Minato's footsteps pound against the ground as he races through the forest, his eyes fixed on Orochimaru's retreating figure ahead. "Orochimaru!" he calls out, his voice sharp with determination. "It's over! Give up now!"
Orochimaru glances over his shoulder, a smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, Minato, always so persistent," he taunts, his tone dripping with malice. "But you'll never catch me."
As Minato closes the distance between them, his mind whirls with the events of the past month. He had waited, biding his time, carefully orchestrating his plan to apprehend Orochimaru during the Chunin Exam's Showdown Test. It was a calculated move, designed to catch the snake-like ninja off guard.
"Why did it take you so long to come after me, Minato?" Orochimaru sneers, his eyes glinting with amusement.
Minato grits his teeth, frustration bubbling within him. "I had to wait for the right moment," he replies through clenched teeth. "I needed to ensure every advantage was in my favor."
With a flick of his wrist, Minato sends a barrage of kunai flying toward Orochimaru, forcing the snake-like ninja to dodge and weave through the trees.
But Orochimaru only laughs, disappearing into the shadows with a sinister chuckle as snakes slither from his sleeves turning into poisonous mist. Minato curses under his breath, his frustration boiling over as he realizes that once again, Orochimaru has slipped through his fingers.
Orochimaru's anger boils within him, fueled by the frustration of being pursued. Yet, beneath that anger lies a flicker of worry. Minato, known as the fastest shinobi alive, poses a real threat of capture. The close call with the kunai slicing through his hair serves as a stark reminder of Minato's skill and determination.
Ducking low to evade further attacks, Orochimaru quickly summons two Shadow Clones, hoping to confuse his pursuer. With a swift movement, he dashes into the cover of the forest, his senses on high alert. Suddenly, one of his Shadow Clones is obliterated by an ambush from an Anbu unit lying in wait.
Orochimaru adjusts his course, weaving through the trees as his remaining Shadow Clone creates diversions, shouting curses and threats at the Anbu in a desperate bid to buy Orochimaru time to escape.
As his heart pounds with adrenaline, Orochimaru listens intently with his remaining Shadow Clone unleashing a barrage of taunts and jutsu from the periphery of the forest. The sounds of battle echo through the trees as the clone engages the Anbu in a fierce exchange, buying Orochimaru precious moments to evade capture.
"Come on, you weaklings! Is this the best Konoha has to offer?" the Shadow Clone jeers, its voice dripping with contempt.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru uses the distraction to slip through the shadows, his movements swift and silent as he seeks a path to freedom. Despite the chaos unfolding around him, he remains focused on one thing: escaping the clutches of Minato and the Konoha forces hot on his trail.
With a sinking feeling in his gut, Orochimaru senses the demise of his last remaining Shadow Clone at the hands of Minato. A calm kind of panic courses through him, urging him to quicken his pace as he navigates the dense foliage of the forest. His cold-blooded inclinations are helping him with the most efficient decisions.
Turning left, then another left, he finally reaches his hastily prepared hiding spot, a familiar tree he had earmarked for such emergencies.
Hurriedly, Orochimaru activates his Earth Release jutsu, "Hiding Like a Mole Technique," and burrows into the ground, disappearing from sight. In the darkness underground, he finds solace amidst the supplies of food and water he had stashed away, knowing they would sustain him during his confinement.
In the confined space of the underground hideout, Orochimaru takes stock of his surroundings. It may be small, roughly five by five meters, but it's sufficient for his purposes—a sanctuary from the relentless pursuit above ground. With a wry smirk, he reflects that he's endured worse hiding spots in his time.
Turning his attention to his immediate needs, Orochimaru reaches for a barrel of water, scooping some into a ladle and drinking thirstily. Each item underground bears a special fuinjutsu seal, preserving its freshness—a testament to the meticulous planning that went into creating this hidden cache.
The barrels around him serve as advanced lunchboxes, essential for the logistical needs of Konoha, especially during times of war.
Orochimaru knows he can't stay hidden forever. With a decisive gesture, he summons more Shadow Clones, their ephemeral forms materializing in the dim confines of the hideout. He issues orders to create a commotion above ground, a diversionary tactic aimed at confounding his pursuers and buying him time to devise his next move.
As the hunt for Orochimaru continues, Hiruzen finds himself standing in the eerie silence of Orochimaru's abandoned lab, a tense atmosphere clinging to the air like a suffocating mist. Danzo, his usual stoic demeanor betraying nothing of the turmoil within, approaches him with a proposition.
"I'll send my people to secure the place," Danzo declares, his voice flat and matter-of-fact.
Hiruzen's eyes narrow with a mixture of anger and disbelief. "How dare you?" he snaps, his voice laced with fury. "To think I considered you a friend..."
Danzo's expression remains unchanged, but there's a flicker of something in his eyes, a hint of unease at the raw emotion emanating from Hiruzen. "This is no time for sentimentality, Hiruzen," he replies coolly. "We must act swiftly to prevent Orochimaru's schemes from bearing fruit."
Hiruzen's fists clench at his sides, and his fighting spirit ignites with a fierce determination. "I will not allow you to manipulate this situation for your own gain," he growls, his words dripping with venom.
Even Danzo, renowned for his unwavering resolve, can't help but feel a twinge of apprehension in the face of Hiruzen's overwhelming presence. Though he maintains his composure outwardly, inwardly he knows that Hiruzen's fury is not to be underestimated.
Danzo stands before Hiruzen, his face a mask of pain and confusion as he holds his bloody stump, a grim reminder of the encounter with the self-proclaimed Madara. With a strained voice, he poses a question to his former comrade.
