"Isn't that Momochi Zabuza? I didn't expect him to show up. Too bad, I'm too late!"
Since they had encountered each other, Orochimaru was in no hurry to leave and went straight to meet them.
As snowflakes drifted down from the sky, the two sides met on the bridge.
Without the hushed, trembling look of someone hiding in a corner, there was less of a sense of shared suffering, so naturally, she wouldn't attract his attention.
Zabuza arrived in front of Orochimaru, but only glanced at Orochimaru and Haku's figures.
"Zabuza, where do you think you're going?!"
Just as the two figures passed each other, a cold voice suddenly rang in his ear.
He fled from Kirigakure overnight. Are the Mist Ninja really that well-informed?
Thinking of this, Zabuza stopped in his tracks and turned to meet Orochimaru's cold, snake-like eyes.
"I didn't expect you to catch up so quickly. I don't know if it's my misfortune or your good fortune!"
As he spoke, Zabuza took out a Kunai from his waist, looked fiercely at Orochimaru, and seemed ready to attack at any moment.
Orochimaru, on the other hand, remained calm, with a disdainful smile on his lips.
"You think you're so good at fighting? What good is being good at fighting? In this world, it's all about power and connections!"
After a pause, Orochimaru continued:
"Who's in that underworld?"
Upon hearing the words lingering in his ears, Zabuza's gaze immediately became filled with surprise and uncertainty.
"Aren't you here to kill me?"
The fact that they could call him by name so quickly, and that it seemed like they were waiting for him here, made him suspicious.
"So it's just a nobody!"
Ignoring his wary expression, Orochimaru leaned close to his ear and said something amusing.
That's quite a statement. Even though Zabuza is a tiger fallen into the plains, not everyone can trample on him.
Without a word, Zabuza swung his Kunai at Orochimaru's neck without hesitation.
At this time, Zabuza obtained the Kubikiribōchō, but his movements were already much faster than when he was Kubikiribōchō.
Orochimaru neither dodged nor evaded; just as the Kunai about to slash his neck, he subtly twitched his finger.
"Gravity Suppression!"
The next moment, Zabuza felt an irresistible force of gravity suddenly act on him.
"Whoa...!"
The person, along with the Kunai, was slammed hard onto the ground, and the gauze covering their mouth and nose instantly blew out a streak of crimson blood.
Zabuza never imagined that just because he glanced at Orochimaru in the crowd, he would be beaten up!
Zabuza suffered a silent loss in their first encounter, but as a ninja who survived two episodes, he was Zabuza capable.
As soon as he smashed the large crater, he quickly broke free and distanced himself from Orochimaru.
When he looked at Orochimaru again, his gaze was filled with a hint of fear!
"Looks like we've run into a tough opponent!"
Zabuza looked at Orochimaru with a serious expression. When did the outside world become so dangerous?
Even a random stranger I bumped into was this strong! Did I forget to check the almanac before going out today?!
"Hiding in Mist Technique!"
As soon as Kirigakure's signature ninjutsu was activated, a mist filled the air, quickly engulfing his figure.
Orochimaru and Haku were no exception. Orochimaru was naturally not afraid of such trivial tricks, but Haku, who was being led by him, was a little uneasy.
As if sensing his restless emotions, Orochimaru rubbed his little head.
"Don't worry! With me here, no one can hurt you!"
The tragic Zabuza, who was Haku's guiding light in his past life, has now become a stumbling block to his path toward a better life!
This ninjutsu that obscures vision is similar in principle to the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique developed by the Second Hokage.
Zabuza was no trace of Zabuza's presence in the damp, cold air; his voice and scent had completely vanished.
However, Orochimaru possessed the Mind Net, so even in the thickest fog, Zabuza's figure could not be hidden.
Slowly close your eyes, without even consciously sensing it, Zabuza is like a bright light bulb.
However, at this moment Zabuza was rapidly maneuvering through the thick fog.
It must be his Silent Killing Technique and his Mist Shunshin.
Suddenly, a cold glint appeared behind Haku, clearly indicating that Orochimaru to crack and that Haku was the first to be attacked.
It has to be said that they were really good at scheming; even Orochimaru, with his eyes closed, could hear them.
"You're asking for it!"
Before the Kunai touch Bai's body, a hand touched his shoulder even faster than he could.
An even more terrifying force than before pressed down on him again, the familiar formula, the familiar taste.
Zabuza's figure finally emerged from the thick fog. The first time, I was afraid that I would kill him with too much force.
Unexpectedly, this guy is quite capable; he's definitely got some skills, and when I say he's got some skills, he really is.
Zabuza felt snowflakes falling, the north wind howling, the world a vast expanse of desolation, and then everything went black!
"What a piece of trash, he actually got knocked out!"
Orochimaru shook his head helplessly. So weak and yet so arrogant, people will die!
He grabbed his belt with one hand, and with the other hand holding Bai's hand, they disappeared in the next moment.
The only reason we didn't kill him was because people from the Northern Lands are currently scarce, and Zabuza be squeezed out of some value! Let's just consider him a piece of trash.
Meanwhile, in Kirigakure.
"Yagura, several more people have defected from the village overnight, including Hozuki Mangetsu and Ringo Ameyuri the Hōzuki Clan!"
Inside the Mizukage's Office, an Anbu Ninja knelt on one knee, reporting the latest situation to Yagura.
As he said this, the Anbu Ninja's forehead was already covered in sweat.
Their Mizukage is usually unpredictable and, despite his childlike appearance, he is extremely ruthless.
He implemented Bloody Mist Politics as soon as he came to power, which scared away many people before it was even implemented for long.
"Hozuki Mangetsu, their clan has indeed been too unruly lately."
As the Kage of a village, the power of various clans has always been a headache for the Kage, Kirigakure is no exception.
The Hōzuki Clan, as a major clan in Kirigakure, also produced Mizukage named Hozuki Gengetsu, and their status was equivalent to that of the Senju Clan and Uchiha Clan in Konoha.
The situation of the Hōzuki Clan in the village is also not optimistic, somewhat like the Uchiha's awkward position in Konoha.
"Continue to monitor the Hōzuki Clan, and classify any shinobi who defect as Rogue Ninja!"
A simple sentence has determined the fate of many people.
Yagura had only recently taken office and needed to use swift and decisive measures to intimidate the major families.
A person who isn't ruthless can't stand firm, and Yagura didn't believe he couldn't hold onto his position.
It seems that before long, the resistance of the various families will all succumb to his Bloody Mist Politics.
As for the two geniuses, Hozuki Mangetsu and Ringo Ameyuri, they were merely tools to the rulers; tools that were no longer suitable could simply be replaced.
Before the Anbu could leave to make arrangements, another Anbu Ninja rushed in.
"Mizukage, something terrible has happened! The Kaguya Clan has launched a rebellion, and the other major clans are also stirring!"
The Anbu Ninja hurriedly blurted out the whole situation.
Yagura was initially displeased when he saw the Anbu Ninja suddenly barging in, but he couldn't sit still after hearing about the Kaguya Clan's riot.
He stood up abruptly, his expression so gloomy it could drip water.
Originally, we planned to gradually erode their power, but unexpectedly, some people have started to get restless.
"All ninjas are on high alert. It seems the Kaguya Clan is tired of living!"
Yagura hurriedly picked up a hook weapon that was almost as tall as himself, and a sinister look appeared on his face.
This is practically a provocation against me, the Mizukage! I can't quell my anger without personally making an example of him!