Chapter 85: Chapter 85
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Clap! Clap! Clap!
Applause echoed through the air as Orochimaru watched Toshiro's ninjutsu demonstration. Orochimaru extended his scarlet tongue, licking his lips for the third time since seeing Toshiro's skills. The sight made Toshiro sweat profusely, and he had to resist the urge to cut off the disgusting tongue.
'This guy's habits are really weird and perverted,' Toshiro thought, managing to keep his composure.
"It's a really good ninjutsu," Orochimaru said softly, lowering his applauding hands. He had underestimated Chidori, not realizing its potential for ultimate lightning shape transformation. Coupled with its subsequent variations, the value of this ninjutsu was too good.
"So, Toshiro-kun, what ninjutsu do you want in exchange?" Orochimaru inquired, curious about the young Uchiha's request.
Relieved that Orochimaru hadn't gone berserk, Toshiro felt confident enough to make his request. "I wonder if I could exchange it for the summoning jutsu, Rashomon?" He had coveted this defensive ninjutsu for a long time, imagining its utility in battle.
Orochimaru only smiled; however, that smile left Toshiro disappointed. Lowering his expectations further, he proposed, "Then... how about the Spirit Transformation Jutsu?"
Still, Orochimaru remained silent, deepening Toshiro's disappointment. He hoped to explore the mysteries of the soul with the Spirit Transformation Jutsu, but it seemed unattainable.
Realizing that high-value ninjutsu might be out of reach, Toshiro made a final request. "I've heard of a secret jutsu called Super Beast Imitating Jutsu. It's useful for intelligence collection and transmission. If you can't agree to this, then there's no need to exchange ninjutsu."
Although not his first choice, this jutsu still had its uses. Toshiro then listed other ninjutsu he was interested in and waited for Orochimaru's response, all the while readying himself for a potential confrontation.
As Orochimaru considered Toshiro's requests, the atmosphere grew tense. The crackling bonfire and distant sounds of the forest added to the eerie silence.
Suddenly, Toshiro activated his Sharingan, feeling a threat, the three tomoes spinning rapidly as he prepared for anything.
"Heh! Heh! Heh! You truly are a genius," Orochimaru said, agreeing to Toshiro's conditions. "I will give you these two ninjutsu later."
"Orochimaru-senpai, Compared to you, I am still far behind," Toshiro replied cautiously, watching Orochimaru's figure slowly sink into the earth.
He remained vigilant, aware that Orochimaru had attempted to cast a genjutsu on him. Thanks to his mental fortitude and long-term practice of meditation, Toshiro had detected and resisted the illusion in time. He shuddered at the thought of what might have happened had Orochimaru succeeded.
'This psycho really has no moral ethics.' Toshiro thought, relieved that he had been cautious.
As Orochimaru's figure disappeared, his final words lingered in the air: "I look forward to our next meeting... I hope that when the time comes, Toshiro-kun will not disappoint me."
Toshiro remained unperturbed by Orochimaru's disappearance. He kept his eyes wide open, scanning his surroundings, fearing he might miss a clue and fall into another one of Orochimaru's traps.
"Phew..."
"It seems like he's really gone," Toshiro muttered to himself after a prolonged silence and no sign of Orochimaru.
"That man's aura is truly chilling," he reflected, recalling the cold, ruthless presence that had unsettled him earlier. Orochimaru's parting words about looking forward to their next meeting sent a shiver down his spine.
'Meeting again? I'd rather visit the Sage of Six Paths than see that psycho again.'
The thought of Orochimaru's twisted nature made him uneasy, and he felt relieved to be back in the safety of his own camp. Still, he couldn't shake off the frustration. In this encounter, Orochimaru had gotten the better of him. He had hoped to exploit Orochimaru, but instead, he felt like the one who had been exploited.
"Damn it! I'm still not strong enough. I won't let this humiliation slide, Orochimaru. You will pay for this," he vowed silently.
Toshiro's misfortune stemmed from a misunderstanding. A root member had exaggerated the power of his Lightning Release Ninjutsu while reporting to Danzo. This caught Orochimaru's interest, who then volunteered to investigate and obtain detailed information. Orochimaru's method of exchanging ninjutsu was just a pretext, knowing Toshiro was an Uchiha and would be cautious about him contacting.
Orochimaru had meticulously selected the ninjutsu to give Toshiro, aware of the village's stance and policies. The variations of Chidori intrigued him enough to comply with the exchange. The Uchiha name alone couldn't ensure Toshiro's safety.
Early the next morning, after completing his routine practice, Toshiro was summoned to the tent of Clan Head Shigeyama.
'I wonder what the patriarch wants from me,' he thought as he entered the tent located at the center of the Uchiha camp. Uchiha Shigeyama sat in the main seat, illuminated by the morning light. Toshiro noticed significant changes in him: his complexion had darkened, and his once-black temples were now streaked with gray hair. The most striking change was in his left eye, which remained tightly closed.
