Chapter 206
2-in-1-chapter
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The snowfall was growing heavier. Conventional signal flares and flash bombs were useless in this weather. Fortunately, their team included Yamanaka Santen. Upon realizing that their target was Orochimaru, he had immediately used a long-range mental transmission technique to contact Yamanaka Mokuren and deliver a brief report requesting reinforcements.
This area had been chosen by Orochimaru as an ideal lookout point.
The high ridge offered a clear view of the battlefield, and because of that, they had caught sight of the two Susanoo clashing with the Eight-Tails. That scene gave them a sliver of hope. Even if the main battle wasn't over yet, surely some forces could be spared to send reinforcements.
It was the only thought they had to stave off despair.
"The problem is we might not last until the reinforcements arrive."
Hyūga Kamon bit down on a ration pill, giving a bitter smile. "My chakra… it's almost gone."
Shibi didn't argue.
Chakra depletion.
That was the shared, unsolvable problem all four of them faced.
If Susanoo and the Tailed Beasts had shown an overwhelming, unstoppable kind of power, then what Orochimaru now revealed was a different kind—silent, creeping power, like a python coiling slowly around its prey, tightening with each breath until resistance was gone and the prey was swallowed whole.
The simplest C-rank Wind Style and Earth Style techniques, when used by Orochimaru, took on a level of power that defied description. Each time, he managed to unleash them with astonishing precision, extracting maximum effect at the most opportune moments.
Aburame Shibi's insects were decimated by attacks that combined Wind Style with explosive tags. Yamanaka Santen's mental techniques were repeatedly disrupted by the small snakes Orochimaru summoned. Inuzuka Chai and his ninken, Haru, had their attacks smoothly deflected with Earth Style.
As for Hyūga Kamon's Gentle Fist, it was practically ineffective. In Kamon's Byakugan vision, Orochimaru's entire body was wrapped in serpents—there wasn't a single point where he could safely strike. The only option was to use the highly chakra-draining technique, Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm, just to engage in combat.
After all, Orochimaru was effortlessly handling them all.
They, in contrast, could not afford to hold anything back. Every move was made with full force. Their chakra reserves were draining rapidly, and they had already consumed multiple military ration pills.
"Are reinforcements close?"
Orochimaru suddenly spoke. The question, oddly enough, seemed completely out of place.
"No answer...? Are you worried I'm stalling for time? Hmph. Don't worry. I've already wasted enough time with you. If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead by now."
As he spoke, Orochimaru came to a halt. He no longer continued pursuing Shibi and the others—because the one he had been waiting for had finally arrived.
Through the falling snow, a flash of crimson raced toward them.
"So, you've come at last. But… I didn't expect you to come in person. Uchiha Clan Head—or should I call you the Hokage's advisor?" Orochimaru stood calmly in the snow, a poised smile on his face.
"Everyone all right?"
Rēn stopped in front of Shibi and the others.
He glanced over them quickly. None of them appeared to be seriously injured—just suffering from excessive chakra depletion. That wasn't a major issue. Every shinobi faced this kind of strain regularly, and unless one had the blood of the Sage of Six Paths, they always carried enough military ration pills to compensate.
It was common knowledge that military ration pills sold even better than the Uchiha clan's explosive tags. Chakra was the core of every shinobi—without it, even something as basic as running across rooftops was impossible.
"We're fine, Hokage's advisor. Please be careful. Orochimaru doesn't seem to be targeting us directly—we may have just been bait."
Aburame Shibi quickly relayed his observations.
"I understand. You all fall back. I'll handle this."
Rēn gave a small wave, signaling them off.
Shibi said nothing more. He bowed slightly and turned to leave, taking Yamanaka Santen, Hyūga Kamon, and Inuzuka Chai with him. They withdrew in the direction Rēn had come from—toward the main Konoha force. Their movements were sharp and clean, showing no hesitation.
In their current condition, staying behind would not only be unhelpful, it would likely become a liability.
So it was better to leave entirely.
After all, with Rēn's ability, even Orochimaru would have a hard time gaining the upper hand.
Without watching them go, Rēn turned his gaze toward Orochimaru. The man, still wearing a pleasant smile, met his eyes directly without hesitation.
"Shadow Clone?"
Rēn asked the question aloud, but he was already certain—the Orochimaru before him was not the real body. The moment that thought settled, any intent to make a move immediately dissipated.
"Yes, it was a Shadow Clone."
Orochimaru admitted it without the slightest hesitation.
"After experiencing the power of the Sharingan firsthand back in the Land of Water, I've no intention of attempting that again any time soon."
"No wonder you're one of the Legendary Sannin. Even a single Shadow Clone was enough to make Aburame Shibi and the others struggle," Rēn remarked calmly, then asked, "So, Orochimaru, did you wait here on purpose for me? What are you really after?"
He was genuinely curious. Orochimaru had been skulking around the edge of the battlefield between Konoha and the Hidden Cloud, discovered by Aburame Shibi's group, and rather than retreat, he had used them as bait—to lure out someone.
"Getting straight to the point, are we? Clan Head Uchiha, I believe this is our first time meeting face-to-face?"
"I've seen you from afar a few times. Of course, I was just a low-ranking Chūnin back then—not worth Lord Orochimaru's attention."
"Hah! A fifteen-year-old serving as the Hokage's advisor… You're far more capable than an old relic like me. The Uchiha truly produce exceptional talent—it's enough to make one envious."
Orochimaru extended his long tongue and licked his lips, the golden vertical pupils in his eyes gleaming with undisguised hunger.
That look made Rēn raise an eyebrow slightly.
Could it be… Orochimaru had set his sights on the Uchiha again? Uchiha Itachi was still serving in the army and hadn't come into contact with Orochimaru, so that meant… this was likely about Shisui. Apparently, their last encounter in the Land of Water had left quite an impression.
"If you have something to say, then say it. I'm not interested in wasting time chatting with a Shadow Clone. Of course, if you'd be willing to appear in person, I might be inclined to give you a little more of my time."
Rēn's gaze swept over the snow-covered mountains and forests around them, but he quickly pulled it back.
Earlier, Aburame Shibi, Hyūga Kamon, and Yamanaka Santen hadn't noticed anything suspicious, and if they hadn't, then it was unlikely he would find Orochimaru's true body on his own. There was no point in wasting effort on something so futile.
"What an impatient child. Very well, then I'll be direct. Clan Head Uchiha, one of my students was taken by Shisui. I'd like to ask if you'd be willing to return him to me?" Orochimaru asked with a pleasant smile.
"You mean Kimimaro?"
"That's right."
"That's all?"
"Well, not quite. But some things are impossible by nature, so there's no need to bring them up and sour the mood." His words were vague, but Rēn had already confirmed what he suspected—Orochimaru had once again fixated on the Uchiha as targets.
"Orochimaru, if you dare lay a hand on any of my clan members, I will hunt you to the ends of the earth and kill you myself."
"Oh?"
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. "So you've already learned quite a bit from Kimimaro, haven't you?"
"You mean your research into immortality? Kimimaro was to be your next vessel, right? Let me make one thing clear: if you so much as attempt to use anyone from my clan as a vessel, no matter how troublesome it may be, I will make absolutely certain you die. Don't doubt my ability—I know many things you don't."
Rēn drew the Uchia Fan from his back, pointing it directly at Orochimaru, killing intent radiating from his entire body.
As clan head, It was his duty to protect his people.