The Adventurous Gamer Ninja - Daichi Hekima [Vol. 02]

Chapter 349 - A Cat & Mouse Game

Deep within the winding tunnels of his secret underground base in the Land of Earth, Orochimaru paced back and forth. The dim light from flickering torches cast long shadows on the damp stone walls, giving the place an even eerier feel. He stopped abruptly, sensing a shift in the chakra he'd been monitoring.

"So, Hashirama's Soul has been released, huh" he muttered to himself, annoyance evident in his tone. "And Fukai has been sealed by Jiraiya." He clicked his tongue, frustration creeping in. 'Losing two valuable reanimations this early wasn't part of my plan.'

Orochimaru focused on the sealed Reanimation ninja. 'Tobirama Senju was the one who created the reanimation jutsu. If he figures out a way to counter or destroy my control, he could turn Fukai against me. It seems his purpose has come to an end.'

With a swift hand sign, he decided to cut his losses. "There's no point in keeping you around if you're only going to become a liability for me." he said, releasing the reanimation jutsu on Fukai, the former Eight-Tails jinchūriki. The connection severed, and he felt the soul depart.

Orochimaru took a deep breath, trying to calm the irritation bubbling inside. "No matter," he whispered, a sly grin forming on his face. "What I gain from this will far outweigh any setbacks."

In the belly of a large toad in Mount Myoboku, two small toads were guarding a sealed ninja. Suddenly they saw the soul of a man coming out from the sealed coffin and they were immediately on guard.

Fukai looked at his spirit form and then at the toads and understood that he was defeated and was released. "Tell Jiraiya that Orochimaru has released his forbidden jutsu. I'm finally free." With those words Blue B's soul vanished.

The two toads witnessing the departure of the man, quickly left to inform their summoner.

Back in the secret hideout in the Land of Earth, Orochimaru entered the lab where Tsunade was being kept. He began arranging various vials and instruments on a nearby table. "Everything is almost ready," he mused aloud.

Shizune watched him warily. "What are you planning on doing to her now?" she asked, dread creeping into her voice.

He glanced over his shoulder, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Oh, just another little experiment. Tsunade possesses something very special, and I intend to make the most of it."

"You're insane if you think you'll get away with this," Shizune said, clenching her fists. "They'll come for us."

The Snake Sannin smiled slyly. "Oh, I'm counting on it my dear. But it'll be a little too late by then."

He held up a syringe filled with a swirling, iridescent liquid. "With this, the boundaries of what's possible will be pushed even further," he whispered, almost to himself.

Shizune prepared to defend her unconscious master but multiple snakes launched at her from the shadows and restrained her limbs. She gritted her teeth in anger as tears flowed down her cheek. "You bastard. You won't succeed," she said firmly. "Lady Tsunade is stronger than you think."

He chuckled. "We'll see about that." Despite the setbacks of losing Hashirama and Blue B, a twisted sense of satisfaction settled over Orochimaru as he proceeded with his experiments.

'Let them think they've gained the upper hand,' he thought. 'In the end, the knowledge and power I acquire from this endeavor will render their efforts meaningless.'

He looked at Tsunade, gazing down at her unconscious pained face. "Soon, everything will change," he murmured.

Shizune glared at him. There was desperation mixed with her anger. "You won't get away with this."