Chapter 236:
Konoha Village.
Shikamaru's Office.
"Hm? What is it?"
Shikamaru looked up and asked the Anbu ninja who had appeared at the doorway.
"Sir, Hyūga Hanabi, Nara Shikadai, Yamanaka Inojin, and Akimichi Chōchō—those four appear to be following our people."
The Anbu reported to Shikamaru.
"I see." Shikamaru tapped his index finger on the desk as he thought for a moment, then said, "I'll find a way to deal with those four."
Temporary Base for the Secret Infiltration Mission.
"...I see."
After ending the call, Gray Wolf set down the scientific ninja tool and hurriedly added another piece of lamb into Red Wolf's bowl.
At first, Jiraiya had been reluctant, but now he was completely used to it. He casually picked up the lamb that Gray Wolf had placed in his bowl and began eating while speaking, "What happened this time?"
"The liquid metal robot in the village just sent a report…"
At the mention of the liquid metal robot hidden in Konoha, Jiraiya immediately became more alert. Meanwhile, Gray Wolf, unaware of anything strange about Red Wolf's behavior, continued speaking.
"It seems Konoha has grown suspicious of the liquid robots. That means it's about time to move to the final phase of the plan. Honey, once this plan succeeds, S.H.I.E.L.D. will definitely value me more. When that imposter who looks like me gets kicked out, we'll finally be together forever!
"Sure, it's a little humiliating for someone like me, who once ruled Green Grassland, to now be living under someone else's roof—but as long as there's lamb with every meal, I guess I can put up with it."
With his face beaming, Clone Gray Wolf looked like he was basking in the promise of a blissful future.
"Honey, you stay here and enjoy your lamb. I'm going to Konoha now with Little Gray."
Gray Wolf stood up, placing his bowl down.
"Ah, wait!" Jiraiya quickly set down his bowl, full of lamb, and said, "I'll go with you."
Gray Wolf gazed affectionately at Red Wolf. Only after Jiraiya started to break out in goosebumps did he finally say, "Alright, honey. From now on, I'll never leave your side again."
"Huh?"
Jiraiya couldn't quite keep up.
"Little Gray, make sure to protect your mom during this mission."
"Yes, Dad."
Jiraiya still wasn't sure what exactly was going on, but it seemed like Gray Wolf had agreed to let him come along to Konoha.
Outside Konoha Village.
"Who... exactly are you?"
Akimichi Chōchō instinctively took a step back, staring at the group of four in front of her—Hyūga Hanabi, Nara Shikadai, Yamanaka Inojin, and herself, Akimichi Chōchō.
"Damn it!" Shikadai clenched his teeth as realization dawned on him. "Konoha must've already been infiltrated by these guys…"
"What?!" Inojin looked at Shikadai in disbelief. "You're not joking, are you?"
"No, Shikadai's probably right. In fact, the situation might be even worse than we thought," Hanabi said grimly, glancing sideways at Shikadai.
"Yeah." As Shikadai reached into his ninja pouch for shuriken, he continued, "My father has probably already been replaced."
Even the true decision-makers at the top of the village had been taken over—who knew how many people in Konoha were still genuine?
"Where are the people you replaced!"
Hanabi assumed the Gentle Fist stance as she shouted.
"They're locked up, of course. Lord Orochimaru still needs plenty of materials for his experiments."
Since the liquid robots were created by Clone Gray Wolf, when they referred to "Gray Wolf," they were speaking only of the clone. The figure who shared the same appearance but was actually Orochimaru was referred to by his original name.
The liquid robot version of Hanabi smirked wickedly.
"Orochimaru?!"
Hanabi's expression changed in shock. She had never interacted with Orochimaru personally, but she had heard plenty about his name and deeds.
To put it simply—Orochimaru was trouble. Especially now, since he'd joined the even more troublesome S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Well, isn't this a lively scene…"
A cloud of black mist floated in. From it stepped forth Evilmoku, followed by the four ancient Ability Beasts and the Imperial Armor.
"Who are those weirdos? They're so ugly…"
Chōchō peeked out from behind Hanabi and whispered as she stared at Evilmoku and the group.
"Evilmoku…" Hanabi took a step back and glanced at Shikadai, Inojin, and Chōchō beside her. She spoke softly, "I'll buy you time to escape."
Just dealing with the four liquid metal robots was enough of a headache—they couldn't use ninjutsu, but their shapeshifting made them hard to handle. Now Evilmoku had joined the fray.
She didn't recognize the four Ability Beasts or the armor standing beside them, but Hanabi instinctively felt they were dangerous.
"...But it looks like they don't intend to give us a chance to run," Shikadai said with a heavy expression.
Just as he finished speaking, a purple energy blast suddenly shot out from the sunken face of Chaos.
"Eight Trigrams Palm: Rotation!"
Hanabi's hands surged with chakra as she spun at high speed, creating a dome of chakra for an all-around absolute defense.
The blast was deflected into the forest beside them, causing an explosion.
"Hanabi-nee, are you okay?"
As Hanabi came to a stop and the protective sphere dissipated, Chōchō looked at her hands in concern.
Her hands were marked with burn wounds and trembled slightly.
"Shadow Imitation Technique!"
Shikadai's shadow spread out in a circle from his feet. Changing from a single target to group control increased the mental burden significantly.
But the moment his shadow made contact, the technique was instantly broken.
"Shikadai, are you alright?"
Inojin quickly stepped up to steady the retreating Shikadai.
"I… I'm fine…"
Though he said that, his tightly furrowed brows and gritted teeth said otherwise.
Taotie, wielding a blade in his right hand and shield in his left, stepped forward—only for Evilmoku to block his path.
Evilmoku glanced at the Imperial Armor, who stood nearby with arms crossed, and said, "Emperor, I'm leaving these guys to you. Show me your strength."
Even though Black Emperor had claimed that the Imperial Armor had been brainwashed and was under their control, Evilmoku still harbored doubts.
The Imperial Armor slowly lowered his arms and began walking toward Hanabi and the others.