Chapter 251: Crumbling Wall
When Shimura Danzo revealed the hidden Sharingan beneath his bandages, Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"So you're going all out this early? Is that your trump card?"
Danzo didn't respond. Instead, he removed the seal from his right arm, exposing a grotesquely pale, sickly limb embedded with several blood-red Sharingan. The sight was enough to make even the bravest shinobi shiver in disgust.
"Surrender, Orochimaru. There's still a chance for you to live. Use your twisted intellect to serve Konoha for the rest of your days."
"Serve?" Orochimaru sneered at the offer. "Save that sentimental nonsense for the old Third. You think you have the right to offer me mercy?"
With that, a surge of chakra exploded from Orochimaru as he clapped his hands together in a hand seal.
Summoning Jutsu!
In a blast of smoke, the massive, violet-striped, ferocious serpent Manda appeared beneath Orochimaru.
As soon as Manda emerged, it glanced around irritably and snarled at Orochimaru.
"You didn't even prepare enough sacrifices last time, and now you dare summon me again? This time I want double."
"You can have whatever you want—if you kill them for me," Orochimaru replied coolly.
Manda peered at Danzo and his Root operatives.
"Hmph, I know this scumbag… Can't believe he's still alive."
With an irritated swipe of its enormous tail, Manda smashed into several Root shinobi, scattering them and breaking their encirclement within moments.
Watching Orochimaru rebel, Danzo remained calm.
"Don't think you'll escape this time. I'm not the soft-hearted Third Hokage. I won't give you any chances. I even let Sasuke Uchiha slip out of the village just to divide your attention—and it worked, didn't it?"
"Oh?" Orochimaru smiled darkly, raising his hand.
From the shadows of the surrounding forest, shuriken tied with explosive tags suddenly rained down toward Danzo and his men.
"A trap?" Danzo scowled as his men scattered to evade and clashed with the enemies emerging from the shadows.
"So the bait didn't do much. Seems your infiltration into the village went deeper than I thought…"
Standing atop Manda's head, Orochimaru observed the futile efforts of the Root ninja trying to harm the armored serpent. Their attacks barely scratched its tough scales, while Manda's swift and brutal counters left them scrambling.
Just then, a figure appeared beside Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru-sama, the situation's deteriorating. Shouldn't we consider retreating?" Kabuto asked, ever the voice of pragmatism. "We're outnumbered. A tactical withdrawal might be best."
"Is that so?" Orochimaru responded without looking at him. "Something feels off today. They came after me with such urgency… No—it's less about killing me and more about recruiting me. What's really driving Danzo to act this way?"
Orochimaru, having worked with Danzo in the past, knew how the man operated. Danzo never acted unless it was to his advantage. Breaking their longstanding unspoken truce? That wasn't like him. What could possibly make it worth the risk?
"Maybe…" Kabuto mused, "you've been discovered to possess something of immense value. Something that caught Danzo's eye."
"Value? Covetous eyes?" Orochimaru muttered, watching Danzo lead his troops forward, striking with expert precision. Though morally dubious, Danzo was undeniably a capable leader. His Wind Release techniques were vicious and efficient. Combined with his implant of Hashirama's cells, his robust vitality, and his mastery of the Sharingan, Danzo was a formidable opponent—perhaps even Orochimaru's equal.
"Sharingan…" A sudden thought struck Orochimaru. He recalled his humiliating defeat at the hands of Itachi Uchiha, and his long-standing desire to possess Sasuke. Danzo's inexplicable confidence now made sense.
"Kabuto," he said suddenly, "You've looked into the Uchiha massacre from years ago, haven't you? What do you know about Danzo's Sharingan? Anything new?"
Kabuto's expression turned grim. "Unfortunately, not much more than what you already know. The event happened years ago, and the records are murky. But…"
"But?"
"There was one key figure in that whole mess whose death remains… suspicious."
"A key figure?"
"Uchiha Shisui," Kabuto replied. "He was known as Itachi's closest friend, but his death was never clarified. No body, no witnesses. If not for his reputation as the 'Shunshin no Shisui,' people would've doubted his existence altogether."
"Shisui…" Orochimaru's gaze sharpened as he pondered the implications. "Kabuto… Have you heard of the strongest genjutsu—Kotoamatsukami?"
Kabuto flinched. "Kotoamatsukami? You don't mean—?"
"No wonder Danzo's so confident. That genjutsu is practically impossible to counter. Silent, undetectable, and it replaces a person's will. If he's using that, I really could be done for…"
Kabuto looked alarmed. "Then shouldn't we run? That technique is terrifying. Even knowing about it doesn't help—it can't be defended against."
Orochimaru, however, shook his head.
"If Danzo truly possesses Kotoamatsukami, all the more reason I need to know why he's come after me now. If he was willing to use such a rare and powerful tool, what am I holding that's so valuable?"
After all, once used, Kotoamatsukami requires years to recharge. Danzo wouldn't waste that for nothing.
"If that's the case," Kabuto said, "then let me handle this. Orochimaru-sama, you shouldn't risk facing such a broken genjutsu. Fighting Danzo head-on could be suicide."
Orochimaru looked at him with an unreadable smile.
"I don't recall you ever being so loyal. Are you really willing to put yourself between me and Kotoamatsukami?"
Kabuto pushed his glasses with a cold gleam in his eyes. "Don't misunderstand, my lord. I am loyal—utterly. I'd give my life for you. But more importantly, I don't believe Danzo would waste such a jutsu on someone like me…"
To be continued...
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