My Brother's a Jinchūriki!

Chapter Fifty-Seven- Disciple of the Snake

"Sorry to disappoint." Oto laughed to herself and blew out a slow tendril of smoke as she turned to look at the man. "As you can see, I am very much alive."

Natsumi froze in place as a chill prickled down her spine.

This feeling in the air... it's as thick as if I'm breathing in poisonous tar...

She gulped and felt herself begin to tremble.

This person is incredibly strong... and their Chakra alone... it's terrifying.

The man stepped out from the shadow of the trees and scowled slightly at the old woman.

"You haven't aged a day..." He narrowed his eyes at her.

"And you've become so old." Oto chuckled and smirked faintly. "What happened to that cute, smooth-faced child that I used to know, Oro-chan?"

"Tch. Devil woman. Don't use that name."

Oro-chan...? Natsumi's heart pounded as the intense, dark feeling clawed at her skin. This is the boy Oto was talking about? His presence alone is... nightmarish.

"Pity. You used to be so sweet, following me around like a little puppy, calling me 'Granny.'" Oto closed her eyes momentarily and leaned against her cane with both hands, her pipe resting between her lips. "My, how things have changed."

"Indeed they have..." He glanced at the girl beside the old woman. "What have we here, Oto?"

"Hm?" Oto looked at the girl from the corner of her eye. "Ah... Natsumi, dear, no need to make that face. You have nothing to fear from him. He's about as harmless as a little snakelet. Why don't you say hello?"

Harmless??

Natsumi gulped again, then nodded and slowly turned around.

Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid. I can trust Oto...

Her eyes rose to the man's face and the blood drained from her face in recognition.

T-That's...!

Her trembling returned and her eyes widened.

Konoha's traitor... the number one rogue Ninja... the one who conducted countless human experiments, even on newborn babies... the one we're told to run on sight from...

"An Uzumaki?" He chuckled and licked his lips, his tongue flicking out like a snake's before he looked back at his old master. "Quite the lucky find you've got there."

"Quite." Oto patted Natsumi shoulder. "Natsumi, dear, this is my old student. I'm certain you've heard of him before."

"Orochimaru..." Natsumi muttered under her breath, unable to move.

I'm in the presence of one of the most dangerous Shinobi in all the nations...

"A little young for the ANBU, isn't she?" Orochimaru fixed his eyes on her owl mask. "And... dripping with fear."

"I wouldn't make the mistake of underestimating her, Oro-chan. Natsumi isn't just some Uzumaki child."

"Oh?" He stepped closer, crossing his arms as he smirked slightly down at her. "Then, she's that Uzumaki girl."

"Correct." Oto kept a hand on Natsumi's shoulder, tightening her grip possessively. "She's quite the prodigy herself, you know. With a large appetite for knowledge and a thirst for strength and power."

"Is that so?" He bent slightly to meet the girl's eyes directly.

I feel like I'm drowning and burning alive all at the same time.