Orochimaru Loves You

Mitaraishi Anko's hair nearly stood on end with anger. After her reminder, her teammates finally came to their senses.

Oguri Hayashi watched in surprise as Mitaraishi Anko broke free from the false memories. It turned out their memories had not been altered; they had merely been subjected to powerful suggestions.

This news was enormously beneficial to Oguri Hayashi, because it proved that Infinite Hall was not some omnipotent, all-knowing entity.

If it were the kind of omnipotent existence from novels that could freely place Reincarnators into any timeline, then as a three-dimensional being, Oguri Hayashi would not have sensed any changes at all.

The mad scientist Hououin Kyouma in Steins;Gate could sense such things only because he was the one designated protagonist.

But Oguri Hayashi and everyone else would never notice it.

The powerful suggestion cast on Mitaraishi Anko meant that while the enemy was strong enough to unknowingly hypnotize Chunin, or even stronger ninja, it could not twist reality, interfere with it, control ordinary people's wills, or alter their memories. That meant it was not a god of this world, and Oguri Hayashi and these ninja were not trial-world creations made specifically for the "protagonists."

This was a real world. He truly existed here. That was enough for him!

Having drawn so many conclusions from Mitaraishi Anko waking up in an instant, Oguri Hayashi turned around and saw her angrily bite open her finger and summon a little snake.

"What is it, Lady Anko?" The snake, which was not even as long as Oguri Hayashi's arm, coiled itself up and spoke respectfully.

Without question, it was a Summoned Beast from Ryūchi Cave.

Oguri Hayashi was rather envious of the snake. After all, Manda's descendants were endless and extremely convenient. During the Konoha Crush Plan, just a few of Manda's descendants had thrown Konoha into chaos. Not to mention that Manda possessed a method for cultivating Sage Mode.

"Don't use the Summoning Technique just yet." The Summoning Technique could transfer one's Summoned Beast to another contractor's side, making it an extremely convenient means of conveying information. Summoning a tiny snake like this consumed no more Chakra than a single use of the Body Flicker Technique.

Mitaraishi Anko, the little snake, and Tsunade all turned to look at him.

"Tell Lord Orochimaru that Lady Tsunade and I, Oguri Hayashi, are here as well. The enemy's objective is unclear. Their level is only that of Chunin, but they are highly valuable. Please ask Lord Orochimaru to capture them alive at all costs. It would be best if they could retain clear consciousness."

Mitaraishi Anko, already somewhat enraged, shot him a sidelong glare.

"Who are you?" Oguri Hayashi bore no markings, nor did he have any Takigakure insignia. He looked like an ordinary idler.

After becoming the leader of Takigakure, he had never worn its insignia again, because he was different from ordinary ninja. Ordinary ninja built ninja villages to establish systems that could endure.

After discovering the Reincarnators, Oguri Hayashi had never intended to build some powerful village. His purpose in building a powerful village was to serve himself—to give himself more manpower, a powerful rear base, a more stable environment, a stronger intelligence network, and a place to stand.

That was why he unhesitatingly claimed all the credit for himself. He did not shy away from the fact that Takigakure had become what it was because of him, often showed his face before the villagers, and had never worn Takigakure's insignia since becoming Village Head.

Tsunade naturally felt that this was wrong. If things continued this way, Takigakure would likely become another Amegakure in the future, while Oguri Hayashi would become another demigod Hanzo.

But this was Oguri Hayashi's village. Tsunade had no standing to interfere.

"Listen to him. Do it. Orochimaru will know who he is when he hears that name." Tsunade frowned slightly as she spoke to Mitaraishi Anko.

"Did you understand, little snake?" Tsunade turned and asked the tiny snake, one of Manda's countless generations of descendants.

"Yes, I understand, Lady Tsunade." At Tsunade's words, the snake nodded its head, then turned into a puff of smoke and went to deliver the message to Orochimaru.

"Lady Tsunade! How could you..." Mitaraishi Anko could barely keep face.

"Anko, remember this lesson after falling victim to Genjutsu. Be more careful next time!" Tsunade said sternly. She never bothered explaining much to Genin. She was an immensely proud person, and only the strong could earn her regard. Though Anko was Orochimaru's disciple and had some connection to her, she was still not qualified to receive an explanation.

"Yes." Faced with the forceful Tsunade, Mitaraishi Anko swallowed her anger. Yet with her equally forceful personality, she did not dare vent it directly. Instead, she shot Oguri Hayashi a vicious glare. In her eyes, this was all because Lady Tsunade was protecting him.

Oguri Hayashi glanced at her and gave her a faint smile. He said nothing, instead addressing Tsunade. "Let's go. Even Orochimaru might not be able to take down people with such bizarre abilities. We should go add another layer of insurance."

His current level had completely surpassed the boundaries of ordinary Chunin and even Jonin. After his battle with Kong Zhange, he had gained sufficient judgment and confidence in his own combat strength.

Forget a Chunin like Mitaraishi Anko—even if the future Mitaraishi Anko stood before him, he could completely ignore her.

Anko grew even more resentful inside, silently resolving to find an opportunity to retaliate. She still did not know how strong Oguri Hayashi was. After all, his Chakra was only at the bottom tier of Jonin. Anko thought highly of herself and believed Oguri Hayashi was merely a target she could surpass within two years.

By then, Oguri Hayashi and Tsunade had already left Anko's team behind and resumed their pursuit of the two Reincarnators.

Inside a certain room, Orochimaru heard the little snake's message, and a thoughtful smile appeared on his face.

"Tsunade and Lin-kun?" His tongue slipped out slightly without conscious thought. The strike from that night three years ago had left a deep impression on him.

"An enemy they value... how exciting." He picked up the forehead protector and flak jacket from the table, tied the protector around his forehead, put on the jacket, and slowly walked out of the room with his tall, thin frame.

"Let me weigh their capabilities."

Behind him, the bodies of the four Reincarnators Oguri Hayashi had killed last time soaked in a strange solution, twitching faintly in a grotesque and terrifying sight.