"Chizan, where are you planning to go?"
"Aren't you going back to fight?"
Underground, Jinlin was frantically tunneling northward. The golden python's scales were indestructible, making her digging speed almost impossibly fast.
"I'm not going back. I'll leave the rest to Tsunade and the others."
"We're heading straight for the Land of Earth. This guy's worth forty-five million."
Gekko Chizan had considered sending this guy to Orochimaru, but since the war had just started, Orochimaru likely didn't have the time to study these things. It would be more practical to just cash him in.
As he left the battlefield, the Five-Tails landed and triggered another massive earthquake.
But without Gekko Chizan's interference, the Five-Tails landed on all fours and remained relatively stable.
"That damn bastard, he kept me flying in the sky for so long!"
"I'll swallow him alive!"
The furious Five-Tails Kokuō stomped on the ground in rage.
At the same time, the earth trembled. A massive crimson hand burst out of the ground, its palm covered in dirt.
"Hmm? Han, where's that Konoha ghost?"
"I'm going to tear him apart."
Two colossal beasts—one falling from the sky, the other emerging from underground—finally came face-to-face on the battlefield.
But no matter how they searched, they couldn't find a trace of Gekko Chizan.
"Damn, is that the follow-up unit?"
"They've all been wiped out."
"Forget it. Let's head to the main battlefield."
Their Tailed Beast Forms dispersed. Han and Roshi both looked grim, but still charged toward the main battlefield.
...
Land of Hot Water, within the forest.
Orochimaru stood on a tree trunk, gazing into the distance.
"Everyone, split into squads to intercept the enemy."
"If you encounter the Mist's elite units or the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, retreat immediately and wait for reinforcements."
As shadows flitted by, Orochimaru also began to move.
But he didn't rush forward recklessly. He had his own plans—to maintain the situation on the battlefield while also ensuring his own retreat remained easy.
Orochimaru moved silently through the trees, his presence like that of a phantom. He operated alone; after all, he didn't need teammates. His power alone was enough.
Suddenly, sounds of an intense battle erupted ahead.
He approached noiselessly, and saw several Konoha shinobi locked in combat with a small squad of Mist shinobi.
Narrowing his eyes, he didn't intervene right away—because this squad of Konoha shinobi wasn't just anyone.
It was Might Guy, Shiranui Genma, and Ebisu.
The reason Orochimaru paid attention to them was simple: Ebisu was closely connected to Gekko Chizan.
Ebisu and his mother had lived together with the Gekko family. Orochimaru had even met them back when he visited.
Their opponents weren't particularly strong, just standard chunin-level.
He observed the trio's abilities. Might Guy fought like a raging bull, every punch landing solidly. It was interesting to watch.
Ebisu and Shiranui Genma were far more composed, combining ninja tools and ninjutsu. The three of them steadily suppressed their opponents.
"Hehehehe… As expected of someone trained by Chizan-kun."
"Though they're young, their combat experience is decent."
"Too bad. I can't let them go too deep into enemy lines. These seedlings… are better protected."
"Hidden Shadow Many Snakes!"
Suddenly, a mass of giant snakes appeared, ending the small skirmish in an instant.
The Mist shinobi were completely swallowed up.
The trio was briefly startled, but quickly turned toward the source of the snakes.
Orochimaru stood on a tree trunk, looking down at them.
"You three, fall back. Don't advance too far in the next battle."
"Your own safety comes first."
Leaving those words behind, Orochimaru continued forward.
Might Guy and the other two exchanged glances.
"Were we just protected?"
"Yeah… and by the cold, ruthless Orochimaru-sama, no less. Unbelievable."
That was Orochimaru—they all knew he wasn't exactly the warm, friendly type.
Unlike the fierce battles on the Land of Grass front, the fights in the Land of Hot Water were tactical clashes—squads constantly colliding in skirmishes across the land.
Might Guy clenched his fists, fire burning in his eyes.
"Even though Orochimaru-senpai is strong, we can't keep hiding behind him. We need to grow too!"
Shiranui Genma scratched his head.
"True, but Orochimaru-sama's strength is unfathomable. If he says so, he probably has a good reason."
Ebisu nodded thoughtfully.
"Maybe Orochimaru-sama sensed a more dangerous enemy up ahead. Still, we can find chances to train ourselves from the rear."
At that moment, a commotion echoed from afar.
The three exchanged glances and quietly moved closer to investigate. Another Konoha squad had clashed with Mist shinobi.
Might Guy's blood boiled. "No matter what, we're all Konoha shinobi. We can't just stand by and do nothing!"
The trio coordinated smoothly and launched a flank attack.
Such skirmishes were common across the Land of Hot Water battlefield.
...
At the same time, Takigakure—a peaceful village—was under attack.
"Damn it! Who are you?"
"Why are you attacking Takigakure?!"
Yahiko, Konan, and Akashige stood at the head of a group of Takigakure shinobi, facing down a lone figure.
Their expressions were grim. They recognized him—he was the one who had once chased them and kidnapped Nagato.
They never expected him to chase them all the way to Takigakure. Damn it.
"Konan, Akashige, we'll avenge Nagato!"
Yahiko's eyes burned with rage as he faced the man responsible for their brother's suffering.
The man standing before them was Uchiha Makito, who had used his ocular powers to travel from the Land of Water.
His Mangekyō Sharingan rotated slowly, and a smirk curled at his lips as he looked at the three of them.
His goal was right here. As long as he captured one of them, it would be enough.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
A massive fireball burst forth, larger than ever before.
"Boom!"
Everyone scattered. Yahiko's hands blurred through hand seals.
"Water Style: Violent Torrent!"
Water and fire collided, sending a surge of steam billowing into the air and cloaking the battlefield.
Mukyō activated.
Yahiko had barely finished his jutsu when Uchiha Makito was already right in front of him. A massive hand clamped around his throat.
"Damn it, this technique again!"
"Yahiko! Paper Shuriken!"
Dozens of white shuriken shot toward Uchiha Makito.
At the same time, Akashige flashed forward to his comrade's side.
"Take this!"
Faced with Konan and Akashige's combined assault, Uchiha Makito didn't even flinch.
Mukyō allowed him to infinitely stretch the distance between himself and anything his eyes locked on.
The shuriken couldn't touch him. Akashige's punch couldn't either.
"Damn it, this creepy ability!"
"Let me go!"
Yahiko struggled violently, water swirling around his entire body.