I'm Evenly Matched with Orochimaru

Upon hearing Hotaru bring this up.

Sōsen picked up the newspaper and asked in return.

The entire silent convoy immediately erupted into commotion. Every member aboard the carriages began speculating about the matter.

One person spoke.

Then another chimed in.

The convoy instantly became lively.

Recently, major shinobi villages and smaller villages alike had learned through various channels that Konoha had deliberately made public its warrant for an Uchiha Rogue Squad.

This news caused an uproar throughout the shinobi world.

For the time being, no one knew exactly what had happened within Konoha, but every ninja in the shinobi world could guess that something major might have occurred there!

Konoha had issued an astronomical bounty for this eleven-man Uchiha rogue squad.

Furthermore, this meant that eleven pairs of Sharingan were now loose in the shinobi world, available for anyone to seize. Such a rare Dojutsu Kekkei Genkai was regarded as an unparalleled treasure by the major shinobi villages.

After more than a decade of silence in the shinobi world, this Uchiha defection

was like fish food tossed into a pond teeming with fish, or a bomb suddenly detonating, stirring undercurrents throughout the shinobi world and setting the winds of change in motion once more.

Apart from Konoha, the other Four Great Shinobi Villages had also successively drawn up a series of plans to hunt down this squad.

This group of Uchiha had become a favorite topic of conversation among shinobi villages, rogue ninja, Bounty Hunters, and bandits—the focal point of the entire shinobi world's attention.

For a time, it seemed as though everyone wanted to find them and make a fortune beyond imagination!

Compared to the name "Uchiha Ingetsu," Sōsen preferred to think of him as fifty million ryō walking around.

Unfortunately, any ninja rated S-Rank was bound to possess terrifying strength. They were far beyond the level that a hired guard team like theirs could deal with.

Though he could not hunt them down, the more famous a rogue ninja was, the more other uses they had for Sōsen.

For example, he could use them as a stepping stone in front of outsiders to build up his own reputation and make it easier to get jobs!

After all, even if people at that level learned that someone was borrowing their name to throw his weight around, they would not deliberately come after a small fry like him.

Seeing Sōsen ask in return, the inexperienced Hotaru nodded. She simply had not expected the matter to be this popular.

Ever since the people in the convoy had learned of the news, they talked about it during the day, and at night, someone would take the lead and discuss it with just as much enthusiasm.

It was as though they themselves were taking part in the hunt for that rogue Uchiha squad.

In truth, the merchants cared so much about this matter because the Uchiha Rogue Squad seemed to have fled in the direction of Mount Katsuragi!

With such an unimaginably dangerous factor present, how could they not be concerned?

Sōsen tucked the newspaper back into his clothes, stood in the middle of the wagon bed, and declared impassionedly, "This newly promoted S-Rank rogue ninja from Konoha, Ingetsu, assassinated Konoha's higher-ups and brutally slaughtered civilians. His countless atrocities have indeed earned him a fearsome reputation.

"But when it comes to S-Rank rogue ninja, it's not like I've never dealt with people like that before!"

Hotaru's indigo eyes slowly widened as she looked at Sōsen in disbelief.

"Hm?"

Even the Tsuchigumo Clan's Great Elder looked at the Guard Captain they had hired with surprise.

"How is that possible?"

The white-haired old man sized Sōsen up and down, confusion showing in his weathered eyes.

The man before him wore a short green robe and had short brown hair. No matter how he looked at him, he seemed like an ordinary man who was merely good with his mouth—not someone who had dealt with an S-Rank rogue ninja.

Back in the market town, the white-haired old man had originally not wanted to hire this guard team. It was only because their young mistress had insisted that he reluctantly agreed.

At this moment, the temporary guards Sōsen had recruited at low pay from the other carriages also looked at their seemingly unfathomable temporary captain with surprise and shock.

Could he really be an expert...?

Meanwhile, the two girls beside Sōsen knew exactly what this guy was about to do. They immediately turned their heads toward the forest, pretending to avoid him.

Had they not been riding in the same carriage, both of them would have wanted to leave at once.

"Cough, cough..."

Sōsen raised a fist to his mouth and coughed twice, sensing everyone's shocked, expectant gazes.

Sōsen's deep eyes fixed intently on a sheltered girl like Hotaru as he continued asking:

"Everyone, you've all heard of Konoha's other S-Rank Rogue Ninja, Orochimaru, right?"

Hotaru's jewel-like eyes trembled slightly. Of course she knew Orochimaru, once one of Konoha's Three Sannin and now an S-Rank Rogue Ninja.

At the mention of Orochimaru's name.

The Tsuchigumo Clan's Great Elder narrowed his eyes. That name represented extreme danger in the ninja world!

