I must have picked an unlucky day to go out!

After leaving the Hokage Building, Tōka looked up at the sky. There was still some time before evening; it should be around three or four o'clock.

Tōka decided to find a secluded forest to try out the Summoning Technique he had just learned: Five-Seal Barrier!

Konoha Back Mountain, in a dense Forest.

The towering Great Tree blocked out the sun, with only slivers of light escaping through the dense foliage.

Tōka walked through the quiet forest, searching for a larger clearing.

A sudden chill swept over him, making him shiver.

"Is it just my imagination?" Tōka subconsciously turned around to look, only to find the secluded tree-lined path deserted.

However...

When Tōka turned around again, she found two figures on the path ahead.

"Tōka, what a coincidence!" Orochimaru habitually licked his lips and said in a deep, magnetic voice.

"Hehe... what a coincidence!"

Tōka curled his lips into a kind smile, but the fake smile made Dou frown.

Are the Anbu guards in Konoha completely incompetent? How could they not even detect Orochimaru, who had infiltrated Konoha for so long?

On second thought, Tōka realized it was perfectly normal.

Orochimaru had been in Konoha for so long that he was very familiar with the Konoha's defense mechanisms, making it incredibly easy for him to avoid the Anbu.

Even if there are times when it's unavoidable, how many Anbu could possibly be a match for Orochimaru?

The brief silence felt like an eternity to Tōka.

The air was filled with a cold, serpentine scent. Being stared at by Orochimaru like that made Tōka feel uneasy.

"Orochimaru, what is this..." Tōka glanced at Kabuto Yakushi beside him and broke the silence.

Kabuto Yakushi seems to be... only about ten years old! Wait, isn't this guy about the same age?

"I've found a very promising talent." Orochimaru glanced at his sidekick and said casually.

However, Tōka caught the One Flash look of satisfaction in those Snake Eyes.

Orochimaru came to Konoha just to find Kabuto? Tōka didn't believe it at all; encountering Kabuto Yakushi was probably just a coincidence.

Orochimaru probably came to Konoha to see that old man.

"Oh, right." Orochimaru suddenly looked enlightened, and then his throat bobbed as if it were inflating like a balloon.

"Ugh... vomit..."

Orochimaru's neck started to twist like chewing gum.

Suddenly, he opened his mouth wide, saliva dripping out, and a sticky Scroll was spat into his hand.

Orochimaru flicked his arm, and the Scroll flew through the air.

Upon seeing this, Tōka's eyelids twitched, and he hesitated whether to accept the offer, but his hesitation vanished in an instant.

Not answering? That's practically suicide!

Ignoring the strange liquid on it, Tōka quickly reached out and grabbed the Scroll. The wet and sticky feeling in his palm sent a chill down his spine.

Tōka quietly wiped the unidentified liquid off the Scroll her sleeve before looking down at it.

Just an ordinary Scroll?

Tōka was puzzled; he didn't understand what Orochimaru meant.

"This is..."

"The information you requested."

Tōka thought for a moment and remembered that he had asked Orochimaru to help him find Karin's mother last time.

How long has it been and we're already hearing news? Orochimaru seems to be doing quite well after leaving Konoha!

It's only the Konoha Year 46, Karin hasn't been born yet, and even if she were, Tōka doesn't plan to go find her so soon.

With a flick of his wrist, Tōka put the Scroll away, his eyes gleaming as he pondered another problem.

The thought of whether or not to invite Orochimaru to join Akatsuki One Flash Tōka's mind for a moment before he made his decision.

This isn't urgent; the most important thing right now is to keep our identities hidden. Besides, Orochimaru's motives for joining Akatsuki aren't pure, so it's best to avoid creating unnecessary trouble for now.

"Orochimaru, if there's nothing else..." Tōka was about to leave; staying with a dangerous person like Orochimaru all the time wasn't a good thing.

If the two sides are evenly matched, Tōka wouldn't mind exchanging ideas with Orochimaru more often.

"Well, don't be in such a hurry." Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, his Snake Eyes gleaming with an unusual light.

Tōka raised an eyebrow but remained silent, as if Orochimaru really had something to discuss with him.

"It's been so long, let's catch up," Orochimaru said meaningfully, his Snake Eyes gleaming with an inexplicable light.

Catching up? Tōka gave Orochimaru a strange look; he really had come specifically to see him!

But what exactly is this guy up to?! Can't he just tell me straight?

"Kabuto, didn't you want to spar with Tōka?" The deep, magnetic voice gradually faded, and Orochimaru's body sank into the ground.

"Don't die!"

"Sparring?" Tōka glanced at Kabuto Yakushi; Orochimaru's purpose was definitely not that simple.

Why did they have to do this at this time? This is Konoha, Orochimaru is S-rank Rogue Ninja of Konoha!

However, Tōka couldn't fathom Orochimaru's thoughts, so he could only take it one step at a time.

Kabuto stared intently at Tōka, knowing what Orochimaru meant, Orochimaru's words still echoing in his ears.

