Chương 82: Chapter 82 : Orochimaru vs Shimura Ninjas
Orochimaru had left a code name of "Dragon" within the black market. As time passed, this code name would transform into a legend within the underground world, attracting numerous ninjas, and even Shinobi villages.
For now, that's not the focus.
Orochimaru strolled leisurely, expanding his mental power, and unsurprisingly sensed the presence of two individuals.
A regular Chunin and an experienced Chunin were located several kilometers away from Orochimaru. This distance was almost imperceptible to an average Chunin, but these two could roughly ascertain Orochimaru's direction.
"You're quite audacious, daring to tail me even while knowing I am an Anbu!" Orochimaru sneered, thus sealing the fate of the two.
"Amuro, do you really think our current approach is effective? We're trailing too far behind. If that person truly is Anbu, they would surely have concealed their tracks," mumbled a black market operative.
"Quiet down, and focus!"
A ninja named Amuro trailed slowly with a black ninja dog.
Nervous and apprehensive, the ninja appeared as though he wouldn't have budged if not coerced.
"It's not the first time I've tailed a Jonin, but I've never seen Black Fang so jittery."
The auras emanating from Orochimaru and the lingering scent of Shiromari made the ninja dog shudder, yet humans were entirely unaware of it.
"Your dog is keener than its master!"
Suddenly, Orochimaru materialized on a treetop like a phantom, coldly surveying the duo below.
A bead of cold sweat dripped from their foreheads, and the two individuals, along with the dog, froze in their tracks. The atmosphere was so hushed it was unsettling.
How was this even possible?!
Exchanging glances, the pair lacked the courage to act or argue, fleeing in opposite directions.
Not to mention facing Jōnin, they wouldn't dare engage someone suspected of being a Konoha Anbu member.
Unbeknownst to the unfortunate pair, they had already been marked for disposal from the moment they initiated their pursuit.
"Running away, are you?"
Orochimaru's voice echoed more distinctly this time, forming hand seals rapidly: "Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson!"
Myriads of flaming shuriken surged forward, resembling flying stars of fire, simultaneously assailing both targets!
"Earth Style: Earth Formation Wall!"
Cornered by the dense onslaught, the two ninja resorted to defensive measures.
An earthen wall erected before one ninja, while the shuriken, ablaze with the Fire Style, struck the wall, igniting a fierce explosion as the high-temperature flames and metal fragments consumed the barrier.
"This jutsu... Could it be...!"
Just as one ninja endeavoured to escape, the trio of flaming shuriken altered course unexpectedly, arcing around the earthen barrier and homing in on their intended target.
"No!"
Fire erupted, the earthen wall crumbled, and the other ninja employed a water barrier, narrowly surviving, though his dog comrade had met a grim fate.
"Hu-hu-!"
This individual turned to flee, yet upon rotation, he confronted Orochimaru, who stood there as if he had never moved.
Orochimaru paid him no attention, gazing instead at the grassy expanse where six figures cloaked in black emerged leisurely.
"...!"
The black market ninja wished to vocalize his thoughts, but he could only cough up blood, strength and life ebbing away. The world spun before him, collapsing to the ground, his fear and resistance extinguished in an instant.
"Not bad, but why so unsurprised?"
The foremost member of the Shimura clan removed his hood, revealing an ordinary, impassive countenance.
The eyes beneath Orochimaru's mask studied him intently. He bore the gloom, gravity, sternness, and detachment characteristic of the Shimura clan, yet concurrently exhibited an air of composed control or arrogance.
The six figures remained wordless, ensnared by an eerie silence.
The lead Shimura ninja, Shimura Kazuharu, a capable subordinate of Danzo, scrutinized Orochimaru with intense eyes.
Orochimaru's execution of the two trackers earlier adhered to the customary Anbu style. Kazuharu had familiarity with Anbu's recruitment training, and Orochimaru intentionally incorporated iconic tactical elements, indicating at least some interaction with Anbu.
However, the ongoing transaction bore immense import, implicating other Great Ninja Villages. Danzo had previously acquired intel on Anbu's activities in this region.
Consequently, this individual might have acted independently, or perhaps wasn't Anbu at all!
What vexed Kazuharu more was Orochimaru's use of the "Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson," a technique belonging to the Uchiha clan!
Orochimaru's rendition was a bootleg version, inferior to Itachi's original, primarily due to inadequate control over the fire element.
Yet, the technique's core lay in the fusion of fire and shuriken and meticulous control of their trajectories. It had been crudely imitated.
Mental power was Orochimaru's forte, and he had painstakingly honed this technique, exploiting its visually captivating nature. In Kazuharu's perspective, he had donned the mantle of an "Uchiha" quite convincingly.
The Uchiha were a cause for concern. Anbu comprised fewer than a hundred operatives, and merely two or three were Uchiha clan members. This individual had clearly altered his appearance, raising questions about his true identity.
"Will you hinder me?" Orochimaru queried icily.
Though he sought attention deliberately, every action was within Orochimaru's orchestration. He etched in his mind the actions of the black market's head.
"Word on the street is that you're a Konoha Anbu member."
Unexpectedly, Kato Dan stepped forward, Kazuharu giving him an inscrutable glance, opting for silence.
"What Konoha Anbu? I'm here conducting black market business. There's no need to disclose my identity to you, is there?" Orochimaru retorted, veiling his chakra—a veteran Jōnin.
"Even if you deny it, your use of Uchiha clan ninjutsu exposes you!"
Orochimaru's veiled jutsu spoke volumes and all the responsibility of Orochimaru actions today shifted to the Uchiha clan.
"You, Uchiha, are hatching sinister plots. Surrender, or we'll use force to escort you."
Dan's demeanour remained aloof; he scrutinized Orochimaru through self-assured eyes. "And the merchandise you're trading is suspicious. Hand it over."
Laughter erupted from Orochimaru, irrepressible and haunting.
Never had he encountered such audacity. Kato Dan, was it a natural gift or the teachings of Danzo that made you this audacious?
Surrender the scroll, then silence me.
Seen through by Orochimaru, this Shimura would perish whether associated with Konoha or not; better to err on the side of caution than let any links to his identity emerge.
Orochimaru's eyes ignited in a scarlet blaze. In an instant, the Sharingan's triple tomoe pattern emerged, his blood-red gaze penetrating the scene.
Disguises could be crafted, even eyes altered. Having devoured Uchiha Kaze, Orochimaru could replicate Sharingan's appearance.
"What...!" Shock rippled among the six, and before they could react, a blinding flash engulfed them. Concurrently, a mental force surged, rattling their very cores.
"A devious ninjutsu! Stay vigilant, everyone!"
Kato Dan roared, channelling his chakra to erect a mental barrier, warding off the illusion that Orochimaru's three tomoe sharingan attempted to weave. Yet, it exacted a toll, mentally taxing him.
"Dan Kato, truly a prodigy," Orochimaru mused genuinely, impressed by the technique.
Yet, I despise you! Orochimaru's primal growl resonated; chakra surged, flames unfurling like a tidal wave. Unseen by closed eyes, scorching menace emanated.
Seizing this opportunity, one of the remaining chūnin, Shimura Chunin, unveiled his crimson eyes, stealthily plunging his kunai into an unsuspecting comrade.
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