The other Tsuchigumo Clan members and guard personnel aboard the convoy also wore grave expressions.

No one out making a living disliked a good story.

Seeing everyone fall quiet.

Sōsen calmly began, in a low voice, to recount how Konoha's S-Rank Rogue Ninja Orochimaru had defected. At the time, as a wandering adventurer, he had bravely pursued the severely wounded Orochimaru and fought him one-on-one.

Sōsen's storytelling was highly compelling.

He did not simply boast about himself. Instead, he emphasized Orochimaru's strength, describing himself as a fearless young upstart who had ultimately fought the wounded Orochimaru to a draw and barely survived.

The tale was difficult to distinguish from truth.

After hearing it, everyone fell silent, whether they were Tsuchigumo clansmen or temporary guards.

"This..."

Hotaru exchanged a glance with the Tsuchigumo Clan's Great Elder. The former was delighted, feeling that she had found a treasure, while the latter was half-convinced and unsure what to say.

Hotaru suddenly felt a little regretful. She regretted not speaking to Guard Captain Sōsen earlier. Who would have thought he had such a courageous past?

It made her yearn for it immensely!

Young girls admired heroes most of all.

The Tsuchigumo Clan's Great Elder frowned tightly. Watching Sōsen get more and more carried away, he could not help grumbling inwardly:

"What bullshit! If you really had the ability to fight Orochimaru to a draw, would you still need to come here and work as a hired guard?"

Still, the Great Elder could not be bothered to argue with someone like him. Not exposing him was the dignity he left this guy.

"Hehe!"

Seeing that everyone had been bluffed by him, Sōsen hurriedly looked toward his two companions and whispered urgently:

"What are you two standing around for? Say something and set the mood! When you're out making a living, you need to build a reputation if you want to get better jobs!"

The two female guards nodded perfunctorily.

"Exactly, exactly!"

They still had some shame.

"..." Sōsen.

Seeing the admiration in Hotaru's eyes, Sōsen immediately flicked his short green cloak behind him and declared righteously:

"Miss Hotaru, there's no need to be afraid.

Even if the Uchiha Rogue Squad is nearby, we'll protect you!

Ingetsu?

Heh...

I'll make sure he never returns!"

Hearing this, Hotaru looked delighted. Having a powerful expert at her side who could fight one of the Three Sannin, Orochimaru, to a draw truly made her feel safe.

The Uchiha Rogue Squad...

Did not seem so frightening after all.

Amid everyone's chatter, the caravan passed through the forest and arrived at an open clearing.

Yet the farther forward they went, the more frightened everyone became.

A large amount of wood debris lay scattered across the clearing, and the air was thick with the fragrance of resin.

"It looks like the trees here were shredded by dense Wind Release Chakra!"

The Tsuchigumo Clan's Great Elder jumped down from the caravan and crouched beside a plant covered in wood dust, examining it carefully.

With his vast experience, he spotted the unusual detail at a glance.

"Hm? This is... the smell of roasted meat!"

Sōsen's eyes lit up. Amid the scent of resin, he caught the rich aroma of roasted wild boar drifting over from nearby.

He swallowed.

While everyone was examining the forest clearing.

Sōsen raised his head.

And looked around.

He was stunned to discover a conspicuous bonfire burning not far away on the plains northwest of the forest.

Sōsen got a mischievous idea and said with a grin:

"Everyone, there are refugees roasting meat over there. A few of you come with me to 'borrow' some for a late-night snack, and while we're at it, ask them what's been happening nearby!"

At the mention of food, ten guards stepped forward.

Sōsen led the guards toward the bonfire in an imposing procession.

[Side Quest]: Disguise

[Option]:

1. Led the Team and infiltrate the Tsuchigumo Clan caravan.

[Reward]: Ninja Tool Bag.

By the bonfire, a Side Quest notification suddenly popped up in Ingetsu's mind, instantly lifting his spirits.

PS: Tomorrow is Tuesday again—the moment that determines how well the rankings do. Dear readers, I hope everyone can help click through to the last page tomorrow.

Your little brother wishes everyone an early Happy New Year!

Let me explain something.

About anime characters making cameo appearances.

This was an adventurous attempt on my part;

My thinking was that, since this was fanfiction to begin with, minor roles required a large number of characters. Rather than inventing original extras with no sense of immersion, I thought it would be better to include some anime characters as Easter eggs.

Readers who recognize them can treat them as Easter eggs, while those who do not will not have their reading affected.

These characters will not enter the main storyline or interfere with the ninja world's combat system.

As for the cost of doing this, it is quite obvious.

But it seems everyone does not like it. That's fine—your little brother takes advice. I'll change it!