After walking for a while, Sakumo suddenly stopped.
Shinnosuke stiffened slightly, then smirked, halting his steps and turning to face Orochimaru.
"Why'd you stop so suddenly?"
Orochimaru asked.
"The poison's effect has weakened. It's time I resolved my doubts."
Sakumo's expression turned serious. "Orochimaru, you've met Shinku before, haven't you?"
"Among everyone, you're the one I fear most besides Akaba—because you possess a wolf's terrifying instinct. As expected."
Orochimaru sighed.
He didn't directly answer, but his reply was already clear enough.
"I wouldn't find it surprising if Nightdance *could* die from poison, but Shinku would absolutely never die the same way as Nightdance in poisoned mist."
Shinnosuke pulled out his absurdly ridiculous frying pan.
Being teammates gave him enough insight into Shinku's abilities. At first, he hadn't realized it, but after taking a few steps, things gradually seemed suspicious.
"You really are impressive, Shinnosuke."
Orochimaru nodded approvingly.
"You targeted Shinku because he possessed critical intelligence, didn't you?"
Sakumo continued.
He knew Orochimaru well—this man never acted without a clear strategic gain.
The fact that Shinku Yuhi was targeted meant he definitely held considerable information.
"This game only allows three people to reach the end."
Orochimaru smiled faintly. "How about we cooperate and become those three?"
"It may be just a game, but unfortunately these are my teammates dying. Probably not possible."
Shinnosuke replied indifferently.
"It seems peaceful resolution won't work then. In that case—"
Orochimaru chuckled darkly.
Poof!
[Summoning Jutsu!]
A large snake appeared—not Manda—but still powerful.
[Earth Release: Yōmu Swamp!]
Shinnosuke cast quickly. Instantly, a swamp formed beneath the summoned snake.
Within moments, half its body sank into the mire.
Struggling, the giant snake lunged toward Shinnosuke.
But Shinnosuke jumped up and smashed its head fiercely with his frying pan.
Such a ridiculous weapon...
Orochimaru smirked, hiding in the shadows to observe Sakumo's position, waiting for the right moment.
However—
A crisp yet tremendous sound rang out, destruction power far beyond anyone's expectations. The summoned giant snake was smashed deep into the swamp by the frying pan in one blow.
"What? A Chakra Weapon?"
Orochimaru widened his eyes. Something with such an absurd appearance actually possessed overwhelming power.
This was simply outrageous!
Even Shinnosuke himself momentarily froze—this was the first time he'd used the pan in actual combat.
"Watch out!"
Suddenly, Sakumo shouted loudly.
Snapping back to focus, Shinnosuke saw several puppets emerging from nearby sand dunes. These puppets opened their mouths, firing dozens of poison needles.
Chakra surged in, and the pan shimmered with earth-yellow color.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
At amazing speed, all incoming poison needles were blocked by the pan's bottom.
"Offense and defense combined—it's unexpectedly useful!"
Shinnosuke muttered.
Stunned by this strange weapon, Orochimaru noticed the puppets appearing, so he made hand seals and escaped using Earth Release.
Meanwhile, Sakumo swiftly eliminated the puppets.
"Akaba really knows how to stir up trouble. And just how strong can a single pot possibly be?"
"Stop talking, look at the screen!"
Shinku Yuhi pointed toward the display. The screen had switched to a large-scale map once again. From the aerial view, everyone could clearly see that Orochimaru hadn't actually left.
Meanwhile, Tsunade and Jiraiya also appeared to be heading in this direction.
However, Shishio's position seemed to be near the laboratory as well.
"Not bad, Orochimaru."
Kakashi Windseer leaned back, wearing an approving expression on his face.
From the start, Orochimaru had planned for two possible scenarios:
On one hand, he followed Sakumo and Shinnosuke; on the other, he sent out Shadow Clones to track down Tsunade and Jiraiya.
Even if his intentions were discovered, he could still have his teammates join via the clones, leaving them in a 3 vs 2 matchup.
"What a slippery guy!"
Gekko Nightdance looked worried. Judging by the map, there was no doubt that Orochimaru's strategy was flawless.
Even if Sakumo and Shinnosuke managed to obtain the antidote, they might ultimately fall into a classic case of 'one watches the mantis, unaware of the oriole behind'—becoming victims of an unseen ambush.
