"What are you afraid of?!"
Orochimaru stopped in his tracks and slowly turned his head. His golden snake-like eyes locked coldly onto Tamayu: "You want to die? That doesn't interest me at all."
"How could that be! Don't get the wrong idea!"
Jiraiya quickly stepped between them, trying to mediate and ease the tension.
"Get out of my way!"
But Tamayu had no respect for Jiraiya at all—she shoved him aside without hesitation and slid forward a step, demanding, "Orochimaru! Explain yourself properly! What do you mean by 'looking for death'?"
"Careless in your actions yet full of yourselves, unaware that your movements have already been exposed. And even though someone gave you a chance to escape by sacrificing what you could, you didn't take it—what else could that be if not seeking death!"
Orochimaru sneered sarcastically: "Oh right, I forgot—you're one of the revered Sages from Ryuchi Cave. I suppose you think you're immortal or something."
"A chance?"
Jiraiya focused on a different point: "What exactly do you mean by that?"
"As you said, all those other strongholds have already been destroyed. Now this Snake Lair is our final base."
Orochimaru pointed at the Ninja Snakes around them—fangs bared, snapping at each other endlessly while releasing foul, poisonous gas nonstop. "Did you really believe this place was discovered just because other bases reported abnormalities? Or do you think the air here is unusually fresh and nobody else can smell it?"
"Before this, everything here was perfectly normal!" Jiraiya tried to argue.
"Weren't all those so-called strongholds also 'perfectly normal' before they were completely destroyed overnight?" Orochimaru didn't even bother refuting point by point—the holes in Jiraiya's argument were too numerous anyway, and the reality was already laid bare before their eyes.
"I..."
Jiraiya was left speechless.
"No matter what, you must stay here!" But Tamayu, who had always looked down on others, gave Orochimaru no leeway.
After all, from the perspective of the Sages of Ryuchi Cave, there was essentially no difference between ordinary ninja and Ninja Snakes—one was simply food worth swallowing, and the other was merely difficult-to-eat prey waiting to be consumed. So even though Orochimaru was Ryuchi Cave's contracted ninja, Tamayu still showed him absolutely no courtesy.
On the contrary, Orochimaru's scolding only fueled Tamayu's pride further, strengthening her determination to face challenges head-on. She was determined to show the undeniable power and resolve of Ryuchi Cave during the upcoming battle against the ninja.
"Are you telling me what to do?" Orochimaru's expression immediately darkened.
"You're the Ryuchi Cave's contracted ninja. You can't run from your duty!"
Tamayu's fangs began to elongate, her long, forked tongue slithering out with a soft hiss—a clear signal she was ready to strike.
"If you disagree, you can always go to Ryuchi Cave afterward and see the White Snake Sage Master himself. He'll surely give you justice—but remember, justice doesn't necessarily mean victory for you!"
"But if you dare defy us, Orochimaru, there's no one in the Ninja World who can escape Ryuchi Cave's pursuit and assassination!"
Tamayu's threatening tone only darkened Orochimaru's already grim expression.
That was Orochimaru!
Although he outwardly appeared extremely cold, and at times even displayed flexibility—as when he accepted sponsorship from the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation and showed remarkable tolerance toward the ninjas monitoring him closely—Orochimaru had his own untouchable dragon-scale—a phrase meaning a forbidden line that must never be crossed.
Especially when it came to matters of personal safety, Orochimaru displayed unprecedented decisiveness and caution.
Toward any potential or visible threat, regardless of scale, he longed to personally intervene, eliminating each threat one by one to ensure absolute safety.
Orochimaru repeated himself once again.
This time, even Jiraiya—who often wasn't very perceptive—realized something was off about Orochimaru's demeanor. He quickly stepped forward, inserting himself between Tamayu and Orochimaru to ease tensions: "Hear me out—"
But before he'd even finished speaking, Tamayu shoved him aside once more.
"If you feel uncomfortable about this, why don't you just go back and whine to the White Snake Sage Master yourself?"
Orochimaru shook his head slightly, then raised his right hand while forming a hand seal: "Therefore, I shall take my leave now!"
Saying so, accompanied by a puff of smoke and a crisp noise, Orochimaru directly transformed into a cloud of smoke and vanished without a trace!
"This..."
A sudden wave of inexplicable sadness washed over Jiraiya.
"Prepare for battle!"