"What do you make of his last words?" Danzo inquires, his gaze piercing despite the agony evident in his features.
Hiruzen meets Danzo's eyes, his expression grave. "Word for word, those were the same words Tobirama Senju spoke to me before his passing," he admits quietly.
Danzo's eyes widen in recognition, a somber nod indicating his understanding. He had been there too, witnessing Tobirama's declaration of Hiruzen as his successor.
"Why would the fake Madara know those words?" Danzo questions, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Hiruzen's brow furrows as he ponders the implications. "It's possible he has access to information we thought long buried," he speculates, a sense of unease settling over him at the thought of someone wielding such knowledge. “Or maybe…” he pauses, unwilling to admit the more nefarious possibility.
Danzo's grip tightens on his injured arm, a grim determination settling in his gaze. "We must tread carefully," he warns, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily upon them both as they contemplate the mysteries surrounding the enigmatic figure known as Madara.
Hiruzen's voice is tight with indignation as he speaks, the words dripping with disbelief and a hint of fear. "There's a chance that the fake Madara might not be fake at all," he grits out through clenched teeth.
Danzo's eyes narrow in contemplation, the pieces of the puzzle slowly falling into place. "If that's the case," he murmurs, a cold realization dawning upon him, "then 'Madara' may have had a hand in Tobirama's death."
The implications hang heavy in the air between them, the weight of betrayal and treachery pressing down upon them like a suffocating blanket. It's not a stretch to consider the possibility; after all, Tobirama's disdain for the Uchiha clan was well-known.
"And if 'Madara' was involved," Danzo continues, his voice low and dangerous, "it's not beyond reason to suspect that the Uchiha may have colluded with the Land of Lightning, the very people responsible for Tobirama's demise."
Hiruzen's expression darkens at the thought, his mind racing with the implications of Danzo's theory. The web of intrigue and deceit surrounding them grows ever more tangled, and with each revelation, the truth becomes harder to discern. But one thing is clear: they must proceed with caution, for the shadow of betrayal looms large over the village, threatening to tear it apart from within.
Danzo's proposal hangs in the air between them, a palpable tension simmering beneath the surface as he waits for Hiruzen's response. "Allow me to create a task force to reinvestigate the Second Hokage's death," he requests, his voice steady but tinged with urgency.
Hiruzen regards him with a wary gaze, weighing the implications of Danzo's suggestion. "You believe Tobirama was tortured and victimized under Genjutsu to divulge secrets of Konoha?" he asks, his brow furrowing in contemplation.
Danzo nods solemnly, his eyes betraying a flicker of unease at the thought. "It's a possibility we cannot afford to ignore," he asserts, his tone resolute.
But Hiruzen's patience wears thin at the insinuation, his annoyance palpable as he clicks his tongue in frustration. "Tobirama wouldn't have given himself up to the enemy," he retorts sharply, his voice laced with conviction. "He was a Shinobi of Konoha through and through."
The implication of Danzo's proposal doesn't sit well with Hiruzen, and he's quick to voice his disapproval. "I won't grant you the authority to form a task force," he declares firmly, his gaze hardening with resolve. "I've seen enough of your manipulations, Danzo. You're no better than Orochimaru, slithering in the shadows."
Danzo's expression remains impassive, but there's a glint of frustration in his eyes as he realizes his request has been denied. It's a bitter pill to swallow, but he knows better than to push the matter further. For now, he'll have to bide his time and wait for another opportunity to pursue his agenda.
Hiruzen and Danzo step cautiously into the depths of Orochimaru's abandoned lab, the air thick with a sense of foreboding as they navigate the dimly lit corridors. The faint echoes of their footsteps reverberate off the cold, sterile walls, adding to the eerie atmosphere that pervades the space.
As they venture further into the heart of the lab, their senses are assailed by a sight that chills them to the core. Before them, in rows upon rows of vats, lie children submerged in a sickly green liquid, their forms eerily still and lifeless.
Hiruzen's breath catches in his throat, his horror and disbelief mirrored in Danzo's grim expression. "What... what is this?" he stammers, his voice barely above a whisper as he struggles to comprehend the scene before them.
Danzo's jaw clenches with a mixture of anger and revulsion. "These children... they're experiments," he states grimly, his voice laced with disgust. "Orochimaru's twisted creations. What have he done to them?"
Most of the children are deformed, and some are sporting cysts or bark-like skin diseases… It is an ugly sight…
The implications of their discovery weigh heavily upon them, the reality of Orochimaru's depravity hitting home with a sickening finality. These innocent children, subjected to unspeakable horrors in the name of scientific advancement, serve as a stark reminder of the darkness that lurks within the shinobi world.
Hiruzen's fists tremble with rage as he takes in the sight before him, his heart heavy with sorrow for the lives lost to Orochimaru's ambitions. "We must put an end to this madness," he declares, his voice ringing with determination.
Danzo nods in agreement, his resolve hardening as he surveys the scene before them. "Agreed," he replies, his voice steely with determination. "Orochimaru's reign of terror ends here and now."
Hiruzen and Danzo have been friends for a long time, but it also has been a long time since they agreed on the same thing… it appears today is the day the two can agree on something again.
Damn just kill danzo....he is fuking annoying.
Earth Release jutsu, "Hiding Like a Mole Technique,"
Would have been watching easier to call it hidden mole technique
Anyways anko? Ig she will be f*cked from 2 sides in the finals by Obito and Kakashi from front and behind
Good luck to her
Thanks For The Chapter.