He attacked with all his might, forcing Tōka to use his Kekkei Genkai, the kind of Bone Release ability that kills anyone it hits!

Orochimaru had run out of the raw materials he was using to research the All-Killing Ash Bones, but the research was still making no progress. He was too embarrassed to ask Tōka for more for the third time.

So, they came up with this idea.

Ash Bones will not disappear unless they are injected into a living organism, at least not in the short term.

"Tōka, Lord Orochimaru thinks highly of you!" Kabuto Yakushi grinned, bowing slightly, a glint of light reflecting from his glasses.

Buzz!

Kabuto Yakushi concentrated his chakra in his hands, forming a pair of Chakra Scalpel!

The atmosphere, which had been somewhat relaxed just a moment ago, suddenly became tense.

Suddenly, Tōka saw a flash of cold light before his eyes. It was Kabuto Yakushi and was swinging his arm to chop at his neck.

Subconsciously tilting his head back, the Chakra Scalpel almost grazed Tōka's cheek, a strand of hair drifting past his eyes.

Tōka's pupils contracted sharply; this guy was incredibly fast!

Kabuto Yakushi is indeed a person who can go toe-to-toe with Kakashi; his strength is truly formidable!

"Don't get distracted, or you'll die!" Kabuto Yakushi grinned, his tone seemingly warning a close friend, but his words carried a strong murderous intent.

"Hmph, mind your own business!" Tōka's face darkened, and a strange fluctuation of power flashed in her dark eyes.

His figure, under Kabuto Yakushi's slightly surprised gaze, transformed into a falling leaf.

"Substitution Technique?" Kabuto Yakushi immediately became alert, but found he couldn't sense Tōka's presence at all. "No, it's Genjutsu!"

Kabuto Yakushi immediately sprang back, and as he got close to a Big Tree, he suddenly struck out with a palm strike that cut into the Big Tree without warning.

Click...

The sharp Chakra Scalpel sliced a deep gash into the Big Tree.

"It's safe here!" Kabuto Yakushi against Big Tree, released his Chakra Scalpel, and quickly Hand Seals.

The chakra within his body suddenly paused, then gushed out like a spring.

"Untie!"

Kabuto Yakushi opened his eyes again, but the shock on his face was even greater.

Because he still couldn't sense Tōka's presence, the opponent's speed couldn't possibly be that fast, and Lord Orochimaru was watching right next to him.

It's impossible to let Tōka escape so easily!

Therefore... there is only one explanation left: he is still trapped in Tōka's Genjutsu!

"What should we do?!" A bead of cold sweat dripped down his forehead as Kabuto Yakushi cautiously scanned his surroundings.

Genjutsu is merely a technique used to confuse people; it is a skill used to assist in offense.

Kabuto Yakushi forced himself to calm down. He believed that as long as Tōka attacked, the Genjutsu would definitely reveal a flaw!

"That's clever, using the unchanging to respond to all changes." Tōka's Original Body stood casually in front of Dou, making no move to attack.

He didn't come here to fight Kabuto; he came here to test Rashōmon.

However, given the current situation, it seems unlikely.

"Orochimaru, you don't actually want the Ash Bones, do you?" Tōka glanced at Orochimaru watching the show from the treetop and suddenly asked.

Orochimaru's smile froze, and his eyes narrowed slightly. This brat had actually seen through him?

"Hehe..."

Orochimaru licked his lips and smiled meaningfully.

Tōka frowned slightly, then spread his fingers slightly and flicked his arm, sending dozens of Bone Bullets flying through the air.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!

A dense gust of wind rang out, and a strange light flashed in Orochimaru's eyes. Then, he formed a hand Hand Seals and placed it to his mouth.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

A whirlwind was exhaled from Orochimaru's mouth. Although it was only a C-rank Wind Release Ninjutsu, Orochimaru made it look like a B-rank Wind Release Ninjutsu.

The countless Bone Bullets were all blown away.

"Orochimaru, is that enough?" Tōka didn't care at all that his attack was so easily broken.

The advantages of Bone Bullets lie in their high speed, lightness, density, wide range, and surprise.

The disadvantage is that even a C-rank Wind Release Ninjutsu Great Breakthrough can change the direction of the Bone Bullets, or even blow it away.

"Tōka's Genjutsu are getting more and more powerful, it feels a little different..." Orochimaru ignored Tōka's words and changed the subject.

He would never admit that he came for the raw materials from the Ash Bones.

This guy... Tōka's face darkened. The Six Harmonies Divine Technique was certainly different from ordinary Genjutsu!

However, he had absolutely no desire to discuss this with Orochimaru!

"Orochimaru, if there's nothing else, I'll head back." Tōka believed that with Orochimaru's strength, helping Kabuto break the Genjutsu shouldn't be a problem.

At this moment, Tōka was no longer in the mood to test new techniques.

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure transformed into a fluttering leaf and disappeared.