Tamayu bared its fangs and roared at Jiraiya: "Also, immediately summon the Ninja Frogs (summoned warriors from Mount Myoboku)! I refuse to believe that with the combined strength of both Holy Places, we still couldn't defeat these so-called ninja!"
"But to deploy the Ninja Frogs from Mount Myoboku right now... wouldn't that be somewhat premature?"
Instinctively averse to this suggestion, Jiraiya prepared to object.
"Hiss!"
However, Tamayu had never been the rational type of fairy/sage. In an instant, it slithered forward and appeared right before Jiraiya, its snake-like pupils reflecting Jiraiya's slightly flustered face.
"Summon the Ninja Frogs from Mount Myoboku—NOW!"
Tamayu commanded word by word, clearly enunciating each syllable.
"I'll first consult Senior Fukasaku..."
Wiping sweat from his brow, Jiraiya had no choice but to make an excuse to temporarily stall.
"There's a communication frog inside your robe—make it hop back to Mount Myoboku for approval!"
Tamayu directly pierced through Jiraiya's subtle intentions.
"Fine, fine—I'll handle it right away!"
Jiraiya had no choice but to agree.
Meanwhile, Sakumo Hatake—who had recently been appointed temporary commander of the deployed Ninja Force by Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi—had just completed inspecting troop readiness. Once the supplies arrived, they would immediately march northward for battle.
Since most of the mobilized Ninja Force consisted of core supporters belonging to the Hokage faction, Sakumo Hatake didn't have to wait long before logistics ninjas began transporting large quantities of provisions, handing them over to camp personnel.
At this moment, there were still more than four hours until the scheduled battle time. According to Sakumo Hatake's estimate, it would take about three hours to reach the prearranged battlefield from the village, leaving roughly an hour for rest and preparation.
So, Sakumo Hatake didn't feel especially worried.
But Hiashi Hyuga was the typical type who fretted pointlessly.
After all, as the legitimate heir of the Main House, Hiashi clearly lacked knowledge regarding the complexities of warfare and the meticulous preparations required before battle, which left him with an inexplicable sense of anxiety.
Though his heart burned with urgency, he had no idea where to start and could only watch helplessly as time passed, filled with unease over the unknown outcome of the upcoming battle.
"It's nothing to worry about. It's just a bunch of freaks."
Sakumo Hatake noticed Hiashi Hyuga's unease and tried to reassure him: "Besides, it's not just the ninja dispatched from the village—there are also the Eastern Region's stationed Ninja Forces and Lord Soushu's Elite Ninja Force."
"And those ninja squads currently hunting down the Dawn Organization members," Hiashi Hyuga added immediately.
"Precisely," Sakumo Hatake mused briefly, his tone carrying a hint of reflection. "What's even more puzzling is that from beginning to end, there hasn't been the slightest effort toward secrecy or caution, as if intentionally broadcasting news of a major upheaval across the Ninja World. This approach is truly thought-provoking."
"I don't quite understand what you mean," Hiashi Hyuga replied with surprise.
"To put it bluntly, Lord Soushu might be deliberately giving Jiraiya and those so-called outcasts from the Holy Place plenty of time to escape."
"But wouldn't that be intentional then?" Hiashi Hyuga found it hard to wrap his head around.
After all, why go through such great mobilization efforts, gathering elite forces throughout the Ninja World, yet still allow these supposed outcasts a chance to flee?
"His wife is about to give birth, so the Ninja World needs peace—real or just in appearance—and it needs it fast."
Sakumo Hatake continued, "If someone resists anyway, we can deal with them later."
"Otherwise, any slight movement might be misinterpreted as hostile action and get recorded on a list."
"Er..."
Although still confused, Hiashi Hyuga was deeply shaken.
"In short, wiping out those powerless ronin isn't particularly important. Even large-scale operations can ensure complete security. But dealing with those hidden outcasts underground requires far greater effort."
Sakumo Hatake elaborated further: "So likely, Lord Soushu simply intends to drive those outcasts away to restore temporary peace."
"Hmph."
Hiashi Hyuga heaved a long sigh.
"It's time to move out!"
Seeing the ninja in charge signal completion of supply distribution, Sakumo Hatake decisively raised his arm and leaped forward first.
The ninja assigned under his command immediately sprang into action, swiftly following behind Sakumo Hatake and instinctively forming the Crane Wing Formation.
