Escape From Konoha

"Anko, if I leave this village one day, will you go with me?"

In the laboratory, Orochimaru asked his disciple Anko with a smile while mixing the potion.

"Leave the village? Teacher Orochimaru, do you want to travel again?"

Anko raised her head and looked at her teacher Orochimaru with pure eyes.

Orochimaru didn't speak, he just smiled and touched Anko's little head.

This disciple is really innocent and cute.

It's just that he's tired of staying in this village.

Here, he couldn't find what he wanted.

No, it is what I am looking for. It originally meant saying goodbye to this village.

He has felt it since the end of the Rain Kingdom War more than three years ago.

The rotation speed of the windmill in this village has become very slow, and it has become boring and boring.

Human beings are ultimately bound by ‘time’.

This is true no matter how powerful a ninja is.

"If Orochimaru-sensei is going to travel, take me with you, just like Tsunade-sama took Shizune with you."

Anko murmured in an envious tone.

Orochimaru continued to stroke Anko's little head, but the direction of his thoughts was no longer here.

Because his trip will be a very long and distant one.

Say goodbye to everything here.

◎

"The missing case..."

Taking the information obtained from the ANBU, Kakashi took it home and studied it carefully. It was already nighttime.

The first disappearance occurred in early February, almost mid-February.

The mysterious disappearance of a couple located in the commercial street in the west of Konoha did not arouse the ANBU's alert at first. Instead, the Uchiha security team conducted an investigation. However, after three days of searching with no results, another disappearance occurred. The case made the Uchiha security team aware of the problem.

The most critical thing is the second disappearance case. The missing person is not an ordinary person, but a genin in the village.

In view of the seriousness of the matter, after discussions between the security team and the ANBU, the matter was officially transferred to the ANBU for inspection, supplemented by the search by the security team.

There was nothing gained during the period, but in the end due to insufficient evidence, even if the suspects were narrowed down to the smallest range, immediate arrest action could not be taken.

After all, the locked-up suspect has a high status in the village, so it would be bad to startle the snake.

There are two suspects, Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, and Shimura Danzo, the root leader.

Compared with the former, the latter, as the root leader, is more doubtful.

In Anbu's dossier, Shimura Danzo can be said to have a bad record.

Kakashi read all the materials brought out from Anbu, showing a thoughtful expression.

From the first ten days of February to the current April, there were 21 missing persons ranging from civilians to ninjas.

It can be said that the frequency is quite high.

These people who were taken away did not know where they went, nor did they know what the purpose of those who took them was.

Because in Kakashi's thinking, neither Orochimaru nor Danzo had any reason to do so.

Although Orochimaru was involved in human experiments, he would never experiment on ninjas from his own village. With the power and channels Orochimaru had at his disposal, it was really simple to obtain experimental subjects from outside.

The same is true for Danzo.

Once this kind of thing is exposed, even the Third Hokage will not be able to cover it up, nor can it be covered up.

It is enough to ruin anyone's reputation, no matter how high his position is, he cannot escape from prison.

However, if it weren't for these two people... the ANBU really couldn't guess who else would have such great energy and motivation to kidnap those missing persons.

The ANBU has not locked on the real target for a long time because every time the ANBU takes action, the opponent will erase the traces in advance. It is obvious that the opponent has planted a nail in the ANBU.

The ‘nail’ in the ANBU is sending a message to someone.

Will it be one of Orochimaru and Danzo? Or are both of them involved? Or is it a third party? Kakashi was filled with this question.

If you want to start an investigation, it will be very difficult.

Even the ANBU has been infiltrated, and every move of the ANBU is likely to be obtained by the enemy in the dark.

When Kakashi was thinking hard about where to start the investigation, his body stiffened suddenly, his figure jumped back, and he subconsciously pulled out the White Fang dagger behind him, which fired intense lightning, illuminating the dim environment in the house. Bright.

In front of the window of the room, a figure stood upright.

The black hair is smooth and straight, the handsome and feminine pale face, the purple eye shadow and the snake-like golden vertical pupils give people a chilling and sinister atmosphere.

Wearing Konoha's Jonin uniform and Konoha's ninja forehead protector on his forehead.

Seeing Kakashi's alert movements, the sinister smile on his face grew wider and wider.

"Your intuition is really getting more and more sensitive, Kakashi."

"Master Orochimaru."

After Kakashi saw that it was Orochimaru, he breathed a sigh of relief and put down the White Fang dagger in his hand, and the lightning on it disappeared.

"I'm glad you remember me."

