Genjutsu: Golden Wheel Nine Rotations!

The forest was filled with the stench of death, and dried corpses crawled out of the soil, their faces dark and bruised, their eyes hollow and vacant.

Many of the corpses even had fatal weapons still lodged in them, with numerous wounds exposed on their tattered clothes.

Clearly, this group of corpses had been stolen from the battlefield by Orochimaru.

Hearing Tōka's words, Orochimaru paused slightly, then a flicker of disdain crossed his eyes.

"Zombies? This is my latest successful forbidden jutsu – Impure World Reincarnation!!"

"Impure World Reincarnation?" Tōka's eyelids twitched. This was the official, genuine VIP cheat code!

Impure World Reincarnation was a forbidden summoning jutsu developed by the Second Hokage, which could summon the souls of long-deceased individuals back to the human world and resurrect them in physical form.

Orochimaru could already use it? But judging by its appearance, it seemed to be only the most basic experimental version.

Tōka's shocked eyes gradually calmed. These individuals before him were less like beings resurrected by Impure World Reincarnation and more like a group of controlled zombies.

"Uncle Snake, you're underestimating me too much. What's the use of this group of living dead?" Tōka sneered, glancing at the corpses that couldn't even walk properly.

"Heh heh... Tōka-kun, don't be careless. Although Impure World Reincarnation is not yet complete, it is still a forbidden summoning jutsu developed by the Second." Orochimaru was also using this immature forbidden jutsu for the first time.

Under normal circumstances, he would absolutely not use an incomplete jutsu.

However, encountering Tōka today, and having some free time, Orochimaru felt inspired and decided to test this forbidden jutsu.

"Hmph, I hate being looked down upon!"

Beneath the fox mask, Tōka's dark eyes flickered with an inexplicable light, and he felt a surge of eagerness.

But... how should he defeat these corpses?

"Use ninjutsu? Other than All-Killing Ash Bones, I don't know any other elemental jutsu!"

Tōka's face showed hesitation. His All-Killing Ash Bones were far from reaching the terrifying level of Kaguya's; they could kill even those resurrected by Impure World Reincarnation.

Currently, Tōka's All-Killing Ash Bones only possessed the special ability to kill in one strike when dealing with living beings.

They had no effect on inanimate objects, including rocks and kunai.

"Genjutsu?" Tōka glanced at the creatures with hollow eyes and vacant expressions, like walking dead, and frowned slightly. "Genjutsu probably won't work."

"Do I have to resort to Taijutsu?"

A few thoughts flashed through his mind, and Tōka's small face instantly turned grim. The swarms of creatures covered in corpse worms made his scalp tingle.

Even from over ten meters away, he could smell the overpowering stench.

Tōka tightened his grip on the kunai, glancing at the corpses slowly shuffling towards him, then looked down at the brand-new kunai in his hand.

A trace of reluctance flashed in his eyes. Kunai, as sharp weapons that drew blood, were meant to tear through flesh and hunt enemies.

However, these creatures before him...

Tōka just couldn't bring himself to do it!

"I can't stand it, it's too disgusting!" Tōka's figure flickered and vanished, disappearing into the depths of the forest in an instant.

"Huh? He ran?" Orochimaru, who had been standing with his arms crossed, ready to watch the show, stiffened, looking like a duck being held by the neck.

His neck stretched out, his face purple, as if he had eaten a mouthful of flies and felt utterly miserable.

Orochimaru's eyes turned cold, and he subconsciously glanced at the Impure World Reincarnation army...

Instantly, he understood why Tōka had chosen to flee without a fight.

"They are a bit disgusting..."

It seemed he needed to continue improving it, Orochimaru sighed slowly, and his figure gradually sank into the earth. The nearby Impure World Reincarnation army also slowly merged into the soil.

Under the ink-black night sky, a dark figure sped through the forest, heading south.

Tōka's four-person squad was stationed in the northernmost area. In other words, if Orochimaru passed through Tōka's defense zone, he could be considered to have safely escaped Konohagakure.

Afterward, following the inertia of history, Orochimaru would establish Otogakure in the Land of Rice.

However, these were not Tōka's concerns. He just wanted to go home and sleep.

The "snake" in the "Snake Capture Plan" had already escaped, so there was no point in staying any longer.

But just as Tōka leaped down from the treetops and landed in front of the Konoha gate...

Instantly!

Swish, swish, swish...

Over a dozen dark figures suddenly appeared, as if they had been lying in ambush there all along.

"Anbu?" Tōka's small face under the fox mask twitched. A hint of suspicion flashed through his mind. If he hadn't known that the Anbu's deployment tonight was targeting Orochimaru, Tōka would have thought these guys were deliberately waiting for him!

