Senior, That's Twice Now

"You're actually a pretty good person."

Watching Orochimaru's figure disappear completely, Hidezawa could not help muttering a complaint, but he finally let out a sigh of relief.

Orochimaru really put enormous pressure on people. Even someone as absurd as Hidezawa found it hard to bear.

Still, that was normal. Though Hidezawa's panel looked impressive, strictly speaking, his strength was only at the jonin level.

But from another angle...

"Kabuto and I both joined Root at around seven years old, but I was never sent on outside missions. I only carried out missions within the village, yet I managed to grind my way to this point?"

Thinking about it, Hidezawa found it absurd. Just how exactly did that bastard Danzo exploit child labor?!

But on further thought, he felt that he was actually lucky.

At least compared with Kabuto, or those who had served as cannon fodder on the battlefield during the Third Shinobi World War, his situation did not seem like much, did it?

New mission acquired.

Rescue Anbu members.

Hidezawa was not surprised by this newly appeared mission. Having missions was a good thing for him.

Without missions, how could he get away from Danzo? How could he stab his boss in the back and escape his current situation?

Besides, being a Konohagakure ninja meant having a position within one of the Five Great Ninja Villages. The end of the universe was a secure position. Hidezawa did not want to give that identity up.

But even an old hand wanted to improve. If he wanted a promotion, he first had to wait for his superior to get promoted. If his superior could not get promoted, then he could only wait for him to ascend to heaven.

As an old hand, Hidezawa knew how to navigate the workplace.

As he put on his mask, Hidezawa looked over his panel.

With 5 Free Points, he had quite a few upgrade options. He could try upgrading anything at LV5 or below.

But what interested him more now was the Unowned Cursed Seal he had just obtained!

Unowned Cursed Seal: A product of Natural Power being transformed into a cursed seal. Can be bound to oneself to prevent Natural Power from causing disorder and chaos. Once activated, strengthens the user's abilities according to its level.

Hidezawa knew very well what the advantages and disadvantages of a Cursed Seal were. Though excited, he still needed to be careful. He did not want to lose his mind like Jugo and Sasuke.

But it seemed he had worried too much. Although the system had never given him anything particularly good, this Cursed Seal was actually quite decent!

"I just wonder how much power a low-level Cursed Seal can provide. And why are even the rewards pushing me toward becoming a Numerical Monster?"

Hidezawa could not help complaining. Of course, being a Numerical Monster was not necessarily a bad thing.

Strictly speaking, Konohagakure's First Hokage also seemed to count as a Numerical Monster.

"Bind the Cursed Seal, then upgrade it."

Hidezawa silently issued the command. Very soon, he suddenly felt the back of his hand grow hot, and he immediately removed his glove to look.

A black Three Tomoe mark had appeared on the back of his hand. At the same time, his panel changed.

Cursed Seal bound. Current level: LV1.

Cursed Seal upgraded to LV3.

Remaining Free Points: 2.

Feeling the information emerge in his mind, Hidezawa absorbed it for a moment before nodding in satisfaction.

Then he carefully sensed the surroundings and quickly determined the general situation around him.

It was rather amazing. The Body Comprehensive Quality option really increased everything. It had even unexpectedly given Hidezawa enhanced perception.

This was probably the benefit of being a well-rounded "Numerical Monster."

Honestly, if not for the need to ensure he had enough combat strength, he truly wanted to put all his Free Points into this.

"Forget it. It's time to move, and I can test this Cursed Seal's abilities while I'm at it."

Uzuki Yugao's expression was grim as she kept watch on the several ninjas before her. They had lost their minds, yet their strength was exceptionally formidable.

Following Hidezawa's suggestion, she had temporarily withdrawn from the clash with Orochimaru to seek reinforcements. She had not expected to encounter enemies like these.

"Worthy of Orochimaru, one of the Sannin. Even after leaving Konohagakure, he still has so many followers."

As Uzuki Yugao dealt with the enemies before her, she silently thought to herself.

Normally, a mission involving Orochimaru would not have fallen to a few squads like theirs.

But the mission had been issued suddenly, the situation was urgent, and they happened to be nearby, so they had been temporarily assigned to it.

Even though they had been mentally prepared, understood the difficulty of the mission, and acted with sufficient caution, this outcome still left her somewhat disheartened.

"No, I have to speed up. That kid..."

Dodging a lethal blade, Yugao gritted her teeth and silently thought.

Especially when she thought of Hidezawa choosing to remain behind alone to face Orochimaru, her gaze became even firmer.

Surrounded by these mindless yet fearless enemies, she suddenly leaped into the air, the ninja blade in her hand spinning through the sky.

This was a sword technique she had personally developed. Though it was still only in its infancy, it was quite suitable for risking her life!

"Konoha Style: Hazy Moon!"

The long blade in her hand became an afterimage as Yugao charged fiercely at the ninjas before her. Those ninjas roared and rushed at Yugao as well.

Their eyes were filled with madness and utter fearlessness. In the blink of an eye, they had already reached her.

They ignored Yugao's blade as their own weapons came down viciously upon her!

These people were clearly Orochimaru's test subjects, but Orochimaru's personal charisma was unmatched.

They were also Orochimaru's most loyal followers. Anyone who came looking to trouble Orochimaru was their enemy.

Even if it meant fighting desperately, sacrificing their lives, and perishing together with their enemies, they would not hesitate!

"Damn it."

Yugao had clearly sensed their madness, but she swung her blade to meet them all the same. The conviction in her heart was incomparably firm.

She would defeat these people. She would find her other teammates. She would rescue Hidezawa!

The two sides drew closer and closer, sharp blades already slicing through their clothes.

But at the very instant they were about to collide, their expressions suddenly changed as the ground began to tremble.

"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"

The next moment, a massive earthen wall rose from the ground, blocking the space between them.

Bang—

The wall was sturdier than imagined. Neither Yugao's attack nor those of Orochimaru's subordinates could break through it immediately!

Dust filled the air, and the wall's obstruction sent both sides flying back.

Uzuki Yugao landed somewhat unsteadily, but before she could fully regain her footing, she suddenly felt someone support her.

She hurriedly raised her head and looked behind her. Amid the dust filling the sky, a slightly bedraggled yet incomparably resolute figure appeared before her eyes.

"Senior, that's twice now. You'll have to be more careful from now on."