Chapter 291: Orochimaru's Bitter Smile
At that moment, the pressure emanating from the Earth Release clone—Shiyan was overwhelming.
Or rather, it was the oppressive weight brought on by the chakra of the Earth Release: Technique of Mass. With Shiyan making no effort to restrain it, the few ANBU nearby felt as though mountains were pressing down on them. A moment's lapse in concentration might lead to mental collapse—and death.
This kind of suffocating force was something they had only ever felt when the Third Tsuchikage unleashed Dust Release chakra in fury.
Now that Shiyan was exuding such terrifying chakra, they immediately understood why he had remained in the village rather than going to the battlefield.
Could it be…
They remembered the jutsu once evaluated by the Third Tsuchikage himself—deemed capable of rivaling or even surpassing him if completed. And now, seeing the signs of its success, the ANBU couldn't hide their excitement.
All eyes burned with admiration as they looked at Shiyan.
"You brat! You scared me half to death!"
Kurotsuchi didn't care that the ANBU were present. She dove straight into Shiyan's arms. After two years of daily companionship, their relationship had long been confirmed—though this was the first time they embraced so tightly.
Naturally, Shiyan didn't hold back. He gripped Kurotsuchi's firm, round backside with both hands, enjoying his lovely senior sister's warmth.
"I wonder how the Third Tsuchikage will react when I reveal my identity and passionately duel his beloved daughter right before his eyes…"
"That will be an amusing sight."
With Onoki's precious daughter in his arms, all Shiyan could think about was how to get revenge on the old man.
He chuckled silently to himself, already looking forward to the day Li Yao's true body emerged from the Dragon Vein in Rōran.
"Ah!"
After a moment, Kurotsuchi's initial excitement began to settle. She instantly felt the heat coming from his hands gripping her buttocks and yelped, pushing him away.
"You—you've changed!"
She glared at her junior with flushed cheeks. She hadn't realized this scoundrel was capable of such mischief. Who just grabs a girl's butt the moment they reunite?
Shiyan offered an innocent smile, saying nothing.
Kurotsuchi rolled her eyes, then stepped forward again and asked, somewhat nervously, "Junior, did you really succeed in mastering your new jutsu?"
The nearby ANBU also looked tense, eyes fixed on Shiyan.
"Yes, I did," Shiyan replied with a calm nod.
"That's great!" Kurotsuchi let out a breath of relief. All the pressure that had built up over time melted away. She hugged him again—but this time briefly, giving him no chance to grope her.
Then she grabbed his arm and dragged him back.
On the way, several ninjas who had rushed over recognized Shiyan as the cause of the earlier ruckus and wore expressions of displeasure.
The ANBU wanted to explain that Shiyan had just completed a vital new jutsu—but due to their secrecy protocols, they couldn't speak up. They could only hope that this "weakling" disciple of the Tsuchikage really had developed a technique worthy of the hype, and could help save the village.
After returning home, Shiyan and Kurotsuchi bathed and changed into Iwagakure-standard flak jackets. Equipped with ninja tools, they headed out for breakfast.
When Shiyan showed his face in public for the first time in two years, the villagers exploded with rage.
But with Kurotsuchi beside him, they dared only to curse him verbally—none attempted physical violence.
"Don't take it personally," Kurotsuchi whispered. "Their kids are all at the frontlines. It's normal for them to resent you."
Even hateful people often have understandable pain.
That's what she meant to say. She hoped Shiyan could be sympathetic.
On the surface, Shiyan nodded and claimed not to mind. But inside, he had already made a note: once the war was over and he became Tsuchikage, these villagers would receive his… heartfelt care.
After breakfast, the two headed to the Tsuchikage's office to meet with the elder advisors and inquire about the frontlines' current status.
"The Cloud front is the most critical. The other two are manageable."
Sunagakure had pulled most of its forces back after Li Yao's Wind Release clone devastated them, leaving only Rasa to maintain order—so that front had stabilized.
Konoha's situation was similarly restrained. They were barely holding it together and wouldn't be sending more reinforcements to Iwagakure.
But the Cloud front—now that was a disaster. The Third Raikage was rampaging like a mad dog, relentlessly attacking and driving straight into the Land of Earth.
Worse, now that he could fly, he was virtually unstoppable, leading the Cloud forces like a dagger stabbing deep into Iwagakure's territory.
If he breached the outskirts of Iwagakure itself—
Then the other hidden villages might sense the opportunity to eliminate Iwa entirely. They'd likely turn and join forces to destroy Iwagakure before dealing with each other.
In short, whether or not the Third Raikage could be stopped was a matter of life and death for the entire village.
"Understood. We'll head to the Cloud front immediately."
Shiyan smiled—facing off against the Third Raikage was exactly what he wanted.
The Water Release clone had already reached the Konoha–Kumogakure battlefield and was monitoring Obito's movements. Once Obito was taken by Uchiha Madara, it would be time for the Raikage to die.
"Let's go, senior sister."
Leaving the Tsuchikage's office, Shiyan patted Kurotsuchi's shoulder and cast Lightened Boulder Technique on her. The two lifted off and flew toward the Iwa–Kumo battlefield.
Meanwhile…
At a hidden outpost near the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers, Orochimaru's position welcomed new reinforcements led by the Lightning Release clone—Sakumo .
"Assign them as needed."
After handing off the nervous, green-faced kids to their assigned captains, Sakumo followed Orochimaru into the temporary command tent.
"Long time no see, Sakumo-kun."
Orochimaru's voice rasped. He stepped aside and gestured. "Please, have a seat."
Sakumo knelt cross-legged on a floor mat across a small table. Orochimaru sat opposite him.
Sakumo smiled. "It really has been a while, Orochimaru-kun. I never expected you'd master the First Hokage's Wood Release. The title of the strongest of the Sannin now echoes across the ninja world."
Both men had risen to fame during the Second Ninja War. Though they weren't in the same class at the academy, they were close in age and had sparred many times during their youth as recognized prodigies.
They were familiar enough with each other that there was no awkwardness in their reunion.
Hearing Sakumo 's praise, Orochimaru offered a bitter smile and sighed. "No need to flatter me, Sakumo-kun. I still haven't been able to deal with that red-haired brat from Suna."
In fact, not only had he failed to win, but he wasn't even sure if he'd been fighting Sasori's true body or a puppet.
After severing Sasori's arms in their last close-quarters battle, Orochimaru hadn't seen the real body again.
Since then, all he'd fought was a black sphere of iron sand, wielding Iron Sand Thunder Realm techniques.
And most frustrating of all—despite an entire year of fighting, his Wood Release had barely improved and still couldn't block Sasori's attacks.
It was only thanks to the regenerative powers from the Hashirama cells that he'd been able to survive and retreat to the current border.
For someone as proud as Orochimaru, it was a hard pill to swallow.
"Seems like Sasori of the Red Sand really is tricky," Sakumo chuckled.
"Indeed." Orochimaru nodded, then smiled. "But now that you're here, Sakumo-kun…"
With Sakumo 's speed, the two of them working together might finally defeat Sasori. The key was finding the real body.
So Orochimaru suggested a plan: during the next fight, Sakumo would observe from the sidelines and try to locate the real Sasori—then launch a killing strike.
"Sounds good," Sakumo agreed.
Though confident he could beat Sasori with his Decay Lightning, he had no intention of ending it just yet.
Stalling the Sand front and keeping pressure on Konoha suited him just fine.
Everything could wait… until Obito awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and opened the Kamui dimension.
(END CHAPTER)
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