"Big bro, why didn't Lord Orochimaru ask if I was scared?"
On the road, Nawaki asked curiously.
"Because you're a reckless knucklehead. That's different," Senju Yukika replied calmly.
"Knucklehead?" Nawaki scratched his head, confused.
Well, he was kind of a knucklehead, wasn't he?
In the original story, the guy literally ran headfirst into an explosive tag trap on his very first mission...
Still, growing up under Yukika's wing had matured him a bit. At the very least, he had the courage of a true man now.
It wasn't favoritism on Orochimaru's part either. The Sannin understood Yukika's strength well, and only if Yukika could set aside fear would he be able to protect Nawaki properly.
If even Yukika was scared, Nawaki would definitely panic. So, there was no need to ask him anything.
The scenery along the Land of Fire was beautiful.
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing war, even regions untouched by direct conflict still carried an air of tension.
This was Yukika's first time leaving the Hidden Leaf Village.
The initial excitement he felt when stepping outside slowly settled into a calm determination as the journey continued.
He wasn't just some rich heir of the Senju Clan out for a joyride.
He was the clan leader, carrying the weight of their legacy on his shoulders.
The speed at which he adjusted his mindset truly impressed Orochimaru.
A child's maturity often dictates how far they will go in the future, and Orochimaru was genuinely curious to see how far Yukika could rise.
"So, while you make the Eight-Tails go berserk and create chaos in the Hidden Cloud Village, Nawaki and I are to infiltrate their intelligence center and retrieve the documents, right?"
"You say we're here to assist, but that sounds more like a secondary mission with a hidden purpose."
Their squad had stopped for a short rest just before exiting the Land of Fire. As Yukika checked over his gear, he posed the question to Orochimaru.
"It's just one document," Orochimaru replied with a shake of his head. "The only truly dangerous target is one: the Third Raikage."
"The battlefield is in a stalemate right now, and according to intel, he's returned to the Hidden Cloud Village. It's likely he's preparing to use their Jinchuriki."
"But don't worry. Once the Eight-Tails goes berserk, he'll be too busy fighting it to protect the village. As long as the chaos continues, you two will be safe."
A Tailed Beast rampaging through the village would naturally become their top priority.
Like the Nine-Tails incident that would one day scar the Hidden Leaf deeply, it was a threat impossible to ignore.
Still...
Yukika looked at Orochimaru, full of quiet awe.
You couldn't deny it—this man was a genius.
According to the original manga and the Eight-Tails' own memories, during this incident, the Tailed Beast was completely dazed by a genjutsu and couldn't even recall what had happened afterward.
The cause? Orochimaru's custom-made pill was simply too effective!
A drug that could send even a Tailed Beast into a genjutsu-induced frenzy.
He actually invented something like that.
Unlike Yukika, whose talents leaned toward leadership and combat, Orochimaru's genius extended far beyond ninjutsu—his research capabilities were unmatched.
This invention might even be one of the final nails in the coffin that pushed Orochimaru to defect from the village later on.
Was his betrayal really only because his human experimentation had been exposed?
Of course not.
The disappearance of so many people all at once? That wasn't Orochimaru's usual style.
And he was far too intelligent to leave such an obvious trail...
----------->
Hey everyone! Want to read ahead and unlock up to 100 early-access chapters? 📖Plus, enjoy even more exclusive novels! Join my Patreon now and dive into the adventure!
patreon.com/Rawink00
Hurry Up..!!!! Join Now !