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The night in the capital was deep.
Only the bustling streets had lights shining.
Ordinary mortals had long since retired.
But for some, night was the time for action.
Orochimaru moved across the intricate rooftops.
His golden vertical pupils gleamed in the darkness with the unique coldness of a snake.
Even the bright moonlight didn't illuminate him.
Infiltrating the daimyo manor?
For him, it was no different from returning to his own home.
The guards along the way, whether overt or covert, were mere window dressing in the face of his exquisite stealth ninjutsu.
He even had the leisure to evaluate the skill level of these guards.
"Their breathing is too heavy."
"The flow of chakra is also completely undisguised."
"This level of defense is even inferior to Konoha's ANBU."
Orochimaru's heart was disdainful, and he had already decided on his plan of action for the night.
He always acted cautiously, making full preparations even when facing seemingly weak opponents.
If the daimyo manor was heavily guarded, he would immediately withdraw and reconsider.
But as it seemed now... there was no need for such trouble.
If this daimyo manor was truly so undefended, then things would be much simpler.
He would directly move to control the opponent, making this supreme monarch of the Land of Fire his puppet.
Thinking of this, Orochimaru licked his lips.
His research could continue.
Orochimaru quickly located the daimyo's bedchamber.
The guards there were clearly several times more numerous and their presence was much more stable, indicating they were elites.
But in front of Orochimaru, they were still not enough.
He moved like an invisible wind, approaching silently, his entire presence concealed, blending with the darkness.
Inside the hall, lights were bright and incense smoke curled.
A figure could vaguely be seen reclining on a soft couch, holding a beauty in his arms.
Decadent music, wine, women, wealth, and lust.
Orochimaru's contempt grew deeper.
Mortal!
Even with the world at his feet, he was ultimately a mortal indulged in desires.
He was about to move closer, looking for the best moment to control the opponent.
"How disappointing!"
Inside the hall, the lazy daimyo suddenly chuckled.
His laugh was very soft.
Yet it made Orochimaru's hairs stand on end, giving him the feeling of being targeted.
Something was wrong!
Immediately after, the daimyo's voice rang out from within the hall.
"My beauty, wait a moment!"
"Let me first deal with a little mouse that's eavesdropping."
The voice was not loud, but it penetrated the window and accurately entered Orochimaru's ears.
He had been discovered!
This thought flashed through Orochimaru's mind instantly.
How was this possible?!
Even his teacher Sarutobi couldn't easily detect his stealth ninjutsu!
Escape!
There was no time to think.
Orochimaru instantly made his decision.
His body suddenly shot backward, his movements swift and without any hesitation.
However.
He had just leaped, his figure still in mid-air.
A figure blocked his path.
He appeared without any warning.
This person was none other than Shin, the daimyo who had just been holding a beauty in the hall!
How did he get out?
Orochimaru's pupils constricted sharply.
He hadn't sensed any fluctuations of space ninjutsu.
The other party seemed to have... flashed out of thin air!
"Since you've come all this way, why are you in such a hurry to leave?"
Seeing the familiar face of the other party, Shin's face immediately filled with a smile.
Orochimaru!
Shin silently recited the name in his heart, the playfulness in his eyes growing stronger.
It was truly like someone sending a pillow when one was sleepy.
According to the original plot, Orochimaru at this time should not have defected yet, and Danzo was still secretly providing him with support.
Unfortunately, Danzo was dead, Root was eliminated, and his Shimura clan had already pledged allegiance to him.
Therefore... the other party's night visit to the daimyo manor, his purpose was self-evident.
Either he wanted to find a new patron.
Or, he wanted to turn him into his own puppet.
Given Orochimaru's nature, the latter possibility was greater.
Originally, Shin had been thinking of inviting this scientist to work for him after dealing with the matters of the Land of Lightning.
He hadn't expected him to deliver himself to his doorstep.
Seeing Shin blocking his path, Orochimaru forcefully twisted his body, landing steadily three steps away from him.
Orochimaru's heart had now sunk to rock bottom.
Not just because of Shin's strange appearance.
But also because, the moment he landed, at least a dozen powerful presences appeared around him, locking onto him tightly.
Each presence possessed strength no weaker than a Konoha ANBU squad leader.
He was surrounded.
"Who are you?" Orochimaru stared intently at Shin, trying to find a flaw.
But he was disappointed.
The man in front of him had no chakra fluctuations whatsoever.
Just like a truly ordinary person.
But could an ordinary person appear before him in an instant and block him?
"You came to find me, and you're still asking me?" Shin's smile deepened. "Then let me introduce myself. I am the master of this daimyo manor."
"Why are you not sleeping in the middle of the night and running to my place?"
"I got lost..." Orochimaru casually fabricated, but his eyes were frantically searching for an opportunity to escape.
"Lost?" Shin immediately burst into laughter. "Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin, gets lost too?"
Upon hearing this, Orochimaru's expression changed drastically!
He was exposed!
The other party not only knew of his existence but also revealed his identity in one breath!
"It seems, my lord, you know me very well."
At this point, further disguise was meaningless.
Orochimaru no longer concealed himself, his long tongue licking his lips, his vertical pupils filled with dangerous light.
"Since you know who I am, you should understand that these guards of yours cannot stop me."
"Oh? You can try." Shin raised an eyebrow, his gaze full of interest. "While you're at it, weigh the strength of my guards."
These understated words carried a hint of provocation.
Orochimaru's vertical pupils suddenly constricted, a dangerous glint flashing and disappearing.
Then he moved!
...
At the same time.
Inside the bedchamber.
Mei Terumi was completely stiff.
The phrase "deal with a little mouse that's eavesdropping" hadn't even registered what was happening before she saw Shin, who had been holding her, suddenly vanish.
Disappeared out of thin air!
Then, three masked figures emerged from the shadows within the hall, surrounding her tightly.
A cold killing intent enveloped her.
If she made the slightest move, she would immediately be torn to shreds!
This left her unable to move.
It was over.
Mei Terumi looked at the empty soft couch and the scroll carelessly tossed aside.
The vermillion brush still lay quietly on the table.
The vermillion ink on the tip of the brush was a glaring red.
It turned out... from beginning to end, she had only been performing a solo act.
The other party hadn't fallen for the genjutsu at all!
He had been playing along with her the entire time!
Watching her flirt and perform with all her might!
A huge sense of humiliation welled up in her heart.
Frustration followed closely.
Her proud beauty, schemes, and genjutsu... all became a joke...
Outside the hall!
Orochimaru chose not to attack Shin.
His intuition told him that the man in front of him was extremely dangerous.
Attacking him would be walking into a trap.
In a flash of lightning, Orochimaru made his decision—breakthrough!
He quickly scanned the encirclement, searching for the most suitable target.
Finally, his gaze fixed on an guard on the eastern rooftop.
That was the most treacherous position in the entire encirclement.
And the only breakthrough point!
His figure swayed, not retreating but advancing, sliding along the ground, his target directly the guardon the rooftop!