It's normal to get a kaleidoscope as a first deposit of six yuan, right?

……

"What happened here..." Orochimaru, who was halfway through the journey, looked at the carriage lying in the grass and the pile of orc corpses, and his face became much gloomy.

Could it be that his whereabouts have been further discovered by Konoha ninjas? No, that's unlikely. If it really was Konoha, they would never have handled the scene so hastily.

Wouldn't it be a better option to kill his men, then disguise ourselves as him and ambush him from among the Ibri clan?

Orochimaru looked at the blood-soaked scene, and a smile suddenly appeared on his gloomy face.

"Hehehe, things are really getting more and more unpredictable. Let's see who else is after me in this farce."

After finding no recovery potions in the surrounding area, Orochimaru continued running towards the path ahead.

……

Konoha Village...

An ANBU member suddenly appeared in the Hokage's office and knelt down in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Third Hokage, the Uchiha clan has held another large-scale clan meeting. Given the current emptiness of Konoha, the Uchiha clan's ability to gather a large number of clan ninja in such a short time is probably not a good thing."

Hearing the explanation from the ninjas below the stage, Hiruzen Sarutobi took off his Hokage hat and placed it on the table, then looked through the window at the location of Tobirama Senju on the Hokage Rock.

"Sigh, it seems the Uchiha clan is quite dissatisfied with Konoha's autocratic rule."

While Hiruzen Sarutobi was still sighing, Danzo strode in from outside.

"Sarutobi, it seems you've received the news too. The Uchiha clan is probably planning a coup while Konoha is vulnerable, hoping to seize actual control of the village. We need to act quickly. While they're still gathered together, if we surround them..."

"Enough, Danzo. Now is not the time. Orochimaru has just defected, and Konoha can't afford any more trouble." Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed as he looked at the stone statue of Tobirama Senju in the distance.

Danzo was seething with hatred at Hiruzen Sarutobi's indecisiveness.

If we don't act now, are we going to wait until the next "Uchiha Madara" rides the Nine-Tails and massacres Konoha? Sarutobi, you've been such a weak Hokage. Tobirama-sensei was wrong all along; only he can truly lead Konoha to eternal prosperity!

Chapter 24 Xuejian's Betrayal

"Where are those two brats?"

"Did they run that way?"

"Let's go, chase after them!"

After the two smoke figures left, two curtains suddenly appeared on the wall. Zhi Xue and Tian Zang exchanged a glance and then ran into a crevice in the surrounding cave.

"Are you also a Konoha ninja?"

"That's the question I should be asking you." Zhi Xue lifted a strand of her smooth bangs, revealing Konoha's steel headband, flicked it, and asked Tian Zang in return.

Sky Burial scratched his head in slight distress.

"It seems you're just an ordinary Konoha ninja. It's really bad timing for you to come out now. Let me send you out later; it's far too dangerous here."

Zhi Xue shook her head at Tian Zang's well-intentioned advice. They were already in the snake's den, and the treasure was just around the corner. How could they give up so easily at this point?

"I came here mainly because I found clues about Orochimaru in my mission, so I followed the clues here." Zhi Xue made up a reason, then raised her fair and jade-like legs and supported them on the rock wall next to her, and took out a map from the ninja tool bag hanging on her thigh.

Ahem...

When Tianzang inadvertently caught a glimpse of Zhixue's absolute territory peeking out from under her lotus-leaf skirt, his face flushed slightly as he coughed twice.

What could be causing a sudden rush of blood and energy to the head?

Zhi Xue unfolded the map, and Tian Zang also took a look. Sure enough, it was a map showing how to get to this hidden place from Konoha. It was almost exactly the same as the one Danzo had given him, except that the entrance was different.

Looking at the map in Zhixue's hand, Tianzang suddenly thought of the blood-covered girl he had seen at the market entrance. Could the map have been stolen from Orochimaru's subordinates?

"What is your mission?" Zhi Xue tilted her head and asked Tian Zang beside her.

"Of course, it's to stop Orochimaru from escaping Konoha's pursuit," Tenzang said with absolute certainty. Danzo had indeed given him that order.

Orochimaru's defection was too sudden, and he took away a lot of research data and results that Danzo needed after he left.

More importantly, Orochimaru has become an S-rank rogue ninja of Konoha, and the last of the three legendary Sannin has also left the village. Konoha's strength will be weakened again. In addition, the Uchiha clan, a tiger eyeing Konoha, is still observing from the sidelines, which will likely cause a lot of chain reactions.

"How do you know Orochimaru would definitely take this route?" A strange look flashed across Zhixue's pretty face. Shouldn't Orochimaru have gone towards the forest behind Konoha? How could he possibly have circled around to this place?

"I wasn't sure at first either, but just now, the Ibri clan received Orochimaru's message, and they should be here soon."

Stop Snow: ...

What a bad day! I actually ran into Orochimaru.

……

Ibrahim tribe land…

Two wisps of smoke drifted to Wutai's front and gradually returned to human form.

"So, what happened to those two brats later on?"

"Reporting to the leader, we've lost them. They're running very fast, and the two of them are chasing each other at very similar speeds. Several times they almost caught up, but then it seemed like they deliberately pulled away, as if it was intentional."

"Yes, leader, they are all from Konoha. I'm afraid it's a trap."

After listening to the suggestions from the two guards, Wu Tai pondered for a moment before ordering them, "Quickly go and inform your clansmen in various places to search for these two brats. Capture them alive if you can, and kill them if you can't. Lord Orochimaru has done us a favor, and we cannot watch him be captured by Konoha."

