Chapter 16: Challenge

A/N: Chapter 27 is on p.a.t.r.e.o.n

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.....

(Naruto POV)

"Can you get off?" I said to Haku, who was clinging to my leg.

Hearing me, he looked up with eyes full of tears. "Pwease! Lemme coume!" he pleaded, trying his best to make me feel bad. Honestly, it might have worked if I wasn't about to invade a clan of battle-mad zealots.

"No," I said firmly. He withered to the ground like a flower after days of drought.

I grabbed him by the collar and brought him to eye level. "While I go and save another kid, you will stay here and work on your chakra control."

He nodded with a whimper, but that was good enough for me.

I pointed to the marks on the trees around us. "And make sure, no matter what, you stay inside the circle those marks form. This will protect you."

I had just devised this barrier technique. I had observed many of Uzumaki's fuinjutsu and was familiar with Konoha's barriers, having lived inside them.

With my genius, I was able to create something effective. It had many features: whatever sound is made inside won't be heard outside the barrier; dojutsu, at least those I know of, won't be able to see inside; chakra inside the barrier can't be detected; and people near the barrier will be influenced by subtle genjutsu, making them avoid it.

Not bad for my first time.

I turned back to Haku when I realized he was still just sitting there, pouting. Heh.

I ruffled his hair. "If you do good, I'll get you some nice food."

"Really!?" He straightened up immediately, all his sadness vanishing as if it were never there. Growing up in a small, impoverished village far from the bustling ports and hubs of the Land of Water, Haku rarely had the chance to eat nice food as a child.

"Yeah, yeah. So, make sure you work hard," I said, turning to leave.

.

.

.

After a while, I reached the island where the clan was located.

It wasn't too far off, but asking around for the location of a clan known for its kekkei genkai, especially during a time when they were being actively hunted, proved surprisingly difficult.

One would think that if someone came asking where the clan was to kill them, people would be quick to talk.

But people were too scared of the Kaguya clan.

Which...was fair, to be honest.

Who would want to get on those lunatics' blacklist...except people like me, who are even bigger lunatics. I guess it takes a lunatic to cut down another lunatic.

I hope they can make it fun.

I have prepared a special fuinjutsu technique just for them.

....

(Orochimaru POV)

From a distant hill, I observed the bustling Kaguya clan compound. Many people were walking and talking. Having never encountered a Kaguya clan member before, I was surprised by this display of civilization and activity.

I had assumed they behaved like cavemen. My mistake.

As I continued to observe, my eyes caught a rather interesting sight.

Zabuza Momochi.

The Land of Water is going through a civil war. If I'm not mistaken, he is currently a high-ranking member of the rebellion group. Is he here to seek help from the Kaguya clan?

Interesting.

I wonder if the Mizukage knows about this... Tensions are already high in this country, and discovering that the rebellion is about to gain significant support would escalate things further.

The Kaguya clan, like the other clans, is currently in hiding. If their location is made public... hehehe.

I wouldn't even have to lift a finger, and the kid I've heard so much about, who has the Shikotsumyaku, will fall into my hands.

Sometimes my genius it... it's almost frightening.

Body Flicker Jutsu!

*BOOM!

I was about to move when a massive explosion made me stop.

What is going on?

I squinted to see through the massive cloud of dust billowing from the explosion, but it was difficult.

I will need to get closer.

But my chakra might alert them. It's better if I send a snake first to observe the situation; I'll intervene if necessary.

*Poof!

I summoned a flying snake and immediately ordered it. "Observe the situation and report back to me ASAP!"

The snake didn't waste a moment and started gliding through the air. I made a hand sign and closed my eyes. As a close and important summoner of the Ryuchi Cave, I have been given a jutsu that helps me to see through the eyes of certain snakes.

The flying snake was one such snake. The snake also had to use the jutsu for it to work, which is what I meant when I said to report back to me ASAP.

I closed my eyes and activated the jutsu, waiting for the snake to do the same.

*Shinng!

Finally, the snake activated the jutsu.

"You goddamn monster! Who sent you? Why are you attacking?" I see from the jutsu, a Kaguya clan member asking a pink haired man.

"I don't think it concerns you. Now, tell me where Kimimaro is."

"Fuck you, I'm never going to tell you! Well... not unless you put me on the brink of death, I think... I don't really want to die."

"...Are you stupid?"

My exact thoughts. However, the important question is who is this man?

Why is he looking for Kimimaro?

*Slash!

My eyes widened in shock. What the hell was that?

One moment he was looking, and the next moment, he drew a line in the air, and the Kaguya clan member's head was cut off.

A jutsu that doesn't require hand signs?

No, that was different. If it was a jutsu that didn't need hand signs, then what element did it use?

Wind? No. The eyes of the flying snake are sensitive to chakra; they can see the aura of the element being used, and the green aura of wind didn't appear. In fact, there was no aura.

If no elemental jutsu was used, then what was?

This has become very interesting all of a sudden.

I came for one thing, but now my attention has been diverted.

I'll enjoy cutting you up and seeing what you're made of, dear stranger.

"Look what we have here."

Shit, he caught the snake! His senses are sharp.

"I know you've been spying from the start, you little snake."

Maybe he doesn't know I'm behind it?

"I'm talking to you. You overgrown lizard. What are you doing so far away from Konoha?"

How the hell does he know it's me?

"Well, no matter. I'll enjoy cutting you up. You better show your face here and not make me hunt you down. Or else, it's going to end up very, very bad for you," he grinned.

How long has it been since I've been insulted?

Heh, I'll be the one to cut you and enjoy doing it.

Let's see what you're all about.