"Twin Snakes Mutual Death Technique!" Anko closed her eyes, mentally reciting the incantation for a certain Forbidden Technique, preparing to unleash it.
"You intend to commit suicide here?" Just as her Chakra was about to erupt, Orochimaru's voice came from behind her.
"That was just a substitution," Orochimaru's true form appeared before Anko, speaking calmly.
Hearing Orochimaru, Anko turned her head to see the person she had pinned transform into a pile of mud. A sense of failure and despair washed over her… all her plans vanished in the face of the overwhelming power gap.
"You're a Special Jonin of the village, after all. You can't rely solely on my Forbidden Techniques," Orochimaru said, walking slowly towards Anko. Anko tried to resist, but Orochimaru merely raised his arm, effortlessly catching the kunai she threw.
Then, with a paralysis technique, he instantly rendered Anko's body immobile.
"Why have you come now?" Anko struggled to speak.
"Long time no see. You're so cold," Orochimaru replied lightly.
"Have you come to assassinate the Hokage?!" Anko glared angrily.
"No, no. For that goal, my subordinates are still insufficient," Orochimaru denied, not refuting his desire to kill the Hokage, but stating his forces weren't ready yet.
He then explained his purpose: to place a Cursed Seal, like Anko's, on promising young Ninja in the village...
Despite his cold exterior, Orochimaru held some regard for his former student. Otherwise, he had many chances to kill Anko earlier. If he hadn't warned her when she used the Forbidden Technique on the substitution, she would have died.
After their conversation, Orochimaru issued a final threat before departing.
Takeru, having already left, noted their exchange briefly but paid it no further mind. He headed towards his destination. However, night had fallen, and Takeru didn't plan to reach the tower in one go.
Though ten kilometers was nothing to them, he chose a spot by a river, hunted a large brown bear, and began roasting it.
As for danger? With Observation Haki and his strength, Takeru felt no fear.
His brief clash with Orochimaru confirmed his standing in the Ninja World. While perhaps not invincible, he was certainly among the top tiers, especially in defense, likely rivaling even the Susanoo of Itachi or Madara.
With Armament Haki and Nen reinforcement, his defense would be even higher.
Takeru also realized that while most Ninja had physical attributes far surpassing ordinary people, they weren't extraordinarily high. It was Chakra that brought about qualitative change.
This confirmed that possessing special energy placed one on an entirely different level. Chakra wasn't as weak as he initially thought.
While Ui roasted the bear, Takeru retrieved the scrolls from Orochimaru for inspection.
Aside from four standard C or B-Rank Fire and Wind Release Ninjutsu, there was a scroll for the Five Elements Seal and another for the Mystical Palm Technique.
Takeru wasn't surprised. Orochimaru wouldn't carry his most advanced techniques casually.
After a brief look, Takeru set them aside, unable to comprehend them fully for now.
"Hmm, Takeru, what are these?" Ritsu asked curiously, eyeing the scrolls.
"Some Ninjutsu I got from Orochimaru earlier," Takeru replied, handing her one.
She took it curiously. While she understood the basic concepts, the specifics eluded her. This was normal. Handing someone a martial arts manual didn't guarantee they could master it, and more likely, they wouldn't understand it at all.
Even Ui, who had learned one Ninjutsu, could only look on puzzledly. She might understand more than Takeru or Ritsu, but without Chakra, she couldn't use them.
"Takeru, what's the point of collecting these?" Ritsu asked after a while.
"Of course. Even if we can't use them now, that doesn't mean we never will. Besides, others might need them, or we can trade them later," Takeru explained gently.
Hearing this, Ritsu nodded in understanding. She hadn't considered future use or exchange.
As night deepened, the roasted bear meat was served on a makeshift table in the trees. The three enjoyed their meal heartily.
Suddenly, Takeru sensed a girl with fiery red hair in his Observation Haki range.
Her forehead protector identified her as a Kusagakure's Ninja. Takeru was momentarily surprised by the coincidence. She seemed abandoned by her teammates, trudging through the forest, clutching her stomach, looking dirty and disheveled.
"Ui, Ritsu, keep eating. I'll be right back," Takeru said before vanishing.
In about ten seconds, Takeru appeared beside Karin.
"Hey, you don't look so good. Need some help?"
Karin, enduring hunger and exhaustion, was startled by the sudden voice. She turned warily towards Takeru.
Upon seeing him, she froze. Though the moonlight wasn't as clear as sunlight, Karin could still see his handsome features and the bright, warm smile on his face.
"I..." Sensing no hostility from Takeru, Karin was momentarily at a loss. It had been so long since she'd felt genuine concern that his sudden kindness left her flustered.
Noticing her dazed state, Takeru walked over without hesitation. He took her arm, seeing the numerous bite marks covering it… some old, some fresh.
Seeing Takeru examining her arm, Karin instinctively tried to pull away, not wanting him to see the unpleasant sight.
"Don't move," Takeru said calmly.
Hearing his command, Karin instinctively obeyed, remaining still.
Takeru's hands began glowing with a soft green light. Under its influence, Karin felt the pain in her arm fading, and the injuries healing rapidly.
Then, not just her arm, but all the injuries on her body recovered under the green glow.
"I'm Nara Takeru. And your name?" Though he already knew, Takeru asked.
"Karin. Uzumaki Karin," Karin replied excitedly, a slight blush appearing on her cheeks as she looked at Takeru.
"The Uzumaki Clan? To think Kusagakure used you as a tool," Takeru remarked with a light sigh.
"Huh? You know about our clan?" Karin was taken aback.
"Yes. The Uzumaki Clan are distant relatives of the Senju. Clan members excel in sealing techniques. Those with pure bloodline have red hair. When Chakra is overused, their hair turns white."
"Most importantly, the Uzumaki Clan once signed a treaty of friendship with the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama. They were allies with Konoha. The wives of the First and Fourth Hokage were both from the Uzumaki Clan," Takeru explained gently.
Hearing this, Karin was stunned, 'If we were Konoha's allies, why had my clan suffered so terribly?'
"Do you have any other family in Kusagakure?" Takeru asked.
"No... my mother, she..." Karin's expression turned sad. Despite meeting Takeru for the first time, she felt she could rely on him.
"I see," Takeru said softly. He gently placed his hand on her fiery red hair, offering comfort.