What goes through a person's mind, or a whole squad's, when they're forced to face thousands upon thousands of snakes?
The Suna shinobi on the battlefield were a perfect example of what that dread looks like.
"S-Snakes… So many snakes…"
Those who had broken through the encirclement now stood frozen before a terrifying tide of serpents. Their fear was palpable, their composure crumbling.
"Kill them all!"
The Konoha ninja let out a battle cry, voices sharp as kunai.
One, then two… ten… fifty… a hundred.
The snakes swallowed up the retreating Suna shinobi. All but a few, Dōzan and the other jōnin, were lost in the deluge.
Staring down the wall of fangs and scales, one of the jōnin beside Dōzan asked:
"Captain… what do we do?"
Dōzan stood silent for a moment, then replied firmly:
"We go all out. Break throug, —together."
Swish—Swish—Swish…
Leading the remaining elite, Dōzan launched himself toward the jutsu's caster—Orochimaru.
But their end came swiftly.
None survived. Orochimaru cut them down without effort.
The moment he acted, the battle was over. Every Suna shinobi who stepped foot into the Konoha frontlines was either slain or left to rot.
Cold corpses. That was all that remained.
When the battle ended, Hizashi approached Orochimaru respectfully.
"Orochimaru-sama," he said, bowing, "we're lucky you arrived with reinforcements. Had you come any later, we wouldn't have lived to see the morning sun."
Orochimaru responded with a sly, sinister smile.
"You did well, Hizashi."
"I'll leave the rest to you. I'm heading out."
Just as he turned to leave, Hizashi called out:
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama... "
"There's something I'd like to request of you."
Orochimaru paused and glanced back, his snake-like eyes narrowing.
"Oh? What is it?"
Hizashi bowed his head.
"It's Shikuro."
"He and his unit are intercepting a Suna detachment."
"I request that you assist them."
Swish.
"…Understood."
Orochimaru's voice echoed behind him as his silhouette faded into the air.
Moments later, he appeared at the scene of Veigar's battle with the Suna forces.
Watching from the shadows, Orochimaru observed Veigar with clear satisfaction in his eyes.
Whoosh.
The next second, Orochimaru appeared at Veigar's side.
His sudden arrival startled the Konoha shinobi, who turned sharply, weapons half-drawn, until they realized who it was.
"Orochimaru-sama? Why are you here?"
Veigar was the first to regain composure and stepped forward.
"Orochimaru-sama!"
"Orochimaru-sama…!"
The nearby Konoha shinobi ceased what they were doing, offering respectful greetings.
Swish.
Nearby, Shikuro, still sweeping the battlefield, noticed Orochimaru's arrival. He gave Shikatsu Aburame a light pat on the shoulder.
"Shikatsu, keep it up."
Swish.
Shikuro then bowed low to Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru-sama! What brings you here?"
Both Veigar and Shikuro voiced the same question.
Orochimaru's smile curled unnaturally.
"I came to assist, but it seems you've already handled things."
...
The first light of dawn painted the battlefield in golden hues.
It was… beautiful.
Back at the forward command center, Orochimaru now sat boldly in the main seat, gazing at the gathered Konoha jōnin, Veigar among them.
"You've all done well in this battle," he said.
All present replied in unison:
"You honor us, Orochimaru-sama."
Then they heard him continue:
"Your battlefield performance has already been reported to the village. Rewards will follow shortly."
Of course, victory had to be rewarded. If not, morale would wither. No one would throw themselves into war without cause, after all, who fights for love alone?
"Thank you, Orochimaru-sama."
Orochimaru nodded lightly, then moved to give further orders.
"Hizashi, the burden falls to you now. We cannot afford to lose this forward base."
Hizashi bowed low.
"Understood. You can count on me."
Orochimaru was aware their numbers had dwindled. He added:
"A new wave of reinforcements is already en route from the village. When they arrive, I'll have them join you at the frontlines."
"They'll be in your care."
Even the best cook can't work without ingredients, how much harder must it be to fight a war?
Relieved to hear reinforcements were on the way, Hizashi finally allowed himself to breathe.
...
Meanwhile, in the Suna command center, deep within the Land of Rivers, trouble was brewing.
Chiyo and her younger brother Ebizō sat grim-faced, listening to Masaka's latest report from the front.
Bang!
"Veigar again!"
Ebizō slammed his hand down onto the table.
Chiyo cast a cold glance at him and said plainly:
"Ebizō. Compose yourself."
Chastened, Ebizō lowered his head.
"Apologies, Sister. It won't happen again."
Chiyo turned back to Nozan, eyes sharp.
"Do we know if his jutsu has any weaknesses?"
Her killing intent surged beneath her calm exterior.
"The Leaf's 'super-genius'…"
She still remembered the first time she heard the name Veigar Koshima, it was tied to Tanjiro's death. Word had it Veigar, though grievously injured, had killed him in battle.
Later came even more shocking news: Veigar had been promoted to Special Jōnin at only ten years old.
When the entire shinobi world was left reeling, Chiyo felt only dread.
Her instincts proved right.
Now, on the battlefield, Veigar had single-handedly wiped out over sixty Suna puppet masters. If he were allowed to repeat this a few more times, Suna's puppet corps would be finished, reduced to ruins in name and in fact.
Chiyo, herself a master puppeteer, was losing sleep.
To her, Veigar must die.
After dismissing Masaka, Ebizō turned to his sister.
"What now, Sister?"
He could read her perfectly. The frustration on her face made it clear: Veigar's existence was a nightmare.
"…We'll start by placing a bounty on him in the black market."
Having no immediate solution, Chiyo offered the only plan she had.
Ebizō nodded solemnly.
"Understood. I'll go post the bounty right away."
"What about the amount?"
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