Chapter 226: Blocking the Path
At present, the Third Great Ninja War has come to a complete end, and the ninja world has entered a period of brief peace and development.
However, at this time, that fearsome young man from Konoha suddenly arrived in their Land of Earth, instantly causing a sense of tension and suspicion among those present.
"Humph! No matter what his purpose is for coming to the Land of Earth this time!"
"I've been wanting to meet that brat for a long time!!"
Sensing the nervousness among all the ninjas present, Third Tsuchikage Onoki of Both Scales snorted coldly. He slammed his hands down on the conference table in front of him, and his diminutive figure emitted a terrifying aura.
The death of the Five-Tails jinchuriki, Han, in the Great Ninja War, and the return of ten thousand elite ninjas defeated, these are stains that he can never erase in his lifetime.
"Now that he's here..."
With this in mind, Onoki's aged and cloudy eyes emitted an aura that was impossible to confront directly. "Regardless of what that kid is up to this time, I won't let him get away with it!"
...
In a valley more than ten kilometers away from Hidden Rock Village.
Tall rocky cliffs surrounded the area, where a group of Iwagakure ninjas were temporarily stationed, carrying out their missions.
"Alright, I've healed your arm."
As the green glow of Chakra faded from her hands, Nono wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve after treating the injured arm of the Iwagakure ninja before her.
Over the past few years, Yakushi Nono's appearance hadn't changed much. Her complexion was a bit more haggard, and she wore the forehead protector of Hidden Rock Village on her forehead, dressed in the red attire of an Iwagakure ninja.
Since undertaking the long-term mission of infiltrating Iwagakure to gather intelligence, Nono had quickly integrated into the village with her exceptional espionage skills and outstanding Medical Ninjutsu.
"Thank you..."
"Your Medical Ninjutsu is still as amazing as ever!"
Seeing his arm completely healed by Nono in just a few moments, the rugged-looking Iwagakure ninja expressed his gratitude. He could never have imagined that the woman treating him would be a spy.
"You're welcome, it's the least I can do."
Facing the thanks from the Iwagakure ninja, Nono flashed her trademark gentle smile. It was with her exceptional Medical Ninjutsu and this innocent-looking face that she had successfully infiltrated Iwagakure and obtained countless vital pieces of intelligence.
The children from the orphanage must have grown up by now... With the talent of Yu and Kabuto, they must have become outstanding ninjas by now...
After leaving the camp of the Iwagakure ninjas, Nono couldn't help but think of the children from the Konoha Orphanage. They had always been her motivation to persist.
With that in mind, as Nono walked away from the camp, she discreetly glanced at the seemingly ordinary rocky cliffs nearby. Drawing on years of espionage experience, she knew that there must be a ninja hiding there, secretly gathering intelligence.
There's one more task...
Once I complete this final task, I can go back to Konoha and see the children...
With this thought in mind, Nono discreetly drew out a kunai and headed towards the nearby rocky cliff, her eyes beneath the frame filled with a determined light.
...
The sky was ominously overcast, as if ready to pour down torrents of rain at any moment.
In a forest concealed by rocks in the Land of Earth, Yu's figure was swiftly moving through it.
Due to not having been to the Hidden Rock Village before, he couldn't have Kaio open a portal to take him there directly.
Nor could he let Tyrant slap him across with Flight Slap, because he needed to fully activate Observation Haki along the way to search for the whereabouts of Nono and Kabuto.
"If I remember the time correctly..."
"I should still make it if I hurry now..."
His body transformed into a swift phantom racing through the Rock Forest. Glancing at the ominously overcast sky above, Yu murmured to himself.
Prepared as he was, finding the whereabouts of Nono and Kabuto in time could certainly alter the course of events in the anime. Yet, lurking in the back of his mind, there was always an unsettling premonition that refused to dissipate.
Yu hated this kind of premonition, but he couldn't help but believe it, because he had felt this damned premonition five years ago during the Nine-Tails invasion.
What's this?!
Yu, who was diligently searching for the whereabouts of Nono and Kabuto, suddenly sensed a massive and familiar chakra rapidly approaching. He instinctively widened his eyes.
Boom!
In the split second that Yu's steps halted, a supremely sharp blade of light was thrown from an unknown direction far away, extending infinitely to an incredible length. Its terrifying power swept through and cleaved apart the entire Rock Forest where Yu stood.
In an instant, countless rocks and trees fell, kicking up endless clouds of drifting dust, as if an enduring haze had firmly shrouded the entire Rock Forest.
"Long time no see, Yu-kun."
A deep, hoarse voice resounded, and amidst the thick haze of dust, a slender figure gradually appeared.
No, rather than a figure, it was more like a humanoid shadow, because the head of this figure extended like a snake, slowly retracting the incredibly long and sharp sword into its mouth.
"Orochimaru Senpai..."
"So, my premonition was correct. You indeed haven't died..."
Watching the figure gradually emerging from the haze of dust, Yu emitted a deep, disdainful snort.
Stepping on invisible, transparent threads, he found himself standing in mid-air above the Rock Forest, having somehow avoided the narrowly escaping super-long divine sword that had just lunged at him.
Indeed, the figure before Yu was none other than Orochimaru, whom he had killed once before two years ago in the Land of Water.
"Haha..."
"You're joking, Yu-kun."
"Don't forget, last time, you did kill me for real."
Emerging from the dust and facing Yu's sharp gaze from above, after two years, Orochimaru couldn't help but extend his long tongue to lick his lips. In his narrow, serpent-like eyes flickered a gloomy and wary light.
"However, after researching forbidden techniques for so many years, although I may lack other skills, I still have quite a few means of survival and regeneration."
Interrupted by Orochimaru's sudden appearance, Yu, who was in a hurry to proceed, couldn't help but squint his eyes slightly. A pensive expression flickered in his amber-colored eyes, ignoring the fellow's polite words.
This Orochimaru...
Appearing at this time and place, of all times... Could it be...
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