As time went on, the surrounding ninja forces began arriving at their designated positions—the Snake Lair where Jiraiya was stationed.
However, after discussing his strategy with Senior Fukasaku from Mount Myoboku, Jiraiya found himself at odds with the elder's urgent warning.
Senior Fukasaku even arrived in person, urgently insisting that Tamayu withdraw immediately and abandon any prolonged engagement here.
Although ninja units from various regions were indeed arriving one after another, the Snake Lair was located underground. Especially the Ninja Snakes, which could easily slip away through concealed tunnels or lava caves, making it nearly impossible for the ninja to track them in the pitch-black underground maze.
After all, even though ninjas possessed eyesight and sensory abilities far beyond ordinary humans, these talents were still significantly limited in extreme environments.
In such narrow underground passages, where even standing upright was a challenge, even well-trained ninjas struggled to precisely track those cunning Ninja Snakes.
But Tamayu, already filled with determination, directly rejected Senior Fukasaku's suggestion, insisting she must demonstrate Ryuchi Cave's might in this battle and let the ninja taste defeat!
"All those ninja gathered around are nothing but worthless trash—what is there to fear?"
Tamayu spoke confidently, appearing highly assured.
Moreover, according to reports from Ninja Snake scouts, none of the assembled Ninja Forces had any notably strong or famous Jonin among them.
"However..."
Senior Fukasaku still didn't want Ninzu Capital Company to become aware of their presence too soon.
"So what if we suffer a temporary setback!" Tamayu interrupted Senior Fukasaku directly, decisively declaring, "Even if every Ninja Snake in the Snake Lair is wiped out, Ryuchi Cave can summon ten or even a hundred times as many!"
"We of Ryuchi Cave won't cower like you foul-smelling toads!"
With words like that, Senior Fukasaku naturally found himself at a loss for words.
After all, their relationship was only nominally one of alliance; neither he nor Jiraiya could restrain or influence Tamayu's will.
Following Sakumo Hatake's arrival with his forces, the ninja army under the Ninja Clan Capital Company completed all surrounding preparations before the battle officially began, starting to set up reconnaissance barriers under the guidance of Sealing Ninja.
"Lord Sakumo!"
Hizashi Hyuga, who commanded the eastern ninja forces, hurriedly approached Sakumo Hatake to report, "According to reports from our sensor ninjas, all current targets have hidden themselves within the underground caverns—and they've already detected our arrival!"
"This is normal—if they hadn't noticed us by now, that would be strange."
Sakumo Hatake remained indifferent.
After all, a ninja battle should never assume the enemy was completely unaware.
"But our ninja just aren't built for underground warfare," Hizashi Hyuga said carefully.
Not to mention ninja from Konoha, even Iwagakure specialists in [Earth Release] found it difficult to fight inside these complicated underground spaces. After all, naturally-formed tunnels or caves were often too narrow for an adult to pass through.
"Just use [Fire Release]," Sakumo Hatake casually ordered. "Hizashi-san, you should go prepare as well. Gather all the [Fire Release] specialists and have them line up. Just wait for my signal!"
"Understood!"
Hizashi Hyuga immediately [Body Flickered] away.
Throughout this entire exchange, Hizashi didn't even glance at his older brother Hiashi.
This wasn't just coldness anymore—it was something deeper.
Although Hiashi's expression remained calm as always, the turbulent emotions within him had nearly reached their limit.
"Why did it have to come to this?" Hiashi silently sighed inwardly.
At that moment, however, distant tremors rippled through the enemy positions as thick, gigantic serpents burst forth from the earth!
"What?"
Sakumo could hardly believe what he was seeing.
He had originally planned to roast those snakes slowly using [Fire Release] techniques—so why had these enemies rushed out so suddenly?
"There's no way these freaks actually think their bodies can withstand a full-scale barrage from an elite squad of [Ninjutsu] specialists!"
"Could this be a trap?" Hiashi instinctively blurted out.
"It's possible!" Sakumo frowned tightly as well, immediately issuing emergency orders for his ninja to prepare for battle while Sealing Ninja quickly activated [jutsu] to harden the earth beneath their own positions, preventing these serpents from attacking from below.
"There's no way they think this can actually break our formation?" Sakumo watched uneasily as massive snakes continued erupting from beneath the ground, spreading outward in every direction, his frown deepening further.
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