Zabuza Momochi, hiding in the shadows, had already gripped the Cleaver Sword. If Orochimaru dared to make a move, he would strike.
"Sharingan, the Uzumaki Clan, Ice Release..." Orochimaru licked his long tongue. He felt extremely lucky today. He never expected that the boy with the Nine-Tailed Fox would bring him so many great gifts.
For Orochimaru, people with rare and unique constitutions were all excellent experimental materials.
Just as Orochimaru couldn't hold back his urge to act, Haku spoke up, "Lord Tanzo Shimura asked me to convey a message on his behalf."
Orochimaru's expression changed abruptly. The excitement on his face was replaced by shock because he heard an extraordinary name.
Haku dropped a bombshell, "Orochimaru, you can do whatever you want in Konoha Village. Root will stay put and won't interfere with you."
"Root", also known as the Anbu training department, was founded and led by Tanzo Shimura. It was the most mysterious ninja organization in Konoha Village, the deepest hidden power in the village, and was also known as the sharp sword of Konoha.
Orochimaru's heart skipped a beat. He never thought that Tanzo Shimura already knew he had infiltrated Konoha. This was simply inconceivable.
Orochimaru had been secretly preparing for the "Konoha Destruction Plan" for many years and was fully prepared. Unexpectedly, his plan had been seen through by Tanzo Shimura. There must have been a flaw somewhere.
"Are you working for Tanzo Shimura?" Orochimaru's mind conjured up the face of Naruto Uzumaki. He thought to himself: Could it be that the boy with the Nine-Tailed Fox also works for Tanzo Shimura? Has the Nine-Tailed Fox of Konoha pledged loyalty to Tanzo... What on earth is The Third Hokage doing as the Hokage? Why has the Nine-Tailed Fox defected to Tanzo Shimura...
Orochimaru had been away from Konoha for too long. He never expected that so many changes had taken place within the village.
"Lord Tanzo Shimura allows you to take Sasuke away. Konoha Village doesn't need the Uchiha Clan," Haku continued, "But you must leave Karin in Lord Tanzo Shimura's hands."
"Otherwise, Lord Tanzo Shimura will lead Root to mobilize all forces and drive out all of you, the Sound Ninjas and the Sand Ninjas!"
Orochimaru's pupils contracted. This young man with fair skin in front of him must be working for Tanzo Shimura. Because apart from Tanzo Shimura, who else in Konoha had such amazing information-gathering ability to almost uncover all of Orochimaru's cards?
The Konoha Destruction Plan was an alliance between the Sound Ninjas founded by Orochimaru and the Sand Ninjas from the Land of Wind, and the two sides joined forces to attack Konoha.
"Truly worthy of Tanzo Shimura. I underestimated him. If he were willing to assist The Third Hokage, Konoha Village would truly be invincible," Orochimaru was convinced. Considering the overall situation, he couldn't provoke Tanzo Shimura. If Tanzo Shimura stepped in, the Konoha Destruction Plan was doomed to fail.
"You've seen through my plan. You must have planted a spy beside me," Orochimaru asked tentatively, "I'll find out who the spy is."
"The spy you placed in Konoha is actually the one we placed by your side," Haku said bluntly. In fact, he was extremely nervous inside. He was afraid of making a slip of the tongue and being seen through by Orochimaru.
Hearing this, the face of another person appeared in Orochimaru's mind: Kabuto!
Kabuto was the spy Orochimaru had placed in Konoha to gather intelligence on Konoha and Sasuke for himself. They had known each other for years and had a deep bond.
Impossible! Kabuto couldn't be a spy! Kabuto would never betray me! Cold sweat finally broke out on Orochimaru's forehead as he recalled his various experiences with Kabuto. The two were like teacher and student, as well as friends, and they worked together seamlessly. Orochimaru really didn't want to believe that Kabuto would betray him.
"Exchange?" Haku asked again, "Hand over Karin, and you can take Sasuke. Otherwise, Lord Danzo can make sure you'll never get the Sharingan."
Orochimaru let out a deep breath and threw the red-haired girl in his hand out. Karin fell to the ground and let out a painful cry: "Ah—"
Orochimaru glanced to the side and noticed there were others lying in ambush nearby. He guessed they were the ninjas sent by Danzo. In fact, that person was Zabuza Momochi.
Orochimaru's plan to attack Konoha had been fully exposed. Sasuke was in Danzo's hands, and Danzo had set up an ambush. With everything so carefully arranged, Orochimaru had no choice.
Haku released the Ice Rock Hall of Nothingness jutsu, and the ice wall shattered bit by bit. Haku left Sasuke where he was, then flashed to Karin's side, grabbed her, and disappeared in a flash. Zabuza Momochi also ran away with them.
"The plan has been exposed. It has to be advanced, not delayed," Orochimaru said calmly as he watched Haku take Karin away. "The longer we wait, the more unexpected things will happen." After saying that, Orochimaru walked towards Sasuke step by step.
Orochimaru simply examined Sasuke's body and found that he had just fainted because steel needles were pressing on his acupuncture points. As long as the steel needles were removed, Sasuke would wake up.
Orochimaru removed the steel needles from Sasuke, and Sasuke slowly woke up. When he opened his eyes and saw a sinister face, he was greatly shocked and immediately jumped back to retreat.
"Heh heh heh..." Orochimaru was finally reunited with Sasuke, and all the joy in his heart showed on his face. He wanted to test Sasuke first to see if Sasuke was qualified to become his vessel.
Sasuke observed his surroundings and found that he was alone in an unfamiliar environment. There was also a kunoichi (female ninja, in the Naruto context) from Kusagakure Village standing in front of him. Most importantly, the kunoichi exuded a creepy and sinister aura.
"Who are you? Did you use genjutsu on me?" Sasuke knew something was wrong because his mind was blank. He didn't know why he was here or when the person in front of him had appeared.
Orochimaru showed a teasing and evil smile. He didn't want to say more to Sasuke and directly attacked him, impatiently wanting to test Sasuke's aptitude.
Sasuke looked terrified, as if he felt like he was being targeted by a poisonous snake.
On the other side, Sakura shouted loudly, "Sasuke-kun!"
Naruto also pretended to shout beside her, "Sasuke, can you hear me? Answer me quickly."
"Naruto, let's search separately."
"Okay," Naruto nodded and said, "Be careful of the enemies. Don't get too far apart from me."
Sakura was extremely anxious and ignored Naruto, then went off alone to look for Sasuke.
At this time, Zabuza Momochi and Haku suddenly appeared beside Naruto. Zabuza Momochi said, "The mission you entrusted was really exciting, but it was completed smoothly."
"Of course."
Naruto said triumphantly, "Did Orochimaru give you any trouble?"
Haku said, "Orochimaru intended to take action, but when he heard the name Tanzo, he hesitated. Especially when he learned about the spy Konoha planted beside him, he immediately agreed to the deal."
Actually, all the words Haku used when talking to Orochimaru were taught to him by Naruto.
Zabuza Momochi said, "You spent so much money and put in so much effort just for this girl. You even betrayed your companions to get her?" Zabuza Momochi looked at Karin and didn't think this red-haired girl was anything special.
"I would never betray my companions," Naruto said. "Don't look down on Sasuke. I know his potential well. When I hand Sasuke over to Orochimaru, it'll be Orochimaru who ends up dead."
"Who are you guys?" Karin suddenly shouted. Her voice was so loud that Sakura, who was far away, also heard it.
"..." Naruto broke out in a cold sweat and quickly said, "Cover her mouth with something to stop her from speaking and take her back to my house. Don't bully her. From today on, you'll be my companion."
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