Deep within the winding tunnels of his secret underground base in the Land of Earth, Orochimaru paced back and forth. The dim light from flickering torches cast long shadows on the damp stone walls, giving the place an even eerier feel. He stopped abruptly, sensing a shift in the chakra he'd been monitoring.
"So, Hashirama's Soul has been released, huh" he muttered to himself, annoyance evident in his tone. "And Fukai has been sealed by Jiraiya." He clicked his tongue, frustration creeping in. 'Losing two valuable reanimations this early wasn't part of my plan.'
Orochimaru focused on the sealed Reanimation ninja. 'Tobirama Senju was the one who created the reanimation jutsu. If he figures out a way to counter or destroy my control, he could turn Fukai against . It seems his purpose has co to an end.'
With a swift hand sign, he decided to cut his losses. "There's no point in keeping you around if you're only going to beco a liability for ." he said, releasing the reanimation jutsu on Fukai, the forr Eight-Tails jinchūriki. The connection severed, and he felt the soul depart.
Orochimaru took a deep breath, trying to calm the irritation bubbling inside. "No matter," he whispered, a sly grin forming on his face. "What I gain from this will far outweigh any setbacks."
In the belly of a large toad in Mount Myoboku, two small toads were guarding a sealed ninja. Suddenly they saw the soul of a man coming out from the sealed coffin and they were imdiately on guard.
Fukai looked at his spirit form and then at the toads and understood that he was defeated and was released. "Tell Jiraiya that Orochimaru has released his forbidden jutsu. I'm finally free." With those words Blue B's soul vanished.
The two toads witnessing the departure of the man, quickly left to inform their summoner.
Back in the secret hideout in the Land of Earth, Orochimaru entered the lab where Tsunade was being kept. He began arranging various vials and instrunts on a nearby table. "Everything is almost ready," he mused aloud.
Shizune watched him warily. "What are you planning on doing to her now?" she asked, dread creeping into her voice.
He glanced over his shoulder, a glint of excitent in his eyes. "Oh, just another little experint. Tsunade possesses sothing very special, and I intend to make the most of it."
"You're insane if you think you'll get away with this," Shizune said, clenching her fists. "They'll co for us."
The Snake Sannin smiled slyly. "Oh, I'm counting on it my dear. But it'll be a little too late by then."
He held up a syringe filled with a swirling, iridescent liquid. "With this, the boundaries of what's possible will be pushed even further," he whispered, almost to himself.
Shizune prepared to defend her unconscious master but multiple snakes launched at her from the shadows and restrained her limbs. She gritted her teeth in anger as tears flowed down her cheek. "You bastard. You won't succeed," she said firmly. "Lady Tsunade is stronger than you think."
He chuckled. "We'll see about that." Despite the setbacks of losing Hashirama and Blue B, a twisted sense of satisfaction settled over Orochimaru as he proceeded with his experints.
'Let them think they've gained the upper hand,' he thought. 'In the end, the knowledge and power I acquire from this endeavor will render their efforts aningless.'
He looked at Tsunade, gazing down at her unconscious pained face. "Soon, everything will change," he murmured.
Shizune glared at him. There was desperation mixed with her anger. "You won't get away with this."
Orochimaru t her gaze, his eyes cold and unblinking. "Who's going to stop ? Jiraiya? Sarutobi Sensei?" He smirked. "By the ti they find us—if they ever do—it will be too late."
The Snake Sannin felt a thrill at the thought of what was to co. "Let them chase shadows," he mused. "I'm always one step ahead."
—-
About 10 minutes later
On the battlefield where the two legendary Hokage's fought a figure appeared. Zetsu erged from the shadows of the dense forest, his black and white halves contrasting sharply against the green backdrop. He moved silently, his eyes scanning the devastated landscape ahead. The ground was torn up, trees splintered and uprooted, and the air was thick with the lingering traces of powerful jutsu.
