It's so shocking!
No wonder Anko said there was no need to mark the location of Tian Yu's fight—
the forest ahead had already been reshaped by the clash of two powerful shinobi.
Dozens of massive trees were snapped in half. Trunks and leaves bore a white glaze, coated in rime so thick it sparkled like crystal.
Frost spread across the ground in jagged veins, the lingering chakra of an Ice Release technique.
As the squad advanced, the temperature dropped further. Even in the height of summer, their breath came out as white mist.
"Ah–choo!"
Kiba Inuzuka sneezed, rubbing his nose and shivering.
"Man… good thing we ran into Naruto's group earlier. They warned us to steer clear. If we hadn't… forget passing the Chūnin Exams—we'd be popsicles before we got anywhere near here."
The warning was no exaggeration.
The deeper they went, the more grim the scene became—several shinobi lay scattered across the snow-streaked ground.
Some were frozen solid, trapped in jagged ice. Others bore the crushing marks of serpents coiled around their necks. Still others showed the blackened punctures of venomous fangs.
Anko's eyes narrowed. As a snake summoner herself, she knew the signs well.
Tian Yu had been right—these were Orochimaru's calling cards.
A masked ANBU knelt, examining a body.
"Report, Captain Mitarai. The dead are from Takigakure and Sunagakure. No Konoha casualties."
"Leave one operative to secure the scene and recover the bodies. The rest—on me!"
Anko's command was sharp, and the squad surged forward.
"…Orochimaru."
Her voice was low, almost a growl. The curse mark on her neck began to throb, heat radiating under her collar.
Far ahead, Orochimaru's pale lips curved into a thin smile.
"Ah… Anko's close. It's been years since I've seen that girl."
Tian Yu glanced at him. "Your former student. Staying to reminisce?"
A dry chuckle escaped the Sannin. "Heh… If the Konoha dogs saw us talking like old friends, the Third Hokage might… misunderstand your loyalties."
Tian Yu's tone was even. "Let him."
"Tempting, but I'd rather not have my… allies exposed so early."
Orochimaru stepped back, voice silken. "Until next time, Tian Yu-kun. May our cooperation be… fruitful."
Without another word, his body merged into the bark of a nearby tree, vanishing via his signature Substitution-with-Living-Material technique.
---
"Lord Tian Yu!"
The ANBU squad arrived, spreading into a protective arc.
"You're still in one piece. Injuries?" Anko was already circling him, scanning for wounds.
"Think I'd lose to him?" Tian Yu smiled faintly.
"That's hard to say. The opponent was—"
She broke off suddenly, eyes darting around. "Where is Orochimaru?"
"Gone."
Tian Yu's voice was light. "We fought. He realized he couldn't win… and fled."
Anko's eyes widened, disbelief flickering—then she felt it. The lingering traces of Orochimaru's chakra clung to the frost-scarred battlefield. Her curse mark cooled, the ache fading.
No wonder he hadn't asked Hokage-sama for reinforcements—Tian Yu really could fight a Sannin head-on.
---
"Hinata? What are you doing here?" Tian Yu finally noticed the familiar pale eyes among the squad.
She should still be in the Chūnin Exams, not on an S-rank-level support mission.
"Met her on the way," Anko explained. "Her Byakugan cut our search time in half. Courageous girl—volunteered without hesitation."
Before Anko could finish, Hinata, who'd been quiet and staring at the ground, suddenly rushed forward—
and wrapped her arms around Tian Yu's waist.
Kiba and Shino froze mid-step, jaws dropping.
Was this really the same Hinata who blushed if Tian Yu so much as looked at her?
She didn't care who saw. Every fear, every worry she'd carried since hearing he might face Orochimaru burst free.
Pressing her cheek to his chest, she heard his heartbeat—steady, strong. Relief flooded her.
"Sorry for worrying you."
Tian Yu's voice softened as he held her, hand resting between her shoulders.
"Brother Tian Yu, I… I like you. I'm sorry, I was too impulsive—but I was so afraid you were hurt, I—"
Her words tangled, white eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
For a moment, Tian Yu's own heartbeat stumbled. In all their years—training together when he was in the village, exchanging quiet glances—
they had never crossed this line.
But now, the girl who had followed a danger-ranked squad into the Forest of Death just to reach him stood crying in his arms.
"I like you too. Let's be together, Hinata."
His tone was steady, deliberate, as he took her small hand.
Her cheeks flushed crimson, eyes bright with astonishment. She buried her face in his chest, murmuring, "…Mm."
Tian Yu smiled, brushed away her tears, and draped his cloak over her shoulders.
The battlefield's frost had yet to melt; cold bit at the air. He wouldn't let her fall ill—not now.
Her hand in his felt warm, delicate, and soft.
He didn't let go.
End of Chapter.
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