"Yes." Kakashi was a little unsure about Orochimaru's intention to come to him at this time, so he asked in a tentative tone: "I don't know if Orochimaru-sama comes in person this time. What important tasks do you want to entrust to me?" ?"

The communication between Orochimaru and himself is usually through code transmission.

Face-to-face information transfer like this is rare.

Once this happens, it means that Orochimaru will make a big move.

Orochimaru did not answer, but walked to the desk and picked up the information there.

All of them contained information about the recent disappearances in Konoha, and Orochimaru scanned them one by one.

As the reading progressed, the smile on the corner of Orochimaru's mouth became more and more obvious, with an evil quality.

"Kakashi, who do you think I am?"

Orochimaru suddenly asked such a question.

what kind of person?

Kakashi thought about it and then replied: "Lord Orochimaru, he is a talented ninja."

Orochimaru's talent is not only reflected in ninjutsu, taijutsu and genjutsu, but also in his in-depth analysis of the concept of jutsu, and he has found his own path.

Among the three ninjas, who is the most dangerous? Kakashi believes that this person is Orochimaru.

He is a terrible person who can do everything to perfection.

"Yeah?"

Orochimaru didn't make any comments, he just looked at Kakashi's serious attitude with a dazed expression on his face.

Perhaps he was recalling a familiar old friend, and there was a look of nostalgia in his eyes.

"You and Sakumo don't look alike, but your blade will be more terrifying than Sakumo's blade..."

Orochimaru came to his senses and said these words.

Kakashi said nothing.

Orochimaru generally means that his blade is uncontrollable.

Because his father's knife could be controlled, there was no danger.

The sword in his hand is the same sword as the White Fang dagger in his father Sakumo's hand, but they represent different meanings, protect different things, and pursue completely different goals.

"You have to risk your life to save that idiot Jiraiya, just to get closer to Sarutobi-sensei... This is the scariest thing about you."

Orochimaru sighed with emotion, speaking from the bottom of his heart.

For the sake of revenge, he would even risk his own life. Because of this, Orochimaru felt that the blade in Kakashi's hand would be much scarier than Sakumo.

Kakashi and Orochimaru looked into each other's eyes, still saying nothing.

Orochimaru shifted his gaze, turned to look at the dark night outside the window, and murmured: "Speaking of which, I also found a brand new path."

"A brand new path?"

Do you mean ninjutsu?

Kakashi knew how obsessed Orochimaru was with ninjutsu.

But what is this new path?

Kakashi didn't know much.

Orochimaru didn't explain much, he just said: "In the next three days, all ANBU actions will be reported to me."

With that said, Orochimaru left two scrolls on the table and disappeared into a wisp of breeze from the window.

Kakashi looked out the window at the cold night, the chill was still pressing.

The words Orochimaru left behind were unquestionable orders.

Kakashi walked to the table, picked up the two scrolls left by Orochimaru, opened them, and looked thoughtful.

The two scrolls left by Orochimaru are about ninjutsu.

The Ninjutsu experience of Thunder Release and Earth Release was written down in great detail.

This is a gift from Orochimaru.

Kakashi knew this, but he was also curious, what would Orochimaru do to know the whereabouts of the ANBU?

Then without thinking much, he took out a book from his pocket, lay on the bed and read it with gusto.

Let’s talk about tomorrow’s matters tomorrow.

Jiraiya-sama's novels are still very attractive.

◎

The time given by Orochimaru was three days.

In other words, in three days, the other party will make a big move.

Kakashi didn't know what the specific big move was, but he still acted on his duty as a 'spy' and secretly conveyed the ANBU's action plan to Orochimaru.

He didn't know what Orochimaru needed these things for, but it wasn't something he should ask.

At the same time, Kakashi also began to lead his own team members to investigate the disappearance case.

But whether he was investigating Orochimaru or Danzo, it meant that he found nothing in the end.

However, Kakashi was not worried at all. Even if he found nothing, he would not be suspected of anything.

The ANBU seniors who were more experienced and stronger than him were unable to do anything. If he had achieved results right away, it would be doubtful.

Moreover, he didn't think Orochimaru could do anything particularly big in three days.

It wasn't until dusk on the third day that Kakashi realized that his idea was completely wrong.

At dusk, the setting sun is still emitting residual heat, and it will soon be night.

Kakashi had already returned home to get ready. Before he could warm up at home, an ANBU wearing an animal mask suddenly appeared in his home and said briefly:

"Orochimaru has defected, please lead the team to hunt him immediately!"