"Now that I've seen their performance, I'll feel better going out, Akaba. Let me leave now."
Kakashi Windseer waved his hand, speaking to Akaba who controlled the illusion.
"Hmm, you're not watching anymore?"
Akaba felt somewhat surprised; after all, it was already approaching the most critical moment of the showdown.
"There's not much else worth watching. Once Tsunade and Jiraiya reunite, even if Shishio manages to find clues and reach the lab, they still won't stand a chance against Orochimaru and his allies."
Kakashi Windseer continued, "Besides, this guy has gathered so many weapons but hasn't used any of them yet."
Shinku Yuhi opened her mouth, then finally gave in, realizing he was right.
"You truly are amazing, Uncle Windseer."
Akaba smiled before the image shifted once again.
This time, no one appeared on-screen—it was just a dark, shadowy place.
Then the scene changed again and again.
"This is the laboratory. I've placed plenty of equipment and enhancing drugs inside."
Akaba grinned with sadistic humor, "Besides, this kind of terrain is ideal for Sakumo's stealth-based tactics."
Sakumo's abilities thrived best in such terrain for covert attacks.
"Orochimaru has Summoning Beasts."
Kakashi Windseer remained pessimistic. Even with darkness shrouding the battlefield, it would still be difficult for Sakumo and Shinnosuke to hide among countless summoned beasts.
"They're here. Seems like Sakumo and his team."
Two figures appeared on-screen. Because the image was too dark, none of the three could identify who they were immediately.
However, after looking carefully, they easily recognized based on the shapes of the kunai—these were definitely Sakumo and Shinnosuke.
"So, this is the lab?"
Sakumo scanned the area quickly before glancing at the rear.
He knew Orochimaru had been following them, but chasing him away only got rid of a Snake Clone. Killing one meant several others would continue stalking from the shadows anyway—it was useless.
The only option was to find the antidote first.
"Split up—we'll guard the entrance while you go in and search."
Shinnosuke whispered softly.
There might have been multiple paths into the lab, but they only knew about this one—and Orochimaru likely did too.
If we hold the entrance, Orochimaru won't get through. The longer we stall, the better our chances of finding an antidote.
"Fine."
Sakumo believed Shinnosuke without hesitation and immediately agreed, heading deeper into the laboratory.
The light was dim, but it wasn't hard for a ninja to see clearly.
"Orochimaru, come out. You can't get past me with Earth Release."
Shinnosuke turned around, holding a frying pan with a calm expression.
Earth Release was the technique he trusted the most.
"It seems this will be our battleground. Pity I haven't finished playing this game yet. I'll have no choice but to defeat you."
Orochimaru licked his lips.
Let's see just how strong Teacher's child truly is, Sarutobi Shinnosuke.
Without wasting words, Shinnosuke immediately formed hand seals and released a jutsu.
[Earth Release: Rising Earthen Dragon!]
A stone wall materialized out of thin air, blocking the only passage of the laboratory and separating Orochimaru outside.
Shinnosuke knew clearly—his job wasn't to beat Orochimaru, it was to block the entrance and prevent outsiders from entering, giving Sakumo enough time to search for the antidote.
"When it comes to defense, Earth Release can indeed be quite troublesome."
Orochimaru's voice came from outside the door. Then,
a crisp sound rang out as a chakra-infused gauntlet shattered the door open.
[Flying Swallow!]
"What terrifying weapon."
Shinnosuke secretly felt alarmed. Even Rising Earthen Dragon couldn't stop it. That cutting power was just ridiculous.
It appeared to be a weapon from the Illusion realm.
"I won't let you through!"
"..."
Sakumo heard the commotion behind him and realized Orochimaru had chosen to break through by force.
He didn't return to reinforce the defense but focused on searching for anything potentially useful. He gathered every item that looked like a pill. Along the way, he also found various ninja tools, including weapons and explosive tags.
However, just when he was searching deep inside, he suddenly heard noisy footsteps.
"Who's there?"
Before the owner of the footsteps could answer, a figure rolled out from the corridor ahead.
Behind him, ten Puppets closely followed.
"Sakumo?"
"Shishio!"
"Don't just stand there. Run! These ten Puppets are way too strong for this!"
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