Rustle, rustle, rustle...

A sound of footsteps echoed, and the crowd parted, standing on either side.

It was none other than the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, in his battle robes. He held the Ruyi Jingu Bang loosely in his hand, staring sternly at Tōka.

"Did you run into Orochimaru?" the Third Hokage asked in a deep voice.

Although it was a question, his tone was very certain.

Ever since he saw Tōka's All-Killing Ash Bones in Orochimaru's laboratory, the Third Hokage had suspected that Tōka and Orochimaru had a secret that couldn't be told.

Coincidentally, the defense sector Tōka was in was exactly the direction Orochimaru had fled.

This couldn't help but make the Third Hokage's imagination run wild.

"Yes, Lord Hokage." Tōka admitted directly after a moment of thought.

Rather than lying, it was better to be honest with each other. Since the Third Hokage was waiting for him here with a group of people, he must know something.

However, Tōka wasn't worried. Although he knew about Orochimaru's human experiments, he had never participated in them.

"How about that? Sarutobi, wasn't I right!" Just then, a low, hoarse voice sounded from the darkness, and a sinister figure shuffled out.

Danzō? Tōka's eyelids twitched. This guy always showed up when something bad was about to happen!

Tōka had heard the name of the "Darkness of the Shinobi World," Shimura Danzō, countless times!

In Konohagakure, you could disrespect the Hokage, but you shouldn't let Danzō set his sights on you.

He was more terrifying than a venomous snake, more malicious than a scorpion, and would do anything to achieve his goals. In short, Tōka avoided Danzō like the plague.

At least for now...

The night wind was a bit chilly, and the dark clouds pressed down, obscuring the already dim moonlight.

The gates of Konoha were shrouded in shadow, with only the dim yellow streetlights illuminating the surroundings in the darkness.

Facing the Third Hokage's silence, Danzō pressed his advantage.

"Sarutobi, I told you long ago to hand him over to me, or Orochimaru wouldn't have escaped!" Danzō accused righteously.

The Third Hokage's face was grim, and he remained silent, not even giving Danzō a direct glance.

He stared intently into Tōka's eyes. Beneath the fox mask, those dark eyes held a calm, steady gaze, with a fleeting hint of surprise, but absolutely no trace of panic.

Eyes are the windows to the soul, and the Third Hokage truly read Tōka's emotions through his eyes.

Is it confidence in not being discovered? Or is it simply baseless speculation? Two thoughts flashed through the Third Hokage's mind. Why can he be so calm and composed?

Just as Tōka and the Third Hokage were having a "deep" gaze-off, an untimely voice rang out.

"Sarutobi, shouldn't you hand him over to me now!" Danzō roared in exasperation, having been ignored twice.

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, known as the "Shinobi Hero" of the world, although gradually aging, still possessed the same charisma as before.

Even Orochimaru, a Kage-level powerhouse and one of the Sannin, was soundly defeated by the Third Hokage and forced to flee in disarray. If Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't intentionally held back, it was uncertain whether Orochimaru could have escaped.

Shimura Danzō? The Darkness of the Shinobi World?

Even Danzō had to act subservient in the face of such a powerful Third Hokage. As long as the Third Hokage didn't agree, he absolutely wouldn't dare to make any moves behind the scenes.

"Hand him over to Anbu first, and have Inoichi Yamanaka come personally," the Third Hokage finally decided after a period of silence.

Danzō's face turned red and then pale with anger. He gritted his teeth and fiercely uttered a threat, "Sarutobi, you will definitely regret this!"

With that, Danzō turned and disappeared into the darkness.

Only complete darkness, devoid of any light, was suitable for him, suitable for Root's growth.

Tōka shrugged, indicating he was under no pressure, and allowed two Anbu members to escort him away.

Inoichi Yamanaka? I've met him before. It seems that kid's mental strength isn't as good as mine!

Might as well give it a try...

A new genjutsu I just thought of?

Beneath the fox mask, Tōka slightly curled the corners of his mouth, his bright eyes twinkling.

Anbu, Torture Division.

Tōka's hands were tied behind his back, and his fox mask had long been removed and placed on a corner of the table.

The room was brightly lit all night, and Tōka's condition was very poor. His calm heart gradually became restless.

He was the type of person who couldn't sleep if the lights were on. Not sleeping for a whole night was fine, but being illuminated by a 100-watt light bulb for an entire night was a bit unbearable!

Tōka suppressed the urge to break free and rush out. Being bound hands didn't pose a real challenge for him.

