Chapter 82: The Cold Lord: Orochimaru!
"Quack!" Taiichi, soaring high in the sky, reminded the rider on its back.
Sitting cross-legged on Taiichi's back was Uchiha Takashi. Despite the fierce winds, his body remained steady without the slightest sway.
He slowly opened his eyes after hearing the call.
He needed to seize every moment to train his 'Natural Energy Perception' to quickly transition into Sage Mode without relying on hot springs.
Only the summoning beasts he cultivated could be used this way.
Try asking the summoning beasts from the Three Great Sage Lands to give you a ride, and see if they don't turn hostile.
The relationship between the Three Great Sage Lands and their contractors is one of 'cooperation,' not master and servant.
Uchiha Takashi only summoned Taiichi to carry him across the Sand Ninja defenses back to the Land of Fire when he reached the border between the two countries. He didn't ride the entire way.
"Release!"
Uchiha Takashi jumped towards the ground, dispelling the summoning technique mid-air to send Taiichi back to the Valley of Hot Springs.
Thanks to his abundant chakra and the fact that Taiichi bore most of the consumption, he wasn't drained from such a long summoning duration.
Falling from several hundred meters high! Without special ninjutsu, he would definitely become 'Uchiha Takashi paste.'
Next, he needed to head to the southwestern camp to regroup.
He landed early to avoid exposing Taiichi's capabilities.
Note!
Just because a summoning beast can fly doesn't mean it can be used as a transport tool.
Besides the continuous chakra consumption during summoning, these summoning beasts are unwilling to do such tasks.
After landing, Uchiha Takashi put on his forehead protector.
This was near the camp, and he didn't want to be 'accidentally' injured by his own comrades.
Sure enough, after advancing only a few kilometers, he encountered a Konoha patrol squad.
"Halt, password!"
The squad eyed Uchiha Takashi warily.
Even seeing the forehead protector on his head didn't lower their guard.
"I am Uchiha Takashi, a Chūnin of Konoha, reporting after completing my mission!"
Uchiha Takashi identified himself.
Without identification, they would indeed attack.
Better to be safe than sorry! That's the ninja way.
Being a saint isn't suitable for a ninja, except for the protagonist.
"Follow me!"
The squad began to lead the way.
Only the patrol team knew the password, so it was impossible for someone just reporting in to know it.
Recognizing appearances was also unreliable.
Don't forget, ninjas can use the 'Transformation Jutsu.'
The squad escorted Uchiha Takashi back to the camp, located in a forest clearing near a water source.
However, the area was surrounded by tall wooden walls, with a watchtower at each corner.
The squad 'escorted' Uchiha Takashi to the camp's team and then left directly.
Uchiha Takashi followed them into the camp to verify his identity.
After a while.
"You are free to move around, but some areas are still off-limits..."
Uchiha Takashi passed the verification smoothly.
Next was reporting in.
All the ninjas in the southwestern war zone were under the command of Orochimaru, the 'general' of the ninja army. Uchiha Takashi was no exception and needed to report and be on standby.
Just as he exited the tent, he noticed a ninja waiting for him.
"Uchiha Takashi, Lord Orochimaru wants to see you!"
The ninja stated the purpose directly.
Yes, ninjas are straightforward like that.
Without wasting words, Uchiha Takashi followed the ninja towards the main tent.
The camp wasn't large, with tents packed closely together, accommodating around a few thousand people.
There were wooden stakes and throwing targets scattered around, with ninjas training diligently.
This was the daily life of a ninja.
Even in the midst of war, they seized every second to improve themselves to survive.
Of course.
Chapter 82: The Cold Lord: Orochimaru!
If you want to practice ninjutsu, you need to leave the camp and find a place outside. Soon, the two arrived in front of the main tent.
The massive main tent was red, with a warehouse guarded at the back.
Ninjas occasionally entered and exited a nearby tent, holding mission scrolls.
Mission Center!
Tasks like patrols and raids are issued here, and the management of the ninja army is also handled from this location.
Since Uchiha Takashi had someone leading the way, he naturally didn't need to announce his arrival. He was directly led through the two gatekeeping ninjas into the main tent.
So big!
Upon entering the main tent, besides a huge map hanging on the side wooden rack, the few wooden tables at the front were particularly striking.
The guiding ninja bowed slightly and left the main tent.
Thus, only Uchiha Takashi and the people behind the three document-stacked wooden tables remained in the tent.
On the left was a young man with short purple hair, who winked at him as a greeting.
The one on the right, with a pineapple-shaped hairstyle, was clearly from the Nara clan.
This clan makes the best assistants, as they are not only clear-headed and intelligent but also have no other flaws besides being a bit lazy.
He nodded slightly in response to the gaze directed at him.
And behind the central wooden table, the man in a dark casual outfit, reading a letter, was none other than Orochimaru, who had summoned him.
Orochimaru! The weight of this name is understood by those who know.
The 'Cold Lord' among the Sannin of Konoha.
He is also the beloved disciple of the Third Hokage, a Kage-level powerhouse.
Although ordinary villagers fear him, most ninjas who have worked with him admire him greatly.
"Lord Orochimaru!"
Uchiha Takashi spoke up.
The other person put down the letter and raised his head.
Pale and sinister! That was the first impression he gave.
With long black hair draped over his shoulders and cold, snake-like eyes, he seemed as dangerous as a venomous serpent.
"I called you here because I have some questions."
Orochimaru's voice was magnetic and charming.
"Yes!"
Uchiha Takashi had already begun to suspect something.
"Why did the 'Anbu' squad that was with you during this mission disappear?"
Orochimaru asked the young man in front of him.
The first impression was of someone reserved and gentle, with fearless eyes.
A promising kid! However, the demands of partners must be respected.
Of course, it's only a matter of respect; whether anything comes of it is not guaranteed.
"We encountered an ambush by Sand Ninja during the mission. We scattered and fled, maybe I was just lucky!"
Uchiha Takashi didn't mention that he had wiped out the ambushing Sand Ninja.
He wasn't afraid of the Root coming to cause trouble either.
He had burned them to ashes; if they could still crawl out to testify, he would accept it.
"Is that so!"
Orochimaru was noncommittal; asking was just a formality.
"Lord Orochimaru, I suspect there was an internal leak in the village that led to the Anbu squad's disappearance. Here is the evidence!"
Uchiha Takashi knew Orochimaru and Danzo were 'surface brothers,' so he presented the intelligence scroll to stir trouble.
Since they were already stepping on him, he couldn't let them off without some trouble.
If he could make them wear a mask of pain and gain some benefits, it would be a win.
Orochimaru took the scroll, read it, and then passed it to the other two in the tent before speaking.
"I will investigate this matter. For your mission reward, you can choose an A-rank ninjutsu or equivalent resources. What do you need?"
It was an outright bribe.
After seeing the intelligence, Orochimaru immediately understood that this was definitely Danzo's doing and that he had been caught in a vulnerable spot, so he had to 'pay the price.'
No matter how much he gave, he could get more from Danzo, so he offered generously.
At the same time, Orochimaru looked at Uchiha Takashi with new eyes.
If before he saw him as a 'potential kid,' now he was a 'capable subordinate' for escaping Danzo's schemes.
Knowing this was a rare opportunity, Uchiha Takashi didn't hesitate to name his price.
(End of Chapter)
Read advanced chapters at:
[email protected]/ChakraMaster