"Souma-sama."
"…"
Souma was inside the room, accompanying the Daimyō while casually talking about the research institute, when an ANBU suddenly entered, his voice tense with urgency.
Souma paused and looked over.
"What happened?"
"Mitarashi Anko requests an audience. She says the situation is extremely urgent."
The ANBU leaned closer and whispered.
Souma's eyes narrowed slightly.
Perfect timing.
He turned toward the Daimyō and smiled politely.
"Daimyō-sama, I've been summoned for an urgent matter. Would you mind if I leave a shadow clone to accompany you while I step out briefly?"
"Of course. If it's important, go ahead."
Daimyō waved his hand warmly.
"These past few days you've already given me more than enough of your time. Don't delay serious matters because of me."
He even considered standing up to see Souma off—
but after watching Souma split into an identical clone with an independent presence, he hesitated.
"…Then I'll leave it to you."
"Please do."
The Daimyō stared at the clone, then at Souma's real body, eyes filled with amazement and envy.
Such an ability… how enviable.
If only he were younger—he might've enjoyed being a shinobi himself.
Outside the chamber, Souma saw a familiar figure—
Mitarashi Anko, once Orochimaru's most trusted subordinate, and originally slated to be the second stage examiner.
She was clutching her neck. The pain had subsided slightly, but her pale face and labored breathing made her condition obvious.
"Anko-senpai, what happened?"
Souma frowned.
Had she encountered Orochimaru's real body?
She straightened herself.
"Souma… I have a special way of sensing Orochimaru."
"…The curse mark?"
Souma glanced at her neck.
Anko's eyes lit up.
"So you knew. Then it wasn't a coincidence that you discovered him twice before—
you have a way to sense him too, don't you?"
"I used to," Souma replied calmly. "Now… I'm not so sure."
"Why?"
Anko grew anxious, then suddenly realized she was getting sidetracked.
"That's not the point! Orochimaru has appeared!"
"Where?"
"The Forest of Death. Northwest sector. I suspect he's heading toward your research institute."
The research institute?
Souma frowned.
If Anko's curse mark reacted, then Orochimaru's true body was indeed nearby.
If Souma went—
Orochimaru would be luring him away.
If he didn't—
Orochimaru might actually infiltrate the institute.
A classic Orochimaru move.
But Souma relaxed instead.
"No need to worry. If he goes there, he won't succeed."
Deep within that forest…
another of Souma's shadow clones was stationed.
A very different one.
That clone was saturated with natural energy—and accompanied by the Insect King. If Orochimaru appeared, the clone could continuously refine senjutsu chakra on the spot.
The research institute was absolutely secure.
Still—
"Orochimaru's true body is there… Will ANBU make a move?"
Or—
Souma suddenly looked at Anko.
Every Heaven Curse Mark was unique.
Anko's mark was the very first Heaven Curse Mark Orochimaru ever implanted. To Orochimaru, her presence was like a lighthouse in the dark.
When she sensed him—
"…Why are you looking at me like that?"
Anko felt a chill.
Souma smiled faintly.
"Anko-senpai, you've been baited."
Her expression changed.
"The curse mark was placed by Orochimaru. That means it's reasonable to assume—
he can sense you as well."
"…You mean…"
Her face turned pale.
"He did it on purpose?"
"Exactly."
Souma nodded.
"He deliberately leaked his direction toward the research institute to draw your attention.
Whether you acted or not, it benefited him."
Anko clenched her fists.
Her former teacher… was still manipulating her.
"So what do we do? Ignore him?"
"Not yet."
Souma raised a hand.
"Let me take a look first."
He produced a crystal ball and activated the Telescope Technique.
Moments later—
A forest scene appeared.
Bzzzz—!
Sharp insect cries echoed through the trees.
Within the layered chorus of sound, information flowed—indecipherable to outsiders.
At the forest's core—
A dog-sized Insect King hovered in the air, wings vibrating.
