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At the border of the Land of Fire, a Kumo-nin spoke cautiously. "Bee-sama, is it really safe to cross the Land of Fire into the Land of Wind?"
"You fool, yo!" Killer Bee rapped, his voice rhythmic. "No issue, it's not wartime. We're just passing through. Konoha won't catch us, and it saves us time, yo!"
"Yes, Bee-sama." The Kumo-nin nodded, accustomed to Bee's eccentric style.
The other Kumo-nins echoed their agreement.
Despite his youth, Killer Bee was an elite jounin. He'd earned the rank at twelve; now, at sixteen, his power as the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki was almost equal to the Raikage.
As a perfect Jinchuriki, he wielded the Eight-Tails flawlessly.
This was why the Raikage sent him to lead a team into the Land of Wind. Their mission mirrored the Iwagakure's to investigate the Third Kazekage's disappearance.
A Kage's vanishing was monumental. Every village's leader felt the weight.
If an enemy could abduct a Kage, what stopped them from targeting another village?
The Raikage, Tsuchikage, and others were confident but duty-bound to their villages. Clarity was essential.
"Alright, let's roll!" Killer Bee rising. They needed to move toward the Land of Wind.
Lingering at the Land of Fire's border was risky.
Suddenly, Bee halted.
"Bee-sama, what's up?" A Kumo-nin asked, puzzled.
"Company." Bee's eyeing a direction. Two figures emerged not far off.
"Konoha-nins." A Kumo-nin muttered, as the team tensed for battle. They were in the Land of Fire, and Konoha held the advantage. Who knew how many more Konoha-nins lurked nearby?
Even if only two stood before them.
"Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer Bee." Orochimaru said, his smile cold.
"One of Konoha's Sannin, Orochimaru." Killer Bee rgrinning. "Your rep precedes you, man."
"So, what's a Kumo-nin doing sneaking through the Land of Fire?" Orochimaru asked, his tone icy.
"You fool, you tool!" Bee rapped. "Sneakin'? Nah, I ain't got a clue!"
Orochimaru's gaze grew frostier.
"Alright, I get it. We're outta here." Bee noting Orochimaru's readiness to fight. He waved his team back, retreating.
Orochimaru didn't pursue, likely lacking the confidence to stop them.
A perfect Jinchuriki like Bee was a formidable foe. Plus, Bee's mission wasn't about Konoha; it was the Sunagakure.
"Tengen, your 'sensing' is uncanny." Orochimaru said, his eyes glinting with curiosity.
"Maybe. I don't really know why." Tengen shrugging.
Inside, he was a mix of elation and shock.
Elation from securing the HD video signal. Shock from the task he'd received alongside it, a daunting mission.
"This is your gift, Tengen." Orochimaru said, his voice distant. "Like the Hyuga or Uchiha's kekkei genkai, it's uniquely yours. It may not aid combat now, but nurtured, it could be a game-changer."
"I'll work hard, Orochimaru-sensei." Tengen nodded.
He knew the truth, it wasn't a gift but his system detecting signals, a cheat far beyond any talent.
"Let's head back." Orochimaru said.
Tengen followed, leaving the area.
Soon after, Tengen paused. "Orochimaru-sensei, I need to handle something."
"Handle something?" Orochimaru frowned. What could Tengen need at the Land of Fire's border?
"Fine. I won't pry. I'll take Anko and Jurin back. Finish up and catch up." Orochimaru said.
"Yes, Sensei." Tengen vanishes from sight.
"Seems you've got secrets, Tengen." Orochimaru murmured, a sly smile forming. "Wonder if you're like me. I see my shadow in you."
His tongue flicked his lips, his demeanor chillingly serpentine, the truest glimpse of the current Orochimaru, stripped of his usual facade.
This time, he didn't tail Tengen. He trusted his own plans.
Tengen would be his, eventually. Orochimaru departed.
In a forest within the Land of Fire, Tengen took a deep breath, sensing his surroundings. Orochimaru wasn't nearby.
"He didn't follow this time." Tengen said, his eyes shifting to the system. Alongside the HD signal, a task had appeared.
[Mission: Defeat Killer Bee. Reward: One-Punch Man HD video.]
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