'Has he used a forbidden jutsu like Izanagi?' Toshiro wondered, but quickly dismissed the thought. Using Izanagi required the Mangekyo Sharingan.
'Like father, like son,' Toshiro mused, recalling how Uchiha Fugaku never revealed his Mangekyo Sharingan to his clan even until his death. Both were shrouded in secrecy.
"Toshiro, how did you come into contact with Orochimaru? He handed over two ninjutsu for you through the clan," Shigeyama asked, curiosity evident in his voice.
"Orochimaru-senpai showed interest in two of my ninjutsu, so he approached me last night for an exchange," Toshiro explained, puzzled that Orochimaru involved his clan.
"...Is that all?" Shigeyama's disappointment was palpable. He had hoped for a deeper connection between Toshiro and Orochimaru.
"...Yes," Toshiro replied honestly, still confused. He had expected the focus to be on the exchanged ninjutsu, not his relationship with Orochimaru.
"If you have the chance, deepen your contact with Orochimaru. If you need anything, come to me directly."
"???"
'What is the clan thinking, building a good relationship with Orochimaru? Do they want me dead? Or do they think I'm just another subject for Orochimaru's experiments?' Toshiro thought, feeling increasingly uneasy. He was certain that getting closer to Orochimaru would end with him on an operating table, his eyes floating in a jar as research material.
Given that Orochimaru hadn't perfected the jutsu of soul transference yet, Toshiro knew his fate wouldn't be as fortunate as Sasuke's. Facing Orochimaru was far more terrifying than battling Iwa ninjas. At least with them, he could fight honorably, even if it meant losing. But with Orochimaru...
Seeing Toshiro's confusion, Shigeyama didn't offer an explanation. Instead, he handed Toshiro the two ninjutsu scrolls.
Toshiro looked at the scrolls he had just exchanged for at a loss but chose not to open them then and there. He was about to say his goodbyes when Shigeyama, looking somewhat disappointed, interrupted him.
"One more thing," Shigeyama said.
"As we stabilize the defense line in the Land of Grass, the war will inevitably reach a stalemate. Though there will still be fighting in the frontline camps, the intensity will decrease. Large-scale battles have lessened, but conflicts between intelligence and attack teams have escalated."
"The village requires us Uchiha to form small and medium-sized teams to join this infiltration battle," Shigeyama continued, pausing to gauge Toshiro's reaction. However, Toshiro remained expressionless, already anticipating what would be said next.
"The clan wants you to lead some clan members around your age," Shigeyama finally said.
Shigeyama understood the importance of protecting the younger generations but couldn't spare more adult clan members without compromising their defensive line. Faced with the village's orders, he had no good way to refuse.
'As expected!' Toshiro thought. Now that he had been noticed, there was no hiding. He didn't expect such a quick escalation, being thrown into the brutal infiltration battle after just one night.
Infiltration missions were the least desirable, spreading small teams across a vast battlefield and making them easy targets. A single mistake would draw enemy ninjas like piranhas to blood, overwhelming and devouring them.
"This must be Danzo's idea! That old man really thinks 'highly' of me," Toshiro thought, frustrated but resigned.
"I understand. Then I'll take my leave," Toshiro said, concealing his irritation. There was no point in complaining; he had to accept the mission.
"Although we can't refuse this mission outright, the clan has secured you half a month to prepare. I hope you..."
Shigeyama trailed off, knowing how brutal infiltration battles were. Sending clan children into such a quagmire was heart-wrenching for him.
"Thank you, clan leader. I will come back alive," Toshiro said, nodding in gratitude before leaving the tent. He had to prepare thoroughly for what lay ahead.
From the dim tent, Shigeyama watched Toshiro disappear into the sunlight. Reflecting on the ongoing war that claimed many clan members, he spoke to himself, "Perhaps it's time to embrace the will of fire."
The burden of sending young clan members to the battlefield aged him visibly. He had hoped to use Toshiro's connection with Orochimaru to secure some respite for the clan. With the clan's current situation, they might soon have to send even younger members to fight.
"Finally, some peace!" Toshiro muttered back in his tent, unfolding the scrolls Shigeyama had given him.
The first ninjutsu was 'Secret Jutsu: Super Beast Imitating Drawing.' Toshiro found it lacking in combat power but useful for support, particularly for his upcoming mission.
The second ninjutsu was the 'Ninjutsu: Strength of a Hundred jutsu,' which could enhance his physical abilities. This is the jutsu that made Tsunade a nightmare in close combat. He didn't aim for something like the Eight Gates, which required immense dedication. Instead, this jutsu, rated A-level, suited him better.
Although he might not fully adapt to Tsunade's fighting style, learning this jutsu could save him in critical moments. Additionally, Toshiro hoped it would offer insights into the mysteries of the sage body. While he knew he couldn't derive the "Sage Body" from it, understanding some characteristics wouldn't hurt.
AN: Check out my P@treon For +50 extra chapters starting at 3$. Currently the story is at the Nine-tails attack ARC.
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