Chapter 183: Unexpected

From time to time, a half-body peeked out from the gaps in the clouds, shy and occasionally visible. A touch of clear moonlight was cast upon the earth, only to vanish again.

At the edge of the Konoha camp, a bonfire burned fiercely, dancing lightly in the night wind. The shadows near the bonfire flickered and changed unpredictably.

To prevent himself from being sensed by Jiraiya, who was also in the camp, while absorbing natural energy, Toshiro had to move his training place as far away as possible from this "Toad Sage." Although the original story indicated that Jiraiya did not possess sensing abilities, who could say for sure? It was better not to be discovered if possible.

The time Toshiro needed to enter Sage Mode had decreased due to continuous use over the years. He had become more proficient. Right now, he could control the time to around 20 minutes, nearly a third faster than when he initially learned Sage Mode two years ago.

He wasn't sure if this improvement was due to long-term usage of Sage techniques, which might have made his body more adaptable, or if it was because of the increase in his chakra over the past two years, making it easier to balance Sage chakra.

He knew that one important measure for mastering Sage techniques was having a substantial amount of chakra. Previously, he speculated his inability to sense natural energy for a long time was likely related to his chakra capacity. It was only when he reached the age of ten that he barely met the requirement and managed to master Sage Mode in the unique environment of Forgotten Island.

Regardless, everything was moving in a positive direction, which he undoubtedly appreciated.

"I wonder if I'll ever have the chance to activate Sage Mode as effortlessly as the First Hokage," Toshiro mused, looking at the drifting clouds in the sky. Completing today's training, he couldn't help but feel sentimental, wishing he could freely activate Sage Mode.

"Hmm? Who's there?"

At that moment, Toshiro sensed something and looked towards the darkness beyond the bonfire's light. His hand reached for the ninja sword strapped behind him. 

It was wartime, and the presence of a stranger silently approaching so close warranted high alert. Although it was unlikely for an enemy to infiltrate the heavily guarded camp, caution was always necessary.

"Heh! Heh! Heh!"

"Didn't expect Toshiro-kun to have such sharp senses, quite a surprise~"

Before Toshiro could take further action, the unexpected intruder revealed himself, letting out a creepy, ambiguous laugh, praising Toshiro with a distinctive voice.

Without needing to see the intruder's face, Toshiro instantly recognized who it was from the highly identifiable voice. His mind screamed, "It's him, it's that man."

The mere presence of this man gave Toshiro the sensation of being watched by a cold-blooded animal because of the sticky, slimy, icy chakra now permeating the air.

The creepy voice belonged to none other than:

The disciple of the Third Hokage, one of the Legendary Sannin, future Akatsuki member, founder of the Hidden Sound Village, master-killer, scientist, and trafficker!

Among his notable works:

"How to Make Deals with the Grim Reaper"

Others summon the Grim Reaper at the cost of their souls. He summons the Reaper, who ends up with a snake skin and the souls of four others, plus a pair of hands.

When the Grim Reaper makes a deal with him, breaking even is considered a win.

Others believe in the Will of Fire; he studies technology and pseudo-immortality, earning him the nickname "the Einstein of Snakes."

While others grow old, he grows younger!

He may not be the strongest in combat, but he's the hardest to kill. Crafting science in the ninja world, cheating death, and pursuing immortality in the world of Naruto.

Sometimes a man, sometimes a woman, sometimes neither, sometimes a snake but never quite human.

He has the most scientific running posture, the snakiest escape techniques, from human to snake to man to sword.

The thin man in a standard Konoha vest with flowing black hair and a pale face could pass for a melancholic middle-aged heartthrob if not for the purple eye makeup and the permanent coldness in his peculiar eyes.

Knowing his craziness made Toshiro want to run away. At this time, Orochimaru hadn't become as twisted as he would be; he was just an eccentric "ninja" who had started his dangerous experiments. Thinking of this eased Toshiro's tension somewhat.

Nevertheless, Toshiro couldn't help but imagine Orochimaru extending his neck to bite him. If that happened, should he cooperate or...

To Toshiro, Orochimaru was the biggest "golden thigh" in Naruto. Provided one didn't mind the creepy snake techniques and wasn't on Orochimaru's list of desired bodies, approaching this master of black technology wasn't so bad.

Too bad, Toshiro was an Uchiha...