An Unexpected Person

Looking around, Anko's expression turned to shock. Just as she tried to search for Orochimaru's figure, that familiar voice drifted from behind her, causing her small frame to tremble uncontrollably.

"Hey, where are you aiming? That's pathetic. What have you actually learned from everything I taught you over these past few years? Is this the extent of your strength? It's truly pathetic!" Orochimaru's voice carried a seductive quality, but as his tone shifted into a roar, it became saturated with killing intent: "However, daring to use ninjutsu against me—do you want to die?"

The voice was coarse and deep, clashing sharply with his delicate, fair-skinned appearance.

"No, no."

At this moment, Anko was a girl not even fourteen years old. As just a little girl, how could she possibly resist Orochimaru, especially when his words were laced with a hint of genjutsu?

Clutching her head, Anko trembled all over. The fear of Orochimaru and the helplessness against his genjutsu caused the girl to crouch down, where she began to weep silently.

"I don't want to die, I don't want to die!"

"Oh, really? Then who were you casting ninjutsu at just now? Anko, who taught you ninjutsu and allowed you to become strong?" Under the influence of Orochimaru's genjutsu, the look in Anko's eyes clearly changed.

"Orochimaru... Orochimaru-sensei?" Lifting her head, her childish face was filled with a dazed expression; it seemed Anko had fallen completely into Orochimaru's genjutsu.

"Anko, tell Orochimaru-sensei, what did you come to this place for?" Locking eyes with her, Orochimaru's snake-like pupils narrowed slightly, his voice carrying a demonic allure.

In an instant, Anko's pupils lost their focus. Her gaze became vacant, and she could only murmur: "I... we..."

The words had barely left her lips when—

Swish! Swish!

Sensing the sound of hidden weapons cutting through the air, Orochimaru released Anko in an instant. He leaped away, dodging the projectiles that embedded themselves into the ground, and turned his gaze toward the distance with a hint of irritation: "Who's there?"

Two children emerged from the bushes. One of them, a girl, looked nervous, clutching the boy's hand and pulling back with all her might.

"Yang Xing! We... we... don't go over there." Seeing Yang Xing take the initiative to attack the person in front of them, Rin Nohara's face turned pale as she desperately tried to hold him back: "It's no use, this person is..."

She didn't finish the second half of her sentence because Rin Nohara was filled with shock. The person before them was one of the legendary Sannin. Based on that title alone, it was impossible for Yang Xing to deal with him. Even if Yang Xing had the strength to kill several chunin, facing this man was impossible—victory was out of the question.

Beyond feeling anxious, Rin Nohara's heart was filled with terror.

Little did she know, Yang Xing wasn't listening at all. He turned and calmly pushed her hand away with one hand, his expression remaining perfectly composed: "Don't look into his eyes. Also, close your eyes and stand right here without moving."

"But, but..."

"Hurry." Yang Xing frowned.

This startled Rin Nohara, who hurriedly squeezed her eyes shut. Feeling the darkness surrounding her and sensing Yang Xing moving away toward the front, her heart trembled: "No, don't. He is one of the legendary Sannin. You really will die, you'll die!"

The only response she received was a calm, detached voice.

"Water Style: Water Clone Technique!"