After saying that, the ANBU member left, contacted other ANBU teams, and launched a hunt for the traitorous ninja Orochimaru.

But Kakashi looked a little dull in the direction where the ANBU left, and it took him a long time to react.

Orochimaru defected?

What kind of joke is this?

If an ANBU colleague hadn't come to confirm it in person, Kakashi would have thought it was a very cold joke.

As one of the disciples of the Third Hokage, the Konoha Sannin can be said to hold a high position of authority.

Even though the Third Hokage is in charge of Konoha now, at the age of the Third Hokage, he cannot hold the position of Hokage for long. This position must belong to Orochimaru.

Kakashi could expect something like this.

However, Orochimaru's actions exceeded his imagination.

Defection...that's not a good sign.

"A brand new road...is this what you originally meant?"

Kakashi murmured.

At first, Kakashi thought it was Orochimaru discovering some new ninjutsu idea, but he didn't expect it to mean this.

If you think about it seriously, this kind of thing is really unexpected.

Even though Orochimaru is a bit gloomy, his relationship with the village has always been very good, and he is far from the point of betraying the village.

Abruptly defecting from the village under such circumstances is completely illogical behavior.

For what kind of new road is more important than Konoha, a village that grew up from small to large?

Kakashi couldn't imagine it.

But the level of vigilance towards Orochimaru was even higher.

Rushing towards the ANBU headquarters, the three team members also came here to meet up.

Not only their team, but also two ministers of ANBU were standing in front of the ANBU headquarters building. Almost all ANBU who could move out met here.

There are thirty-two people in total.

More than half of them are jounin with considerable strength.

Even one of the three ninjas wouldn't be able to bear the swarm.

Not to mention, it seemed that even the two ministers were alarmed this time.

They will also join the team that captures Orochimaru this time.

Kakashi's idea was correct. He only heard the ANBU minister issuing an order in a calm tone: "Orochimaru, one of the three ninjas, killed his colleagues, captured villagers and ninjas in the village, and conducted evil human experiments. The evidence Confirmed. An arrest operation will be carried out immediately, and he must be caught and brought to justice before he leaves the Country of Fire!"

The tone was extremely firm, and it was obvious that he meant it this time.

Kakashi's eyes flashed, and he didn't expect that the previous disappearances in the village were really caused by Orochimaru.

It's just... Orochimaru has clearly planted a nail in the ANBU, so why do you need him to reveal the ANBU's information? This is just unnecessary.

To confirm the accuracy of the information... or to test his loyalty?

Kakashi thinks it's possible.

Apart from these two possibilities, Kakashi could not think of other possibilities.

If he did not pass the Anbu information to Orochimaru this time, or deliberately conveyed wrong information, then it is very likely that Orochimaru would abandon him.

What a cunning snake. Kakashi thought to himself.

Next, thirty-two Anbu, plus the two chief and deputy ministers, a total of thirty-four people, began to pursue Orochimaru outside the village.

◎

"Hiruzen...what did you do with Orochimaru? Why did this happen?"

Inside the office in the Hokage Building, the sky outside was already dark.

When the advisors moved to bed, Koharu and Mito Kaden looked at Hiruzen with stern expressions, revealing anger and regret.

As one of the three ninjas, Orochimaru can be said to be the leader of the younger generation in Konoha.

The only candidate for the Fifth Hokage.

Such a ninja killed his colleagues and conducted human experiments on the ninjas of the village, and became a defector ninja with a bad reputation... If the other ninja villages knew about this, they might all be laughing secretly.

Moreover, if Yunyin learns about this, he is afraid that the intensity of the attack on the Fire Country will become even more terrifying and unscrupulous.

Thinking of this, both consultants had worried looks on their faces.

Hiruzen was silent there, with a gloomy look in his eyes. The wrinkles on his face seemed to be deeper, and he looked extremely weak, making it difficult for people to tell that he was a ninjutsu doctor who had also been very high-spirited back then.

Now he is just an ordinary old man who is helpless when facing the defection of his disciples.

"I will take responsibility for this."

Hiruzen stood up from his seat, looked out the window and said.

"If we talk about responsibility, we are all at fault for failing to detect the abnormality of Orochimaru in time..."

Seeing Hiruzen's appearance, Mito Katoyan couldn't bear it and sighed.

Danzo, who was motionless on the other side, spoke coldly: "I heard that you led your subordinates to find Orochimaru's laboratory at the beginning. Why didn't you catch him at that time? For you, It is not difficult to subdue Orochimaru."

Hiruzen didn't answer, just looked out the window, but it could be faintly seen that his old body was becoming more bitter and trembling silently.

