Setting Off

Shinzhen did not take Yukimura's stubborn words to heart.

Once the injuries to his hands had healed and he could use ninjutsu again, just how strong was Orochimaru?

Even if Mizuki himself did not come, several corporeal clones would be hard-pressed to kill him. How could a formidable figure like that be compared to a novice like Yukimura?

At his peak, during the Konoha Crush, Orochimaru had merely used his presence and genjutsu to make Hatake Kakashi wary of making any rash moves. Even Tenzō and Yukimura joining forces could only exchange a few moves with him.

If Orochimaru had not gone easy on them, the two would not have gotten off with mere minor injuries and exhaustion.

Though Tenzō's Wood Release was powerful, it consumed a great deal of chakra. After most of his chakra had been drained by the Five-Seal Barrier, there was not much he could do.

The two of them were not at their best when they encountered a recovered Orochimaru. They could only be toyed with. Even using nothing but basic ninjutsu such as Water Style and Earth Style, he could have them wrapped around his finger.

When the two truly could not hold on any longer, Shinzhen finally appeared and used the Flying Raijin Jutsu to take them away.

"If you'd come earlier, we might have won!"

After catching his breath, Tenzō said dejectedly.

"Easy for you to say!"

Shinzhen snapped irritably.

"You wanted to challenge an entire ninja village with just a few people? You're far too arrogant. I already spent plenty of effort breaking through their barrier defenses. Getting you two out was good enough. Fortunately, we probably didn't expose our identities as Konoha ninja."

"Konoha ninja? Aside from Konoha, there probably aren't any other ninja who can use Wood Release... Akatsuki