Drip--
Drip--
The sound of water droplets echoed continuously in a dark underground laboratory.
Shigen Hidezawa, wearing an ANBU uniform, cautiously followed a purple-haired female ANBU member towards the front.
The dark passage was like a path to a forbidden realm. Ordinary people would probably feel a chill in their spine upon seeing this up close.
"Be careful, this place is suspected to be the laboratory of the rogue ninja Orochimaru." The purple-haired girl whispered to Shigen after taking a glance up ahead.
"Plus, we have been separated from the other squads, so stay focused, an engagement may start at any time"
"Thanks for the reminder, Yugao senpai."
Shigen nodded, but his words made Uzuki Yugao, who was in front, pause.
"Aren't you familiar with the standard operation procedure? Use code names during missions, Also, be ready. We might have to face Orochimaru!"
"Yes - Senpai, I understand."
Yugao was clearly somewhat dissatisfied with Shigen, especially since they, as ANBU, represented the Hokage and Konoha, they had to be perfect in every manner of conduct.
In recent years, Konoha's situation has been very bad, Shinobi's, especially ANBU operatives should not be this sloppy.
Five years ago, the Nine-Tailed Fox incident caused Konoha to lose the Fourth Hokage and his wife.
After that, just a year later, Orochimaru, one of the Sannin of Konoha, defected from Konoha.
And last year, the Kumogakure almost started a war with Konoha after an attempt to kidnap a Hyuga clansman.
With the international tensions rising, and Konoha's gradual decline, It can be said that Konoha is currently in a very delicate situation.
As ANBU, they naturally have to work hard for the reputation of Konoha, especially since they were finally able to obtain information regarding Orochimaru.
"Something's Off here, be careful..." Just as Yugao was warning him, Shigen suddenly ducked and pulled her aside, both of them falling on the ground as they dodged incoming projectiles.
Whoosh---
Whoosh---
Whoosh---
Several kunai accompanied by the sound of piercing the air came towards them, narrowly missing their necks as the both of them got back up.
They were ambushed!
"Damn it! Its a setup" Yugao cursed in a low voice as she steadied herself, quickly drawing the ninja sword she had behind her as she turned to Shigen.
"Weapons out! we are..."
But before she could finish speaking, the explosive tags tied to the kunai's detonated.
Boom!
Boom!
Firelight and thick smoke enveloped the surroundings as both of them were knocked back by the shockwave.
Using this smoke and disorientation as cover, several figures approached the two of them at high speeds.
As Yugao was regaining her sense of hearing again, Shigen quickly formed hand seals, pressing both of his palms on the ground
'What a strong chakra...' Yugao was a little surprised seeing Shigen effortlessly mold a strong Jutsu in his hands.
Although she was barely Fourteen years old right now, being an ANBU already showed that her talent was very exceptional.
However, before this mission, she had seen Shigen's report, this newly joined ANBU was even younger than her, 'No wonder his evaluation report was excellent.' She thought as she watched him successfully cast a strong Jutsu in under a second.
The ground shook up as it suddenly cracked, countless spikes made up of hardened stone rising from the ground as they swept through those attacking figures.
As the smoke enveloped the area, and Shigen didn't waste any time as he used one of the spikes as a boost and jumped up, plunging straight into the smoke while forming seals with his hands.
This scene made Yugao's expression change slightly again.
'He's too reckless, Those shinobi's are probably Orochimaru's subordinates, it won't be easy to take them all on!"
Although Yugao was dissatisfied with Shigen's previous attitude, as a fellow ANBU, she was still very much concerned about him.
The ANBU are supposed to be the Hokage's direct troops, his sword and shield, each one bearing the "Will of Fire", each one being not just a shinobi, but an asset to the village itself.
Even if the ANBU are somewhat extreme and will do anything for the village, they are still much better than the ROOT, which doesn't care about the life or death of their teammates.
"I must help him!"
The sword in Yugao's hand flickered with a cold blue light. She wanted to find an opportunity to go in and help Shigen
However, soon, she realized that something seemed to be a bit off?
Even though the smoke enveloped the area, she could still distinguish Shigen's figure, after all, he looked a bit shorter than the others. (T/N: He's a Short King)
Yugao could see through the smoke as Shigen's figure darted around the attackers, moving almost like a ghost while constantly launching attacks.
It was as if his short stature did not affect his combat effectiveness at all.
Ding--
Ding--
Ding--
The sound of metal clashing echoed continuously inside the smoke with occasional yelling followed by a deadly silence
That kind of sharp speed, that kind of use of techniques really left Yugao dumbfounded.
Before long, the smoke dissipated.
Shigen's sole figure was standing in the middle, He stood there calmly, wiping the blood off his Kunai as he stood there, surrounded by the fallen bodies of the attackers
Looking at this scene, Yugao soon realized that she hadn't done anything, instead, she had just stood there with her sword in her hands.
"You... are you okay?" Although she was a flustered a bit, Yugao still asked with concern.
But as Shigen turned around, he grabbed her hand and pulled her directly behind him.
This action made Yugao want to say something, but the next moment, she froze, because she heard footsteps approaching unhurriedly.
Almost menacingly.
As the footsteps approached, an invisible pressure kept increasing on her!
Before long, a man in white, with a pale face and orange-yellow eyes like a snake, vaguely appeared. When Yugao saw this figure, her face under her mask suddenly turned pale.
"Lord Orochimaru!"
The ninja sword in her hand involuntarily tightened.
Even though Orochimaru had betrayed Konoha and had became a Rogue ninja, He was still one of the Sannin! His name alone commanded respect!
Countless ninjas had grown up listening to his stories. Ever herself.
Now facing this person, the fear in Yugao's heart was naturally difficult to suppress. Her heartbeat instantly picked up.
"Yugao Senpai, don't worry, I'm here." Shigen spoke in a low, yet comforting voice, assuring Yugao as he took out his own short sword
"Sorry, I lost my composure." His assurance seemed to to the trick as she calmed down, holding her own sword firmly as Shigen shook his head gently and said "You don't need to be, anyone would be nervous facing Orochimaru."
"Yugao Senpai, you should here first, find the others to join up, and then quickly call for backup. I will try my best to hold back Orochimaru."
"No way!" Yugao rejected him immediately. "How can I leave such a dangerous thing to you, I..."
"Yugao Senpai, now is not the time to argue.", Shigen looked at Orochimaru, who was getting closer and closer, and said quickly in a low voice.
"I've read your file, your best chance is your swordsmanship, but swordsmanship is difficult to have a substantial effect against someone like Orochimaru who himself is a master of sword. But I am different. You have seen my abilities, so please trust me."
Yugao hesitated, but hearing the approaching footsteps, she knew her time was running out.
After a quick moment, she gritted her teeth and nodded.
"Don't let anything happen. You must wait for me to come back!"
With that, she took a deep look at Shigen before gritting her teeth and turning away. 'Just don't die', she thought as she ran away.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru walked towards Shigen, stopping about three meters in front of him as he raised hid hands
clap! clap! clap!
Applause sounded.
"Commendable courage, ss~s~so how long do you think you can s~s~stop me?" A hoarse, almost snake like voice sounded as an expression of amusement adorned Orochimaru's pale white face (T/N : Voldemort, is that you?)
Hearing this voice from behind, Yugao felt an even greater pressure and sped up, disappearing in the distance while Shigen stood there in silence, calmly waiting.
After confirming that Yugao had left far enough, he slowly took off his mask.
"Lord Orochimaru, long time no see."
- - - - - - -
T/N : Two Chapters Everyday.
Every 300 Power stones will be an extra chapter
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