A tremor shook the mountain.
The massive cracks and the high-temperature molten river instantly swallowed nearly half of the Jashin elites. Before they could even let out a scream, they were vaporized. The surviving ninjas, faces pale with horror, immediately used Body Flicker to escape the range of the combined jutsu and regroup.
Ren Uchiha seized this opening. He swung his blade with sudden violence.
Uchiha Style: Setsuna Void Slash!
A moonlight-colored arc ignited. In a split second, the long blade severed six incoming spears, three fireballs, and a wind blade. Just as it struck the seventh spear, the blade snapped with a loud crack.
But it was enough. Ren tilted his head, the final black spear grazing his cheek. He didn't wait to see if he could cut through sixteen more; he turned and bolted.
As soon as he reached Mei Terumī's side, she began weaving signs: Ox - Snake - Ram.
Water Style: Hidden Mist Jutsu!
She exhaled a thick, impenetrable fog that instantly rose, swallowing the battlefield. Mei's version of the Hidden Mist was even more potent than Zabuza's would be in the future; it was a mist capable of buying time even against Madara's Rinnegan.
The Jashin elites lost all visibility instantly.
"What is this?!"
"The mist is too thick, I can't see!"
"Mist Ninjas? How did they find us?"
The leader narrowed his eyes, lowering his lightning-coated spear. He roared to stabilize his men: "Don't panic! Wind users, blow the mist away! Everyone else, guard the cavern entrance—don't let them through!"
The fog spread, drowning half the castle. Sunlight scattered through the mist, turning the old fortress into a golden, dreamlike blur. Even with his Sharingan active, Ren's vision was limited.
Suddenly, a soft hand grabbed his wrist, pulling him through the white void.
"Move! We're heading inside. I've located where they're holding Hidan," Mei whispered as they ran. "Also, this place is more dangerous than I thought. The Jashin members are gathering outside, and three more squads are trailing us. One is led by one of the few Jonin of Yugakure—and he's not wearing a rogue headband. It's strange... are they the Jashin Cult, or is the entire Yugakure involved?"
Ren pondered this but shook his head. "Let's stick to the plan for now."
They scaled the inner walls of the castle, finally losing their pursuers. But someone they hadn't expected was already waiting for them on the inner ramparts.
The man wore a unique combat outfit with a purple shimenawa rope tied around his waist. Long black hair, golden slit pupils, purple eye shadow extending to his nose, and pale skin. He wore blue magatama-shaped earrings.
Seeing the two climb up, he let out a raspy, chilling laugh.
"Heh heh heh... This is quite a rarity. A Mist ninja and an Uchiha, together here."
Ren and Mei's pupils shrunk. Standing before them was one of the legendary Sannin—Orochimaru!
His gaze, though he was smiling, was cold enough to make one feel like they were in an ice prison. It crawled over them like a venomous snake waiting for the perfect moment to strike. An invisible, suffocating killing intent began to spread.
Ren frowned but remained calm. According to the timeline, after the Second Ninja War, Orochimaru had witnessed the deaths of Nawaki, Dan Katō, and his parents. He was obsessed with the fragility of life and craved immortality. Right now, he was likely looking for Shinnō and the Physical Rebirth jutsu to perfect his Living Corpse Reincarnation.
More importantly, no "hatred subtitles" appeared for Orochimaru. He didn't care about them—he wanted Shinnō.
Orochimaru glanced at Ren. An Uchiha working outside the village wasn't a secret, but an Uchiha kid acting friendly with a Mist elite? That was... interesting.
"I received intel that a doctor was following you," Orochimaru said, his voice cold and direct. "Hooded, grey hair, yellow coat. Tell me, where is he now?"
Ren narrowed his eyes. Shinnō had saved his life; he wasn't going to sell him out. He stared directly into Orochimaru's golden eyes and sneered.
"I don't know."
Ren knew that as the second-in-command of Root, Orochimaru was naturally opposed to the Uchiha. But he also knew Orochimaru was unpredictable. If the Sannin killed him, it would just be a "sudden event" in the eyes of the system.
I've got 'health insurance,' why should I be afraid to talk back?
Orochimaru's slit pupils shimmered with a dangerous light.
[Orochimaru thinks you are seeking death.]
"Is that so?" Orochimaru licked his lips, his gaze turning sinister. "I hope you can stay this 'tough' in a moment."
Ren smiled, his crimson Sharingan spinning as he faced the legend. "I've always preferred the hard way over the easy one. What's the matter, Orochimaru? You want to make a move?"
The atmosphere turned volatile. The air felt heavy with the scent of gunpowder, ready to explode at any moment. To hear a mere brat address him by name without a single honorific like 'Sama' made Orochimaru's smile even colder.
He stared at Ren as if he were already a specimen on an operating table.
[Orochimaru wants to dissect your brain for research.]