Chapter 28: Traces of Orochimaru

Hearing the words of Inuzuka Kaze, Uchiha Touhuan took them seriously; this was, after all, the first ninja clan to actively extend an olive branch to the Uchiha.

It seemed that with the once-mighty Senju clan now reduced to such a plight within the village, the Inuzuka clan—who served as the village’s resident veterinarians and had long struggled to find a foothold in the corridors of power—had begun to develop their own agenda. However, out of caution, they had yet to make any formal move to declare their allegiance.

Still, for a Jōnin like Inuzuka Kaze to personally raise this matter with Uchiha Touhuan, the gesture of goodwill could not have been more apparent. Unlike the Uchiha, who boasted dozens of Jōnin and could fill several rows during a clan meeting, the Inuzuka clan held Kaze in high regard—his status likely second only to their clan leader.

"Brother Kaze, this news of yours truly solves an urgent problem for our Military Police Force," Uchiha Touhuan said. "Our newly recruited ninjas have yet to fully mature in their abilities. If we could have the assistance of the Inuzuka clan’s ninken, it would be ideal."

Uchiha Touhuan naturally welcomed the Inuzuka clan’s overture. The Uchiha had not yet officially stepped onto the main stage, and the fact that the Inuzuka clan was willing to show such an attitude was already a pleasant surprise.

This gesture represented a promising beginning.

"Speaking of which, the benefits of the Military Police Force are truly enviable," Uzuki Yugao spoke up suddenly. "After learning about the compensation, I’ve even thought about resigning from the Anbu to join the force."

"Sister Yugao, you mustn't think like that!" Uchiha Touhuan said sternly. "Isn't working anywhere a way to serve Konoha? If the Third Hokage were to hear that, he might think I’m building a faction of my own."

"Oh, I was just teasing," Uzuki Yugao said, sticking out her tongue. "I worked so hard to reach the rank of Special Jōnin in the Anbu; there’s no need for me to quit."

"Alright, enough of that. Come, everyone, cheers!" Uchiha Touhuan raised his glass. After clinking glasses with everyone, he downed the liquor in one gulp.

Throughout the dinner, Kakashi, sitting right beside Uchiha Touhuan, remained silent. However, his eyes were fixed on the events unfolding at the table, his expression pensive.

After everyone had eaten their fill, they returned to the inn. The next morning, they set off once again. This time, however, they did not even exchange the most basic pleasantries with Utatane Itsuki and Mitokado Hayato. By noon, the party had reached the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rice Fields.

Before arriving at the specific area indicated by the clues, Kakashi began to fulfill his duties as the mission leader.

"Inuzuka Kaze, take Moku-maru and track by scent. Hyuga Kenya, Hyuga Keito, you two watch the surroundings; ensure that at least one pair of Byakugan is active at all times. Everyone else, prepare for combat."

"Understood." The group, including Uchiha Touhuan, nodded in acknowledgment. Even Utatane Itsuki and Mitokado Hayato, who had effectively burned their bridges with the rest of the group, offered no objections.

***

Within one of Orochimaru’s experimental bases in the Land of Rice Fields, Orochimaru set down the test tube in his hand, as if he had sensed something.

Though Orochimaru was still working for the Akatsuki organization and had not yet conceived the idea of establishing the Village Hidden in the Sound, he had built a base here for his research. For powerful ninjas like him, such small nations located between major powers—lacking their own ninja villages—were essentially lawless lands beyond anyone's reach.

Although Orochimaru had defected from the village, he had left behind certain contingencies. He was well aware of the recent changes in Konoha, particularly the death of Danzo, with whom he had once collaborated, and the recent bold actions of Uchiha Touhuan.

Furthermore, as soon as the pursuit team left the village, the spies Orochimaru had planted there sent word. Not wanting to invite trouble, his first instinct upon learning of the pursuit force was to flee.

However, upon learning that the team included Uchiha Touhuan—an Uchiha who had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan—Orochimaru felt a surge of curiosity. While his obsession with the Uchiha bloodline was not yet as pathological as it would become, the Mangekyō Sharingan was, after all, the eye possessed by the legendary Uchiha Madara. Instinctively, as a researcher, Orochimaru felt compelled to probe.

***

As the pursuit team searched the vicinity, Moku-maru suddenly went rigid and let out a low growl.

Hyuga Keito, who was on guard, also noticed something amiss and shouted a warning: "There’s a chakra reaction beneath the ground, and a giant entity is approaching rapidly from the west. It’s a snake!"

"Prepare for combat!" Kakashi barked, dropping into a fighting stance.

"Watch out for the ground!" Hyuga Keito screamed, pulling Hyuga Kenya up to dodge.

At that moment, the ground beneath them shook violently as several massive white snakes burst through the earth, their crimson maws gaping wide from below.

In the nick of time, the targets leaped high into the air, each employing their own methods. Inuzuka Kaze merged with Moku-maru immediately, utilizing their clan’s secret technique to transform into a massive two-headed hound, dodging the attack from below. Uchiha Inabi and Uchiha Naoto threw kunai attached with wires at the surrounding trees, using them to change direction mid-air before weaving hand signs. They unleashed the Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu, striking the giant snakes that had attacked from beneath.

Nagai Seiichi, though looking somewhat disheveled, managed to escape a fatal blow with a Water Replacement technique.

In contrast, the few Special Jōnin in the group reacted a beat too slowly and found themselves in crisis. Fortunately, just as they were about to be devoured, a flash of blue lightning surged. Uchiha Touhuan, having activated his Lightning Release Chakra Mode, moved like a phantom and pulled them to safety in the blink of an eye.

Utatane Itsuki and Mitokado Hayato, who had distanced themselves from the group during the search due to internal conflict, were not as fortunate.

The attackers had intended to pick off the stragglers first. There were four giant summoning snakes attacking them from underground, and because of their distance, they lacked the reaction time to respond to Hyuga Keito's warning. The combination of these factors led to a devastating outcome for the pair.

Utatane Itsuki, possessing greater individual strength, narrowly survived the ambush, but his entire right arm was bitten off. Mitokado Hayato, who was only a Special Jōnin, was swallowed whole by the snakes.

Before anyone could process what had happened, a giant snake, dozens of meters tall, loomed through the dust and debris of fallen trees in the direction Hyuga Keito had pointed out.