The battle started quickly, and it ended just as abruptly.
The moment Chiyo shouted for retreat, all the Sunagakure ninja withdrew in an orderly fashion. Those at the rear moved so fast it seemed as if they weren't running on land, but fleeing across a sea of flames—one that would consume them if they lingered even a second longer.
"Hey? They're retreating already?"
"Hey, you're playing with sand! Don't go!"
"Let's play some more!"
Kinrin could feel the Gold Dust on her body gradually losing its power as the ninja controlling it rapidly retreated. At the same time, they reshaped the withdrawn Gold Dust into a golden wall, blocking incoming attacks from the Konoha side. She couldn't help but urge them to stay—she hadn't had enough fun yet!
"Hmph! Don't get too happy just yet!"
"Retreat!"
"Take the wounded with you!"
Rasa issued the retreat order again, his face dark.
The Sunagakure ninja picked up speed but still moved in coordinated groups, searching for their injured comrades before carrying them off the battlefield together.
Just as the Konoha ninja prepared to give chase, Orochimaru spoke.
"No need to pursue! Everyone, tend to the wounded immediately!"
With his command, the Konohagakure shinobi scattered across the battlefield, focusing on helping the injured.
Orochimaru then approached the massive golden snake before him.
"Hehehe... So, you were summoned by Kazuyama after all..."
A golden snake.
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with interest as he observed the giant serpent before him. As someone who also held a Ryūchi Cave Summoning Contract, he was well-versed in snakes. But this was the first time he had ever seen a golden one.
"Oh? You are a Ryūchi Cave summoner as well, yet you have not accepted the inheritance," Kinrin remarked, surveying the pale man with keen eyes. "No wonder you cannot summon me."
With that, Kinrin dismissed him and slithered toward Kazuyama.
"Heh heh heh… Kazuyama, not bad…"
Orochimaru wasn't the least bit offended by the golden snake's words. Instead, his satisfaction with his disciple only deepened. He turned and headed back toward his own camp.
"Kazuyama, is that it?"
"I'm not done yet!"
Kazuyama shot a frustrated glance at Kinrin, his irritation bubbling up.
Not just you! I haven't had my fill yet!
I just unlocked a brand-new skill, used it only once, and now the enemy's already retreating?!
"Okay, it's wartime, and there will be plenty of opportunities for you to come out in the future."
"But Kinrin, I'm curious—where did Manda go?"
Manda was Orochimaru's signature summoned beast, a powerful snake from Ryūchi Cave.
"Pfft, why do you keep thinking about that guy? What's so great about him?" Kinrin scoffed. "Not only does he refuse to practice Senjutsu, but he also wants to eat this and that every day. He's a total glutton."
Kinrin really disliked Manda. Her tone was full of disdain.
"It's true that we took over Manda's den. The three Snake Princesses specifically gathered us sisters to take his place and receive your summons."
"That's why I know your name."
"You're quite popular with the Snake Princesses—they went to all that trouble just for you."
"You should know that we are snakes who have diligently cultivated our Senjutsu. We are far superior to Manda."
Kazuyama was momentarily taken aback.
The three Snake Princesses had arranged this on purpose?
Holy shit, have they taken a liking to him?
No, they probably just want him to bring them more delicious food…
The thought of the three Snake Princesses eagerly dividing up the snakeberries he had brought, each of them unable to get enough, made him smack his lips. Food really was the best way to win people over.
"Fine, since there's no more fighting, I'll be going back."
"Oh, and the Snake Princesses had a message for you—next time, don't forget to bring more snakeberries."
""What are snakeberries, by the way?"
Kazuyama's face instantly darkened. What did he just say?! They're just foodies!
"I see. I'll bring them next time I go to Ryūchi Cave."
"By the way, Kinrin, when you said you had sisters, did you mean there are other snakes?"
"How do they compare to you in terms of strength?"
Kazuyama was very interested in Kinrin's sisters. Who wouldn't want their summoned beasts to be incredibly powerful?
Just look at Hanzō of the Salamander—his highly poisonous summon made him a legend, feared throughout the world.
"Heh heh heh, you'll see."
"Bye!"
Boom!
Kinrin didn't answer Kazuyama. Instead, she simply vanished in a large cloud of white smoke.
"Fine, if you won't tell me, I'll find out sooner or later!"
Kazuyama pouted before noticing his sensei approaching with a smile.
"Kazuyama... You sure can sleep..."
"You were out for two days. I was worried about you..."
Feeling the amusement in Orochimaru's voice, Kazuyama let out a laugh.
"When I opened my eyes, I found myself being carried away. That really surprised me."
"Sensei, it seems there's unrest in the back of Sunagakure, just as we suspected."
"Do you think that kid Sasori has succeeded?"
Kazuyama had mastered the art of feigning ignorance to such an extreme that no one could read his true thoughts unless they used Psycho Mind Transmission on him.
Orochimaru paused in thought before speaking slowly.
"If it was an assassination, it might have actually succeeded. That kid's poison is very tricky."
"None of us have found a way to counter it yet. Alas, we can only rely on Tsunade."
"I wonder if Tsunade has returned to the village."
Hearing Tsunade's name, Kazuyama's mind immediately flooded with images—blonde hair, oversized… No, no, no, no, no, no, no—
Orochimaru burst into laughter.
He had to admit, talking with Kazuyama was always entertaining. This kid was completely unrestrained and would say anything.
"Alright, let's go back. Sunagakure failed in their attack this time, and I doubt they'll make another move anytime soon."
"If you want to return to the village, go ahead. I'll be fine here."
Kazuyama nodded. He did want to go back. The Land of Rivers was only the beginning of the Third Shinobi World War—there were still many events to come, and he didn't want to miss any of them.
Moreover, this time, Minato's Team had practically turned into his team. That made him wary—he needed to be careful with every step he took.
Meanwhile, deep in the desert southwest of Sunagakure...
A young man with red hair dragged a corpse across the sand, his expression twisted.
"Hatazaemon..."
"Don't think that just because you're dead, it's all over..."
"I'll make you the strongest puppet! That's how I'll repay the debt you owe me."
Cough cough...
"Damn... My body... Humans are fragile..."
"Getting hurt hurts. You face death, and then you have nothing..."
"Only being alive matters... Transcending death and becoming eternal is everything..."
A glimmer of longing flashed in the red-haired boy's eyes. From this moment on, he would carve his own path.
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake