Morning.
The morning dew has just awakened.
The pursuit by Red Sand Sasori arrived as expected.
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand Tetrahedron!"
Red Sand Sasori manipulated the human puppet of the Third Kazekage using Magnet Release, controlling the iron sand to form giant tetrahedrons, nearly collapsing the entire cave!
"Kabuto!"
Orochimaru swiftly ordered Yao Shidou to open the sealing scroll!
As Yao Shidou raised his fingers, a coffin emerged from the sealing scroll. The Third Kazekage, who had been revived through Reanimation, broke free from Orochimaru's control and launched an attack against Yao Shidou and Orochimaru!
"..."
Yao Shidou immediately realized the problem!
Yao Shidou ignored everything else, dragging Orochimaru to narrowly escape the attack of the Reanimated Third Kazekage, frantically carrying him to safety!
Fortunately.
The Reanimated Third Kazekage did not pursue them.
Because upon seeing that his body had been turned into a human puppet by Red Sand Sasori, the Third Kazekage immediately wanted to take the opportunity to clean up his traitorous successor.
"To think that my body was made into such a ghastly state…"
The Third Kazekage looked at Red Sand Sasori, controlling the iron sand to gather around him: "Although I don't want to return to the world of the living in such a ghastly state, this is a rare opportunity. It seems I can still rid the village of a dangerous traitorous ninja…"
"Perhaps…"
Red Sand Sasori's voice remained hoarse and calm, just casting a glance at the departing Yao Shidou and Orochimaru, manipulating Hiruko to raise his hand.
"Our tactics were effective."
Orochimaru, carried on Yao Shidou's back, smiled as though everything was under his control: "As long as I don't release the Reanimation Jutsu and don't control the Third Kazekage, he will definitely use the chance to return to the living world, trying all means to eliminate that bastard Sasori…"
Orochimaru never really thought that the Reanimated Third Kazekage would obey orders; he merely released the Kazekage to utilize the hatred between him and Sasori to escape from Red Sand Sasori's pursuit.
"Yes…"
Yao Shidou could only agree in a low voice.
Could Orochimaru, this supervisor, act a bit more reliable?
Yesterday, Orochimaru declared he was going to take Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan, only to end up trapped in Itachi's Tsukuyomi Genjutsu, unable to move, and even got thrown off a cliff by Red Sand Sasori, using the opportunity to be expelled from the Akatsuki Organization;
Last night, he was still claiming his Reanimation Jutsu could stop Red Sand Sasori from pursuing them, yet that Reanimated Kazekage nearly killed them in passing!
If I weren't here…
Who knows how many times Orochimaru would have died!
Just as Yao Shidou was worrying whether the fight between Red Sand Sasori and the Reanimated Third Kazekage would waste too much time, Red Sand Sasori had already dealt with his old superior.
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand World Method!"
Red Sand Sasori used the Iron Sand World Method to cover his tracks, seizing the chance to secretly throw a few Yin-Yang Release black rods, pinning the Reanimated Third Kazekage to the ground, immobilizing him!
Being on the Asura Path, Red Sand Sasori had long received the Yin-Yang Release granted by Akihara Kagura, and the Yin-Yang Release black rods happen to disrupt the flow of chakra.
Even the Reanimator is no exception.
"This is…"
The Third Kazekage looked in disbelief at the black rods stuck in his body.
"Just a little trick."
Red Sand Sasori looked at the Third Kazekage, offering advice to his old superior: "Return to the Netherworld sooner, to avoid being controlled again…"
"You bastard…"
The Third Kazekage wanted to curse a few times, but ultimately had no choice but to release the Reanimation Jutsu himself, letting his soul return to the Netherworld Pure Land.
After this Kazekage's soul vanished, the Reanimated body scattered into a heap of paper scraps, revealing the form of the sacrificial offering inside—a nameless ninja who had long been dead beyond death.
"Hmph…"
Red Sand Sasori picked up the black rods from the ground and once again pursued in the direction of Yao Shidou and Orochimaru, trailing after them.
Everything was just as Yao Shidou had rehearsed.
Due to Yao Shidou's treatment, Orochimaru's injuries were slowly healing, even though he couldn't completely recover, he could feel his condition improving, yet this didn't resolve the threat of Red Sand Sasori.
"In a while, I should be fully healed…"
Yao Shidou was very attentive as he treated Orochimaru, even finding a plausible reason for Orochimaru's severe injury: "Perhaps because Lord Orochimaru had reincarnated before, his soul is somewhat weakened, causing the healing process to be a bit slower…"
"Thank you, Kabuto."
Orochimaru looked at Yao Shidou with a sullen expression, not for his lingering injuries, but out of anger at his inability to escape Red Sand Sasori's pursuit.
"Kabuto, find a way to capture a sacrifice."
Orochimaru took out another scroll: "I still have some treasures, I'll teach you how to perform the Reanimation Jutsu, quickly learn to revive a new powerful being…"
"Yes."
Yao Shidou promptly nodded.
However, Orochimaru never expected that Yao Shidou's aptitude for learning the Reanimation Jutsu was rather poor, requiring step-by-step guidance, and didn't even grasp the principle of communicating with the Netherworld to summon the souls of the deceased.
Yao Shidou's aptitude for learning this Kinjutsu was too lacking…
But it increased Orochimaru's trust in him greatly.
Of course.
Yao Shidou also had his merits.
Yao Shidou's medical ninjutsu was exceptional and his medical skills were exceedingly advanced.
No matter how dangerous the situation, Yao Shidou remained devotedly loyal to Orochimaru, never contemplating abandoning him. He even took a poisonous needle from Red Sand Sasori to save Orochimaru, nearly dying from the poison.