure itself.

"But, I.. would like to thank Danzo for providing me with so many experimental subjects... Unfortunately..." A soft sigh escaped from the figure. "Sarutobi-sensei seems to be a little wary of me. There are still things I haven't gotten... Should I wait a little longer? But... I don't have enough subjects...."

Persisting in adhering to human ethics seemed foolish.

"But... can i be ruthless?...'' The figure questioned themself.

Sarutobi-sensei, Jiraiya, Tsunade... Konoha.... A incomparably complex color appeared in the figure's eyes. In the end, a quiet sigh was the only response.

In that moment, the lab's door was opened. A small head emerged from the door's crack, curiosity lighting up the eyes as the head scanned the lab. Observing the man engrossed in his research, entered from outside.

"Orochimaru-sensei.. you're here."

An eleven or twelve-year-old girl addressed the man, Orochimaru, a hearty smile revealing her familiarity with him.

"It's Anko, have you finished the work i assigned to you?" Orochimaru turned, a smile playing on his pale face. The girl, his student, Mitarashi Anko. She was such a lively and lovely girl.

"I just finished, sensei." Anko responded with a smile.

"Why come to me then? I still have work to do." Orochimaru set down his notebook.

"Sensei, don't you get tired of staying here everyday?" Anko asked with a frown.

"Hmm.... It's not bad at all. This is something that needs to be experienced in seeking the truth. If i can't bear this bit of boredom, i won't be able to pursue the truth."

"Truth?"

"I want to become an immortal.. learning all the ninjutsu in the world, so... For that, i have to perform various experiments." Orochimaru revealed without reservation. His sensei Hiruzen, as well as his friends Jiraiya and Tsunade, were privy to his ideals. They considered it a childhood fantasy, unrealistic and boring, yet he remained resolute. In their understanding, immortality and mastering all ninjutsu were nonsensical pursuits.

"Why do you have to do things like this? In my eyes, you are already very good, Sensei."

Orochimaru shook his head, patiently responding to Anko's question. "No, this power isn't enough. There's no limit to speak of in the pursuit of truth."

"Really? I still don't quite get it." Anko tilted her head, looking puzzled.

Orochimaru didn't care, and then recalled something, looking at Anko. "Speaking of which, you're now a Chunin, do you have any gift you want?"

"Gift?"

"That's right, a gift for you becoming a Chunin." Orochimaru smiled while stroking Anko's head.

"Anything is okay?"

"As long as I can do it, I'll try my best to satisfy your wish." Orochimaru nodded.

"I only have one wish. I want to travel with sensei." Anko looked into Orochimaru's eyes, filled with anticipation.

"Travel?" Orochimaru frowned slightly.

"Can't you, Sensei?"

"It's not impossible, but I can't leave the village for too long. Our time for travel may be less than a week. "

"It's enough. I look forward to our trip, Sensei."

"Since you don't object, then it's settled this way. We'll set off the day after tomorrow. Before that, it's your decision to choose where you would like to go."

"Well, I see. I won't bother you anymore sensei, and we will meet at the gate the next morning." Anko smiled and nodded, then she left the lab.

"What a quick visit..." Orochimaru shook his head with a laugh. Immediately, he turned around and glanced at the notebook that had been placed on the table just moments ago; his snake-like pupils deepened.

"But, how long can this peaceful day last? It really is exciting... Immortality..."

...

As night fell, the streets eere illuminated with activity, bustling with people.

"I didn't expect you to return to the village so soon. After such a significant event, Tsunade still didn't return."

In the barbecue restaurant in the center of Konoha, Orochimaru accepted Jiraiya's invitation to treat him and they dined together.

"You can see that woman has gone crazy. I haven't contacted her for a long time. If she didn't have regular contact with the village, I would have thought she was missing." Jiraiya sighed, expressing frustration about Tsunade's behaviour of not returning to the village.

"Probably because she doesn't want to see the desolation of the village today." Orochimaru guessed. Pouring himself a cup of sake, he took a sip without touching the barbecue on the table. An intriguing smile played on the corner of his mouth, hinting at something he knew.

"It's true that the village is experiencing quick changes recently. Although it seems like nothing has changed, I have a bad feeling that something bad will happensoon."

"What are you referring to? Whoever is behind the Nine-Tails Incident?" Orochimaru played with the cup, looking at Jiraiya. With the occurrence of the Nine Tails Incident, it was undeniable that Konoha's overall strength had declined.

If it weren't for the death of the Fourth Hokage Minato, Kumo wouldn't have dared to restart the war with Konoha at this time. On the surface, this incident appears to have passed, but as a high-level ninja from Konoha. Orochimaru was well aware that the follow-up impact of this incident wasn't over. The Anbu directly under the Hokage had been secretly investigating this incident. There were rumors of the Uchiha involvement.