As Tōka's aura faded into the distance, Orochimaru crossed his arms, his Snake Eyes flashing eerily, his thoughts unreadable.

After leaving the Konoha Back Mountain, Tōka headed directly towards the most densely populated and bustling commercial district of Konoha.

Even if Orochimaru were arrogant, he would never come to a place like this, not to mention using the Crystal Ball to randomly check the Hokage in every corner of the village, and the Anbu hidden anywhere.

Even the village Konoha Military Police Force isn't so easy to deal with; the Sharingan can see through Orochimaru's Disguise Technique!

Having gotten rid of Orochimaru, Tōka breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Orochimaru, who has betrayed Konoha, is naturally different from the Orochimaru who fought alongside him on the Battlefield; the two are fundamentally different.

Unbeknownst to him, Tōka had arrived at the entrance of Ichiraku Ramen.

The familiar voice rang out, and he snapped out of his reverie, curiously peering inside.

You won't be surprised if you don't look, because once you do, you'll be shocked.

Because Tōka saw some of the guys he least wanted to see!

Kakashi seemed to sense the gaze from outside the shop and instinctively turned around, only to see Tōka standing outside the shop, peering inside.

"Tōka? Come in quickly!"

Kakashi's shout immediately caught the attention of the people inside the shop.

"Huh? It's a shorty, but he seems to have grown a bit!" Obito said with a grin, and Rin looked at him with a delighted expression.

Tōka hadn't seen Obito and Rin for a long time, but they seemed to be doing well.

"Uh..." Tōka, who had originally planned to leave quietly, paused, but ultimately chose to walk into the store.

As everyone scrutinized Tōka also looked at them, Obito's eyes replaced by ordinary ones.

The comminuted fractures in both legs appear to have healed, but he can only walk normally; jumping like a ninja or performing difficult kicking maneuvers is no longer an option.

However, Obito's mental state is really good, and Rin has been staying with him the whole time...

He glanced at Rin briefly; she was still as gentle and lovely as ever. Looking at their seating arrangement, it seemed... Obito and Rin were already dating?

A moment of silence for Kakashi...

Finally, Tōka's gaze fell on the only adult in the room, a woman with blood-red hair, the color of a tomato.

Nine-Tails Jinchuriki - Kushina Uzumaki.

"Come sit here." Kakashi patted the seat next to him.

Under Kushina's gaze, Tōka moved over and sat down next to Kakashi.

Right now, the last person Tōka wants to see is anyone connected to Minato, including Kakashi, Obito, Rin, and naturally, Kushina Uzumaki.

"I often hear Minato mention you!" Kushina looked at Tōka with a smile, as if she were looking at a perfect porcelain doll.

I feel like squeezing it!

Tōka rolled her eyes inwardly and muttered helplessly, "Big sister! Your inner thoughts are written all over your face!"

"I wouldn't dare accept that, Minato is so kind." Tōka said expressionlessly. He certainly didn't want Minato to bring it up!

Having been tricked by Minato twice in a row, Tōka's resentment was extremely deep at this moment!

"Don't be so formal, I'm Kushina. You can call me 'older sister' like Kakashi and the others do." Kushina patted Tōka on the back familiarly.

Tōka was speechless. This guy is just plain clueless!

Kakashi roughly guessed why Tōka disliked Minato, and immediately spoke up to change the subject, "Tōka, what kind of Ramen do you want?"

"Soy sauce..."

"Alright!" Teuchi, who happened to be walking out, responded and placed the Ramen for each person in order before turning around and going inside to prepare Ramen for Tōka.

"Tōka, I heard you've been stealing Kakashi's thunder lately!" Obito laughed heartlessly. He suddenly felt really happy living as an ordinary person during this time.

It wasn't just because Rin was with him; more importantly, Obito had come to enjoy this kind of life.

Life was ordinary; in my spare time, I helped elderly people trim their flowers and prune their lawns, took care of other chores, and strolled with Lin along quiet paths in the evenings...

"Do you think everyone treats you the same? You're always trying to show off!" The baby felt bitter inside, but she didn't say anything.

His situation in Konoha was already precarious. Following Sakumo Hatake, Minato was personally monitoring him even before taking office. Who knows how many eyes will be watching him from now on?

Now, because of the Chunin Ninja Exams, Tōka is at the top of the list of Genius Hunt Plan in the Great Nations, so he can't keep a low profile even if he wants to!

This doesn't fit Black Zetsu's conspiracy theories at all!

"younger brother Tōka, tomorrow is Obito's birthday. Why don't you come to my house to play?" Kushina said suddenly, smiling at Tōka.

I really do want to pinch it!

Tōka's fake smile crumbled. "Your house? Isn't that the Minato's house...?"

I really don't want to go!

However, upon seeing Kushina's slightly threatening gaze, Tōka hesitated for a long time before finally backing down.

This lady is a real powerhouse, even the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, had to submit to her!

"Okay, fine..." Tōka nodded mechanically. That's it, he'll be accused of deliberately getting close to the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki again.