Hiss, hiss~
In a dark underground space, passing through layers of dark tunnels, a creaking door came into view.
Inside the door were numerous pipes transporting liquid, and bodies submerged in tanks.
A figure dressed in a black cloud-patterned robe let out a strange laugh, then suddenly turned his head, his long tongue and vertical pupils showing an expression of interest.
"Lord Orochimaru, we've received news that Satoru, the head of Konoha's Analysis Team whom you ordered us to monitor, has already left the village and is currently on a mission for the Hogoromo Clan." This was a young man with white-grey hair, his youthful face displaying a maturity unsuited for his age.
Orochimaru licked his lips: "Is that so? That's truly good news.
It's time to meet someone who can make the Akatsuki leader so wary."
A piece of intelligence from the Akatsuki leader back then had certainly piqued his interest.
Even he, when facing the Akatsuki leader, was extremely wary, yet he never expected that someone could make him so cautious when facing that kind of ability.
It was truly too interesting.
However, his Ninjutsu research was in a crucial stage these past few years, so he only sent people to monitor and gather intelligence.
Now that his technique was very complete, he could make contact, and it would be even better if he could subdue him.
He then looked at the young man before him: "Kabuto, you are truly a gift from heaven to me.
Without you, my research wouldn't have been so smooth."
This child before him was the most talented child he had ever seen.
If he could live to Orochimaru's age, Tsunade would have to step aside.
Moreover, his ability as a spy saved him a lot of effort in intelligence gathering.
"Lord Orochimaru, how could I be worthy of your praise? Kabuto is still far from it." Kabuto's face was expressionless, and his voice was calm.
Orochimaru heard this: "You're always like this, Kabuto, without any youthful spirit."
Kabuto lowered his head, silent.
"But that's also what I'm most satisfied with about you.
Only this kind of you are the best assistant in my heart.
Go back.
I am very satisfied with every piece of intelligence you provide." Looking at the silent Kabuto, Orochimaru felt a lack of interest.
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru." Kabuto's face was expressionless, but he enjoyed every compliment from Lord Orochimaru internally and quietly retreated.
Orochimaru then turned around.
On the table behind him was a corpse, surrounded by various instruments and Sealing Technique formulas.
A smile curved his lips.
"Satoru, huh?
That little guy who was promoted to Chunin in the Analysis Team on the battlefield has grown to this extent now.
I didn't expect it!"
As a commander on Konoha's side during the Third Shinobi World War, Orochimaru remembered the name, ability, and general information of every Chunin promoted.
When he first heard the Akatsuki leader's warning, his file flashed through his mind.
At that time, he thought it was another person from Konoha, because in his opinion, Satoru did not possess the talent to become a Konoha Jonin.
He was only suitable for intelligence gathering work in the Analysis Team.
Now it seemed he had misjudged him.
This was very rare, and he wanted to meet this exceptionally talented young man even more.
…
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The sky changed, with winds rising and clouds surging.
A world-destroying aura surged from a distant valley.
Satoru and the others, merely standing on the edge of the valley's highest peak, needed to apply Chakra to their feet to increase their grip, and held up one hand to block the surging aftermath of the strong winds.
"Captain, is this Wind Breath Valley? This is too terrifying, isn't it?" Inuzuka Tsuyoshi gripped the ground tightly with both feet, resisting the strong winds that rushed towards him.
What appeared before him at this moment was a colossal area where countless hurricanes swept and collided, forming even stronger hurricanes, and then constantly dividing into smaller hurricanes.
This was all resisted by the rock walls beneath their feet, which had withstood the hurricane's onslaught.
Even so, just the aftermath made it difficult for them to stand.
Their mission was to rescue the Hogoromo Clan juniors who went for training in such an environment.
How could that be possible? They would probably be torn to shreds the moment they entered.
He then looked at the ten children of the Hogoromo Clan and found that they also had solemn expressions, clearly indicating that this trial was very difficult for them.
Only Hagoromo Ki stood tall, already accustomed to this situation.
Satoru's eyes sparkled as he looked at the scene before him, a terrifying and incredibly exciting sight.
If he could complete this Ninjutsu, which possessed the power of a natural disaster, it would be an attack surpassing all the Ninjutsu he had ever learned.
If the Nine-Tailed were thrown in, it would probably be torn to shreds within moments.
Konoha Village was already large enough to be destroyed by Pain's Shinra Tensei.
But if Shinra Tensei was used here, it would probably only temporarily halt the hurricanes in one corner.
This place was like the world's funnel, where all the atmospheric pressure was concentrated.
"It's not scary, we came to the right place," Satoru replied.
"…"
His three teammates were speechless.
Are you serious?
This mission, an S-rank mission wouldn't be much worse, would it?
They were Chunin and had seen the world.
The Nine-Tailed, rumoured to have nearly destroyed Konoha, wasn't even described as this terrifying in legends!
"That's right, it's not as scary as it seems here."
Hagoromo Ki opened his mouth and smiled.
During the Warring States Period, how did their clan contend against the Uchiha, who possessed the kekei genkai? It was by relying on the Ninjutsu researched from Wind Breath Valley.
Naturally, they were familiar with the conditions of Wind Breath Valley.
"How so?"
Satoru asked.
Given this situation, research would be difficult.
Trying to navigate through various hurricane air currents to study its formation signs would truly be as difficult as ascending to heaven.
No, ascending to heaven wouldn't be that difficult.
"Starting at this time tomorrow, Wind Breath Valley will enter a period of calm.
The hurricanes inside will weaken, and their power will greatly decrease.
This situation will last for a month.
Our ancestors created a Sealing Technique barrier inside using the materials from the rock walls.
Ninja can rest inside.
"Your mission is to stay within the barrier and use your sensory abilities.
When they become weak, rescue them for rest.
After they've rested, throw them back in."
Hagoromo Ki explained to them.
His words made the Hogoromo boys behind him pout.
Perhaps they wouldn't even need to rest.
But they didn't say anything about not needing to bother with them.
What if…
"So that's how it is.
The prosperity of the Hogoromo Clan indeed has its reasons," Satoru praised.
"Then, if they have to survive for a month, they should have prepared enough food, right?"
His perception landed on the ten individuals' equipment and summoning formulas.
Presumably, there were many food items or military rations stored inside.
Hagoromo Ki smiled, confirming his statement.
In the past, it wasn't so convenient, but now both Ninjutsu and equipment have been updated, so the trial process naturally had to change.
This was also why their family didn't raise the mission rank and asked Satoru and the others to help deal with enemies.
They were confident that the protective power preserved within their clan was enough to handle any difficulties.
The past was the past, and the present was the present.
He even felt that the Uchiha were no longer a match for their Hogoromo Clan.
Even though the Hogoromo Clan's focus was no longer on the Ninja lifestyle.