Chapter 28 The Traces of Orochimaru
After hearing what Inuzuka Feng said, Uchiha Douhuan also took it seriously. This was the first ninja clan to take the initiative to show goodwill to the Uchiha clan.
It seems that after the former big brother Senju clan was tossed around like this in the village, the Inuzuka clan, which served as full-time veterinarians in Konoha and had difficulty entering the center of power in Konoha, also had some special thoughts. However, out of caution, they have not yet made any plans to officially take sides.
However, the fact that Inuzuka Feng, a jonin, came forward to bring up this matter with Uchiha Douhuan was clearly a gesture of goodwill. The Inuzuka clan is not like the Uchiha clan, with dozens of jonin in the clan, who can sit in several rows during clan meetings. Inuzuka Feng's status in the Inuzuka clan is probably second only to their clan leader.
"Brother Feng's news really solves our security department's current urgent needs." Uchiha Douhuan said, "Our newly recruited ninjas are still not strong enough. If they can have the assistance of the Inuzuka family's ninja dogs, it will be even better."
Uchiha Douhuan naturally accepted the Inuzuka clan's goodwill. The current Uchiha has not yet officially stepped into the spotlight, and the Inuzuka clan's current attitude is enough to surprise Uchiha Douhuan. The Inuzuka
clan's goodwill represents a good start.
"Come to think of it, the pay in the Security Department is truly enviable," Uzuki Yugao suddenly said. "After learning about the benefits there, I even considered quitting ANBU and joining."
"Sister Yugao, that's a terrible idea!" Uchiha Dohuan said sternly. "Any job isn't for the service of Konoha? If the Sandaime-sama hears this, he'll think I'm forming a clique or running a private business."
"Oh, I was just saying that," Uzuki Yugao stuck out her tongue. "I've finally managed to get a special jonin position in ANBU. There's no point in quitting."
"Okay, enough talk. Come on, everyone, cheers!" Uchiha Dohuan raised his glass, clinked it with everyone, and then emptied it.
Throughout the meal, Kakashi, seated next to Uchiha Dohuan, remained silent, his eyes fixed on the events at the table, a look of deep thought.
After everyone had their fill of food and drinks, they returned to the inn.
The next morning, they set out again.
This time, however, the group couldn't even communicate with Utataneju and Mitokado Hayabusa.
At noon that day, the group arrived at the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rice.
Before reaching the specific area indicated by the clue, Kakashi began to fulfill his duties as the overall leader of this mission.
"Inuzuka Fuu, you and Momomaru will search along the scent. Hinata Ken'ya and Hinata Keito, you two, pay attention to your surroundings and make sure your Byakugan is always active. Everyone else, prepare for battle."
"Understood." Everyone, including Uchiha Touhan, nodded in acceptance. Even Utataneju and Mitokado Hayabusa, who had practically broken with the group, didn't object.
...
In Orochimaru's experimental base within the Land of Rice.
Orochimaru, as if suddenly sensing something, lowered the test tube in his hand.
Orochimaru, still working for the Akatsuki, had no intention of establishing the Sound Village, but he had established an experimental base here for research. This small country, nestled between larger nations and without a ninja village, was a completely lawless place for powerful ninjas like them.
Although Orochimaru betrayed the village, he still had some backup plans within Konoha Village.
Orochimaru was fully aware of the recent changes in the village, particularly the death of his former collaborator, Danzo, and Uchiha Touhan's recent activities.
Furthermore, just as the capture team had departed the village, Orochimaru's spies reported back.
Not wanting to cause trouble, upon learning of the pursuit team, Orochimaru's first thought was to flee.
However, upon learning that Uchiha Touhan, a member of the Uchiha clan who had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, was among the members of the pursuit team, Orochimaru began to harbor a desire to test the waters.
While Orochimaru's current obsession with the Uchiha clan's bloodline wasn't such a morbid pursuit, the Mangekyō Sharingan, possessed by the legendary Uchiha Madara of a previous generation, naturally piqued his curiosity, driven by his scientific instincts.
...
As the pursuit team searched the surrounding area, Momomaru suddenly tensed and let out a low growl.
Hinata Keito, who was on alert, also noticed something and shouted, "There's a chakra reaction underground, and a giant entity is approaching at high speed from the west. It's a snake!"
"Prepare for battle!" Kakashi shouted, assuming a fighting stance.
"Watch out!" Hinata Keito shouted, then leaped to avoid the attack, pulling Hinata Ken with him.
At that moment, the ground around them shook violently, and several giant white snakes burst forth from the earth, their crimson maws gaping from the bottom up.
The trapped individuals leaped high at the critical moment, each resorting to their own tactics. Inuzuka Fuu instantly merged with Momaru, unleashing his family's secret technique, transforming into a massive two-headed dog to dodge the attack from below. Uchiha Inahime and Uchiha Zaito, one on each side, launched kunai wrapped in silk thread at the surrounding trees. They caught the kunai and redirected them mid-air, then formed hand seals and unleashed a powerful fire dragon technique, striking the giant snakes from below.
Although Nagai Seiichi looked rather shaky under the attack, he managed to dodge the fatal blow with a water substitute at the critical moment.
However, several exceptional jonin in the field were a bit slow to react and were caught in danger.
Fortunately, just as they were about to be killed by the snake, a flash of blue lightning flashed, and Uchiha Touma, entering Lightning Release Chakra mode, appeared like a phantom, bringing them to safety in the blink of an eye.
However, due to internal conflicts within the team, Utatane Neju and Mitomon Hayabusa, who had distanced themselves from the others during the search, were not so lucky.
The attackers had originally intended to eliminate the lone individuals first. There were four summoned beasts, giant snakes, attacking them from underground. Furthermore, due to the distance, they needed time to react to Hinata Keito's warning. All these factors combined resulted in heavy losses for the two.
Although the stronger Utataneju managed to survive the sudden attack, his entire right arm was bitten off. Meanwhile, Mitomon Hayabusa, who only possessed the strength of a special jonin, was directly killed by the snake.
Before anyone could think, in the direction Hinata Keito had indicated, amidst the dust and smoke raised by the falling trees, the silhouette of a massive snake several tens of meters tall loomed.
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(End of this chapter)