A silent shadow clone abruptly opened its eyes.
"Orochimaru?"
Bzz—bzz—
The Insect King darted up and down, transmitting data.
"I understand."
The clone closed his eyes.
Natural energy surged outward.
The Insect King landed atop his head.
In an instant, all the overflowing natural energy converged toward it.
Simultaneously, a chakra membrane formed around both clone and Insect King, sealing them within.
Elsewhere in the forest, Orochimaru advanced cautiously.
He spread his senses, carefully avoiding the Aburame insects—but—
"…They're everywhere?"
Orochimaru froze.
The entire forest was saturated with kikaichū presence. Some were buried so deep that without snake scouts, he would've already walked straight into a swarm.
"What kind of agreement did Souma reach with the Aburame clan…?"
According to Danzō, even Aburame Torune had shifted allegiance.
Orochimaru's thoughts raced.
Jirōbō. Kimimaro.
They shouldn't have lost so easily.
Unless—
"These insects… have mutated?"
A terrifying thought surfaced.
"Are they feeding on senjutsu chakra…?"
Orochimaru inhaled sharply.
If that was true—
This forest was no less dangerous than Ryūchi Cave.
Perhaps worse.
He hesitated.
He could handle kikaichū—but if Souma truly mastered Flying Thunder God and arrived instantly…
That was unacceptable.
Danzō hadn't acted yet.
Triggering a trap now would only mean stepping on a mine for him.
After a long pause, Orochimaru summoned a swarm of snakes and sent them charging forward.
Then he retreated.
His position was already exposed—
BOOM!
A terrifying force struck from nowhere.
Orochimaru was blasted backward.
"What—?!"
"He didn't appear… I can't sense him… how did he attack me?!"
Shock rippled through him.
Pain surged through his body.
Some unknown force was assaulting him directly.
Senjutsu?
His chakra suddenly stalled.
Gentle Fist?!
His mind reeled.
Since when did the Hyūga become this generous with their secrets?!
Orochimaru forced himself to calm down.
No technique was truly invincible.
This one excelled in surprise—but its mechanics could be broken.
If only he could locate Souma—
He suddenly extended his body, binding trees and launching himself through the air, constantly shifting positions.
Souma's eyes narrowed.
Fast thinker.
And one of the few people capable of such mobility.
"Then let's escalate."
Souma altered his chakra membrane from concealment to absorption.
Natural energy flooded in.
The Insect King accelerated refinement.
Then—
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Massive serpents erupted from the darkness.
Orochimaru sneered.
Absorbing natural energy at a time like this? Arrogant—
The thought cut off.
The snakes' heads exploded midair—
shattered by invisible Boxing shadow.
That technique—
Orochimaru's mind went blank.
Another secret art.
A fleeting illusion crossed his vision—
A Buddha statue.
"…Fire Temple."
Orochimaru cursed inwardly.
Danzō, you bastard. You hid this from me.
That man clearly wanted him dead.
But—
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed coldly.
"Danzō… even if you die, I won't."
His chakra pathways began recovering.
He bit his finger and summoned a snake.
Souma obliterated it instantly.
But—
Orochimaru's neck stretched grotesquely from underground, lunging for Souma's clone.
In the next instant—
The Insect King streaked forward as a black flash.
Slash!
Its vibrating carapace cleaved Orochimaru's neck—
Which instantly dissolved into mud.
Earth Substitution.
Orochimaru had already escaped using Reverse Summoning.
"…His escape skills keep improving."
Bzz—
Souma glanced at the Insect King and snorted.
"Don't even think about it. I'm not like him—and you can't eat me anyway."
The Insect King had been growing… opinionated lately.
Still—
He stroked its carapace.
"You did well. Using your wings as weapons, refining senjutsu chakra—perfect execution."
"The excess senjutsu chakra is yours. Eat."
The Insect King vibrated happily.
Souma straightened.
Next time, Orochimaru… you won't get away so easily.
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