Chapter 42: Orochimaru: Oh, ho-ho! Things are getting interesting.
Orochimaru recalled that he had just said he wanted to go deal with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen with Yue Yan. But why was Yue Yan looking at him like that, with a hint of pity in his eyes?
"Yue Yan-kun, is there any Mondai?"
Hearing this, Yue Yan shook his head.
"It's okay."
Seeing that Yue Yan didn't want to talk, Orochimaru didn't ask further and started discussing the results of today's experiment with Yue Yan.
Just like that, two days passed.
One night, Might Guy, Xiaolan, the future perverted teacher Ebisu, and the future Chunin Exams examiner Genma Shiranui formed a four - man team to go on patrol.
This time, the area they were going to patrol was relatively close to the Land of Water. But since nothing had happened in the previous two days, Might Guy and the others looked very relaxed and chatted and laughed all the way.
As for Xiaolan, since only Yue Yan could understand what he said, he didn't join their conversation either.
When they reached a certain area, Xiaolan, with his keen sense of smell, suddenly smelled seven strange scents. This made him immediately guard up, and he warned Might Guy and the others.
Although Might Guy and the others didn't notice anything, they still trusted Xiaolan very much and all stopped, looking around warily.
They didn't have to wait long before a burst of laughter reached their ears.
"I didn't expect it to be just three kids and a summoning beast this time. It seems our luck isn't very good. We didn't run into any big fish."
Jinin Akebino carried the Blasting Blade Hiramekarei and eyed Xiaolan and the others teasingly.
"I think our luck is actually quite good. Today's mission has become very easy."
Kusagari Kugutsu, wearing a Mist Ninjas Anbu mask, retorted. Then, his Malice enveloped Xiaolan and the others without the slightest disguise.
"I love to torture and kill weaklings like these."
Hearing this, Jujumaru, who had stuck the Beheading Prison Chop in the ground, couldn't help but roll his eyes and looked extremely disgusted. After all, compared to attacking the weak, he preferred to fight against the strong.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen chatted as if no one else was around and didn't take Xiaolan and the others seriously at all.
Xiaolan, who had sensed with his Aura Power that everyone on the other side was very powerful, broke out in a cold sweat on his forehead. He waved his hand to signal Might Guy and the others to run away quickly while the enemy wasn't paying attention to them.
Might Guy and the others, who also realized that the opponents were tough, didn't hesitate. Instead, they immediately turned around and ran towards the Konoha front - line position.
Seeing this, Kusagari Kugutsu licked his lips hidden under the mask. The more the prey struggled and resisted, the more interesting their despair would be when he killed them.
Then, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen also started to move and followed Xiaolan and the others at a distance.
Xiaolan and Might Guy were in relatively good condition. As Gitai experts, they still had plenty of energy. However, Ebisu and Genma Shiranui, who had been running at full speed, were gasping for breath. They felt a burning sensation in their lungs, and their mouths were filled with the metallic taste of blood.
Although they were already close to the front line of Konoha, it was obvious that the enemies wouldn't give them a chance to keep moving forward.
Realizing this, Xiaolan began to form hand seals, intending to use reverse summoning to call Yue Yan over.
However, Xiaolan's paws were not suitable for forming hand seals. Moreover, it hadn't practiced this deliberately before. To avoid making mistakes, it formed the seals very slowly.
But at this moment, a cold glint shot towards Xiaolan's head like a snake spitting out its tongue.
Seeing this, Xiaolan had to abandon forming the seals and dodged the attack sideways.
"Nice reaction!"
Kusagari Kugutsu flicked his arm, and the wire retracted the connected long - blade Nuibari into his hand.
At this time, Raiga Kurosuki looked at Xiaolan greedily.
"This summoning beast is good. It's mine. Later, I'll skin it. I should be able to make a nice piece of clothing out of its hide."
Hearing this, the other members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen shrugged, indicating that they didn't care.
Except for Jujumaru, who didn't want to attack the weak, and Captain Kibaku Kuroishi, the others—Kisame Hoshigaki, Kusagari Kugutsu, Raiga Kurosuki, and an unknown Mist Ninja wielding the two - bladed Hiramekarei—each had their own target.
After seeing the prey had been distributed, Raiga Kurosuki bared his teeth in a hideous grin and rushed towards Xiaolan, waving his Thunder Sabre Fuguki Suikazan.
Seeing this, Xiaolan didn't dare to be careless. It gathered Wave Missile in both hands and blasted them at Raiga Kurosuki.