"Looks like we just missed a big party," White Zetsu comnted, his voice light.
"Indeed," Black Zetsu replied, more seriously. "There are traces of tailed beast chakra here."
They approached one of the large craters, its edges still smoldering. The remnants of tailed beast energy hung in the air, faint but unmistakable. Nearby, scorched marks and deep gashes indicated intense battles. He moved closer, kneeling down to touch the scorched earth.
"That's definitely the Eight-Tails' chakra," White Zetsu observed. "But that doesn't make any sense. Its jinchūriki should be in the Hidden Cloud Village right now, isn't it?"
Black Zetsu nodded. "He is. Killer Bee is the Raikage's younger brother. His every movent is under close scrutiny. I doubt this was him."
"And over there," Black Zetsu then pointed to an area where the ground was covered in wooden spikes and vines. "That's remnants of wood style jutsu. Only one person could've done that."
"Hashirama Senju," they said in unison.
"But he's been dead for ages," White Zetsu added, confusion creeping into his voice. "How could his chakra be here?"
Black Zetsu's eyes narrowed. "And this water residue... It's consistent with Tobirama's techniques." He looked around and saw several large pools of water all around. 'Multiple powerful water style jutsus were used here. His familiar chakra is still lingering in the air.'
White Zetsu looked around, scratching his head. "So you're telling both the First and Second Hokages were here, fighting? That doesn't make any sense."
"Who could've defeated such powerful shinobis and even subdued a tailed beast's chakra so quickly?" White Zetsu wondered aloud.
Black Zetsu didn't answer and moved to another crater, smaller but just as devastating. The signs of explosive tags were evident, shards of paper still fluttering in the breeze.
The spy of the Akatsuki moved a little further, coming across another area scarred by battle. The ground was charred, with traces of oil slicked across the surface. Small flas flickered here and there, struggling to stay alive.
"Fire and oil... and this residue," Black Zetsu noted, closing his eyes briefly. "Natural energy. Soone was using Sage Mode."
White Zetsu's face lit up with realization. "Jiraiya. The Toad Sage was here too."
"So," Black Zetsu pieced it together. "Jiraiya was fighting here, likely against the reanimated jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails. And over there, the marks on those woods indicate that Tobirama faced off against Hashirama."
Black Zetsu was silent for a mont. "There's only one explanation that fits," he finally said. "Soone is using the Reanimation Jutsu."
"Reanimation jutsu? Isn't that the one that brings the dead back to life?" White Zetsu asked his counterpart as if to confirm.
"Yes."
"But who could have used that?" White Zetsu asked.
"You already know who."
"Orochimaru," White Zetsu guessed after several seconds. "I guess he's the only one crazy enough and with enough knowledge to pull that off."
"Yes. He is the most likely culprit. He's been delving into forbidden techniques for the last decade after all." Black Zetsu concluded.
White Zetsu nodded his head and agreed. "Makes sense. But if the Leaf ninjas were able to defeat reanimated versions of Hashirama and the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki, they've gotten stronger."
"Or the reanimations weren't at full power. There are certain limitations for that jutsu." Black Zetsu countered. "Either way, this is a problem."
White Zetsu agreed. "It seems he's been busy. He didn't just abduct Tsunade and Shizune. He's also using the reanimation jutsu to fight the Leaf ninjas."
"This could complicate our plans."
"But who did they fight? And did they win or did those reanimated ninjas kill them?" White Zetau asked his black self.
"All good questions."
"We should inform Obito," White Zetsu suggested. "He'll want to know about this."
"Agreed," Black Zetsu replied. "The involvent of Orochimaru and the possibility of reanimated Hokages and a Jinchuriki can't be ignored. We need to adjust accordingly."
