Land of Earth or Land of Rice Fields?

Orochimaru held the unconscious Obito in one hand and reached toward Jugo... and Haku beside him with the other!

At the same time, his golden slit-pupiled eyes stared at Houka's Shadow Clones with keen interest, brimming with menace.

Houka's Shadow Clones surrounded them, their faces anxious, yet they feared for Obito's safety and did not dare act rashly.

Haku clenched his teeth. Having only just regained consciousness from Orochimaru's killing intent, he saw a venomous snake suddenly bite his neck. The poison entered his body, and Haku immediately lost consciousness. Orochimaru caught him in one swift motion.

"Damn it!"

Seeing his underling get captured, Deidara did not care about Obito at all—he did not know the guy anyway. His gaze instantly turned sharp as he braved Orochimaru's killing intent and hurled out a handful of termite bombs.

After capturing Haku, Orochimaru decisively flung Obito out as a human shield, using him to block every single termite bomb.

"Deidara, stop!" Houka's Shadow Clones were terrified.

"Detonate... cough!" Deidara nearly set them off, barely managing to restrain himself. But in that moment of hesitation, Orochimaru had already leaped high into the air.

"It seems I came out ahead in this transaction." Orochimaru wore a smile that said everything was under his control. Then, he actually abandoned Jugo and fled.

"Bastard!" Deidara was furious. He immediately threw out a clay eagle, lightly leaped onto its back, and chased after Orochimaru.

Houka's Shadow Clones followed close behind as well.

Outside, Orochimaru's clone threw the charred Kimimaro toward Houka and smiled. "How about trading him for Haku?"

Kimimaro's Shikotsumyaku was indeed powerful, but Haku's Ice Style was no less impressive. Moreover, Kimimaro had Kekkei Genkai Disease; even Orochimaru could not save him. Under such circumstances, trading him for the healthy Haku was an absolute