"Yes!"

Two guards ran down, while Yukimi, who was hiding in the corner, overheard Gota's order.

Xuejian, with her back against a pillar, clenched her fists and encouraged herself, "Tianzang has finally returned. I absolutely will not allow anyone to hurt him. Chief, I'm sorry, but I absolutely, absolutely cannot watch Tianzang die again..."

After making up her mind, Xuejian transformed into a pink wisp of smoke and flew away like a whirlwind.

"Grab those two outsiders, don't let them get away!"

"Yes!"

Guards patrolled the cave, their eyes scanning the surrounding area for possible hiding places.

"We've found them! Seize them!"

A guard threw his dagger, which pierced Yamato's back. However, after only a puff of dust, Yamato's body had already transformed into a lifelike wooden figure.

Using her Sharingan to observe the area, Shiyuki turned to Tenzang beside her and said, "Yamato, it seems you've been exposed."

"My name isn't Yamato, my code name is—A."

“How about we call you Yamato Craftsman, codename—A? Isn’t that super cool?” Zhi Xue scratched her smooth hair on her head, then suddenly had a flash of inspiration and patted Tian Zang on the shoulder.

Sky burial: ...

What does a Root ninja have to do with something completely unrelated like craftsmanship? He can't possibly use his prized Wood Release techniques to build houses in Konoha, can he? That would be too shabby!

As the two were talking in the ventilation shaft, a pink smoke appeared behind them, transforming into a little girl with brown curly hair.

"Xuejian? What are you doing here? You'd better leave quickly! We're being hunted by your people right now. If we're seen, we can still run, but if they see you with us..."

Hearing Tianzang's worried voice, Xuejian felt a warm current flow through her heart and shook her little head.

"Don't worry, the leader spoils me and won't do anything to me. Besides, I've already lost my family once, and I absolutely don't want to experience separation again, Tianzang." (Here's an explanation: Tianzang is Xuejian's younger brother, and the two have a sibling relationship.)

Xuejian's two small hands tightly gripped Tianzang's left hand. The warm and gentle touch seemed to penetrate deep into Tianzang's blood, causing his fiery heart to pound.

It was an emotion I had never felt before…

As Zhixue's crimson eyes observed the ground, she suddenly saw a gray smoke rapidly drifting over from afar, its chakra level being twice that of Zhixue.

"The enemy is here, Yamato, retreat quickly." Zhi Xue took out the Kusanagi sword and patted Tian Zang on the shoulder.

Wu Tai transformed into smoke and rushed towards Zhi Xue and Tian Zang's location. However, when he saw a pink storm carrying the two outsiders towards the outside world, Wu Tai was stunned for a moment, and then reacted with a furious expression.

"Xuejian, the real Tenzo is already dead! Those two are just unrelated outsiders. Are you trying to help outsiders betray Lord Orochimaru?!"

Chapter 25 Shadow-Level Experience Card

"It should be here... Damn those two..." Wu Tai's shadowy figure moved through the winding ventilation ducts, chasing after the road ahead.

Soon, Wu Tai saw a bright light in front of him. It was not the light from the exit, but a scorching flame that could almost engulf the passage.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

After spitting out two fireballs, Zhixue turned around to leave, but was entangled in a cloud of black smoke.

"Tell me, where did Xuejian go?" Wu Tai's deep voice came from the dark smoke, but Zhi Xue didn't speak. Instead, she revealed a mocking smile, and then with a "poof," the huge person turned into a piece of paper and floated lightly to the ground, with a particularly cute cartoon pattern engraved on it.

(I'll hold off on posting the picture for now. I can't post it until it reaches 10 words. The prompt is: "Comfort the opponent.")

Gota, now in human form, dusted off the soot from his body, picked up the paper, and seeing the mocking expression, his anger surged. He then tore the paper to shreds and threw it into the fire behind him.

"You wretched brat, don't let me catch you!"

……

Outside the dark and deep cave, it was getting late. The faint light of torches illuminated the corridor, where two guards with machetes stood watch outside a tightly locked door, looking somewhat tired.

"Hahaha... Why isn't Lord Orochimaru here yet? I feel like I'm going to fall asleep any later."

"Who can argue with that? If this guy didn't have the technology to cure our chaotic smoke transformation, who would listen to a stinky snake?"

"Sigh, it's all so that the next generation can truly live in the sunlight. Staying in this cave for a lifetime is already bad enough."

While the two guards were still chatting, a sound seemed to come from the surrounding passageway.

"Huh? Who!?"

"Who is there?"

The two guards warily raised their machetes, and then a slender, long black figure gradually appeared in the cave. When they saw this figure, both of them narrowed their eyes.

"Yes, it's Lord Orochimaru?"

"I think I heard you talking about me?" Orochimaru, with several blood-stained bandages around his waist, walked step by step in front of the two guards. His cold and ruthless golden pupils made the two men tremble.

"No, no, Lord Orochimaru is a great benefactor of our Ibri clan. We were just praising you."

"That's good. Open the door. I need to go in and pack my things. I'm going to leave here soon to avoid Konoha's pursuit. But once I've done my research outside, I'll definitely help you solve your physical problems."

Orochimaru then walked towards the door, but the two guards were in a dilemma.

"But, Lord Orochimaru, without the leader's orders, we cannot..."

"But aren't these things mine? What, can't I take back what belongs to me?" Orochimaru asked the guard in a hoarse voice, his face darkening.