It happened in an instant.
Realizing that Toroi was under attack, the Young Ai gritted his teeth and unleashed his final elbow strike. However, after landing a successful blow, Kazashiro had already used the Flying Thunder God Kunai place to return to his previous position, leaving Lao Da's elbow strike empty.
"Brother, what's next? Attack or defend?"
Killer B held the Young Ai tightly and asked for his opinion.
Upon hearing Killer B's question, the Young Ai felt the pain in his body and, though unwilling, knew that he and his group were in no condition to continue fighting.
On the other side, Kazashiro, worried that there might be reinforcements behind the Young Ai, took advantage of the other's moment of thought, threw out a few smoke bombs, and then called on Shimura Ikko and Yamanaka Zen to hurry up and run away.
"Phew..." When the smoke cleared, the Young Ai, realizing that Kazashiro and the others had already run far away, did not give chase, but instead checked on Toroi's condition.
Pulling the Senbon needles from Toroi's waist and feeling the coldness emanating from them, the Young Ai nodded knowingly. "I see, the Ice Senbon. No wonder it could pierce Toroi's body, who is Magnet Release Ninja."
"And was it poisoned?"
Seeing Toroi's increasingly pale face and his veins turning bluish-purple, Young Ai dared not delay and hurriedly ordered Killer B was in the best condition among the three, to lead them toward the camp.
"Shimura Kazashiro, I'll remember you."
After glancing one last time in the direction Kazashiro and the others had left, Young Ai secretly vowed in his heart that next time they met, he would definitely cut off that brat's head with his own hands!
Three days later.
Inside a tent at the Konoha camp.
Kazashiro met this great scientist who single-handedly advanced the scientific progress of the Shinobi World for the first time.
"Shimura, Kazashiro?"
Orochimaru stared expressionlessly at Kazashiro, his snake-like eyes scanning him up and down as if he were looking at prey.
Only when Kazashiro was sweating profusely did Orochimaru shift his gaze to Yamanaka Zen and Shimura Ikko.
Neither of them looked good; their masks were shattered, and their faces were swollen like pig heads.
Thanks to Yamanaka Zen's knowledge of Medical Ninjutsu, their appearances weren't too difficult to recognize.
"You've encountered the Son of the Third Raikage?"
Seeing that the two were mostly unharmed, or rather, that even if they were, they should finish speaking before dying, Orochimaru, with this thought in mind, began to inquire about the details.
They weren't on a top-secret mission this time, so Orochimaru easily learned the details of the situation.
After listening to their stories, Orochimaru glanced at Kazashiro, who was standing to the side looking somewhat disheveled but without any injuries, and began to have some doubts about the veracity of their words.
After all, the deeds they recounted were far too astonishing. Danzo's twelve-year-old son, single-handedly, withstood two Jonin and a Jinchuriki, and managed to severely injure them both before escaping unscathed. Even I, at the age of twelve, did not possess such strength.
Is Danzo trying to promote his son?
Orochimaru had some doubts, but he immediately thought that such a lie was too easy to expose, and that it was not Danzo's style.
After all, the people involved in the incident in Kumogakure are still alive, so verifying the truth of the matter would be extremely easy.
A funny little devil.
Orochimaru finally became interested in Kazashiro and once again focused his gaze on him.
The first time Orochimaru looked at him, it was simply because he was curious about the fact that Fuuhaku Danzo Kazashiro's son; this time, the source of Orochimaru's curiosity had shifted to Kazashiro himself.
A chill ran down Kazashiro's spine as he stared fearfully at Orochimaru before him, wondering if he had offended this man, otherwise why was he staring at him so intently without saying a word?
Are you afraid of me?
Sensing Kazashiro's emotions, Orochimaru felt things were getting increasingly interesting.
"Uh, no, it's purely out of admiration, yes, admiration. I especially admire you, Lord Orochimaru." Forcing out an extremely ugly smile, Kazashiro's tone was incredibly humble.
"Yeah..."
Sticking out his tongue and licking his lips, Orochimaru, with a wicked sense of humor, reached out his hand, wanting to touch Kazashiro's face.
The next second, Kazashiro could no longer maintain his ugly smile and took a step back to increase the distance between himself and Orochimaru.
"Is this reverence?"
Orochimaru watched his hand, which had missed its mark, with great interest as it hovered in mid-air.
"Lord Orochimaru..." Before Kazashiro could reply, Shimura Ikko finally couldn't help but remind him, "We've just been through a battle and urgently need to rest."
"I've already notified the medical ninjas."
Orochimaru cast a cold glance at Shimura Ikko. Feeling Orochimaru's chilling gaze, Shimura Ikko felt his breathing become difficult, but he still forced himself to look back at him.
"Hmm? I knew that voice sounded familiar, it really is you, Kazashiro!"
Just as the atmosphere reached its lowest point, the girl's sunny voice rang out, carrying a familiar scent as it approached Kazashiro.
Feeling the softness behind him, Kazashiro was first stunned, then realized: Who, who is dribbling and charging at me?!
Without turning around, Kazashiro recognized the other person just from the voice. "Anko?"
"Hehe, long time no see." Anko squeezed Kazashiro tightly, bounced around a few times, and then released him.
"Ahem, what are you doing here?"
Ignoring whether Orochimaru was nearby, Kazashiro rubbed his neck and asked the other person curiously.
"Oh, I've come to see Orochimaru- sensei." Reminded by Kazashiro, Anko finally remembered her purpose. "Orochimaru- sensei, a messenger from the village has come to see you."
"I see."
Distracted by Anko, Orochimaru ignored the trio, gestured for Anko to follow him, and then left the tent.
"Ah, I have to go now. I'll come chat with you again when I have time!"
Seeing Orochimaru walking quickly, Anko hurriedly said goodbye to Kazashiro and quickly followed after him.
Konoha, Root Base.
Danzo has been very agitated lately.
Even Aburame Ryoma could sense this restlessness.
"You ignorant brat..." Danzo looked at the battle report that had just been sent to the village from the front lines on the table, searching for something, but ultimately found nothing.
Since Kazashiro led his men to the front lines, Danzo has had no further news of his son.
His original intention was to have Kazashiro lead two Jonin to accumulate battle merits by killing lone ninjas on the outskirts of the battlefield, but the message from Yamanaka Zen later startled him so much that he almost jumped out of his seat.
That brat actually led his men straight to the rear of Kumogakure, ostensibly to raid their supply lines!
Even if I were to handle this myself, I would need to bring along Root entire Root organization before I would dare to take action.
After all, during large-scale warfare, the sheer number of supply convoys alone could trigger a small-scale war.