But a question ford in Black Zetsu's mind. 'There is still a problem. All signs in the surroundings point to a fight between the First and Second Hokages… Why would Hashirama fight Tobirama?... Unless those two were on opposite sides. Does that an… Did Orochimaru lose control of his jutsu or is it possible that the Leaf village has used reanimation jutsu on one of the first two Hokages? If so then who?' He kept his thoughts to himself and prepared to leave.
They began to sink back into the ground, lding with the earth. "I wonder what Orochimaru's endga is," White Zetsu mused as they disappeared.
"Whatever it is, we need to be ready for anything," Black Zetsu responded. With that, they vanished completely, leaving the ravaged battlefield behind. – 8:40 am
—-
Hidden Leaf Village - Daichi Hekima
In a quiet room filled with stacks of docunts and scrolls, Daichi sat alone at a wooden desk.
He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. 'Why was the interrogation quest with Mizuki considered a success?' he thought to himself. 'I barely got any useful information, and the trail went cold so quickly.'
The lead he'd followed had taken him on a wild goose chase, ending in a dead end far from any significant findings.
"Yet, the quest reward says increased chances of rescuing them" he mused, tapping his fingers on the desk. "It doesn't make sense."
He gazed around the cluttered room, his eyes landing on a scroll detailing his encounter with Guren. The ambush near the Fire Capital replayed in his mind. Guren and her team had been formidable opponents, but he'd managed to defeat them and bring Guren back as a prisoner.
'Wait a minute, could Guren be the key? Mizuki's interrogation might not have given us much, but encountering Guren couldn't have been a coincidence. She's one of Orochimaru's top subordinates. It was Mizuki's interrogation that ultimately led to that encounter with her. So she must have so intel with her that could help us. Too bad she's dead. I hope Inoichi and Ibiki got every useful intel out of her.'
Daichi was suddenly taken back by his own thoughts. 'Jeez. Has my value for human life gotten so low. I didn't even feel a tinge of remorse or sadness for her… Stay strong Daichi. Now is not the ti for you to lose it.'
'The finance minister of the Land of Earth's royal court is involved with Orochimaru,' he pondered. 'Half an hour ago, Kakashi-sensei and I finally connected the dots.'
He recalled the discussion with Kakashi earlier. They had sifted through countless reports, piecing together the subtle clues.
'Shipnts from the Land of Snow, diverted patrol routes, unaccounted cargo... it all points to the minister.' he mused. 'But we need concrete evidence.'
Daichi had created a shadow clone and updated it with this crucial information before dispelling it.
'My Shadow clone should reach the minister's residence in about six hours,' he calculated. 'With my disguise, it'll be easier to move undetected.'
He leaned back, gazing at the ceiling.
'Interrogating the minister of a great nation is extrely risky.' he thought. 'But it's my best chance to find out where Orochimaru is hiding Tsunade-sensei and Shizune.'
A flicker of concern crossed his mind.
'What if my clone encounters unforeseen obstacles?' he wondered. 'No, I have to trust in my abilities. My shadow clone is just as capable.'
The room was silent except for the faint rustling of papers as a breeze drifted through the open window.
'Every mont counts.' he reminded himself. 'Orochimaru's plans are advancing, and we can't afford any delays.'
He stood up and began pacing slowly. 'I can't wait 6 hours and do nothing. I'll have the clone investigate from his side. But I have to move forward with my own plans.'
He clenched his fist with determination.
'I will find them,' he resolved. 'I won't let anything happen to you two. I promise.' Daichi took a deep breath, centering himself.
He returned to his seat, pulling a notebook towards him.
'Might as well use this ti to strategize,' he decided. 'Anticipate Orochimaru's moves.'
As he began jotting down ideas, a quiet confidence settled over him.
'We're getting closer,' he assured himself. 'I can feel it.'
—------------------
Author's Note:
This is sort of a filler chapter. But I wanted to write it down and give so depth anyway.
If you like my story and want to read ahead, then check out my P.a.T.R.E.0.N page. I've uploaded up to 30 additional chapters there.
Patre /MonkWithAPen (No space)
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