Arrival
The leader of the Hot Water Village ninja, Kuroyama Tatsuji, stared at Chi Yu in disbelief.
He had clearly struck the boy with a kunai — the trajectory was perfect, the hit unmistakable — yet the body dispersed like mist, reappearing meters away.
A genjutsu.
But when had it begun?
Tatsuji's body stiffened as he recalled the moment Chi Yu had used Thunder Breathing, Seventh Form: Fire Lightning God — a blinding Battōjutsu strike. In that instant, he had seen it: Chi Yu's Sharingan rotating, glinting with ill intent.
Tatsuji's expression turned grim. "So that's when it happened… You caught me in a dōjutsu-based illusion."
Chi Yu offered a slight smirk. "Correct. Looks like you finally noticed. I said I wouldn't kill you — naturally, I had to leave myself an exit."
"But to be honest," he continued, dusting his haori, "I'm not a fan of genjutsu. I prefer a proper fight. This was actually the first time I used it on someone in real combat."
Tatsuji's mouth tightened. "Impressive. If your chakra reserves weren't nearly depleted, this elite jōnin might've truly fallen to you. Fortunately for me, the illusion's effect weakened as your chakra dropped."
He narrowed his eyes. "Still, dōjutsu genjutsu typically require external chakra interference to be broken... but there's another method."
With a growl, Tatsuji plunged a kunai into his own thigh. The pain shattered the illusion like glass under pressure.
He yanked the blade free, blood seeping down his leg, and glared coldly at Chi Yu. "Now you're out of options."
Chi Yu's grin only widened. "Out of options? You've got it backward."
A voice came from behind Tatsuji: "Kuroyama Tatsuji… you've already lost to my disciple."
Orochimaru emerged from the shadows, his presence oppressive and unrelenting.
Tatsuji didn't move. He didn't even try to strike. The fight was already over. With the appearance of the Snake Sannin, all resistance was futile.
He exhaled bitterly. "The great ninja villages truly are vast. The Legendary Sannin, the White Fang, clans with bloodline limits and forbidden techniques... and now, even your saplings are this monstrous."
He looked at Chi Yu, then back to Orochimaru. "Since you spared me, I suppose that kid wasn't lying. I'm meant to survive — but I can't help you. Villages like ours… we have no voice."
Orochimaru replied coolly, "We don't need you to act against your nature. As long as you follow instructions, the flames of war won't reach your borders — even if Konoha and the Hidden Cloud go to war."
Tatsuji's eyes sharpened. "What do you want from the Hot Water Village?"
"Simple," Orochimaru said. "Konoha will now retreat. Once we do, you will pressure the Cloud Ninja to withdraw from your territory. Reassert your village's neutrality."
Tatsuji frowned. "That's easier said than done. The Cloud have entrenched themselves. My authority won't be enough to dislodge them."
Orochimaru's tone turned glacial. "We came here to strike at the Hidden Cloud, not your village. That excuse alone justifies their removal. And if even one Cloud shinobi remains… then we'll continue our assault."
Tatsuji fell silent, fully understanding the threat.
The damage from this attack alone gave the Hot Water Village plausible justification to expel the Cloud forces. After all, they had failed to protect the village or honor their agreements.
The logic, for once, was on the side of the small nation.
But Tatsuji's heart burned with frustration. He could see through the game. Konoha's target wasn't really the Hidden Cloud — it was Hot Water. Their "neutrality" had leaned too far in the wrong direction.
Orochimaru saw the doubt in his eyes and could guess what he was thinking — but he didn't care to clarify. The outcome had already been secured.
Tatsuji would do what needed to be done for his people. And Orochimaru had made his move in the Land of Hot Water.
Next came the front line.
As if to signal the shift, Orochimaru turned to a small toad on his shoulder and said, "Notify the squad — regroup at the village gate. The operation is complete. Begin retreat."
From afar, Namikaze Minato stood still for a moment, casting a long glance at Chi Yu. His gaze was unreadable — a complex blend of admiration, doubt, and quiet calculation — before he turned away to support the rest of the Konoha forces.
Orochimaru approached Chi Yu and extended a hand.
Chi Yu took it and hauled himself upright, breathing heavily.
"Can you walk?"
Chi Yu shook his head. "My body's shot. I'm completely drained."
Orochimaru turned his back and knelt. "Get on."
Chi Yu blinked in surprise. "You're… going to carry me?"
Without hesitation, Chi Yu climbed onto his teacher's back.
As they moved, Orochimaru said, "You performed well. That was an elite jōnin you fought. Even if he comes from a minor village, that level of strength is no joke."
"Had your chakra not run dry, you might have won outright. But you've already surpassed expectations. War is the crucible that forges strength — every battle is life or death. And this was just your first."
"Thank you, Sensei," Chi Yu muttered. Then, after a pause: "That Kuroyama Tatsuji… he's one of the weaker elite jōnin, right?"
Orochimaru nodded. "Compared to someone like me or Jiraiya, yes. Smaller villages lack deep foundations. Their techniques are borrowed, common. What sets shinobi apart at our level are high-level ninjutsu, bloodline powers, clan techniques — tools he doesn't possess."
Chi Yu sighed. "Makes sense. Still, his combat sense was sharp. I thought my Fire Lightning God would take him down, but he found a way around it."
Orochimaru's voice hardened. "Remember this, Chi Yu — in the ninja world, no one is simple. Never underestimate your opponent."
Chi Yu nodded. "Yes, Sensei. I'll remember that."
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