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

Chapter 371 - Orochimaru's Surprise

Daichi looked at Orochimaru and his eyes slightly narrowed. 'I need to keep him here for as long as possible. I'll also have to make sure he doesn't know that I'm stalling him.'

Orochimaru stood upon a bare stretch of rocky ground beneath the faint moonlight. The terrain around them was rugged with sprawling heaps of loose stones. Not a hint of vegetation grew here. The very earth itself seemed cold and lifeless in the depth of night.

He took a few steps forward towards the Genin and the boy immediately raised his guard.

"That's far enough." Daichi spoke as he looked at the Snake Sannin.

Orochimaru came to a casual stop several strides away, the pale glow of the moon accentuating his serpentine features. "Indeed," he murmured. "No need to venture further. After all, I wouldn't want you to tumble over a cliff in the dark, Daichi. Hihihihi..."

Daichi's stance shifted into an attack posture. "Orochimaru... you'll release Tsunade sensei and Shizune. Now."

The Snake Sannin looked at the boy and he could hear the tension hidden in the boy's tone and it amused him.

A chuckle escaped his mouth and he crossed his arms. "You're quite the bold one. You truly believe yourself capable of demanding anything from me?"

'Yes. He's taking the bait. I need to keep him talking.' Daichi readied himself, though he didn't attack. "I have no illusions that I can force you to do anything. But that doesn't mean I'll just stand idle."

Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed in the moonlight. He made no aggressive move, not yet. "Since this is our first meeting, why don't we have a little chat first, hm? Surely you have questions for me?"

Daichi remained silent as he looked at the rogue ninja in front of him.

Orochimaru merely had a smile on his face as he looked at the boy. "Did you really think I wouldn't notice? You're stalling, aren't you?"

'He's as cunning as ever.' Daichi kept an impassive face but some emotions broke through.

The man noticed the surprise crossing Daichi's face and it made him laugh. "If you think you can keep me here while your teacher defeats my guards and rescues Tsunade and Shizune... you're mistaken. If he gets into my lab, he won't leave there alive."

A grim expression crossed Daichi's face but his heart was calm. 'So that means he hasn't sensed Jiraiya and Lord Tobirama. Good. Let him think that's my plan.'

Orochimaru and Daichi were silent for several seconds as they stared at each other. Soon it was the Sannin who broke the silence. "Since this is our first meeting, I'll indulge you. I'm sure you have questions. Go on Daichi. I'm sure you're curious about why I did what I did."

'I can't let him find out I know the truth about his plans.' Daichi narrowed his eyes. "Fine. Let's talk. Why do you need Tsunade-sensei? Why go this far, risk a war with the Leaf village over her?"

Orochimaru's chuckle resonated across the stones. "Oh? Do you really not know? I don't believe that. If you are as clever as I've heard, then you should be able to figure out at least some things. She's a Senju, after all. And not just that, her medical expertise is unparalleled. She's quite the prize."

Orochimaru expected to see fear or rage on Daichi's face when he said those words but other than wariness the boy showed nothing which surprised the man. 'He either has exceptional control over his emotions or he's trying to not let me rattle him. Hihihi... How cute.'

A soft hiss of wind carried the faint sound of distant fighting, echoing over the ridge. Daichi heard it, a subdued rumble that suggested Kakashi had begun engaging Orochimaru's guards.