In the rolling dense fog, sight was impossible, and even the sense of smell was disrupted.
Fortunately, with Hinata, a Byakugan user, Aburame Shino and Inuzuka Kiba fought with Hinata at the center, using the Byakugan to break through the dense fog.
However, their opponents were also not simple.
In their first encounter, the three immediately fell into a disadvantage, in a passive situation.
"These guys are like those from last year, they all have unique abilities," Inuzuka Kiba snarled.
"It's the power of the Cursed Seal!" Aburame Shino, wearing sunglasses, said calmly, "I'll handle the guy covered in slime!"
"I've already figured out his Ninjutsu," Inuzuka Kiba grinned, "I'll take care of the guy who fires smoke bombs, I'm ready!"
"Woof woof!" Akamaru immediately echoed.
Hinata was a little nervous, she looked at the remaining enemy, the one wearing a breathing mask, and said somewhat ashamed, "I'm sorry, I haven't found a way to counter him yet."
Aburame Shino said seriously, "No, Hinata, your Byakugan has already broken through his Ninjutsu!"
This was, of course, a word of comfort.
The Ghost Mist user, who breathed the mist, could not only exhale black mist that blinded the five senses but could also manipulate this black mist to form clones, replacements, and even inflict damage similar to shadow binding.
And against such an attack, physical attacks were useless.
Aburame Shino's parasitic insects were also ineffective.
"What arrogant brats!"
"Hey, Big Sister Guren over there doesn't seem to be doing too well, stop playing around and finish them off!"
"No problem!" Ghost Mist, Ghost Phoenix, and Nurari spoke one after another, their voices sounding like ghosts in the dense fog.
"Tch!"
"You're the ones who talk big!" Inuzuka Kiba shouted, "Akamaru!"
"Woof woof!" Akamaru barked twice, then transformed to look exactly like Inuzuka Kiba, lunging into the dense fog.
Aburame Shino waved his hands, and a large number of parasitic insects whizzed out.
Spinning Blade Technique!
These parasitic insects flew directly at Nurari, who seemed to be wearing a swimsuit.
Nurari looked at the flying insects, but he wasn't afraid at all: "Attacks like this have no effect on me!"
He had seen it before.
Unfortunately, his body was covered in a layer of slime, and when these insects landed on him, they would immediately be stuck and useless.
However, despite underestimating them, Nurari didn't just stand there and take the hits. With a wave of his hand, a large amount of slime shot out, sticking the parasitic insects to the ground.
But there were too many parasitic insects, and they still broke through his blockade.
Bang!
Spinning like a hurricane, like a spindle, it hit Nurari's abdomen.
Nurari, who had a smile on his face, froze, then his eyes widened: "You... how is this possible?"
Aburame Shino walked up to him and said faintly, "Although the slime on your body can stick my parasitic insects, it also constantly weakens."
Nurari looked down and saw that the parasitic insects were rolling off, taking the slime with them.
The slime on his body had unknowingly decreased, thus weakening his defense.
"I was careless..."
Nurari's legs went weak, and he knelt on the ground.
At this moment, a roar erupted from the other side, and Ghost Phoenix was sent flying by Inuzuka Kiba and Akamaru.
His Mist Dragon could cause suffocation and was not afraid of physical attacks, but it also couldn't block attacks like Inuzuka Kiba's Fang Over Fang.
Previously, he had hidden his tracks with the mist, and although Hinata had provided directions, they were always a step short.
But when he pretended to be hit and injured earlier, Akamaru had marked him by urinating on him.
Without Hinata's reminder, Akamaru could accurately lock onto him, preventing him from hiding in the smoke.
For a moment, only Ghost Mist remained in the smoke.
As he dealt with Hinata, the smoke solidified, binding her. His true form then appeared, kunai in hand, ready to finish her off.
With the cries of two comrades, he was instantly startled. Forgetting about Hinata, he quickly turned to flee.
But Hinata's body erupted with chakra, forcefully breaking free from the mist's restraint. She flickered in front of Ghost Mist and unleashed a rapid succession of sixty-four palms. By the time she finished, Ghost Mist had completely lost the ability to resist and collapsed to the ground with a thud.
Having dealt with their respective enemies, Hinata and her two companions regrouped before charging out of the dense fog to aid their other comrades.
Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki, watching from the shadows, couldn't help but shake his head.
Too green. Not even finishing blows.
None of the three enemies were dead.
Given the life force granted by Orochimaru's Cursed Seals, they would surely recover quickly.
On the other side, Guren and Kabuto, along with their subordinates, also retreated.
They were outmatched.
Yamato immediately led his forces in pursuit.
The two groups arrived at the lake where the Three-Tails was hidden.
The area was shrouded in mist and filled with illusions, allowing Guren and the others to successfully evade Yamato and his group.
Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki had been trailing Guren and her group and then spotted two others.