Danzo sneered secretly when he saw this.

This hesitant gesture is so humble.

It was too much for him to regret.

During the first ninja war, your decisive and fierce temper has now been thrown into the trash can! Danzo said in his heart.

Because of his intolerance and excessive mercy, Orochimaru was let go.

Now, the burden of capturing Orochimaru has been handed over to ANBU... How many outstanding ANBU jounin must be sacrificed to capture Orochimaru again?

How much does it cost to bring a Sannin to justice?

Danzo is unimaginable.

On the one hand, he is keen to see this situation, where the Anbu's strength is weakened and the roots can develop better.

On the other hand, the Anbu's strength is too fragile, which is not conducive to the stability of the village.

Danzo also frowned slightly, thinking about what to do next.

Should he continue to seize power from Hiruzen, or should he consider the threat from Kumogakure first.

Orochimaru's sudden defection also caught him a little off guard.

Soon, he had a judgment:

Let his deputy Ryoma Aburame lead half of the root members to the Kumogakure battlefield to assist the Konoha ninjas who are fighting on the front line.

No matter what, Konoha cannot fail in this war.

◎

At dusk, the scenery in the forest looks extremely dark.

A large number of Konoha Anbu were speeding through the forest, like lightning, passing through layers of dense forests, searching in all directions.

Kakashi led a team of four and also began searching for traces of Orochimaru.

Kakashi didn't know the details of Orochimaru's defection, nor did he understand Orochimaru's motive for defecting from the village, or why he used ninjas from his own village for human experiments.

With the energy in Orochimaru's hands, there was no need to do that.

If you want to use human bodies for research, you can always replenish them from outside. Using people from your own village for human experiments can only be said to be completely unlike Orochimaru's cautious style, but full of loopholes.

By doing this, it was as if he was deliberately telling the higher-ups that he and the village were completely cut off and no longer had any naive illusions about his return to Konoha! Stop him with the determination to die, or kill him!

Is it all for that brand new path? What a horrible guy. Kakashi finally understood all the things he didn't understand.

Orochimaru's decisive attitude, although it cannot be compared with the defection of Shiraishi and the other three, is still an extremely bad way of defecting.

What he had shaken was not the foundation of Konoha, but his own reputation, from a talented genius to an evil person who harmed his colleagues.

Since February, Anbu's actions have been under his control.

Rather, he is following his script completely.

Kakashi didn't have any expectations for capturing Orochimaru.

Although the ANBU dispatched were powerful, even the two strongest ministers were dispatched to besiege Orochimaru. Orochimaru would definitely be unable to resist, and would only be defeated in the end.

But under the current situation, they were unable to locate the specific traces of Orochimaru, nor did they know how Orochimaru planned to escape from the Country of Fire, and where his next destination would be.

In the village, is there any fellow party to pass on the message to him.

In the dispatched Anbu, is there anyone who is a pawn that Orochimaru stuffed in, and plans to stab them in the back at any time.

There are too many uncertainties.

But as long as he remains loyal to Orochimaru, after Orochimaru is stable outside, he will definitely be contacted by him.

Kakashi wasn't worried about that.

While he was thinking this, Kakashi saw a familiar figure in front of him, lying injured and bleeding next to a tree, breathing low, looking like he was about to faint.

"Master Jiraiya!?"

Kakashi and the three Anbu team members looked at Jiraiya in shock.

Although the opponent's serious injury was not fatal, he had lost too much blood and would definitely not be able to stand up in a short time.

"I failed to stop Orochimaru..."

The expression on Jiraiya's face was very decadent, showing confusion and pain, as well as extremely complicated feelings of regret.

This feeling of regret also arose in his heart when he heard the news of his disciple Minato's death.

Kakashi looked at the battlefield around him. There were no traces of battle, and there was only Jiraiya's blood on the ground.

Even if Orochimaru is stronger than Jiraiya, he can't be so powerful.

If he wanted to defeat Jiraiya, Orochimaru would have to pay at least a serious injury.

And there is no trace of battle here.

This probably means that when Jiraiya was fighting Orochimaru, he never fought back, but was passively being beaten.

Otherwise there is no way to explain all this happening.

Kakashi asked a team member to take Jiraiya back to Konoha, while he took the other two people to continue searching for Orochimaru's whereabouts in the forest.

Looking at the darkness of the forest ahead, Kakashi felt like a light was shining brightly in his heart.

What he was thinking about now was not how to capture Orochimaru, but what mission Orochimaru would ask him to perform in Konoha next.