A great battle erupted in the Land of Rice Fields.
Orochimaru, controlling the reanimated body of the Fourth Kazekage, fought a world-shaking battle against Sasori's Third Kazekage puppet. Countless clay bombs flew everywhere, and the small town was almost completely destroyed. As both sides retreated, Sasuke Uchiha also took the opportunity to slip away.
After escaping with his life that day, Sasuke developed a new, cautious habit while on missions: he only drank water he had boiled himself and only ate food he had made himself.
That man, Orochimaru, truly one of Konoha's Sannin, was on another level—not someone he could easily deal with. For now, Sasuke could only hide in a cave in the Land of Rice, staring blankly at the dripping water droplets as he silently waited for the poison in his body to fade.
Today felt like a dream. Perhaps because Orochimaru was reluctant to harm his future vessel, the poison he used wasn't very strong, only leaving Sasuke temporarily powerless.
The problem was, if he couldn't even handle Orochimaru, how could he ever challenge Itachi Uchiha?
However, Sasuke soon wouldn't have to worry about that.
Wary of a possible pursuit by the Akatsuki, Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi temporarily withdrew from the small town, wanting to get out of the organization's sight. Faced with a powerful group that housed numerous S-rank rogue ninja, even Orochimaru had to worry about the potential threat.
But his retreat was one step too slow.
Two figures, also wearing black cloaks with red clouds, blocked his and Kabuto's path. Kisame Hoshigaki held his Samehada sword, grinning at Orochimaru. "We really caught him. It seems Mr. Itachi's guess was right after all!"
"Cough, cough..." Itachi Uchiha covered his mouth with his fist and coughed lightly, looking as though he were seriously ill. He said in a low voice, "This is the fastest way back to the Sound Village. Orochimaru wants to get out of our sight, so naturally, he wouldn't want to waste time on the road."
This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. Naruto Uzumaki had given him a mission to resolve the Orochimaru problem. Therefore, after observing the great battle between Orochimaru and the Akatsuki's art duo, Itachi decided to lie in wait for his prey.
He knew Orochimaru's personality. Back when Orochimaru coveted his body, he had fled like a startled bird after failing. Until he found a suitable host, Orochimaru would absolutely avoid another direct confrontation with the Akatsuki. He was a person skilled at forbearance. Before achieving his goal, he would never put himself in a desperate situation. He also had no pride or "Sannin ego" to uphold.
Before meeting Naruto, Itachi had been confident in the power of his Mangekyo Sharingan and didn't pay much attention to Orochimaru's tricks. However, after meeting Naruto, Itachi had to admit that Orochimaru was indeed terrifying. In the future, he actually achieved a form of immortality and could even develop ninjutsu that allowed souls to travel across time and space.
Itachi had to agree with Naruto's opinion; letting Orochimaru run free was very dangerous. The situation in the ninja world had now changed. Sasuke had not defected.
What if this guy Orochimaru, after discovering he couldn't get Sasuke's body, had a sudden inspiration and researched some strange new ninjutsu? Forget Konoha—the entire ninja world would probably be finished.
"Uchiha... Itachi!"
Orochimaru's face instantly turned cold. His hand still bore injuries from the recent fierce battle, and his chakra was mostly depleted. His current body wasn't a perfect fit either; it was just a randomly reincarnated vessel that might not be able to sustain a long fight.
Under these circumstances, encountering an extremely dangerous person like Itachi Uchiha was the worst possible scenario. Itachi was a hard counter to him, with his Susanoo's Totsuka Blade—the very sealing weapon Orochimaru had been searching for.
Kabuto Yakushi stepped in front of Orochimaru, saying softly, "Lord Orochimaru, please leave! Leave this to me!"
"Kabuto, you are no match for him." Orochimaru shook his head and said in a deep voice, "I have personally witnessed the power of 'Itachi of the Massacre' and the 'Monster of the Mist.' Your strength is only comparable to Kakashi Hatake's. Neither of them is someone you can defeat."
Having Kabuto stay behind would be useless. He was a medical-nin and a researcher, not a front-line fighter. In front of Itachi, he would surely be subdued in an instant. If Orochimaru still had his three Hokage puppets, escaping wouldn't be too difficult. But unfortunately, he could only reanimate the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, right now. Pitting Rasa against Itachi was simply serving him up on a platter.
Kisame Hoshigaki grinned, revealing a mouth full of shark-like teeth, and snorted as he charged forward with Samehada. "You've wasted too much time..."
"My apologies, Mr. Orochimaru." Itachi Uchiha also rushed forward, apologizing in a low voice. "We have other business, so we're in a hurry."
His time was very tight. Since Naruto was about to arrive in the Land of Rice Fields, he had to deal with Orochimaru as quickly as possible. Then, he had to stage a play with a White Zetsu clone to see if he could force Sasuke to awaken his Mangekyo Sharingan.
According to a White Zetsu clone's intelligence, the Fifth Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki, had already reached the border of the Land of Rice. However, the clone also proposed that Black Zetsu would find a way to delay Naruto, buying them one day.
One day.
In one day, Itachi Uchiha had to do three things: assassinate the daimyo of the Land of Rice for the Akatsuki, deal with Orochimaru for Naruto, and fulfill his own desire to have Sasuke awaken the Mangekyo.
Spies are busy. Especially multi-faceted spies. They are busy beyond belief.
At the border of the Land of Rice Fields, the White Zetsu clone's intelligence proved correct. Naruto and the Third Hokage Guard Platoon (Team Guy) had been traveling at high speed and had just arrived.
Might Guy and Rock Lee were still full of energy, but Neji Hyuga and Tenten were somewhat exhausted, their stamina no match for their teammates'.
Tenten, her hair tied in buns, looked miserable as she turned to her jonin leader. "Guy-sensei, can we rest for a bit? This isn't an urgent mission!"
"Don't say that, Tenten! We must face every mission with 100% passion! We are the Hokage's guard ninja!" Might Guy gave a firm thumbs-up, his teeth sparkling in the sunlight. Ever since Team 3 was assigned as guard ninja, his spirits had been higher than ever.
This was a position even more important than the ANBU. Konoha's Blue Beast had finally been recognized by the Hokage, even if that Hokage was a thirteen-year-old boy.
Might Guy bent down, squatting next to Tenten. "Tenten, let me carry you on my back! We'll dash all the way to the daimyo's mansion!"
"Ah, Guy-sensei!" Rock Lee appeared like a hurricane next to Neji, his big eyes staring at his friend. "Neji, then let me carry you!"
"No." The white-eyed boy's eyelid twitched.
Naruto Uzumaki looked at the noisy team, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. His days with Team 7 were just as wonderful. Now, because he had become Hokage, everyone had to go their separate ways.
Just as he was reminiscing, a flicker of abnormal chakra caught his attention. It was White Zetsu! No, it was Black Zetsu! Wait, besides Black Zetsu, there was someone else!
A figure suddenly emerged from the ground, looked left and right for a moment, and threw a crude, earth-made bomb into Team Guy's midst.
On his face, he wore a strange, spiral-patterned mask.