"Yūkimaru?"
Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki realized with a start, remembering this brat seemed to possess the power to control the Three-Tails.
Yugito Nii asked, "You're interested in this Crystal Style ninja, and this brat?"
"What's so special about this brat?"
Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki smiled and said, "You'll know later!"
Before long, Yūhi Kurenai and Sarutobi Shinya arrived. The groups began to skirmish around the lake with Orochimaru and his forces.
As for the Mist Ninja, they were severely battered by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and forced to retreat.
Soldier versus soldier, general versus general.
Yūhi Kurenai, Sarutobi Shinya, and Yamato intercepted Orochimaru and Kakuzu.
Naruto and the other brats were engaged in a back-and-forth with Kabuto and Guren.
After watching for two days, Yugito Nii began to notice a pattern. "The Konoha Jonin seem to be intentionally training these brats?"
"And the Akatsuki Organization doesn't seem to be going all out either."
Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki smiled without speaking.
Two days passed in this manner.
Orochimaru's subordinates were at a disadvantage. When the Crystal Style ninja Guren was injured, under Kabuto's guidance, the seemingly frail Yūkimaru finally unleashed his power.
A powerful chakra manifested, soaring skyward like a pillar of light, reaching into the clouds.
"Wh-what incredible power!"
Yugito Nii watched in shock.
This power was akin to a human Tailed Beast!
Then, something even more astonishing occurred.
The Three-Tails emerged from the lake!
"This guy can actually control the Three-Tails!"
Yugito Nii exclaimed, "He's not the Three-Tails' Jinchuriki, so why can he control it?"
Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki said calmly, "There could be many reasons."
"Perhaps someone in his ancestry was a Jinchuriki of the Three-Tails."
"Perhaps his ancestors had dealings with the Three-Tails, much like your Cloud Ninja's Golden and Silver Brothers, who could also utilize the Nine-Tails' chakra."
The history of Tailed Beasts is incredibly long.
Before the end of the Warring States period, it's possible someone became a Jinchuriki.
Yugito Nii nodded, then asked, "So you knew about his abilities all along?"
"Are you waiting for the Akatsuki Organization to take the Three-Tails before you make your move?"
Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki laughed, "No!"
"This time, we're just here to watch the show, and perhaps recruit some people along the way."
"Orochimaru's methods of nurturing talent are quite good."
He also realized something.
Orochimaru clearly intended to obtain the Three-Tails for his own research before allowing the Akatsuki Organization to seal it.
And Yūkimaru was the candidate for the Jinchuriki.
Unfortunately, Guren and Yūkimaru weren't like Kimimaro, who was utterly devoted to Orochimaru.
Especially since Guren didn't possess Orochimaru's Cursed Seal power.
She wasn't entirely under Orochimaru's control either.
One night...
Amidst the dense fog.
Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki appeared before Guren.
"Who are you?"
Guren watched the person before her with vigilance, sensing immense danger.
"Who I am is unimportant. What's important is, do you want to save Yūkimaru?"
Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki asked calmly.
Guren's heart leaped, and she scoffed, "Yūkimaru is doing fine!"
"Why deceive yourself?"
Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki shook his head. "He's just a pawn for Orochimaru, used to capture Tailed Beasts."
"However, Orochimaru cannot possess the Three-Tails."
"Therefore, Yūkimaru will be handed over to the Akatsuki Organization, and the Tailed Beast will be extracted from him."
"And as a Jinchuriki, if the Tailed Beast is extracted, they will surely die."
Guren's expression changed. "But as far as I know, the Fifth Kazekage of Sunagakure was once a Jinchuriki. He didn't die after the Tailed Beast was extracted."
Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki chuckled. "Do you have Konoha's powerful Medical Ninjutsu?"
Hearing this, Guren gritted her teeth and fell silent.
She didn't.
Even Orochimaru didn't.
Although that annoying Kabuto's Medical Ninjutsu wasn't bad, it couldn't compare to Konoha's.
Looking up at Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki, she asked, "What do you want me to do?"
Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki smiled and said, "Save the Ninja World!"
"And save yourself!"
"Consider it for one night. If you make a decision, leave a signal here with your Crystal Style."
With that, his figure vanished without a sound.
Guren remained silent for a long time before turning back towards their stronghold.
She happened to see Kabuto taking out some pills and about to feed them to Yūkimaru.
"Kabuto, what are you doing?"
Guren shouted, flashing forward to stand in front of Yūkimaru.
Kabuto smiled. "Nothing, just some pills to replenish his energy. Don't be so nervous."
"You know, he expended too much energy today."
"He has to continue fighting tomorrow, so he can't be lacking."
Guren snorted, "Lord Orochimaru's goal is the Three-Tails. We saw the situation today, and Yūkimaru can't control the Three-Tails very well."
