Orochimaru's Personal Arrival and the Venomous Snake's Hiss

The warm torrent of Chakra continued to pour into Baishi's back without end, carrying the Uzumaki Clan's uniquely immense vitality as it repaired every inch of the Meridians within him, exhausted by extreme fine control.

Behind him was Kushina's unreserved trust and concern.

At his side was Mikoto Uchiha's silent gaze, suppressing complicated emotions.

Yet Baishi's entire focus had long since withdrawn from this battlefield of passions that he held in the palm of his hand, concentrating instead on the cold Chakra Water Mirror before him.

Deep within his pupils was reflected the strange, distorted spatial ripple at the edge of the Forest of Death.

So... you finally couldn't resist crawling out of the gutter, Orochimaru.

There was not the slightest ripple in Baishi's heart, only the cold pleasure of a chess player watching his opponent fall into a trap.

From Hozuki Gengetsu, the Second Mizukage, to Second Tsuchikage Mū, these so-called "trump cards" were, in his eyes, merely costly chess pieces Orochimaru had thrown out to probe the depth of Konoha's defenses.

And now, after those pieces had been crushed one after another by him in an almost humiliating fashion, the patience of that venomous snake lurking in the shadows had clearly run out.

"Baishi... what is it this time?"

Kushina keenly sensed the instant stiffening of his body, as well as the aura that had once again become sharp and dangerous. She increased the flow of Chakra, her voice filled with urgency. "Are your injuries acting up again? Is my Chakra not enough?"

"No."

Baishi slowly spoke, his voice so steady that not a trace of emotion could be heard. He raised his hand and gently covered Kushina's hand against his back. The movement was tender, yet carried an unquestionable force that stopped her from supplying any more