Shadow of Land of Rain
The expressions on the faces of Maruboshi Kosuke and Shisui Uchiha froze instantly.
Shisui subconsciously wanted to say something, such as "Little Chen just experienced a life-and-death battle and needs to rest." But when the words came to his lips, they were blocked by Orochimaru's golden snake eyes without any emotion.
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru."
In the end, Maruboshi Kosuke, who was more experienced, broke the silence. He stopped Shisui who wanted to argue, bowed deeply to Orochimaru, and then patted Shisui on the shoulder to signal him not to be impulsive.
"Little Chen, pay attention to safety." Maruboshi Kosuke's voice was still hoarse. He took a deep look at Senju Chen, his eyes full of complex emotions, including worry and a hint of helpless loneliness.
Shisui bit his lip tightly, and in the end he could only nod reluctantly. He walked up to Senju Chen and whispered, "Chen, if... if you encounter danger, just..."
"Don't worry, Shisui." Senju Chen raised his head and showed him a bright and innocent smile, "Teacher Orochimaru is here, everything will be fine."
His smile, like a ray of sunshine, temporarily dispelled the haze in Shisui's heart. Shisui nodded heavily to Senju Chen.
Watching the figures of Maruboshi Kosuke and Shisui disappear into the morning mist in the forest, the smile on Senju Chen's face slowly faded away.
He turned around and looked at Orochimaru, who stood like a sculpture in the shadow, and asked in a curious tone, "Teacher, where are we... going? Are there any other tasks?"
Orochimaru did not answer immediately. His golden vertical pupils stayed on Senju Chen's face for a few seconds, as if he was admiring an interesting collection. He seemed to enjoy the feeling of being in control of everything and watching others get confused in the situation he had set up.
After a long time, he finally uttered a hoarse monosyllable from his throat.
"Teeth."
This word, like a thunder, exploded in Senju Chen's mind!
Teeth!
Hatake Sakumo!
The Konoha's White Fang who was supposed to "die", but under his own arrangement, wandered in the shadow of Shinobi World as a bounty hunter!
Senju Chen's expression calmed instantly. No wonder Orochimaru wanted to get rid of Grandpa Kosuke and Shisui. Hatake Sakumo was already a "dead person" in the eyes of most Konoha people.
"Teacher, are we going to Land of Rain?"
"Let's go." Orochimaru did not explain in depth. He turned around and walked in the opposite direction to Konoha, "I will tell you on the way."
The two did not go directly to their destination.
Orochimaru took Senju Chen, made many twists and turns, and finally entered an extremely hidden underground base on the border of Land of Fire.
The style here is exactly the same as his stronghold in Konoha, with cold metal walls, dim lights, and the pungent smell of disinfectant mixed with some unknown medicine filling the air. The culture tanks on both sides of the passage are soaked in various creepy biological specimens.
Orochimaru seemed to be conducting some kind of experiment here. He let Senju Chen rest in a room while he disappeared deeper into the base.
Senju Chen didn't move. He sat cross-legged on the cold metal bed, but his brain was running rapidly.
Why did Orochimaru suddenly mention "teeth"?
The original transaction was that he exchanged Hashirama Cells for Orochimaru to fake the death of Hatake Sakumo. This matter should have been an absolute secret between the two.
Now, Orochimaru took the initiative to mention that he also took himself to perform related tasks. What does this mean?
This means that his original self-righteous layout, the secret chess piece used to contain Danzo and placed in Shinobi World at the same time - Hatake Sakumo, may have been part of Konoha High Command's calculations from the beginning.
I once again became a pawn on someone else's chessboard.
'Damn, these old monsters are more clever than briquettes!'
Senju Chen cursed in his heart, but he quickly calmed down. Anger can't solve any problems, but will affect his judgment. What he needs to do now is to figure out Orochimaru's true purpose.
One day later, Orochimaru appeared again.
His energy seemed much better than yesterday, and his pale face even had a sickly rosiness. It was obvious that he was satisfied with the research at the base.
"Let's go."
Without any unnecessary nonsense, the two of them hit the road again, heading west towards the Land of Fire border at high speed.
As they went deeper, the sky began to become gloomy and the air became more humid. When the first drop of cold rain hit Senju Chen's face, he knew that they had entered the country that is shrouded in rain all year round - Land of Rain.
"Hatake Sakumo, codenamed 'Ya', has been lurking in Land of Rain to monitor Hanzo of the Salamander for a long time. This is what you originally proposed."
Orochimaru's voice sounded a little erratic amid the patter of rain.
"He recently found an important piece of S-class information at Land of Rain, which is related to Iwagakure. The information must be sent back to the village as soon as possible."
What a piece of S-class information! What a nice way!
The Land of Grass border is indeed not far from Land of Rain, but it can't be explained by "just on the way". Orochimaru, as one of the Sannins, wants to personally receive a piece of information from Jiraiya? Is there no one at Konoha? Do you still need to bring a six-year-old "oil bottle" like yourself?
"You have a good relationship with Hatake Sakumo, and you can be considered half of his disciple." Orochimaru seemed to see through Senju Chen's silence and continued to speak in his hoarse voice. He said, "Kakashi, that kid, has grown up very fast recently because of you. If you go to see him and tell him Kakashi's current situation, it will also make him feel more at ease serving the village."
This sounds reasonable and humane.
But to Senju Chen's ears, every word was full of calculation.
The S-class information may be true, but allowing myself to meet Hatake Sakumo is one of the real purposes!
It is true to use Kakashi as an emotional bond to deepen the connection between yourself and Hatake Sakumo, so that Hatake Sakumo can be more obedient and work harder for Konoha!
And I am the tool that transmits information, the rope that holds the "teeth"!
Senju Chen For the first time since he time traveled, he felt so clearly that in the eyes of these Shinobi World giants, his so-called "Wood Release genius" and Konoha's high-end combat power "Wood Industry White Fang" were nothing more than tools in the eyes of senior executives, nothing more than how to use them.
In the final analysis, I still don't have enough strength!
If he had the power to calm down troubled times like First Hokage, who would dare to use him as bait? Who would dare to use him as a tool?
However, this time I go to Land of Rain, I can also let Hatake Sakumo pay attention to the dynamics of "Akatsuki". If Hatake Sakumo can join in and become an early member of "Akatsuki", it will be more perfect for my later layout.
Third, Danzo, Orochimaru, and those Konoha High Command, everyone is playing chess, but you people will never imagine that a 6-year-old child can see farther than you and make more accurate moves.
"I understand, teacher."
Senju Chen raised his head, and the rainwater slid down his young cheeks. His eyes, which were washed by the rain and were particularly bright, shone with "pure" fighting spirit and gratitude.
"I'm very happy to be able to contribute to the village and to see Uncle Sakumo!" He clenched his fists, with just the right amount of excitement and anticipation on his face.
Seeing his appearance, the corners of Orochimaru's mouth curled up with a hint of satisfaction.
What a perfect piece of jade.
Talent, character, bloodline... all are impeccable.
With a little guidance, you will be able to take over your "class" in the future.
The two walked through the continuous rain, with endless mud and puddles under their feet, and surrounded by towering steel buildings. The whole world took on a gray and depressing tone.