Some powers defy logic—others rewrite it entirely.
"Akatsuki, huh? Good!"
Ōnoki nodded in approval.
In the past, many of Iwagakure's less-than-clean black market missions had been taken by Akatsuki—and almost never failed. Even more impressive, their efficiency was absurdly high.
For a mercenary organization like that—
Ōnoki was more than satisfied.
More than once, he had considered signing a long-term contract with them to carry out assassinations on key figures from the Great Nations.
But—
Without fully understanding them, he chose caution.
Unless forced otherwise.
This time, he had issued a mission to eliminate two Kumogakure squads.
According to Iwa's intelligence network, those shinobi had already infiltrated the village. As for their objective—
Still unknown.
So Ōnoki strengthened internal patrols and anonymously placed bounties in the black market.
An extra layer of insurance.
Though—
Given Kumogakure's usual habits—
Steal, seize, demand—
Their purpose wasn't hard to guess.
"…."
Ōnoki looked up at the starry sky.
No need to overthink it.
However many came—
He'd kill them all.
If they pushed too far—
War it was.
The Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning bordered each other.
Conflict was inevitable.
…
Night blanketed the land.
Stars shimmered overhead.
Rumble—
A giant serpent sped across the grasslands.
Atop its head, three figures sat in a triangular formation.
Not planned.
Just instinct.
Kamizuki Gen.
Orochimaru.
Itachi.
They were still a few hours away from Iwagakure.
They'd arrive by dawn.
Itachi stood at the front, facing east, his expression cold and unreadable.
Orochimaru sat near the serpent's head, acting as the driver.
And Gen—
Sat comfortably at the back, cross-legged on a soft cushion.
"Driver Snake, pick up the speed!"
He grinned lazily.
Last time, he'd noticed—
The scales were cold and hard.
This life—
He refused to suffer unnecessarily.
Seeing the dull atmosphere, Orochimaru spoke first.
"Gen-kun, I remembered something. The leader mentioned Iwagakure posted a bounty in the black market—for Kumogakure ninja."
"Since we're already heading there… here."
A snake slid out from her sleeve—
Spitting out a scroll.
She tossed it over.
Chatting with Gen—
Was enjoyable—
As long as the topic didn't spiral.
Gen caught it, laying it across the serpent's scales.
"A-rank mission… eliminate the 'Falcon Squad' and 'Thunder Squad' from Kumogakure…"
"60,000 ryō per member, 120,000 for captains… payment upon delivery of corpses or heads…"
He nodded.
"If we run into them, we'll take care of it."
"Understood," Orochimaru replied.
After a pause—
Gen frowned slightly.
"Snake-san… next time don't store scrolls inside snakes. It's covered in saliva."
"…."
Orochimaru's expression stiffened.
Of course.
Topic shift.
Right into danger.
But she had prepared.
"Gen-kun… look at this."
She pulled out another scroll and unsealed it.
Poof—
Four small glass vials appeared.
Thumb-sized.
Filled with clear liquid.
Each labeled.
Gen's eyes lit up.
Even before checking—
His body reacted.
A primal craving.
Orochimaru handed them over, explaining:
"Neurotoxin. Hemotoxin. Cytotoxic venom. And hallucinogenic toxin."
"All extracted directly from venomous snakes. Unprocessed."
Itachi watched silently.
Confused.
Why would anyone need this?
From now on—
He decided—
Never eat or drink anything Gen touched.
"Excellent work, Snake-san!"
Gen accepted them eagerly.
He opened each vial, brought them to his nose, and inhaled deeply.
To others, the smell would be repulsive.
To him—
Refreshing.
Like soda.
"Want one?" Gen offered.
Orochimaru froze.
"…No, thank you."
"Shame."
Gen tilted his head back—
And drank all four in one go.
The liquid slid down his throat.
Four deadly poisons—
Meeting their first victim—
Someone insane enough to mix them.
Except—
Before they could act—
His cells absorbed them instantly.
Stored.
Neutralized.
Compared to his reserves—
These were nothing.
"Ahh… satisfying."
He handed the empty vials back.
"Next time, get stronger stuff."
His body felt warm.
Invigorated.
"Of course," Orochimaru nodded.
"…."
Itachi stared.
He had just watched someone drink four lethal toxins—
Like water.
No reaction.
No symptoms.
Either—
They were fake.
Or—
This was something else entirely.
Thirty minutes passed.
Nothing.
Gen looked perfectly fine.
Itachi finally spoke.
"Gen… the ability you used in the tower—to transmit your voice into my mind…"
"A new jutsu?"
It had bothered him the entire time.
There had been no chakra link.
No genjutsu mark.
Nothing.
Orochimaru listened closely.
Also curious.
Gen blinked.
"I didn't tell you?"
Both shook their heads.
"Oh."
Gen nodded.
"It's a kekkei genkai I awakened recently."
"Unfortunately, I can only use it once per day."
Though—
It could target multiple people at once.
Still—
It had one flaw.
If he used it—
He couldn't invite Danzō to enjoy "Hakimi music" that day.
"…."
Silence fell.
Itachi frowned slightly.
Orochimaru narrowed her eyes.
A bloodline limit—
That could directly transmit thoughts—
Without chakra linkage—
Without visual contact—
Without casting genjutsu?
What kind of—
Absurd ability—
Was that?
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