"Tomorrow, I will seal the Three-Tails!"
Kabuto raised an eyebrow at this. "Oh?"
He glanced at Guren and Yūkimaru behind her, a knowing smile on his face. "Then let Lord Orochimaru see your abilities!"
After saying that, Kabuto turned and left, going elsewhere to report the situation to Orochimaru.
Upon hearing this, Orochimaru said, "Kabuto, you're too impatient."
Kabuto lowered his head slightly. "But Lord Orochimaru, we don't have much time."
"Those guys from Konoha, and the Akatsuki Organization... I don't think you're ready to betray the Akatsuki Organization yet, are you?"
Orochimaru chuckled upon hearing this. "Konoha isn't a problem, but the Akatsuki Organization indeed..."
"Then do as you see fit."
Just one Yūkimaru.
Orochimaru didn't particularly care.
The next day.
The battle between the two sides continued.
Guren attempted to seal the Three-Tails with Crystal Style, but she underestimated the Three-Tails' immense power and was instead injured, sent flying into the lake bottom by the beast.
Kabuto seized the opportunity to guide him, and Yūkimaru erupted once more, gaining control of the Three-Tails.
Naruto and the others dealt with Ghost Mist and a few other fodder enemies. They had intended to seize the Three-Tails while they had the chance, but Orochimaru summoned the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, bypassing Sarutobi Shinya's blockade.
Naruto and his group were immediately thrown into a tough battle, suffering injuries.
These were all battle-hardened ninjas they were facing.
Thus, both sides retreated.
Night fell.
The mist in the lake rose again.
At the bottom of the lake.
Guren, encased in crystals and wrapped in mud, slowly ascended.
The one who rescued Guren from the lakebed was none other than the large man, Gozu.
He had been hit by Uchiha Sasuke's Chidori during the day and fallen into the lake. Everyone thought he was dead, but he wasn't. Now, he had rescued Guren.
The crystals shattered, and Guren looked at Gozu, asking, "Why did you save me?"
"Because you saved me like this before."
Gozu looked at Guren and said, "Back at the base, I was almost dying of thirst, and you gave me a ladle of water."
Guren shook her head, "I don't remember. Maybe it was on a whim."
With that, she turned and walked towards the forest.
She arrived at the place where she had previously met Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki and placed a red crystal under a tree.
"Sister Guren, what are you doing?"
Gozu asked, following behind her.
Guren didn't answer, instead asking, "Are you willing to come with me?"
"Are you going to betray Lord Orochimaru?"
Gozu asked, his expression calm.
"I have already offered my loyalty to Orochimaru. From now on, I will protect Yūkimaru."
As Guren spoke, she added inwardly, I took away his home, and now I want to give him one.
This was atonement!
Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki appeared soon after.
Guren immediately said, "Can you rescue Yūkimaru?"
"Of course, no problem."
Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki smiled and then disappeared.
At Kabuto's stronghold, Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki appeared silently. Under a genjutsu, Kabuto and the others didn't notice as Yūkimaru was taken away.
Handing Yūkimaru over to Guren, Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki said, "My name is Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki. You can call me Lord Kamishiki."
"Let's go!"
Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki brought the three of them and met up with Yugito Nii.
Meanwhile.
It was 15 minutes later when Kabuto discovered Yūkimaru was gone. This made cold sweat break out on his forehead, and he hurried to see Orochimaru.
Orochimaru frowned upon hearing this, then smiled, "For someone to be able to do that without you noticing, there aren't many people like that in the Ninja World."
"Forget it, no need to pursue it further."
Kabuto quickly asked, "What about the Three-Tails?"
"Leave it to the Akatsuki Organization."
Orochimaru said lightly.
It didn't matter if the Three-Tails was gone.
It was just one less research subject.
He had also researched the Eight-Tails back then.
The next day.
The battle continued.
However, this time it was three Konoha squads against Orochimaru, Kakuzu, and Kabuto.
While they were fighting.
Tobi and Deidara descended from the sky, easily finding the Three-Tails, and then blew it out of the lakebed.
In the dense forest, Guren asked, "Lord Kamishiki, aren't we going to seize the Three-Tails?"
Yugito Nii was also curious.
She knew that he was actually a subordinate of Konoha's Sarutobi Asuma, and had previously split the Two-Tails.
However, he currently showed no intention of attacking the Three-Tails.
Unless…
Yugito Nii's heart lurched, "Could it be that during the Third Great Ninja War, the Three-Tails was already…"
She remembered that Sarutobi Asuma had captured the Three-Tails during the Third Great Ninja War.
"Which means, half of the Three-Tails is currently in Konoha's possession."
"And he was able to split the Three-Tails over a decade ago. Just how strong has this guy become?"
Watching the Akatsuki Organization calmly take away the Three-Tails, Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki turned to leave, "The show is over, let's go!"
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