Orochimaru, Lending Your Snake Skin

"Kakashi-senpai, there's a new mission."

Kakashi's enjoyment of his meal was interrupted by someone from the ANBU.

He sighed, put down his half-eaten bowl of ramen, nodded an apology to the owner, paid, and left.

The Jonin moved extremely quickly, and the two of them vanished in the blink of an eye.

"Tenzo, what's the situation?"

"Kakashi-senpai, the Third Hokage wants us to protect a Cloud Ninja squad."

"I knew it..." Kakashi rolled his eyes. "I left on purpose because I didn't want to get involved, but I guess I can't avoid it."

He didn't want to get involved in any political matters anymore. His father, Hatake Sakumo, had died due to political rumors, and it had always been a thorn in his heart that he still couldn't let go of.

Tenzo seemed to know about Kakashi's past and said awkwardly, "I'm sorry, Kakashi-senpai, it's a mission assigned by the Third Hokage, I..."

"No need to explain."

Kakashi interrupted Tenzo, took out his ANBU mask, and put it on. "Let's go. Where are the Cloud Ninjas staying?"

"Next to the Hyuga compound."

"Hm?" Kakashi stopped instantly, confused. "Is there an inn near the Hyuga compound? I remember that because of the Byakugan's abilities, all inns are kept far away from there."

Tenzo explained, "I investigated the inn before I came. It opened last month, and the owner is a merchant from the Land of Iron."

"Strange, why would the Cloud Ninjas want to stay next to the Hyuga compound? The Byakugan can see everything with just a glance."

Kakashi found the Cloud Ninjas' choice of lodging a bit odd but didn't think much of it.

Perhaps the Cloud Ninjas had chosen this place specifically to show they had no ill intentions.

Konoha had endured many wars and was covered in wounds, long desiring peaceful recovery.

Meanwhile, the Cloud Ninja squad was gathered in a room, plotting.

Kasai scanned the surroundings and said to the one-eyed man leading them, "Lord Dodai, there are no eavesdroppers nearby. The Konoha ANBU are all very considerate and haven't come close."

"Excellent, the inn you arranged in advance is very effective."

Dodai nodded and praised them before turning to a man who was always wearing a hood. "Mōshibi, proceed according to the plan. You have two days to scout and plan the route. We'll begin the operation the night after tomorrow. If successful, escape Konoha as quickly as possible, and I will hold off the pursuers. If you fail, your names will be etched on the village's Hero Monument, and I will proceed with the second phase of the plan under the pretext of starting a war."

Dodai's voice was low, and a sharp glint flashed in his single eye.

The Cloud Ninja, known as Mōshibi, took off his hood. Flashes of lightning flickered across his dark brown face as he said in a deep voice, "Lord Dodai, I will definitely bring the Byakugan bloodline back to the village."

Dodai patted his shoulder with satisfaction. "You are as outstanding as Blue B. Cloud Village is proud of you."

"Everything for Cloud Village."

"That's right, everything for Cloud Village."

Within Konoha Village, while the Cloud Ninjas were plotting to steal the Hyuga bloodline, Kazama Kaguya and Kimimaro were still wandering around.

On the bustling commercial street, there were shops opened by various clans everywhere.

The clan symbols of Sarutobi, Hyuga, Uchiha, Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka were all displayed in the most prominent places.

These shops were responsible for supplying the materials needed by thousands of ninjas in Konoha, and each one monopolized an industry.

Even the Yamanaka clan, with the lowest presence, had undertaken Konoha Village's landscaping projects.

In the bustling crowd, Kazama Kaguya's sickly appearance caused pedestrians to instinctively part ways, fearing he might collapse and they'd be blamed.

However, Kazama Kaguya didn't care about the strange looks and had no interest in shopping.

The reason he and Kimimaro were walking the streets was simply to find the place Danzo was in contact with, according to Orochimaru's intel.

After passing a few ninja tool shops, Kazama Kaguya suddenly saw a shop selling various summoning scrolls.

At the entrance of the shop, a large scroll was hung, inscribed with radiating lines extending downwards, like the lush roots of a large tree.

"Root! This is it."

"Kimimaro, wait for me outside."

Kazama Kaguya's eyes lit up, and he walked in without hesitation.

A moment later, Kazama Kaguya emerged from the shop and disappeared into the crowd with Kimimaro.

At this moment, the sun was setting, and the evening glow hung in the sky, the orange-red clouds gradually tinged with a blood-like dark red.

