chapter 17: Urgency

"Beep—"

A sharp whistle suddenly sounded.

The entire camp felt like it came alive in an instant, and a clamor erupted.

"Just as I expected!"

Listening to the commotion around him, Bai Shi muttered to himself. When he unleashed his chakra, he had already anticipated this outcome.

However, he had no choice; if he couldn't swiftly kill the target, who knew what tricks the other party might have up their sleeve? After all, the target was a spy and might possess some strange abilities.

Now that he had successfully poisoned the target and taken him down while the victim was slow to react, even if the target had some hidden methods, it was too late to matter.

As for the resulting chaos, Bai Shi didn't care. His earlier caution about creating a disturbance wasn't fear for his own escape, but a concern that it might alert other camps and allow the target to flee.

Now that all three targets were dead, he had nothing to worry about.

Hearing the footsteps drawing closer, Bai Shi withdrew his kunai and vines, quickly formed hand seals, and utilized the Earth Release: Earth Dragon Hiding Technique.

In the next moment, he crouched down, his feet sinking into the earth, and as he poured chakra into the ground, the surrounding soil shifted like quicksand, swallowing him up in an instant.

Deep underground, Bai Shi sensed the movements above, carefully avoiding areas with large groups of people, and stealthily made his way outside the camp.

Looking back at the distant camp, Bai Shi didn't linger, leaping several times before vanishing into the dense forest.

---

**Konoha.**

**ROOT Headquarters.**

The door to an office suddenly opened, and Bai Shi walked out expressionlessly, closing the door behind him and swiftly leaving the area.

Inside the office, Danzo stared at the mission report Bai Shi had just submitted, his eyes flickering with deep thought.

Moments later, a knock echoed again.

"Come in!"

Danzo set aside the report and spoke in a deep voice.

Creak~

The door opened as Aburame Ryoma entered, wearing a hooded cloak, and stepped forward to bow respectfully, "Lord Danzo!"

"Hmm."

Danzo nodded and pushed Bai Shi's report toward him, saying, "Take a look."

In response, Ryoma didn't say anything and quickly picked up the report, scanning through it rapidly.

After a moment, he set the report down.

Seeing that he finished reading, Danzo asked, "How was it?"

"The mission process was mostly fine, but…" Ryoma replied.

"But what?"

Ryoma hesitated for a moment before continuing, "But I feel that his emotions are somewhat off; he seemed more lively after leaving the village."

"Is that so?"

Danzo furrowed his brow in thought. After a long pause, he said, "Inform the sealing team to strengthen the curse seal on him."

Feeling that this wasn't quite sufficient, he ordered, "From now on, his task time must be limited to avoid excessive contact with the outside world, and the frequency of reinforcing his curse seal should be increased."

"Yes!"

Bai Shi was unaware that just one mission had already instilled Danzo with a sense of wariness toward him.

---

Time flowed like water, quietly passing by.

Half a year had gone by since the assassination mission began, and during this time, Bai Shi had executed dozens of missions—either killing or on the way to kill. This made his expressions increasingly numb, and he appeared more like a true ROOT ninja.

One day, after submitting a mission report, Bai Shi was about to leave when Danzo called out to him, "Bai, wait a moment!"

Bai Shi paused and respectfully asked, "Sir, is there a new mission?"

'After half a year of training, he's finally looking like he should!'

Danzo felt very pleased as he looked at Bai Shi but suddenly darkened his expression and said, "There's no new mission for now, but someone wants to see you."

'Someone wants to see me? Do I have acquaintances here?'

Just as Bai Shi was confused, a slightly hoarse voice sounded, "Hehe~ Number 36, we meet again."

'That familiar voice…'

Bai Shi turned to look, and the door opened to reveal a figure with pale skin standing in the doorway.

"Orochimaru?"

Bai Shi involuntarily exclaimed.

At his words, Orochimaru chuckled softly as he walked into the room, saying, "Oh, you remember me! Good!"

Seeing the keen interest in Orochimaru's eyes made a chill run through Bai Shi's heart.

However, after six months of 'performing,' Bai Shi had become accustomed to wearing a false 'mask,' so he didn't show any signs of weakness, maintaining a consistently indifferent gaze.

As the two locked eyes, Danzo's voice interrupted, "Orochimaru, I can hand him over to you, but don't forget what you promised me."

In response, Orochimaru turned to Danzo and said, "Rest assured! You've already seen the experimental plan, haven't you?"

'Experiment? Another experiment!'

Upon hearing the word 'experiment,' Bai Shi felt a surge of anger and urgency within him.

'I must escape this den of wolves quickly. Even if I am hunted, I need to leave. Otherwise, even without the threat of death, I will go insane.'

While Bai Shi was lost in these thoughts, Danzo's voice once again broke through, "Bai."

"Here!"

"From now on, you will stay with Orochimaru for half a month, assisting in his experiments."

"Yes!"

Once Bai Shi complied, he stepped to stand behind Orochimaru.

Orochimaru watched with great interest until Bai Shi positioned himself behind him; then he said, "Let's go, Number 36!"

Bai Shi said nothing and silently followed in his footsteps.

---

**Konoha.**

**In an underground laboratory.**

Bai Shi lay quietly on an experimental table, his eyes following Orochimaru as he moved around, observing him diligently.

After a long while, Orochimaru finally stopped.

Looking at the final data report, he murmured, "Perfect, absolutely perfect!

In less than five years, overall physical quality has surpassed chūnin level, and his physique is comparable to that of a jōnin. If not for his age, he might be even more remarkable.

Oh, and chakra—has it really reached three times that of an average jōnin?"

After finishing his checks, Orochimaru continued to babble on while Bai Shi remained still, faithfully playing the role of an obedient tool.

Just when Bai Shi was feeling utterly bored, Orochimaru said something that nearly made him jump.

Casually, Orochimaru remarked, "You haven't been brainwashed by Danzo, have you?"

Bai Shi forced down the nervousness rising within him, remaining silent with an expression still as indifferent as before.

Seeing this, Orochimaru smiled and continued, "Don't worry; I won't tell Danzo."

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