Only now did Araki truly understand how terrifying Orochimaru was.
The leader of the Sannin had almost no weaknesses in battle. He was proficient in taijutsu, genjutsu, and ninjutsu, and his summoning techniques were masterful as well. He excelled at both close combat and long-range attacks.
How should he put it? One word: balanced!
From the start of the battle until now, the entire rhythm had been under the other man's control.
Although Kisame and Araki could still fend off his attacks for the moment and had not been injured so far, they had remained stuck passively receiving his moves.
As the saying went, a defense that lasted too long would eventually fail. If this continued, something would happen sooner or later.
But defeating an Orochimaru like this would not be easy either.
Either someone had to be even more well-rounded than him, slightly stronger in every aspect. For example, the Third Hokage in his prime could directly suppress Orochimaru in the five elemental transformations.
Or someone needed to take a particular aspect to the extreme, making it impossible for Orochimaru to deal with. Like Itachi Uchiha's genjutsu, the Raikage's Nintaijutsu, the Tsuchikage's Dust Release, and so on.
Kisame, once he mastered Water Release and wielded Samehada, or Araki, once he had achieved mastery in swordsmanship, could naturally do the same in the future. But unfortunately, they were still growing, and they truly lacked the strength for it now.
Fortunately, Orochimaru currently lacked a decisive killing move capable of finishing both of them in one blow as well.
Besides, they were out on the open sea. Earth Release techniques that countered Water Release were not so easy to use here. Even with Orochimaru's abilities, creating a patch of land from nothing on the sea would consume a great deal of chakra.
And while Orochimaru did not lack chakra, he was not a Tailed Beast Without a Tail like Kisame. He still had to be careful with that sort of thing.
Thus, upon realizing that he could not achieve a quick victory, Orochimaru found himself in a dilemma.
"I didn't expect just two Kirigakure ninja to be this troublesome!"
He narrowed his long, slender eyes slightly and began considering whether he should summon Manda to help.
"This is the Land of the Sea, so there is no need to worry about sacrifices. It's just that..."
Snakes were not marine creatures. It was still uncertain how much use Manda could be here.
And that shark-faced man's mastery of Water Release was astonishing, no weaker than his own, not to mention that brat skilled in Wind Style and swordsmanship.
Orochimaru sighed once more. Unfortunately, they were on the sea, and the environment was far too unfriendly to Fire Release techniques. Even the power of the Five Elements Great Barrage Technique would be severely affected.
Otherwise...
"It seems researching amphibious soldiers specifically for Kirigakure is indeed necessary. This sea truly provides them with extraordinary assistance!"
After licking the corner of his mouth somewhat unwillingly, Orochimaru quietly retreated. This was still within the Land of Water's sphere of influence, after all. If a Konoha ninja like him stayed here for too long, he might draw a siege at any moment.
His primary purpose in coming here had only been to rescue Amachi, a fairly capable researcher. As for experimental materials and such, there was no need to rush.
After a while, Araki and Kisame exchanged puzzled glances.
"He left?"
"Seems like it."
"Then let's go find Zabuza!"
"Okay."
The two relaxed and headed toward the direction Zabuza had left in earlier, chatting as they walked.
"As expected of one of Konoha's famed Legendary Sannin. He really was terrifying."
Hearing Kisame's remark, Araki played along.
"Yeah, yeah. We barely had any chance to fight back the entire time. If Captain's Water Release hadn't been strong enough, we'd have been finished."
"So the so-called Sea Demon was actually Konoha's doing? Were they targeting Kirigakure?"
Kisame's little round eyes turned grave.
"Should we report it to the village?" Araki asked.
"Of course. We encountered a ninja like Orochimaru, and it involves Konoha's secret experiments in the Land of the Sea. This mission is more than enough to be upgraded to S-rank."
Kisame bared his teeth in a vicious grin.
"Araki, how does it feel to undertake an S-rank mission for the first time?"
"A little nervous, but I'm okay."
Araki pondered for two seconds before his eyes suddenly lit up.
"Oh, right. I also took some research materials from their laboratory. How about we look through them ourselves before turning them in?"
"Sure."
When the two found Zabuza, he seemed somewhat withdrawn, hacking away at a tree to vent his frustration.
It appeared that he had figured out their excuse about sending him away to find reinforcements had been a lie. Getting him out of the way had been the real goal. As for the reason... there was no need to say anything too hurtful.
As the weakest member of the team, he should have already gotten used to it anyway.
"Zabuza, I've got good news for you!"
Araki swaggered over and slapped him on the shoulder. "Our mission rating might get a major upgrade this time. I'll be able to pay back the money I owe you soon! Happy?"
Zabuza rolled his eyes without showing the slightest hint of happiness.
"You're not happy that I'm paying you back? Fine, then I won't pay you back!"
Araki shrugged and turned to leave.
Zabuza: ???
Are people who owe money always this arrogant?
One million ryo was no small sum. Even though Zabuza was carrying a large amount of money now, there was no way he could simply give it up.
Left with no choice, he followed Araki over to Kisame, then watched as he took several scrolls from his clothes and handed them out.
"What are these?"
"Konoha's conspiracy!"
"Huh?"
Since he had never met Orochimaru face-to-face, Zabuza still did not know that this matter involved one of Konoha's famed Legendary Sannin.
Araki briefly explained what had happened, then said,
"These materials were found in their laboratory. Hurry up and see if there's anything useful for us. Once we return to the village and turn them in, we won't get another chance to see them!"
As he spoke, Araki had already opened the scroll in his hand and began reading it at a glance.
"Araki is right. Research materials from Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, really do make one curious."
Kisame opened his own copy as well.
Seeing this, Zabuza stopped hesitating and followed suit.
"Mm, through biological modification, humans can gain fish-like organs. They can survive underwater, and their strength and physique will be enhanced. Amphibious soldiers..."
Araki quietly read the contents of the scroll aloud before reaching a conclusion.
"Konoha really is targeting us. Other than Kirigakure, where else would there be a need for underwater combat?"
Kisame and Zabuza both nodded, agreeing that Konoha was truly too despicable. It had no bearing at all as the number one shinobi village, spending every day thinking of ways to target other small villages.
"It has been more than five years since the end of the last Shinobi World War. It seems a new war will begin soon." Kisame's tone was somewhat wistful.
Araki agreed inwardly as well.
Since Kirigakure had discovered Konoha's actions, it would definitely respond.
Mist Village was no peace-loving village. It would not simply issue a protest and let the matter end there. It would certainly take action.
And action would bring conflict. Now that everyone had more or less recovered and rebuilt their strength, the chances of small-scale clashes escalating into a large-scale melee would increase greatly.
Konoha was located at the center of the Shinobi World, and every one of its moves was watched by the other countries. They were always ready to rush in and tear off a piece of flesh.
If Konoha and Kirigakure came into conflict, countless people would appear to fan the flames. By then, the scale of the war would no longer be determined by the will of those two villages.
Thanks to KongMing for adding this to their book list!
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