The Fox and the Snake in the Woods

The cool, soft light fell on the treetops, and a gentle breeze blew, causing the emerald green leaves to sway in the wind. In early spring, the world seemed to be shrouded in a thick layer of life.

New shoots sprouted on withered Tree Stump, and a light drizzle fell from the sky, wetting the earth and nourishing all things.

A white figure moved with light steps, crossing the damp ground...

"Tōka, you've arrived so quickly!" A deep, hoarse, and Demonic Sound voice rang out.

Immediately afterwards, a pale-faced figure with flowing, long hair and wearing blue Tomoe- shaped earrings emerged from behind the tree.

Tōka glanced at Orochimaru expressionlessly and said indifferently, "How could I possibly be negligent when Orochimaru summons me!"

"Come with me." Orochimaru forced a stiff smile. He really dared to say that! You've tricked me countless times! I really hope you'll slow down a bit!

The leaves rustled, and shadows enveloped the two figures.

Orochimaru then turned around, and Tōka followed him leisurely into the depths of the forest.

Near a desolate mountain hidden deep in Woods, turbulent waters flow by, carrying green floating grass and white foam that drift into the distance.

Poisonous insects lingered on withered branches and fallen leaves floating on the flowing water, rising and falling with the turbulent, foul current.

"Tōka, I need your help with something this time." Orochimaru stood by the water, his gaze falling sideways on Tōka.

"Tell me about it," Tōka replied indifferently.

Neither directly refuse nor rashly agree.

"Little Fox, "Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, cursing inwardly, his entire being radiating a chilling aura.

Murderous look?!

Tōka raised an eyebrow. "As expected of the cold- Orochimaru, he certainly has quite the temper!"

However...

A sudden burst of Ice Blue flames ignited in those Pure White eyes, emanating an even colder chill and exuding an aura of noble elegance that was impossible to look directly at.

The continuous drizzle even caused the temperature in the Forest to drop a few degrees.

"Orochimaru, don't look at me like that!" Tōka had a faint smile on his lips, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

"My eyes... maybe they'll fall out!"

The leisurely voice continued, and Orochimaru's pupils suddenly contracted, his constricted Snake Eyes containing an even deeper chill!

The atmosphere suddenly became eerie.

The next second, Orochimaru suddenly grinned, dispelling the tense atmosphere, and the killing intent in his eyes vanished in an instant.

"Tōka, you're quite the joker!" Orochimaru stretched and chuckled lazily.

"Hehe, I was just joking..." Tōka stared at Orochimaru with a half-smile. He was joking now, but who knew if he was joking later.

Orochimaru understood the meaning in Tōka's eyes almost instantly; those Ice Blue eyes made his heart tremble.

A chill emanated from my heart, spreading through my limbs.

Orochimaru hated this feeling; that condescending gaze was exactly like Itachi Uchiha's!

Those icy Sharingan!

No, that's not right!

"Tōka, I finally understand why I hate Itachi's eyes!" Orochimaru's eyes flickered slightly, revealing a hint of reminiscence.

When she first met Tōka, she had the same eyes, the same pretense, and the same cunning.

At the same time, his bright black eyes also revealed a sense of indifference and detachment.

Now, in the eyes of this brat...

That's exactly how I feel!

Orochimaru's absent-minded gaze fell on Tōka's face, but it didn't seem like he was looking at him.

"Speak quickly if you have something to say." Tōka frowned slightly; he hated probing gazes, especially when they fell on him.

"Hyūga." Orochimaru could see Tōka's impatience and directly stated the purpose of their meeting.

"Hyūga? Byakugan? Didn't you get them?" Tōka asked Orochimaru with a hint of doubt in his eyes.

Hyuga Raiden Hyuga Clan, left Konoha. There must be many Hyuga Clan Hyūga members who are loyal to Hyuga Raiden.

These people will definitely be taken away by Hyuga Raiden as well.

After all, he was just Branch Family of the Hyūga clan who had branched out from the main branch, so even if Hyuga Hiashi knew, he would pretend not to know.

It's better to let them leave than to force them to stay.

Sudden!

Tōka's eyes lit up, as if he understood Orochimaru's meaning.

"Orochimaru, could it be because of the Caged Bird?" Tōka scrutinized Orochimaru's face. The Caged Bird would destroy the Byakugan if a member of the Branch Family died.

A broken Byakugan is useless; it seems Orochimaru doesn't just want the power of the Hyuga Clan.

Danzo, how could Danzo's involvement be so simple?

"Tōka is truly clever!" Orochimaru smiled slightly, not denying it.

"Is there no way Orochimaru can break this?" Tōka raised an eyebrow at Orochimaru. The thing he was talking about was naturally the Caged Bird.

"Heh." Orochimaru coldly curled the corners of his mouth. He wasn't omnipotent.

Furthermore, the Caged Bird Spell was originally designed to protect the Byakugan; it's not so easily broken.

Tōka could see the mockery on Orochimaru's face, but he didn't care. "So, how should I help Orochimaru? Could it be..."

"How to break the Secret Technique of infiltrating the royal family and Caged Bird?"

"If possible." Orochimaru affirmed Tōka's statement, even going so far as to fight Hyuga Hiashi, because he really wanted this thing.

Orochimaru always thought the Orochimaru Byakugan was useless, but the main branch of the Hyuga Clan Main Family had so many people.

Getting a perfect pair of Byakugan is really not easy.

Tōka lowered his head and pondered for a while. With his abilities, it wouldn't be difficult for him to enter the Hyūga clan to find information about the Caged Bird.

"Sure, but what can you give me?"

A transaction can only be completed if it benefits both parties.

Danzo and Orochimaru wanted to research the Byakugan, but Tōka had no interest in it.

"What do you want?" Orochimaru looked at Tōka expressionlessly. It was better to let Tōka say what he wanted than to offer a price himself.

"Get me a letter," Tōka said in a deep voice, his serious expression not at all like he was joking.

"Gain their trust?" Orochimaru repeated uncertainly.

"That's right!" Tōka took out a token from his sleeve and tossed it to Orochimaru.

With a snap, Orochimaru reached out and caught it, looking down to see it was a Dark Green jade stone. "What is this?"

"A token." Tōka paused for a moment, then continued, "A place west of the Land of Fire, where it connects to the desert."

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru's lips twitched.

All that nonsense was just to send him to the Land of Rivers!

"Is that all?" Orochimaru's eyes showed hesitation. Tōka was even more cunning than Fox; could he be up to something?

"That's it!" Tōka nodded affirmatively, paused, and then added, "It'd better be quick."

"Hmph!" Orochimaru snorted coldly, turned around, and disappeared into the depths of the Forest...

"I hope you can bring my letter back alive." Tōka smiled mysteriously, his body gradually becoming blurry, and finally he turned into a Phantom and disappeared from the spot.