After Raiga Kurosuki felt the attack, he concentrated his chakra on the Thunder Sabre Fuguki Suikazan and released two thick Lightning Flash. The Wave Missile was detonated in mid - air, and then he rushed towards Xiaolan without losing momentum.
Although Xiaolan's strength had skyrocketed after evolving into Lucario, it was still too soon. Xiaolan could handle an ordinary Jonin, but when facing Raiga Kurosuki, an elite Jonin even in the cruel Mist Ninja Village, it could only defend itself.
Fortunately, Xiaolan had often sparred with Yue Yan before, so it was very familiar with various Lightning Release jutsu. Even though the moves were different, it could barely dodge.
Seeing that ninjutsu wasn't very effective against Xiaolan, Raiga Kurosuki then added a dazzling blue Lightning Flash to his Thunder Sabre Fuguki Suikazan and engaged Xiaolan in close combat.
Although Xiaolan was good at Gitai, Raiga Kurosuki's skills had been honed through life - and - death situations. In terms of Gitai, Xiaolan might be on par with Raiga Kurosuki, but the bonus from the Thunder Sabre Fuguki Suikazan was too great.
It could even be said that half of Raiga Kurosuki's strength lies in the Thunder Sabre Fuguki Suikazan.
Their Gitai skills were comparable, but the Lightning Release jutsu that Raiga Kurosuki used from time to time still caused many injuries to Xiaolan.
However, compared to the other three who were dealing with Might Guy and the others in a playful manner, Raiga Kurosuki was much more serious when facing Xiaolan. Therefore, the commotion from this battle was also the greatest.
Kibaku Kuroishi, watching the battle from behind, was slightly dissatisfied as they were now in close proximity to Konoha's front - line camp, and there was a risk that some sensory ninjas might detect the commotion and come to the rescue.
However, he believed that as long as Orochimaru, the front - line commander, didn't show up in person, there wouldn't be a problem. So he was just dissatisfied.
"Hey, what's the point of this kind of battle?"
Jujumaru, wielding the Beheading Prison Chop, couldn't help but complain.
Just then, Might Duy, with green flames surging all over his body, arrived here.
When the Seven Ninja Swordsmen saw the imposing manner emanating from Might Duy, out of caution, they all stopped fighting and retreated to the rear.
"Yo! Finally, a worthy opponent shows up!"
Jujumaru, who had been slacking off before, now showed a bit of interest and stared intently at Might Duy.
"Father!"
Seeing Might Duy, Guy was very shocked. He didn't understand why a Genin like him would appear here.
Ebisu and Genma Shiranui were initially overjoyed at the sight of reinforcements, but when they realized it was Guy's father, despair washed over them again.
Might Duy let out a sigh after seeing that his son was okay.
"I heard the sound of battle coming from the patrol direction. Fortunately, I opened six gates. I'm glad I made it in time."
"Father! You should leave quickly! You'll just increase the casualties even as a Genin."
Hearing Guy's anxious shout, Might Duy just spoke softly.
"Guy! I'm here to buy you guys some time!"
"Don't be joking. The other side is the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. You have no chance of winning, Father."
Hearing this, Might Duy just smiled and gave a thumbs - up.
"Guy! Youth never retreats! You guys, my beloved ones, are right behind me. So, this is my last burst of youth!"
"Father..."
Guy's voice started to choke, and his eyes were moist. He had already realized what his father was going to do.
However, before Guy could say anything else, Xiaolan, who had just finished forming hand seals beside him, slapped the ground with one palm.
With a puff of smoke rising, Yue Yan appeared here, holding Orochimaru's figure.
This scene was very sudden, and no one present noticed it.
However, Yue Yan didn't have the mood to care about these things. He quickly came in front of Xiaolan. Looking at the wounds on her body, Yue Yan involuntarily exuded a strong killing intent.
The killing intent was so intense that it was almost as strong as when Orochimaru had tested Yue Yan before.
Ebisu only felt a sudden difficulty in breathing. He had known Yue Yan before, but he really didn't expect Yue Yan's killing intent to be so strong.
Suddenly, as if having an idea, he rolled his eyes and said.
"Yue Yan, that guy with two blades over there said he'd skin Xiaolan and make clothes out of her skin."
Hearing this, Orochimaru, who had a bit of an understanding of Yue Yan's personality, put on a playful look.
"Oh-ho! This is getting real interesting!"