Apart from his ultimate techniques, most of the All-Killing Ash Bones' jutsu did not require hand seals.

As for escaping Konoha after leaving the room, Tōka was quite confident.

Firstly, the surveillance in the Torture Division wasn't very strict. After all, Tōka's ninja file only listed him as a Chunin, and All-Killing Ash Bones was a highly classified document.

Besides important figures like the Hokage, few people knew the detailed information. Even Danzō only knew its name and characteristics.

Even the Hokage didn't know much, as All-Killing Ash Bones was a Kekkei Mōra that even Orochimaru hadn't fully researched!

Secondly, Tōka's genjutsu was very powerful. Although it couldn't compare to Itachi, who could freely control time and space, or Body Flicker Shisui, who possessed the strongest genjutsu.

However, without the need for hand seals, relying on his physical talent to freely manipulate the five senses, he could make enemies fall victim to genjutsu without even realizing it.

Tōka's genjutsu was also... effortless!

Making the Anbu guards outside fall for it for a few seconds was enough for Tōka to escape without a sound.

"This is... really infuriating!" Tōka was covered in cold sweat, but his voice was incredibly clear.

After struggling repeatedly for an entire night, he had ultimately chosen to endure it.

The Third Shinobi World War was still ongoing; leaving the village as a Konoha rogue ninja at such a time was tantamount to seeking death.

Tōka knew his own limits; he didn't possess Orochimaru's terrifying strength.

He couldn't be like Orochimaru, not only walking freely through the ninja world but also establishing a hidden village in the Land of Rice Fields.

Therefore, even though his mood was extremely terrible, Tōka forced himself to endure.

However, he didn't know how much longer he could hold on.

Creeaak!~

Just as Tōka's veins were bulging on his forehead, the iron door of the room was pushed open, and a tall figure walked in.

The light in the room dimmed simultaneously, returning to its normal dim yellow.

"Heh, you're finally here." Tōka coldly curled the corner of his lips, the anger in his chest gradually subsiding a bit. His dark eyes were unfathomably deep, like a tranquil pool.

But only Tōka himself knew how angry he was at this moment!

His delicate, clean face showed complete calmness, more terrifying than the tranquility before a storm.

"You actually made me wait this long? You're going to end up in the hospital for a month!" Tōka secretly changed his mind about testing his new jutsu.

He decided to make Inoichi Yamanaka experience the terror of not being able to sleep for a hundred hours!

"Sorry, sorry, I'm late." Inoichi Yamanaka said with a laugh, but there wasn't a trace of a smile in his eyes.

He had done it on purpose; a person's mental defenses were most easily breached when they were mentally exhausted, and it was also the easiest time to extract secrets.

Since Tōka was locked up in the Torture Department, Inoichi Yamanaka had to fulfill his duty.

"Heh... not late." Tōka's gaze was unwavering, and a wicked smile appeared on his somewhat pale face.

Looking into those deep black eyes, Inoichi Yamanaka's mind faltered for a moment, as if he had suddenly fallen into them.

When he regained consciousness, Inoichi Yamanaka only heard a clear, emotionless voice enter his ears.

"Try my new jutsu, an improved version after this sleepless night."

A wisp of wind carried away all the coolness, and the world suddenly became desolate, with nothing but yellow earth and sand filling his vision.

Nine golden crows hung high in the sky...

"Genjutsu: Golden Crows Nine Revolutions!"

In the Primordial Realm, nine golden crows hung in the sky.

Golden halos spread across the land, too bright for the naked eye to behold. On the boundless desert, the heat scorched the skin, constantly burning away the body's moisture.

In just a few words, Inoichi Yamanaka felt his mouth and throat dry, his vision blurred.

It was as if, in the next moment, he would black out and faint.

"This... is this genjutsu?" Inoichi Yamanaka's mind still held a sliver of clarity. A feeling surged within him: he absolutely could not fall asleep.

If he fell asleep, he would never wake up again.

Fear, unease, and longing for his loved ones.

Countless complex thoughts filled his chest, making it hard to breathe...

"Such powerful genjutsu!!" Inoichi Yamanaka's body collapsed to the ground with a thud, uttering his last words before completely falling into the illusion.

With a crisp crack.

Tōka expressionlessly broke free from his restraints and slowly stood up from the chair.

He looked down at the "corpse" of Inoichi Yamanaka. If it weren't for the sake of the cute girl Ino, he would have killed this guy!

"You dare to mess with me? Hmph!"

Tōka's gaze was cold, anger surging once more, killing intent swirling in his eyes.

In the end, he didn't do anything to Inoichi Yamanaka, but instead sat back down...

As if waiting for something.

... (To be continued)