Almost Exposed

Orochimaru brought Uchiha Yufeng to his laboratory.

"Sensei, you're back?"

Hearing footsteps outside, Mitarashi Anko, who had been studying basic research inside, jogged to the door.

"Uchiha Yufeng, why are you here?"

Mitarashi Anko's gaze fell on Uchiha Yufeng beside Orochimaru, and she froze.

"Yufeng, are you also Sensei Orochimaru's new disciple?"

Mitarashi Anko was Yuhi Kurenai's best friend, so she was naturally familiar with Uchiha Yufeng.

"Yufeng-kun has his own squad leader! Anko, pour Yufeng some tea."

A faint smile appeared on Orochimaru's pale face. After explaining to Mitarashi Anko, he turned to Uchiha Yufeng beside him.

"Please, come in."

"Ding, Uchiha Sasuke (Shippuden) Fragment +1."

"Ding, Yakushi Kabuto Fragment +2."

Though this place was somewhat remote, it was not underground.

Most of the experimental subjects on the tables were animals such as rats and snakes.

Rows of tables held spotless glass apparatuses.

"Lord Orochimaru, do you conduct experiments here every day because you enjoy it?"

Uchiha Yufeng's voice made Orochimaru pause.

"I wouldn't call it enjoyment. They are merely tools for achieving my goals."

A few more sharp, intimidating traces appeared in Orochimaru's golden eyes.

"Yufeng-kun, I heard you defeated Uchiha Homura with taijutsu and became first in the practical Ranking Match. That was quite unexpected."

Hearing that, Uchiha Yufeng could not help curling his lip.

Orochimaru had clearly been watching from the crowd at the time...

How could he not know?

"I simply trained in taijutsu day and night. It was only natural."

"Here you go, Yufeng!"

Mitarashi Anko brought the prepared tea over to Uchiha Yufeng.

"Yufeng-kun, how do you understand life?"

Life?

Looking at Orochimaru, Uchiha Yufeng smiled.

"Lord Orochimaru, did you call me here today just to discuss the philosophy of life?"

Orochimaru grinned, and a darker gleam appeared in his golden pupils.

"Anko, take the day off today. Come back tomorrow!~"

Hearing this, the wide-eyed Mitarashi Anko glanced at Uchiha Yufeng before responding to Orochimaru.

"Yes, Sensei!"

A few minutes later, the laboratory fell silent.

"Lord Orochimaru, I know you are a practical man. If you need something, just say so."

Uchiha Yufeng got straight to the point, no longer discussing snake-like philosophy with Orochimaru.

"Is Tsunade about to leave Konoha?"

Orochimaru walked to the table, poured out the experiment in a glass bottle that Mitarashi Anko had prepared, and voiced the question in his heart.

"Yes. Lady Tsunade has lost too many loved ones. Living in Konoha is far too stifling for her. She will probably leave within a few days."

As soon as he finished speaking, the laboratory fell quiet.

"Yufeng-kun, before Tsunade leaves, could you help me obtain something?"

Orochimaru lowered his head to look at the shed snakeskin in a glass vial on the table. His scattered hair obscured his face, making his expression impossible to read.

"Obtain something?"

Uchiha Yufeng was taken aback, but answered without showing it.

"What you want has something to do with Lady Tsunade?"

"Help me obtain a sample of Tsunade's blood."

After saying that, Orochimaru immediately turned to look at Uchiha Yufeng.

He picked up a thumb-thick test tube from the table and walked over to Uchiha Yufeng.

"This much will be enough."

Seeing that Orochimaru was not joking, Uchiha Yufeng looked at the glass test tube before him.

"Lord Orochimaru thinks too highly of me. I am only a Genin who just graduated from the Ninja Academy. How could I possibly take Lady Tsunade's blood from her..."

Orochimaru shook his head.

"Only someone close to her can make a move. Besides, I will assist you!"

Uchiha Yufeng still shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Lord Orochimaru, but I really cannot do this.

Lady Tsunade has treated me well. She has never viewed me differently because I am from the Uchiha Clan, and she has never withheld anything in teaching me medical care. If I helped you, wouldn't that..."

"Can't do it, or don't want to do it?"

Orochimaru's golden vertical pupils fixed tightly on Uchiha Yufeng as he interrupted him.

"Both."

A cold smile appeared on Orochimaru's face. He swiftly raised his hand and grabbed at Uchiha Yufeng.

Snakes shot out from his sleeves one after another, instantly flying toward Uchiha Yufeng and about to bind him.

Bang!~

The spot where Uchiha Yufeng had just stood suddenly became a log.

"Substitution Technique?"

Orochimaru froze. He had launched his technique so suddenly—how had Uchiha Yufeng substituted himself so quickly?

"Lord Orochimaru, is this how you treat a Genin?"

At the laboratory entrance, Uchiha Yufeng stood there, calmly looking at Orochimaru.

"A Genin? Hehe, Yufeng-kun, you have hidden yourself well!~"

Seeing Uchiha Yufeng so calm, Orochimaru became even more astonished.

"Ding, Uchiha Sasuke (Shippuden) Fragment +5."

"Ding, Yakushi Kabuto Fragment +7."

"Congratulations, host. Yakushi Kabuto card fragments have met the advancement requirements. Advance?"

Uchiha Yufeng ignored the system prompt and warily watched Orochimaru.

"Lord Orochimaru, you jest. I, Uchiha Yufeng, am merely an ordinary Genin of Konoha."

After speaking, Uchiha Yufeng sensed little snakes at his feet slithering toward him.

With a flick of his hand, pretending to summon a ninja tool, Uchiha Yufeng drew a Ronin Katana from the System Space.

With a twist of his fingers, several snakes attempting to ambush him were instantly decapitated, dying at his feet.

"Lord Orochimaru, if there is nothing else, I'll be leaving first!"

After saying that, Uchiha Yufeng held the katana before him.

Watching Uchiha Yufeng walk away at an unhurried pace, the corners of Orochimaru's cold face curved upward.

"How truly interesting! Yufeng-kun, I look forward to your future performance!"

Uchiha Yufeng walked along Konoha's streets. As he felt the warm sunlight, the chill from the laboratory was instantly dispelled.

When facing Orochimaru, Uchiha Yufeng still took him very seriously.

In the original story, Shippuden Sasuke killed Orochimaru and absorbed the power of his White Snake, becoming "Snake Sasuke."

However, aside from Uchiha Sasuke's own strength, Orochimaru had not been able to display his usual power when he was killed.

At the time, Orochimaru had already been in an extremely weakened state. On top of that, his hands had been sealed, leaving much of his strength unusable.

That could not be compared to the current Orochimaru.

The current Orochimaru was at the peak of his power.

His body, his age, and his intact hands...

Uchiha Yufeng had thought he would have to reveal his strength ahead of time. Fortunately, everything remained under control, and Orochimaru seemed to have given up on making another move against him.

Uchiha Yufeng knew that, given Orochimaru's nature, he would not simply let things go.

He found a Dango Shop with few customers, casually ordered some food, and found a seat.

Thinking of the system's prompt just now, Uchiha Yufeng steadied his mind.

"System, advance the Ninja Card Yakushi Kabuto!"