When Shisui arrived with his people, the scene before their eyes made them all involuntarily startled.
This area resembled having just experienced a small-scale natural disaster. The ground looked plowed over once. The air permeated with intense burnt odors.
Such destruction scale was actually caused by just two people fighting?
Shisui first sought Shuji's figure. His Sharingan rapidly swept the battlefield. Soon he found Shuji on a relatively intact clearing.
He appeared uninjured. This point let Shisui relax. However, Shisui also felt surprised. Itachi had mentioned his captain's outstanding strength. He had not expected such formidable extent.
"Are you alright?" Though visible, Shisui still asked. "Where is that shinobi from before?"
"I'm fine. He was rescued."
"Rescued?" Shisui slightly froze. There were others?
Though knowing Uchiha Obito probably would not seek discomfort before Shisui, Shuji still reminded him. "The person who rescued him wore a tiger-striped single-eye mask, possesses space-time ninjutsu with extremely fast activation speed and almost no warning signs."
Shuji simply described Obito's current appearance, emphasizing the opponent's space-time ninjutsu's bizarre nature and swiftness. He did not deliberately mention Obito being Uchiha, after all, four Uchiha shinobi remained nearby.
Thinking negatively, these Uchiha clan members might view an unidentified powerful Uchiha as potential external support or sympathetic object. Thinking positively, they might feel righteously indignant, wanting to investigate or even resolve this traitor bringing shame to the Uchiha name.
Good or bad, results would not prove favorable.
Uchiha without Mangekyō appearing before Uchiha Obito merely added backup materials for his Izanagi.
Shisui solemnly indicated he remembered. A space-time ninjutsu with extremely fast activation speed meant conventional ninjutsu and taijutsu attacks would likely prove ineffective, unable to even touch the opponent's body.
Even if the opponent lacked other powerful methods, he would prove an extremely troublesome enemy.
Even himself, perhaps could only attempt relying on genjutsu for immediate control. Otherwise, no countermeasures existed.
Others' expressions proved similar.
Their time on this eastern front was not short, yet this was the first time realizing such powerful enemies still lurked in this region.
"Shisui, I need to immediately return to the village."
His gaze swept surrounding combat traces. "Eastern coastline defensive pressure may increase. I will explain circumstances here to the Third, suggesting dispatching some personnel for support."
"As for those two people, uncertain whether they will reappear. The one skilled in ninjutsu is called Kakuzu. He possesses a certain meaning of immortal body. To kill him requires destroying his five masks."
After informing Shisui and others of known intelligence regarding Kakuzu as clearly as possible, Shuji then said, "Be careful with everything, Shisui."
He emphasized his tone. Shisui understood Shuji's meaning. Caution applied not only to these people but also Orochimaru.
Under such circumstances, existing squads indeed proved insufficient.
After warning Shisui, Shuji delayed no further. His figure flashed before embarking on the return journey to Konoha.
Both Kakuzu and Uchiha Obito's appearances proved unexpected circumstances. This deviation perhaps stemmed from Konoha's current condition being better than the original plot.
At this time in the original work, contradictions between the Uchiha and Konoha Village could no longer be concealed.
Uchiha Fugaku's final effort was sending Uchiha Itachi into ANBU.
Under those circumstances, Uchiha Obito probably focused more energy on observing the Uchiha clan, perhaps relaxing control over overseas Kirigakure.
Now he seemed to intend applying external pressure on Konoha through Kirigakure, creating chaos.
This instead proved beneficial. Uchiha Obito perhaps possessed powerful strength, but he lacked ability and patience to truly control a major shinobi village.
From his various actions after using genjutsu to control Fourth Mizukage Yagura, one could see his thoughts of revenge and tormenting Kirigakure far exceeded desires to properly manage and control this village.
A Kage managing a shinobi village required not only strength but also capability of representing the village's interests. Otherwise, grassroots passivity, mid-level doubts, and upper-level covert resistance would all cause the Kage to lose authority.
However powerful, a Kage could not manage subordinates slacking off.
Especially without reaching Senju Hashirama's level, handling Kage-level powerhouses actually proved achievable.
Currently, Kirigakure front forces already showed signs of unsteady morale. If Obito felt dissatisfied and continued applying harder pressure internally to Kirigakure, it would only accelerate internal contradiction intensification, accumulating more and more doubts about and resistance toward the Mizukage.
Ultimately, Kirigakure would fall into deeper internal consumption, no longer capable of exerting external influence.
Strategic pressure surrounding Konoha might instead obtain some relief accordingly.
As Shuji organized these thoughts, assessing future situations' possible directions, a sudden foul wind attacked from the side without warning.
Just as Shuji borrowed force from a tree branch, leaping toward another while midair, an abnormally massive serpent with dark brown scales suddenly burst from dense canopy, opened wide, and swallowed Shuji whole.
The next instant, the giant serpent's upper and lower jaws closing halfway froze before releasing an extremely agonized hiss. Its abdomen exploded open with a massive bloody hole.
Shuji expressionlessly withdrew his fist covered in mucus, stepping out from the giant serpent's ruptured abdomen, standing on the serpent's back as it twisted madly from severe pain.
Almost simultaneously, within the giant serpent's massive body, countless sharp wooden branches pierced outward from its eyes, mouth, even scale gaps.
Within mere breaths, the previously fierce giant serpent completely lost vitality, collapsing limply and crushing undergrowth below.
"Orochimaru-san," Shuji shook off the foul-smelling mucus on his hand, "can you compensate me for a set of clothes?"
"Hehehehe..."
A low, uniquely magnetic laugh came from a nearby tree trunk.
Orochimaru's figure slowly materialized from the side trunk.
"If Shuji-kun is willing to cooperate with my research, however many sets of clothes pose no problem."
"I originally thought it would be some time before seeing you again, Shuji-kun."
He looked at Shuji standing on the dead serpent's back.
"You seem to have been on leave this entire time, from what I understand."
Shuji calmly answered, "Precisely. Due to you, I worked some overtime, Orochimaru-san. You need to settle this overtime fee as well."
"Danzo's little schemes truly could not escape you at all." From Shuji's appearance location and timing, Orochimaru immediately judged what he had been doing. "He truly is... completely behind this era."
"Time truly proves an unavoidable blade for anyone. That once sharp and decisive Konoha Darkness now also seems about to become a stepping stone for young people emerging."
Speaking here, Orochimaru's smile grew increasingly dangerous. "Precisely to transcend this merciless time's torrent, I so desperately desire obtaining eternity, desire penetrating all worldly truths, becoming an existence transcending all restraints."
"Whether Wood Release or your body capable of bearing Hashirama's cells..."
"Shuji-kun, rarely do you leave Konoha alone. I do not wish to miss this opportunity..."
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild