What was the most appropriate way to resolve the current situation?
Should he bring out the "Italian Cannon"? Should he blast the enemy before the Tailed Beast transformation was fully complete?
The problem was that this trump card, which Hagoromo had carefully nurtured for over a year, was technically reserved for the Third Raikage. Although there were no witnesses here, using a technique of that magnitude would inevitably leave traces.
Yet, if he didn't go all out, could he truly handle a Tailed Beast-fied Jinchuriki? This time, there was no Kushina to help suppress the beast.
Just as Hagoromo hesitated, a sudden chill crept up his spine.
It was a damp, cold sensation—how to describe it? If he had to use an animal as an analogy, it felt like... a snake.
Hagoromo spun around instantly!
Then, he let out a long breath of relief. A helper with his own dedicated theme music had arrived.
Lord Orochimaru, what took you so long?
I've been silently singing "Waiting for You for a Thousand Years" in my head.
Finally, someone had come for the hero's res—cough, never mind.
With a major figure on the scene, Hagoromo no longer had to struggle. Dealing with a Jinchuriki wasn't his burden anymore; it was a task for someone of the Sannin's caliber.
Hagoromo deactivated his technique immediately and retreated to the side of the abruptly appearing Orochimaru.
Due to the arrival of a new threat, Roshi's transformation came to a bizarre halt. He didn't flee, nor did he attack immediately; he seemed intent on gauging the situation first.
"A Jinchuriki? So that explains the powerful chakra I sensed," Orochimaru's raspy, magnetic voice rang out. His cold face and vertical, snake-like pupils held a hint of genuine excitement.
Men were often drawn to dangerous things, and a volatile entity like a Jinchuriki didn't worry Orochimaru—it thrilled the great scientist in him.
He undoubtedly wanted to capture the Tailed Beast and keep it as a research pet.
"Lord Orochimaru, that is Roshi, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki of Iwagakure," Hagoromo identified the enemy.
"Iwagakure? The Four-Tails... no wonder."
The scorched earth around them couldn't escape Orochimaru's eyes. If it was the Four-Tails, the destruction made perfect sense.
"You've been fighting this Jinchuriki alone... your name?" he asked, turning his gaze toward Hagoromo.
"Konoha Chunin, Hagoromo Kamishiro."
Orochimaru's eyes, which had been fixed on the Jinchuriki, snapped over. His expression now seemed even more animated than when he had first seen the Jinchuriki.
"That Lightning Style just now... those techniques... so you are the one called Hagoromo."
"A Chunin... Heh."
"Hagoromo, Hagoromo. That name... heh, good. Very good."
Orochimaru's attitude was a bit unsettling.
Hagoromo's mind raced. Don't tell me I'm already on his research list?
Actually, thinking about it, he was a peculiar specimen. Born from ordinary shinobi stock, how did he possess such strength at such a young age?
Especially that Lightning Style—it clearly pushed beyond the limits of human endurance, yet he remained unharmed. This challenged the fundamental principle of "technique power versus risk."
As for being a Chunin... since when could a Chunin go toe-to-toe with a Jinchuriki?
Orochimaru even commented on the name "Hagoromo"—the first person to ever do so.
Hagoromo was the name of the Sage of the Six Paths before he entered the priesthood. In a world where the Sage was treated as a myth, most were ignorant of the man who founded the Ninja Creed.
Was the Sage of the Six Paths real? Most shinobi would say they didn't know, or that it was impossible.
But shinobi like Orochimaru and Jiraiya possessed foundational knowledge of the Sage. At the very least, Orochimaru knew the Sage's name was "Hagoromo Otsutsuki."
The name wasn't common, but it wasn't rare either. However, a shinobi named Hagoromo who possessed strength that defied logic was something Orochimaru found fascinating.
As for what Orochimaru's tongue was doing at that moment... one can only imagine; it is better left undescribed.
Hagoromo didn't take the bait, shifting the topic immediately. "Lord Orochimaru, shall we face the Jinchuriki together? We still haven't cleared up why Iwa has infiltrated this place."
The immediate matter was the most pressing.
"No need. I'll handle this one. Weren't you moving as a pair? Your teammate's situation isn't looking very good right now."
Orochimaru gestured toward a specific direction. His meaning was clear: It's okay that you messed up, kid. Uncle will cover for you.
"Understood!"
Hagoromo didn't hesitate for a second. He turned and bolted to save Kakashi.
As for Lord Orochimaru wanting to face the Jinchuriki? He likely wanted to perform some "indescribable research" on the Tailed Beast that was best done without an audience.
Hagoromo carefully skirted around Roshi, who made no move to stop his departure.
He'd leave the Jinchuriki to the Snake Sannin's ministrations.
Once he was a safe distance from the enemy, Hagoromo broke into a full sprint. May the Third Hokage protect Hatake Kakashi until I get there.
Since they weren't far apart, Hagoromo quickly reached the site where Kakashi had first engaged the enemy, but the area was deserted.
There was no blood and, more importantly, no bodies. Hagoromo breathed a sigh of relief.
The traces of battle hadn't been hidden, so the direction in which Kakashi and the enemy had moved during their fight was clear. Hagoromo followed the trail.
And Kakashi? Things were indeed looking grim. He was locked in a perilous duel—or rather, a one-versus-two.
The tables had turned, and the enemy was giving him a "mixed doubles" beating. It was not a pleasant experience.
Fortunately, it seemed the second enemy was letting the eyebrow-less boy use Kakashi for practice, watching from the sidelines. Only when the boy failed to break through Kakashi's defense did she decide to intervene.
Kakashi was nearly finished! At that critical moment, his friend Hagoromo finally logged in.
Did you really think I wouldn't recognize you from ten years ago?
The boy with no eyebrows was likely Zabuza Momochi.
The kunoichi who had been watching and finally moved was Mei Terumi.
She was a blur of motion once she committed. In an instant, the kunai in her hand was inches away from piercing Kakashi's throat!
However, the distinct chirping of a certain Lightning Style suddenly erupted.
A hand crackling with lightning expanded in Mei Terumi's vision, then—Snap!—it slammed into her face.
It was painful, numbing, and shocking. Even as a kunoichi, she likely hadn't been treated this way since she was a child.
The force behind the palm was immense. Her neck snapped back, followed by her torso, then her hips, thighs, and feet!
Mei Terumi felt her body flying backward, and then...
Boom!
The girl's head was slammed violently against a wall by her assailant!
Like a crushed watermelon.
Talk about showing no mercy to a lady!
But when Hagoromo pulled his hand back, the object before him was merely a wooden log.
"Interesting. With my attack speed, there haven't been many enemies who could successfully pull off a Substitution Jutsu mid-clash."
Hagoromo turned, addressing a certain direction.
In truth, there hadn't been any before now. Mei Terumi was the first.