Sound Four

Takizawa Dan asked his question while subtly lowering his center of gravity, assuming a full combat stance.

He had anticipated and known in advance that the Sound Four would infiltrate Konoha.

Even if his arrival had altered the trajectory of the ninja world, the major plot points were bound to remain unchanged, and the Sound Four's infiltration of Konoha was certainly one of them.

However, what struck Takizawa Dan as strange was that the target of these four individuals seemed to have changed.

They were no longer planning to kidnap Sasuke as they had in the original story; every word they spoke indicated that he had become their target instead.

What on earth was going on?

"You actually know we're Orochimaru's people?"

Sakon and Ukon were visibly astonished upon hearing this.

Their identities were top-secret information; aside from Orochimaru himself, even the current Hokage of Konoha was completely unaware. After all, they rarely appeared in public, and even if someone caught a glimpse of them and discovered their identities, they would ensure that person ended up a corpse.

Why did this kid before them know this secret?

"Heh, it's not hard to guess. Didn't Orochimaru intend to topple Konoha during the last Chunin Exams? You mentioned taking me away and went to great lengths to lure me here with Soul-Bewitching Incense, yet I've never met you before, nor do I recall offending anyone."

"So, thinking it over, you lot must be Orochimaru's subordinates, planning to drag me back to him, right?"

Takizawa Dan spoke with a stern expression, though in truth, he only knew all this thanks to his foreknowledge. Being thick-skinned, however, he certainly wouldn't admit it directly, preferring instead to play the part of an expert.

Sure enough, the four of them were momentarily stunned by Takizawa Dan's analysis.

"Hahaha! As expected of the latest vessel Lord Orochimaru has taken a fancy to! I was wondering why Lord Orochimaru suddenly told us to give up on Sasuke and choose Takizawa Dan of Konoha as the new vessel. Seeing you now, you're certainly qualified—this intelligence alone is enough!"

At this, Jirobo suddenly burst into loud laughter.

He clearly intended to show off in front of Takizawa Dan, but given his rotund build and chubby face, he lacked any real intimidation. Combined with his foolish, boisterous laugh, the attempt backfired, making him look more like a clown than a threat.

"Jirobo! You idiot, you've just leaked our classified information and the objective of this mission in a few short sentences!"

Tayuya, standing to the side, glared at Jirobo and snapped at him furiously.

"I... I..."

Jirobo was clearly terrified of Tayuya. Seeing her lash out, he shrank back, clutching his head with both hands, looking for all the world like a three-hundred-pound child.

"Enough, stop bickering. What's leaked is leaked, and losing your temper at Jirobo won't change anything, Tayuya. Besides, this kid named Takizawa Dan has only just attained the rank of Genin; surely it's a simple task for the four of us to capture him?"

At this point, Sakon and Ukon, the strongest of the four, spoke up.

Hearing him, the other three nodded in unison and fell silent.

On one hand, it was because Sakon and Ukon possessed the greatest strength and authority; on the other, they all felt that dealing with a notorious loser like Takizawa Dan was making a mountain out of a molehill.

One had to remember that in the original story, the four of them combined were capable of retreating unscathed even after facing two Special Jonin like Genma Shiranui and Namiashi Raidō.

Therefore, if an objective observer were to analyze this battle, it would be a completely one-sided affair; Takizawa Dan had absolutely no chance of winning.

"Kid, since you already know everything, let's talk like sensible people," Kidomaru said, perched in a tree, looking down at Takizawa Dan with a mocking expression. "Lord Orochimaru has his eye on your body and intends to use you as his new vessel. Your best choice now is to surrender immediately, and we guarantee we won't torture you too much."

"But if you think about resisting, we will definitely make you suffer until you wish you were dead! And you'll still end up being dragged away by us. Weigh the pros and cons yourself."

Tayuya, standing beside him, coldly took over the conversation.

As for Sakon, Ukon, and Jirobo, they stood by watching without a word. Sakon and Ukon remained silent because their status made it unnecessary to speak, while Jirobo was simply embarrassed because no one was listening to him anyway.

"I'm very sorry, but I refuse," Takizawa Dan shook his head decisively. "If you want to take me away, you'll have to carry back my corpse. Otherwise, I will never willingly become Orochimaru's vessel."

Although, from a god's-eye view, Takizawa Dan actually understood and even admired certain aspects of Orochimaru.

In the world of Naruto, Orochimaru was the only one to master core technology, achieve the highest degree of immortality, and remain purely committed to his own wicked philosophy from beginning to end. He certainly had many charming qualities and had always had a large fan base.

However, there is a saying: "Lord Ye loves dragons."

In the real world, appreciating a deviant character in an anime is a normal mindset. But if one were to face a true deviant in real life, it is unlikely that most people would still find them admirable.

Now, Takizawa Dan was facing exactly that situation.

If, by some stretch of the imagination, Orochimaru were to come to him for help or to negotiate a partnership, Takizawa Dan might have begrudgingly accepted.

But to become Orochimaru's vessel and have his own existence erased from this world? That was something Takizawa Dan would never accept.

Even if it meant a fight to the death, he would not yield!

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. This kid has some backbone, not bad at all," Sakon and Ukon said, a smirk curling his lips as he looked at Takizawa Dan. "However, a young, arrogant kid like you can only say such things because you have never witnessed the true gap in strength, nor have you experienced what true despair is!"

"Jirobo, go up there and teach this kid a lesson. Let him understand his current situation!"

As soon as Sakon and Ukon finished speaking, he moved toward the open space to the side.

Following his lead, Kidomaru and Tayuya moved in perfect sync toward two other directions.

Just like that, the three of them formed a triangle, surrounding Takizawa Dan and leaving him with no way to escape!

"Understood, boss! I'll be sure to teach him a good lesson!"

Hearing Sakon and Ukon's order, Jirobo's spirits soared, and he spoke with excitement.

Among the Sound Four, he possessed the least strength and therefore held the lowest status, constantly being bullied and looked down upon.

Whenever there was a good opportunity, it never fell to him, and he was rarely given important missions to carry out alone, leaving him no chance to prove himself.

Now, it was finally his turn!