Kazama Kaguya had already devised a plan to hunt for the Byakugan and arranged it:

"Kimimaro, find an inn. One that's close to the Hyuga compound. The show is about to begin."

"Yes, Lord Kazama."

"Oh, right. Don't stay with me. Stay a bit further away. Hold onto this fish tank. If the light in my room goes out, immediately crush the little shark inside."

Kimimaro stopped, his brow furrowed with worry. "Lord Kazama, won't this be too risky? Your body..."

"This is the optimal solution, Kimimaro."

Kazama Kaguya looked at the blood-red sunset, a hint of madness flashing in his eyes. "Have you forgotten my abilities? That is a power that can end all things. Even if a conflict arises, I can stall until Teacher Kisame arrives for rescue."

"Moreover, I believe that person will definitely not refuse my plan."

"You are merely a contingency here, a precaution against unforeseen circumstances."

As the two walked away, the night sky rose like a black curtain from the east, enveloping the First Hokage's rock carving and then one by one, all the way to the Fourth Hokage.

In the dark night, Kimimaro resided in an inn four to five hundred meters away from Kazama Kaguya.

He didn't turn on the lights, only stood by the window, staring intently at the light in the inn where Kazama Kaguya lived. In his hand, he held a fish tank containing a small shark, its bone spurs poised, ready to crush it at any moment.

"Lord Kazama, you will be alright," he prayed silently.

Until the moon climbed high into the sky, three dark figures rapidly approached the inn where Kazama Kaguya was staying.

"Ninjutsu: Nirvana House Technique." Someone whispered, forming hand seals to cast a large-scale Genjutsu.

As phantom-like white feathers rained down from the sky, everyone in the inn, except for Kazama Kaguya, fell into a deep sleep without a sound.

Swish, swish, swish...

Three figures instantly entered the room.

Kazama Kaguya knelt behind a low table. He hadn't turned on the electric lights, only lit an oil lamp within reach.

The lamp flame, as large as a bean, flickered. With a gentle push or a breath, the flame would be extinguished.

In the dim light, Kazama Kaguya looked at the three intruders. He bowed respectfully towards the person in the center, whose head and right eye were wrapped in bandages.

"Lord Danzo, I represent Lord Orochimaru."

This was a lie, but it was the foundation for activating the secret Ninjutsu, Talk no Jutsu: The Fox's Borrowed Power.

From this moment on, he, Kazama Kaguya, was Orochimaru's spokesperson. Everything he did and said was at Orochimaru's behest.

Only by clinging to the tiger's skin could one walk alongside the tiger.

Danzo's narrow left eye looked down at the sickly young man before him. After a long pause, he sneered coldly, "Orochimaru is truly pathetic. After leaving Konoha, he can't even find a decent subordinate?"

Kazama Kaguya looked up and replied with a tone of no fear of death, "Lord Orochimaru is always the strongest. I am dying, and I only wish to use my last moments to serve Lord Orochimaru with loyalty. I am only responsible for delivering the message to Lord Danzo and returning the traded item, after which I will destroy myself."

Kazama Kaguya was attempting to reduce Danzo's killing intent towards him.

However, Danzo was too suspicious. He never trusted any living person; he only believed that the dead could keep secrets.

As expected, as soon as Kazama Kaguya finished speaking, he heard Danzo's disdainful cold laugh.

"Hmph, destroy yourself? Orochimaru is indeed making things easier for me. Speak, what does he want to trade?"

"Lord Danzo," Kazama Kaguya bowed again, "Lord Orochimaru's Eternal Life experiment has reached a critical stage. He requires the Byakugan of the Hyuga Main Family."

"The Main Family's Byakugan?"

Killing intent surged in Danzo's eyes. He said sinisterly, "What does he take me for? The Main Family's Byakugan? He certainly dares to dream!"

With that, Danzo lost all patience.

He stood up to leave, simultaneously giving his Root members a look: "Kill him!"

The next moment, a chilling killing intent swept over. Tiny black insects flew out from a Root member's sleeve, buzzing.

"Kikaichū? Aburame Clan?"

Kazama Kaguya's eyelids twitched. He quickly said, "Lord Danzo, Lord Orochimaru said he can help you control the Hyuga Clan and subsequently ascend to the position of Hokage."

Crack!

As soon as these words were spoken, Danzo froze as if struck by Genjutsu, his stepping foot halted in mid-air.

He suddenly turned back, his eyes blazing with fervent light: "Control the Hyuga Clan? Ascend to Hokage? What method does Orochimaru have? Elaborate."