Orochimaru leaped and maneuvered, and within a few breaths, he was close to the mission map's location that Bluebird had indicated. The Cloud ninja team was clearly visible.
Suddenly, a familiar voice belonging to Yotsuki Tee drifted over and entered Orochimaru's ear: "Brother, I found the mission map! It's up there, in the bird's nest in the tree canopy!"
Orochimaru's heart sank sharply. He forcefully kicked off with his feet, leaping high into the air to look toward the Cloud ninja.
He saw Yotsuki Tee carefully using chakra to cling to the tree canopy, excitedly staring at the bird's nest. Inside the basin-sized nest, aside from a few chirping hatchlings, there was a single black-and-white scroll. It was undoubtedly the mission map. The excited Yotsuki Tee immediately shouted to Yotsuki A, who was still searching below the tree.
Yotsuki A, standing at the base of the tree, was initially overjoyed by Yotsuki Tee's shout. However, he suddenly sensed a powerful aura rapidly approaching—less than thirty meters from their position. Recalling Yotsuki Tee's loud announcement, he instantly reacted, his face changing drastically. He shouted urgently: "Watch out!"
Orochimaru's gaze turned cold. He knew that if the Cloud ninja secured the map first, even if Manji and the others arrived, his team would be put at a disadvantage.
Orochimaru made an instant decision. While still in mid-air, he immediately began weaving hand signs!
Pure chakra flowed through the hand signs and into the surrounding air, instantly causing a fierce change.
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!
The surrounding air was instantly churned by chakra, creating violent convection currents. Amidst the low, muffled sound of "Woooo-wooo-wooo—" wind whistling, a powerful and intense gale was formed. Hidden within the intense wind were countless narrow, sharp wind blades, radiating chilling killing intent as they violently rushed toward the tree canopy where Yotsuki Tee was located.
Yotsuki Tee had barely heard Yotsuki A's warning when he immediately realized the Wind Release Ninjutsu launched by Orochimaru was upon him. The rapidly approaching gale and its hidden blades made Yotsuki Tee's scalp tingle. His sense of danger instantly reached a critical point. He glanced at the bird's nest and the mission map, which were within arm's reach—there was no more time!
Boom!
The storm, packed with sharp wind blades, swept through. The top seven or eight meters of the towering tree hosting the bird's nest were instantly sheared off flat. Dust rose, and wood chips flew everywhere. The sheer force of the Ninjutsu even tore apart over a dozen other tall trees behind it.
However, due to Orochimaru's excellent control over his Ninjutsu, the bird's nest remained completely intact and was sent flying toward the depths of the forest.
Yotsuki Tee and Yotsuki A, who had jumped off the canopy at the last moment, stared intently at the bird's nest being propelled by the strong wind toward the forest depths. Just as they were about to give chase, another unexpected event occurred!
The two clearly saw a small figure suddenly emerge from the shadows cast by a large ancient tree onto the branches. The slender right hand of the figure firmly grasped the flying bird's nest, took a scroll from inside, and then, just as strangely as he appeared, the figure slipped back into the shadows.
This sudden turn of events instantly negated the Cloud ninja's hard work, infuriating the two to the point of utter madness.
Orochimaru naturally witnessed the entire scene. He knew this was Chi's work and silently cheered. Relieved, he landed on a large tree not far from the Cloud ninja, smiling as he watched the "spectacular" expressions on the faces of Yotsuki A and the others.
Yotsuki A and his two teammates turned to look at the smiling Orochimaru, their rage intensifying.
Just then, Chi emerged from the shadow next to Orochimaru, respectfully handed the mission map to Orochimaru, and then, standing with Orochimaru, stared coldly at the Cloud ninja team.
At this point, Yotsuki A and the others fully understood what had happened. The thought that all their hard work had been foiled by someone else's quicker move fueled their boundless frustration and anger, which surged like a mighty, unstoppable river.
Yotsuki Tee furiously clenched his fist and said to Yotsuki A: "Brother, they're only two people! Let's go all three of us! We'll kill Orochimaru and that skinny monkey, and the mission map will be ours!"
Just as Yotsuki A was about to reply, the third Cloud ninja stopped Yotsuki Tee. He said respectfully to Yotsuki A: "Lord A, several auras are rapidly approaching!"
No sooner had the ninja spoken than Jiraiya, Manji, and the others caught up, taking their place beside Orochimaru. Seeing the mission map in Orochimaru's hand, joy showed on all their faces.
However, Orochimaru, observing the Cloud ninja team, did not relax his guard. The strength of the opposing team was perfectly capable of matching his own, and successfully getting the mission map out was still an unknown.
Looking at Orochimaru's group, Yotsuki A's expression grew even darker. In less than ten seconds, the situation had taken a sharp turn: not only did they fail to secure the mission map, but they had also run into such a difficult group of ninja from a rival Great Nation.
Yotsuki Tee, still angry, tightened his fist but refused to back down: "But, Brother..."
Yotsuki A cut him off, his eyes burning with fighting spirit. He said in a low voice: "Enough, don't say another word! Orochimaru is mine! Ryūun, you and Tee quickly take care of the others, then come and help me sandwich Orochimaru and seize the mission scroll!"
Hearing Yotsuki A give the command, Kitagawa Ryūun stopped trying to argue and focused all his attention on preparing for battle.
Orochimaru, who had been constantly on guard against the Cloud ninja, keenly noticed the change in Yotsuki A's demeanor and immediately warned: "Be careful! They're about to move!"
The moment Orochimaru spoke, a fierce and overbearing aura surged from Yotsuki A. Blue-violet currents of electricity crackled around him, and he lunged forward, a flash of blue-violet lightning.
Yotsuki Tee was invigorated seeing his brother charge out. He pumped chakra into his body and followed right behind.
However, their attacks were not the fastest. Unlike the close-combat style of the Yotsuki brothers, Kitagawa Ryūun, who specialized in Lightning Release Ninjutsu, finished his hand signs first and unleashed a Ninjutsu with shocking power!
Lightning Release: Thunder Stream Waterfall!
A massive surge of chakra energy rose up. Dots of blue-violet lightning suddenly appeared in the air, instantly spreading into a torrent of lightning that resembled a waterfall or a raging tide!
In the fraction of a second, Orochimaru stared intently. The glittering blue-violet lightning was actually comprised of hundreds of fine, yet incredibly penetrating, lightning needles!
This wave of blue-violet electricity, formed by hundreds of lightning needles, streaked through the air, casting blue lines and violet shadows. It surged aggressively, aiming to engulf Orochimaru and his team and pierce them with countless bloody holes.
🗒️NOTE:
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/MistaQuartz
Explore up to 10 chapters in advance!