After Minato finished speaking, Shigure nodded. "I will."
With that assurance, Minato relaxed slightly. "Then I'll leave it to you."
Shigure gave a small nod and led the seven shinobi past Minato, leaving Kirigakure without hesitation and heading straight for Konoha.
He was sending eight people in total to the outskirts of the village.
This time, Shigure personally transported them—moving at extreme speed. In less than half an hour, they arrived near Konoha.
He turned to the group.
"I'll leave the rest to you. If you encounter Konoha shinobi, prioritize rescue using the Flying Thunder God Technique—but your own safety comes first."
The eight nodded.
Hisashi already understood the mission clearly.
Shigure cared about specific individuals within Konoha. Their task was to locate them—whether inside the village or in the surrounding areas.
Dead or alive, they needed accurate information.
Which meant… a full search of Konoha and its outskirts.
Shigure cast one last glance toward the village.
This was only a clone. If not for Sasuke, he would have gone there personally.
"I'm leaving."
Time was critical.
Sasuke had been missing for too long. Whatever Orochimaru had done… it wouldn't be anything good.
The sooner he found him, the sooner Sasuke could be pulled out of that abyss.
Separating from the group, Shigure immediately headed toward the Hidden Sound Village at full speed.
His figure turned into a streak of light, flashing across the sky.
—
When he arrived near Otogakure, white mist-like birds drifted toward him, relaying all the intelligence they had gathered.
Shigure sensed his surroundings and quickly picked up on subtle abnormalities.
Otogakure was a small village. Its shinobi weren't particularly strong—and none of them noticed his arrival.
What Shigure needed now… was the entrance to Orochimaru's base.
He raised his hand.
Mist Release spread instantly.
A dense fog blanketed the entire village, seeping into every corner that could be infiltrated. Through it, Shigure rapidly mapped the area.
Before long, he found it—
A hidden entrance, tucked away in an unremarkable part of the village.
He stepped forward, pushed aside a dilapidated wooden structure, and lifted the heavy stone slab beneath it.
An underground passage revealed itself.
Without hesitation, Shigure jumped in.
The corridor below was dim and silent.
As he walked forward, white serpents formed from mist slithered ahead of him. At every fork, they split and merged freely—like living extensions of his will—exploring the entire base.
Within minutes, Shigure had a complete understanding of the layout.
He moved toward a specific room.
Pushing the door open, he stepped into a wide underground chamber.
Orochimaru was already there, waiting.
"Were you expecting me?" Shigure asked calmly.
Orochimaru slowly lifted his head, a faint smile on his lips. "So fast. I thought it would take hours… perhaps even days."
"I didn't expect the Mizukage to arrive in less than an hour."
"I had only just taken Sasuke out for a walk," he continued, voice laced with amusement. "And yet, you've already found your way here."
Shigure's expression didn't change.
"Enough nonsense. You lured me here—what do you want?"
Orochimaru chuckled softly.
Since Shigure had seen through him, there was no point in pretending.
"Very well," he said.
Revealing Sasuke's location had two purposes.
First—to test Shigure.
More precisely, to measure his response time and gather intelligence.
But Shigure's speed far exceeded expectations.
Crossing multiple countries—and even the ocean—in under an hour…
That level of speed was almost unmatched in the entire shinobi world.
Second—to confirm something.
The Rinnegan.
Shigure had obtained it. But whether he had implanted it into himself… that remained uncertain.
Now, standing face to face, Orochimaru observed carefully.
Shigure's eyes appeared normal.
Which meant… even if he possessed the Rinnegan, he hadn't used it on himself.
In that case, the one who summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path must be someone else.
Perhaps Shigure had entrusted it to a particularly talented shinobi within Kirigakure.
"...Orochimaru," Shigure said suddenly, his gaze sharp. "This isn't your real body."
Orochimaru paused for a brief moment.
"…How did you figure that out?"
Shigure smiled faintly.
"I didn't see it. I felt it."
"Your chakra hasn't changed—but its fluctuations are too weak."
"That's not the level expected of one of the Legendary Sannin."
Since he had already been exposed, Orochimaru dropped the act.
"…Of course this isn't my true body," Orochimaru said with a faint smile. "After all, the one I'm meeting is the formidable Mizukage."
"It would be foolish not to make some preparations in advance."
Shigure let out a quiet chuckle. "Fine. Then speak. Say what you want—and afterward, hand Sasuke over to me."
The situation was clear—Sasuke was in Orochimaru's hands.
Logically, Orochimaru should have held the advantage.
But Shigure's presence alone… overturned that balance.
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Very well, Lord Shigure. I have one request. If you agree… Sasuke is yours."
"Speak."
Shigure didn't waste words.
Orochimaru met his gaze. "I've seen those who invaded Konoha. Their power… is beyond ordinary shinobi."
He paused.
"So, I wish to join Kirigakure."
Shigure frowned slightly.
Join the Hidden Mist?
At a time like this?
Was Orochimaru walking into a trap… or seeking protection?
For a moment, even Shigure couldn't fully grasp his intentions.
But—
Agreeing was better than refusing.
Sasuke was still in Orochimaru's hands. While Shigure wasn't worried about Sasuke being killed, there was no need to let things escalate unnecessarily.
"…Fine."
"I accept."
Orochimaru's smile deepened.
"So decisive… as expected of the Mizukage."
"Sasuke is in the deepest part of the laboratory. Come—I'll take you to him."
—
Meanwhile, in a remote forest outside Otogakure…
Two figures stood in silence.
Madara.
Obito.
They looked at Orochimaru—at the version of him standing before them.
"Did he agree?" Obito asked.
"He did," Orochimaru replied calmly.
Obito frowned. "Why? He has the Rinnegan, yet he didn't implant it into himself. Instead, he gave that kind of power to someone else in his village?"
Madara let out a low chuckle.
There was no surprise in his expression.
"A true strong man doesn't rely on borrowed power," he said. "He believes only in himself."
Then his gaze sharpened slightly.
"Well done, Orochimaru."
"Let him bring you into Kirigakure. Once inside, find the one who possesses the Rinnegan…"
"…and we can proceed with the plan."
(End of Chapter)
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