"Damn it! This technique!"
"You're Orochimaru!"
As members of the Root Division, they had sharp instincts. This move—Hidden Shadow Snake Hands—was something only two people in the entire shinobi world could perform: Orochimaru and his disciple. And the level of mastery displayed left no doubt—it had to be Orochimaru himself.
"Hehehe, not a bad reaction."
"If it took you any longer to recognize me, I'd honestly feel sorry for Danzō."
"But since you've figured it out, it means you all have to die here today. You've seen something you shouldn't have."
The two Root members exchanged a glance. One of them stepped forward.
"Orochimaru, did you think we came unprepared?"
He swiftly formed hand seals, releasing a cloud of smoke. In an instant, shadow clones spread out around them.
Hiding in Mist Technique combined with Shadow Clones—classic Root. Their tactics were always underhanded, focused on ambush and assassination, never giving their enemies a fair fight.
Orochimaru sneered with disdain.
"You think such cheap tricks will work on me?"
With a few rapid hand seals, the summoned snakes began scattering outward like they had been commanded, forming a defensive barrier around Orochimaru. Anyone who dared to come close would be torn apart by the swarm.
This was Orochimaru—one of the legendary Sannin, forged in countless battles. They really thought a little mist could hold him?
To put it crudely, Orochimaru had fought in more wars than these kids had seen women.
The three Root operatives each summoned three clones. Nine figures in total lunged at Orochimaru's snakes, slicing away using Konoha-style Kenjutsu.
"Damn it! We can't break through!"
"Shield formation! Use the technique!"
One of them was nearly shaking with frustration—his sword was close to shattering, but the snakes just kept coming, endless and relentless. Forced back, he turned to his teammates.
"Got it!"
"Lightning Release: Four Pillars of Confinement!"
Four massive stone pillars erupted from the ground, trapping Orochimaru within. Thunder surged between them, crackling with deadly force.
Another Root member followed up with his own jutsu.
"Water Release: Rushing Torrent!"
They were clearly well-trained in combo techniques—using water to conduct electricity, amplifying both attacks' lethality.
Orochimaru simply smiled, unmoving, as the lightning and water engulfed him entirely.
...
Meanwhile, the Yamanaka Clan operative formed the hand seals for his secret technique.
"Ninja Art: Mind Body Disturbance Technique!"
This clan's techniques targeted the psyche. This one in particular disrupted the target's mind and actions—even if they remained conscious, they could be forced to act against their will.
The team's coordination was spot on: paralyze the body with lightning, strike the mind with Yamanaka's jutsu. Most shinobi would've had no chance.
Unfortunately for them, Orochimaru wasn't most shinobi.
The Yamanaka ninja's expression quickly changed—his jutsu had been cast, but it wasn't taking effect. He couldn't feel Orochimaru's mind.
"Something's wrong! He's not inside!"
"What?!"
The others gasped. They had trapped Orochimaru—or so they thought. They never even noticed when he slipped away.
"Hehehe, not bad... but not good enough. Didn't Danzō teach you not to be deceived by appearances?"
"You couldn't even tell that was a shadow clone?"
Suddenly, Orochimaru's voice rang out behind them—from the direction of the carriage.
There he stood, casually beside Kazuyama, face full of mockery. He hadn't been trying at all.
"I have to say, Sensei, you're really toying with them."
"Is there a problem?"
"Nope. You're the sensei—you call the shots."
Kazuyama shrugged. He wasn't bothered, just used to grumbling.
He had been about to tell Orochimaru to stop fooling around, but then remembered—if not for Danzō, they wouldn't be in this mess. So he just let it go.
"Hehehe, Kazuyama, you're not going to help?"
"Of course not! It's got to be you, old man. That way, if Root does come, I've got my story."
He chuckled darkly.
"My heartless sensei—he didn't even spare his disciple! I fought back with everything I had... Sure, I didn't save anyone, but I was gravely wounded!"
Kazuyama's laugh was low and twisted. His words made the three Root shinobi pale instantly—even Orochimaru went silent.
So this was true cunning.
"Bastard! Lord Danzō won't let you get away with this!"
"Hmph. He won't? Don't make me laugh. If you're all dead, what's he going to do—haunt me?"
Kazuyama's voice was ice. In the blink of an eye, he and Orochimaru vanished.
Before the Root members could react, two cold voices echoed from above.
"Many Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Snakes rained down from the sky.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
They reflexively cast the defensive jutsu—but it was useless. The snakes, powerful enough to crush stone, tore through the water wall with ease.
"Damn it!"
"Scatter!"
Their defense had failed. With no other option, the three split and fled in different directions.
Their retreat was seamless—they knew they were outmatched. The only hope was to escape and report back.
But no one escaped the Flying Thunder God Technique.
"No use running. Stay here."
Shwip!
Orochimaru's voice cut through the air as Kazuyama teleported him forward with Flying Thunder God.
The Kusanagi Sword flashed—and the Yamanaka ninja's life ended in silence, too fast for last words.
With one down, Kazuyama turned to the other two fleeing shinobi. A smirk tugged at his lips.
"Korin, don't let them escape."
In the next instant, a wave of invisible sound erupted from underground.
Both fleeing Root members were caught in the blast, stopped dead in their tracks. The devastating sonic force brought them to their knees, clutching their heads in agony.
"Hehehe... Korin of Ryūchi Cave, huh?"
"I heard from Manda that they each have special abilities. Looks like this one's is sound."
Orochimaru licked his lips, sword in hand, his grin dark and venomous.