Chapter 135: Shadow of the Snake
Hiss, hiss...
In the dim underground space, through a series of dark tunnels, a gate emitting strange mechanical noises came into view. Inside the gate were rows of pipes transporting liquid and bodies submerged within glass vats.
A figure wearing a black cloak with red clouds let out a dry, eerie laugh. Swish! He turned his head abruptly, revealing a long tongue and slitted pupils that gleamed with interest.
"Lord Orochimaru, news has arrived. Tonbo Tobitake, the head of the Konoha Analysis Division whom you ordered to be monitored, has left the village. He is currently executing a mission for the Hagoromo Clan." The speaker was a youth with ash-white hair, his youthful face displaying a maturity inconsistent with his age.
Orochimaru licked his lips. "Is that so? Truly wonderful news. It is high time I met the man who makes the leader of Akatsuki so wary."
Years ago, a piece of intelligence from the leader of Akatsuki had piqued his interest. Even Orochimaru himself felt a great deal of trepidation when facing the Akatsuki leader; to think there was someone else who could cause that man such anxiety was fascinating.
However, his ninjutsu research had been in a critical phase over the past few years, so he had only sent people to monitor and gather intelligence. Now that his techniques were near perfection, he could initiate contact. If he could recruit him, all the better.
He then looked at the youth before him. "Kabuto, you are truly a gift. Without you, my research would not have progressed so smoothly."
This child was the most talented he had ever seen. If Kabuto lived to be his age, even Tsunade would have to step aside. Moreover, Kabuto's skill as a spy had saved him immense effort in intelligence gathering.
"My Lord, I do not deserve such praise. I am still far from your level," Kabuto replied expressionlessly, his voice calm.
Orochimaru noted, "You are always like this, Kabuto. You lack the fiery spirit of a youth."
Kabuto lowered his head in silence.
"But that is also what satisfies me most about you. Only someone like you can be my best assistant. You may leave; I am very pleased with your intelligence reports." Seeing Kabuto's silence, Orochimaru found the conversation dull.
"Yes, My Lord." Kabuto remained expressionless, but internally he savored every bit of Orochimaru's praise as he silently withdrew.
Orochimaru turned back to the table behind him, where a corpse lay surrounded by various instruments and sealing formulas. A smile curved his lips.
"Tonbo Tobitake, is it? The little guy who was promoted to Chunin in the Battlefield Analysis Division... to think he has grown to this extent. It is truly unexpected."
As a commander for Konoha during the Third War, Orochimaru remembered the names, abilities, and general information of every ninja promoted to Chunin under his watch. When he first heard the warning from the Akatsuki leader, Tonbo's files had flashed through his mind. At the time, he thought the leader meant someone else, because in his impression, Tonbo Tobitake did not possess the talent to become a Konoha Jonin. He was only suited for gathering intel in the Analysis Division.
Now, it seemed he had misjudged. That was rare. He wanted to see this uniquely gifted young man for himself even more now.
Whoosh!
The sky shifted as clouds surged and winds rose. An aura of world-ending destruction surged from the valley in the distance.
Tonbo Tobitake and his team stood on the very edge of the valley's highest peak. They had to use chakra to stick to the ground, increasing their traction, while holding up their hands to block the aftershocks of the raging gales.
"Captain, is this the Valley of the Resting Wind? This is terrifying!" Inuzuka Kairo's feet gripped the rock tightly to resist the head-on blasts.
Before his eyes was a massive region where countless hurricanes collided to form even stronger vortexes, only to split apart again at any moment. This chaos was held back by the very rock walls they stood upon—walls that had endured these gales for ages. Even so, the mere stray winds made it difficult to keep their footing.
Was their mission really to save the Hagoromo juniors in this environment? How was that possible? One would likely be torn to shreds the moment they stepped inside.
He looked at the ten Hagoromo children and noticed their expressions were also solemn. Clearly, this trial would be grueling for them as well. Only Hagoromo Genzo stood tall, already accustomed to the conditions.
Tonbo Tobitake's eyes were bright as he gazed at the scene—a terrifying yet exhilarating sight. If he could complete his new ninjutsu based on this natural power, its attack potency would surpass all the techniques he had ever learned. If the Nine-Tails were thrown in here, it would likely be shredded in short order.
Konoha was large, and it would later be destroyed by Pain's Shinra Tensei. But if that move were used here, it would likely only cause a brief pause in a single corner of these hurricanes. This place was like the world's funnel; all air pressure was concentrated here.
"It's not terrifying. We came to the right place," Tonbo replied.
"..." His three teammates were speechless. Are you serious? This mission felt like an S-rank just based on the environment. They were Chunin who had seen the world, but even the legends of the Nine-Tails didn't seem this frightening!
"That's right. It isn't quite as scary as it looks," Hagoromo Genzo said with a smile.
During the Warring States Period, how had their clan competed with the bloodline-possessing Uchiha? They relied on ninjutsu researched right here in the Valley of the Resting Wind. Naturally, they were familiar with its secrets.
"How so?" Tonbo asked. In this current state, research would be nearly impossible. To weave through these hurricanes to study their formation would be harder than reaching the stars.
"Starting tomorrow at this time, the valley enters the 'Wind-Rest Period.' The hurricanes will weaken significantly, and their power will drop drastically. This state will last for one month. Our ancestors built sealing barriers inside using the same materials as these rock walls. Ninjas can rest within them."
Hagoromo Genzo explained further, "Your mission is to stay within those barriers and use your sensory abilities. When the juniors become too weak to continue, you rescue them so they can rest. Once they've recovered, you throw them back out."
His words made the Hagoromo kids scowl; perhaps they felt they wouldn't need to rest at all. But they didn't protest—just in case.
"I see. It's no wonder the Hagoromo Clan has flourished," Tonbo praised. "Since they have to survive for a month, they must be carrying plenty of food, right?"
His perception lingered on the summoning seals on the ten children's equipment. They likely had plenty of food, soldier pills, and medical supplies stored away.
Hagoromo Genzo smiled, confirming the theory. In the past, it wasn't so convenient, but now that both ninjutsu and equipment had been updated, the trial process had evolved. This was also why the family hadn't officially raised the mission rank to ask Tonbo's team to handle the enemies; they were confident that their ancestral guardian power was enough to handle any trouble.
Times had changed, and Genzo even felt that the Uchiha were no longer a match for the Hagoromo—even if the Hagoromo were no longer focused on the traditional ninja lifestyle.
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