Everything happened in an instant.
Realizing Troy had been attacked, young A endured the pain and launched a final elbow strike. However, after landing his hit, Feng Bai had already used the Flying Thunder God kunai planted in place to return to his previous position, leaving A's powerful elbow to strike nothing but air.
"Brother, what's the plan now—attack or defend?"
Killer Bee tightly protected young A while asking for his opinion.
Hearing Killer Bee's question, young A assessed his injuries. Though unwilling to retreat, he knew their current condition left them unable to continue the fight.
On the other side, Feng Bai, worried that young A might have reinforcements, seized the opportunity while his opponents were deliberating. After throwing several smoke bombs, he called for Shimura Ikku and Yamanaka Zen to make a hasty retreat.
"Huff..."
When the smoke cleared and young A realized Feng Bai's group had fled, he didn't pursue. Instead, he checked on Troy's condition.
Pulling out the senbon lodged in Troy's waist, young A felt the cold emanating from it and nodded in understanding: "I see—an ice senbon. No wonder it could penetrate Troy's body, even though he's a Magnet Release user."
"And it's poisoned too?"
Watching Troy's complexion grow increasingly pale, with his blood vessels beginning to show a bluish-purple hue, young A didn't dare delay. He quickly had Killer Bee, who was in the best condition among the three, carry them toward the camp.
"Shimura Feng Bai, is it? I'll remember you."
Taking one last look in the direction Feng Bai's group had departed, young A silently vowed that the next time they met, he would personally sever that brat's head!
...
Three days later.
Konoha camp, inside a tent.
Feng Bai met for the first time this great scientist who single-handedly advanced the shinobi world's scientific progress.
"Shimura, Feng Bai?"
Orochimaru stared expressionlessly at Feng Bai, his snake-like eyes examining him from head to toe, as if appraising prey.
Only when cold sweat began dripping from Feng Bai's forehead did Orochimaru finally shift his gaze to Yamanaka Zen and Shimura Ikku.
Both men looked terrible—not only were their masks shattered, but their faces were swollen like pig heads.
Thanks to Yamanaka Zen's rudimentary medical ninjutsu knowledge, their appearance wasn't completely unrecognizable.
"You encountered the Third Raikage's son?"
Seeing that the two were relatively unharmed—or rather, even if they were seriously injured, they needed to finish their report before dying—Orochimaru began inquiring about the details.
Since their mission wasn't classified, Orochimaru easily learned the specifics of what had transpired.
After hearing their account, Orochimaru glanced at Feng Bai, who stood to the side looking merely disheveled but bearing no significant wounds, and began to doubt the veracity of their story.
The feats described in their account seemed far too extraordinary—Danzo's twelve-year-old son, single-handedly withstanding two jōnin plus a Jinchūriki, severely injuring both opponents and escaping unscathed. Even Orochimaru himself hadn't possessed such strength at twelve.
Was Danzo trying to build up his son's reputation?
Orochimaru harbored some suspicion, but he immediately realized such a lie would be too easily exposed—not Danzo's style at all.
After all, the Kumogakure survivors were still alive; verifying the truth would be simple enough.
An interesting kid.
Orochimaru finally developed genuine interest in Feng Bai, once again focusing his attention on him.
His first scrutiny had been mere curiosity about Feng Bai's identity as Danzo's son; this time, Orochimaru's curiosity centered on Feng Bai as an individual.
With chills running down his spine, Feng Bai nervously wondered if he had somehow offended this lord—otherwise, why would he keep staring without speaking?
"Are you afraid of me?"
Detecting Feng Bai's emotions, Orochimaru found the situation increasingly amusing.
"Uh, no, this is pure admiration—yes, admiration. I particularly admire you, Lord Orochimaru." Forcing an impossibly ugly smile, Feng Bai's tone was extremely humble.
"Is that so..."
Extending his tongue to lick his lips, Orochimaru maliciously reached out his hand, intending to touch Feng Bai's face.
The next second, Feng Bai could no longer maintain his ugly smile and took a step back, creating distance between himself and Orochimaru.
"This is admiration?"
Leaving his hand suspended in midair, Orochimaru watched his missed gesture with great interest.
"Lord Orochimaru..." Before Feng Bai could respond, Shimura Ikku finally couldn't help but speak up: "We've just experienced combat and urgently need rest."
"I've already notified the medical ninja."
Directing his cold gaze at Shimura Ikku, feeling Orochimaru's chilling stare, Ikku found even breathing difficult, but still forced himself to meet the man's eyes.
"Hmm? That voice sounds familiar—it really is you, Feng Bai!"
Just as the atmosphere reached freezing point, a girl's bright voice rang out, rushing toward Feng Bai with familiar energy.
Feeling the softness behind him, Feng Bai was momentarily stunned, then realized: Who—who was charging at him with such... assets?!
Without needing to turn around, Feng Bai recognized the voice: "Anko?"
"Hehe, long time no see." Anko squeezed Feng Bai tightly, bouncing a few times before finally releasing him.
"Cough, cough, what are you doing here?"
Ignoring Orochimaru's presence, Feng Bai rubbed his neck and asked curiously.
"Oh, I came to find Orochimaru-sensei." Reminded by Feng Bai, Anko remembered her purpose: "Orochimaru-sensei, the village sent a messenger to see you."
"I understand."
Interrupted by Anko, Orochimaru lost interest in the trio, gesturing for Anko to follow him before leaving the tent directly.
"Ah, I need to get going—I'll come chat with you when I have time!"
Seeing Orochimaru departing quickly, Anko hurriedly bid Feng Bai farewell and rushed to catch up.
...
Konoha Village, Root base.
Danzo had been particularly agitated lately.
Even Aburame Ryōma could sense it.
"Reckless brat..." Looking at the battle report just delivered from the front lines, Danzo searched the document for something but found nothing.
Since Feng Bai had departed for the front with his team, Danzo had received no news of his son.
His original intention was for Feng Bai to lead two jōnin in hunting isolated enemy shinobi on the battlefield's periphery to accumulate achievements. But Yamanaka Zen's subsequent message nearly made him leap from his chair.
That damned brat had actually led his team directly to Kumogakure's rear lines, claiming he intended to raid their supply routes!
Even Danzo himself would only dare attempt such a feat with the entire Root organization at his side.
During large-scale warfare, even the supply convoy escorts alone could spark a small-scale conflict.
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