"That's right. There are rumors suggesting that Sakumo's three students were behind the attack, but I think there's something else behind the incident. It isn't as simple as we've thought." Jiraiya looked serious.

Seeing Orochimaru fall silent, he changed the subject. "Sarutobi-sensei mentioned about your recent behavior becoming a bit strange. Are you having a conflict with sensei?"

"No. I've been doing research in my lab recently, but I don't have time to take care of other things." Orochimaru answered with an unchanged expression.

Hearing Danzo's words, Orochimaru couldn't help but laugh. Without uttering a word, He disappeared from the spot.

"Orochimaru's courage is growing each day, and he seems to have forgotten who's supporting his research. Without the Root's assistance, none of his experiments can be successful." Ryoma expressed dissatisfaction with a snort.

"Don't speak that way. At least, his genius is commendable. As long as he continues his research for us, a minor disagreement is nothing."

"For Uchiha Itachi..."

"We'll wait and observe for now. Now isn't the best time to make contact with him." Danzo shook his head, and after uttering these words, he turned and departed.

...

Land Of Rainbows.

In an abandoned wooden house nestled in the mountains, surrounded by dense trees and covered with white snow.

A woman with long red hair stood on a snow-covered branch, as if standing on guard, surveying the surroundings for any signs of abnormality.

On some adjacent trees, there were ninjas hiding.

Their breath expertly concealed, indicating rigorous training in this aspect.

They were using the latest radio communicators from the Land of Demons, facilitating seamless information transfer between the.

As time passed, the falling snow intensified, gradually obscuring their vision.

Within the terrible environment, none of them complained; they persisted in their assigned positions, their vigilant gazes scanning the surroundings unblinkingly.

The red-haired woman, evidently the team leader, sensed something and pressed the button on her radio to communicate with the team.

"Attention, there are intruders detected within the security perimeter. At 3 o'clock, 250 meters away, three people. At 11 o'clock, 310 meters away, six people. At 7 o'clock, 260 meters away, four people. Deal with the enemy swiftly and leave no one standing!"

After the red-haired woman issued the command, three figures dispersed from their respective trees, advancing towards the directions specified by the woman.

The intruders remained unaware that their presence had been exposed. They carefully navigated through the snow, using the wind and snow to conceal their breath.

"The target isn't far, are you ready?"

The leader of one of the ninja team turned, asking in a hushed tone.

"Yes."

"Good. listen to my orders, and attack with full force. Our target is the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura!"

The lead ninja unsheathed a sword from behind, his eyes gleaming with a bloodthirsty intensity.

His subordinates stood ready to strike.

"Now! Begin the operation!"

The lead ninja, satisfied that everything was in order, charged forward, followed closely by the three subordinates.

At that moment, on the snow-covered path ahead, snowflakes swirled frantically, and a figure materialized silently, blocking their way.

"Anbu? Don't get in the way of our mission!"

The lead ninja's gaze were fixed ahead, and the sword in hamd drew a sharp arc resembling a full moon, slicing through the air and passing through the new arrival's body.

"Wh-What!?"

There was no physical impact on the flesh, as if the strike had passed through empty air.

"What's the hell is going on? I attacked accurately, yet I didn't feel any contact..."

The lead ninja was confused, although certain of a lethal blow, but it didn't feel like there was any impact.

This weird sensation was entirely new to him.

'Genjutsu?' The lead ninja thought more about it, but dismissed the idea. This weird feeling of slashing without any impact surpassed the mere genjutsu.

The figure blocking the path was a teenage boy with a hedgehog-like hairstyle. His clothing featured the distinctive round fan emblem.

"You... you're from the Uchiha... Why are Konoha's ninjas here?"

The lead ninja, now discerning the situation, looked at the boy in surprise.

Their mission was to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura. Why was there a Konoha ninja in their midst?

Could their intelligence be flawed? It seemed impossible; they had mademeticulous preparations, and such a fundamental error was impossible.

Not disturbed by the speculations of the intruders, the Uchiha paid no heed. He stood there, forming hand seals, and expelled a fireball from his mouth, hurtling it towards one of the enemies.

The targeted jumped out of the way, dodging the incoming fireball.

"Watch out, he's behind you!"

Realizing it was too late for support, a team member could only shout a warning.

"What?"

The man turned in astonishment, only to find the Uchiha still on the snow, but at some point had mysteriously appeared behind him.

His right eye radiated a crimson glow, and a complex black pattern appeared within the red pupil. Wherever the red eye focused, the air warped like a vortex, inducing an abnormal spatial distortion.

One of the intruders magically disappeared like a trick, leaving no trace in the air.

The other two, and the leader, stared wide-eyed, witnessing this scene in disbelief, they were completely unaware of what had happened.

The Uchiha fixed his gaze on the remaining trio with his glowing eye, he said to them:

"I've dealt with one, next it's your turn. All three of you."