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The one possessed by Inari Okami… was actually Orochimaru's former student—Mitarashi Anko!
We'll call this Inari-possessed Anko… Inari-Anko.
Three symmetrical whisker marks now adorned Inari-Anko's cheeks, and its eyes were the vertical slits unique to a fox.
Seeing Orochimaru's subtly shifting expression, Inari Okami was pleased.
"Fufufu~ Judging by your reaction, I chose the right ticket~"
"That's right… To break the maze trapping you, you just need to kill the human I'm possessing!"
"But… can you bring yourself to kill your former student?"
"Oh my, oh my."
Orochimaru shrugged, smiling as if conceding defeat. "You've really got me cornered."
"Then let's discuss terms. The conditions for a satisfactory resolution to this matter."
Orochimaru's expression turned serious.
Inari-Anko revealed the classic Fushimi Inari, fox-like grin, sharp fangs fully displayed. "Do tell."
Orochimaru spoke. "Your only concern is foreseeing that I might disturb your peace someday. So you struck first, to teach me a lesson. And you've succeeded. Very well. I'll compromise. I promise, at any time, to never set my sights on you again."
"An empty promise holds no weight."
"Then what is your proposal?"
Under the crimson torii gate, Inari-Anko approached with hands in its pockets, taking unhurried steps.
"The Vow Seal." Its words paused.
"With your knowledge, you must have heard of this jutsu, yes?"
Yes. The Vow Seal. Orochimaru had heard of it. A technique from the era of the Six Paths' Shinobi Sect, created for warring parties to forge alliances and prevent betrayal.
Legend said it required both parties forming the oath to jointly seal the pact… The soul of the one who broke the vow would instantly fall into Avīci Hell!
Given the current situation, Orochimaru was actually willing to form this Vow Seal. It wasn't just about Sasuke and Anko's safety. His thirst for truth also craved to witness this technique lost for centuries.
But… what if, under the guise of forming a Vow Seal, it was actually planting a seal to enslave him? Who would Orochimaru have to plead his case to then?
For no other reason… the other party was a millennium-old fox deity. A being that rose from a human pet to become one of the Four Earthly Gods, standing alongside the Shinigami, Jashin, and the Feathered Serpent God!
The only god among the Four with no background, a true self-made deity… which made it all the more extraordinary!
It was no exaggeration to say the stories it had lived through could fill a Liaozhai within the shinobi world.
Seeing Orochimaru unmoved, it continued to advance.
Orochimaru raised his hands, issuing a cold warning.
"Take another step forward, and we perish together!"
"Oh?"
"With your wisdom, I need not explain."
"Is that so? You truly are distrustful. Just like me…"
Orochimaru thought: For Sasuke-kun's future, I cannot take any unnecessary risks…
Inari-Anko stopped. "If you don't believe me, then there's no game to play. We'll just stall. I am a thousand-year fox. Time is the one thing I have in abundance. Besides, outwitting humans isn't exactly a joyous pastime~"
Orochimaru: "If you enjoy such contests of wits, I actually have a suitable candidate in mind…"
"Bullshit."
Inari-Anko snorted dismissively, not taking the bait at all. It even sat down right on the spot and started blowing a bubble with gum.
Stalling like this… was no solution at all.
Orochimaru's mind raced.
The Four Earthly Gods… they were all deceased existences. For them to exert power, every one required a connection to the living. The power they could manifest varied depending on the specific vessel and circumstance.
For Inari… to eliminate a threat… killing me would be the surest method. But it hasn't done that. Meaning it isn't confident in killing me either. At least… with the current vessel and circumstance, it lacks that level of power!
That's why… it is using such a roundabout approach.
In that case…
A faint smile touched Orochimaru's lips. He lifted his gaze.
"You set this trap to detain me, betting precisely on Sasuke's Ayakashi affliction acting up soon, forcing me to race against time to return."
"But… if something truly happens to Sasuke-kun, you would completely lose your leverage over me."
"With your wisdom, you should understand what I would do then."
"Yes. I would use Impure World Reincarnation on Sasuke-kun and gather a host of powerful individuals to launch a frenzied retaliation against you. This shrine before us… it's a projection manifested by your divine power, isn't it? Believe me, I will find the location of your true shrine!! The White Snake Sage's divination alone could achieve that, to say nothing of other methods! Believe me, I have the capability to erase your shrine from the face of this earth!!"
Pop! The bubble Inari-Anko was blowing burst, splattering stickily across its face.
"..." It extended its tongue, using formidable lingual strength to lick the gum off its face, gather it into a ball, return it to its mouth, and resume chewing.
But its eyes had narrowed into crescent moons, cold light swirling within.
"Youngster. Are you threatening me?"
Orochimaru smiled. "I wouldn't dare. I'm merely demonstrating that even a cornered rabbit will bite, let alone a venomous serpent such as myself!!"
"So… to give us both a way out, I boldly propose we formulate a solution acceptable to both parties to resolve the current predicament."
"Fufufu…"
Inari-Anko remained expressionless for a long moment before finally being unable to suppress a laugh.
"You see things clearly. Fine. Then I'll take a step back. Offer a compromise."
Hands still in its pockets, it stood up, looking at Orochimaru with a half-smile. "You must know a great many ninjutsu, yes?"
Orochimaru smiled. "I manage… a bit more than the Copy Ninja."
Inari-Anko said, "The Copy Ninja you speak of is Kakashi Hatake, yes? I originally wanted to choose him for possession. His compatibility with me is quite good. However…"
Orochimaru: "However, I might not care about his life or death, correct? If you didn't have a hostage I care about, the situation would be disadvantageous for you."
Inari-Anko: "Fufufu… Your compatibility with me isn't bad either. Just your… composition leaves something to be desired."
Orochimaru: "Speak. The compromise. Does it involve ninjutsu?"
"Correct."
The fox of Fushimi Inari, its eyes gleaming with eager anticipation!!
—"Have a ninjutsu duel with me! As long as you can beat me, even by a single move or half a technique, I will acknowledge your capability!! Not only will I let you go, I'll release your little disciple as well!!!"
Orochimaru said, "You… mean this?"
"Fufufu… You have no choice!!"
Inari-Anko laughed, pulling its hands from its pockets. Even on this disposable, possessed vessel, its hands were adorned with a pair of exquisite white gloves.
A strand of hair fell before its eyes. It crossed its hands in front of its face, using its teeth to bite the edges of both gloves simultaneously, and pulled—liberating those hands, so supple they seemed almost boneless!!
Seeing those hands, even Orochimaru… his pupils flickered.
"Just what manner of…"
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