Chapter 44 – Orochimaru
Fire Fist!
Seeing the fatal, coagulated wound on the neck of the fallen ANBU chūnin, Izaya didn't hesitate. He instantly ignited the fiery aura around his body, his entire posture shifting into a combat stance.
Simultaneously, using agile footwork, he leaped out into the open space outside his house.
But the moment he landed outside, a scene of pure horror unfolded before him.
All the watchers were dead.
Every single one of them—the ANBU, the Root agents, the Hyūga clansmen. Not a single soul was left standing. Their bodies lay scattered, and judging by their contorted expressions, they had all died in agony.
"Who did this?!"
If only members of one faction had been killed, he could have blamed it on the other two turning on each other. But this… this was a complete slaughter. An inexplicable chill shot straight up Izaya's spine.
Run!
There was no time to think. Anyone capable of silently assassinating nine chūnin—elite ones at that—with such vicious efficiency was far beyond his current ability to handle. Uchiha Itachi had only left a few minutes ago. To accomplish this in such a short time, without making a sound…
A Shadow-level powerhouse.
Only a Kage-level shinobi could do this. And not just any Kage-level—this required a specific, terrifying skill set. Izaya hadn't heard any commotion, meaning the killer hadn't used any large-scale ninjutsu. This was pure, unadulterated assassination.
Who in Konoha is a Shadow-level expert in assassination? Izaya's mind raced as he fled.
The Third Hokage is the only acknowledged active Kage in the village…
Moonlight Hayate is just a chūnin right now; he couldn't possibly do this…
Kakashi? Might Guy?
He ran through the list of familiar characters but found no likely suspect.
Could it be…?
Suddenly, a figure surfaced in his mind.
Orochimaru.
One of the Legendary Sannin. Immensely powerful and a master of assassination and forbidden techniques. And in this timeline, Orochimaru was supposedly collaborating with Danzō, experimenting with the First Hokage's Wood Release cells.
It really is Orochimaru, isn't it? A bitter smile twisted Izaya's lips. Considering the sheer skill, the method of killing, and the sheer audacity, it fit the snake Sannin perfectly.
But one question still nagged at him: Why?
If Orochimaru was indeed lurking within Konoha, keeping a low profile would be his top priority. A massacre like this was the opposite of low-profile. While Izaya's house was on the outskirts, with the nearest neighbor, Tenten's family, being a street away, an incident of this magnitude couldn't possibly stay hidden for long. And the victims were from ANBU, Root, and the Hyūga clan.
"How did things end up like this? This is a headache…" Izaya felt utterly helpless. He never expected the situation to spiral out of control so dramatically. In his original plan, the watchers were his inadvertent shields. As long as he kept his true strength hidden, neither Danzō nor the Third Hokage would make a drastic move. But now… they were all dead. And their deaths were utterly inexplicable.
While he could prove his own innocence, Danzō would undoubtedly become even more suspicious and alert. The main problem was the Hyūga clansmen among the dead.
"I should have asked Itachi to stay a little longer…" A pang of regret hit him. If Uchiha Itachi were still here, this might not have happened. And even if it did, he wouldn't feel so terrifyingly isolated and vulnerable.
"I have to report this to the Third Hokage first!"
Having run at full speed, Izaya finally reached the edge of Konoha's main street. Convinced the perpetrator was Orochimaru, he decided his safest course of action was to inform the Hokage immediately. Of the three factions involved, the Third Hokage was the only one he could remotely trust. Danzō and the Hyūga were out of the question.
"Well, well… It seems Danzō has underestimated you, boy."
Just as Izaya was about to head for the Hokage's office, a soft, sibilant voice hissed from behind him. Izaya spun around.
It was Orochimaru.
The man stood there, his long, black hair framing a pale, almost sickly complexion. A weird, predatory smile played on his lips, and his slitted, yellow-snake eyes gleamed with intense curiosity as they fixed on Izaya.
"So, it really is him…" Izaya's entire body tensed.
He was close to the main street, but his current location was a dim, secluded alley—one of the many forgotten corners of Konoha where even stray dogs seldom wandered. It was far too convenient.
Was Orochimaru following me the whole time? Izaya's mind calculated frantically. He refused to believe this was a coincidence.
But… what was Orochimaru's goal? First, he kills all the watchers, then tails Izaya to this isolated spot…
Izaya's heart was a storm of questions. But panic wouldn't save him. Seeing no immediate escape route, he forced himself to stand his ground.
He looked up at Orochimaru, who was perched casually on the eaves above. "I've seen you before, senior," Izaya said, his voice carefully controlled. "Might I ask why you have sought me out?"
"What a clever little boy," Orochimaru murmured, his smile widening. "To think you've managed to deceive even Danzō…" Unlike Izaya's internal tension, Orochimaru seemed utterly at ease, his eyes sparkling with a mixture of surprise and dark interest.
"Boy, tell me your name," Orochimaru finally stated, his voice dropping to a low, compelling hiss. "And… what is the name of that Fire Release jutsu you used before?"
He stared down at Izaya like a serpent that had just found a fascinating new specimen.
It seems… Izaya thought, his mind racing through escape plans and finding none.
...I'm in real trouble this time.
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