On the other side, in the Land of Rice Fields, Orochimaru had been in this country for nearly two years.
At this moment, in an open field near the border, a massive, khaki-colored python was coiled up, flicking its red tongue as it watched the scene ahead. Its golden snake eyes gleamed with an unsettling chill.
Around it, several ninjas lay scattered on the ground, defeated.
Orochimaru stood nearby, observing the short-haired girl in front of him. He couldn't help but marvel at how fate had brought them together.
The girl wasn't particularly attractive, dressed in simple civilian clothes. But her striking short red hair made her stand out.
"What's your name?" Orochimaru asked, his tone calm but probing.
"My name is…" The girl hesitated before replying, "My name is Chana."
"Chana, huh?" Orochimaru smiled faintly. "It's a nice name. So, would you like to come with me?"
"F-Follow you?" The girl, Chana, was visibly confused, staring at the pale-skinned, long-haired man before her.
"Really…?" she asked, her voice trembling with disbelief.
"It's up to you," Orochimaru replied, spreading his hands casually. He didn't feel the need to explain further. In this war-torn era, those who had lost their homes would hardly refuse such an offer. And this girl, in particular, was from the Uzumaki clan, he could sense it.
As if confirming Orochimaru's expectations, Chana quickly nodded. She had no other choice. She had fled her village and reached the Land of Rice Fields in a desperate attempt to escape the chaos. But even here, she was found by a group of wandering ninjas. If it weren't for Orochimaru's timely intervention, she would have been sold or worse after all, Uzumaki clan members fetched a high price on the black market.
Orochimaru turned and began walking, with Chana following close behind.
Before long, they arrived at the base of a beautiful mountain. Orochimaru gestured toward the landscape. "I forgot to introduce myself—my name is Orochimaru. From now on, this is your workplace. I'll help you get familiar with everything here."
"Yes… Lord Orochimaru," Chana replied respectfully. She was still confused and unsure about her future, but for now, she could only follow Orochimaru's lead.
Satisfied with her response, Orochimaru nodded slightly and led her toward his experimental base.
Chana's eyes widened as they approached the base. "This… this is… amazing!"
Orochimaru gestured toward the base. "From now on, these people will follow your orders. As long as they are here, no one will hurt you unless a great nation decides to invade, that is."
Chana, a member of the Uzumaki clan, was only fifteen years old. Orochimaru's promise of protection sounded almost arrogant, but she sensed that this man had the power to back up his words. After all, she had seen him take down seven or eight rogue ninjas in mere moments, without breaking a sweat.
Despite her initial shock, Chana grew more curious about Orochimaru. Anyone who could make such bold claims in these dangerous times had to be incredibly strong.
But when she entered Orochimaru's secret experimental base, her understanding of his power deepened even further.
The base was filled with people who looked eerily similar to each other working tirelessly on various tasks. In one section, rows of experimental pods and sleeping chambers stood side by side, with new clones being grown inside. Ｒ𝘼ΝÖ฿ƐṤ
Chana didn't know what to make of it. She had never seen anything before.
Orochimaru noticed her astonishment and smiled. "Come. I'll get you familiar with your duties."
He began showing her around, introducing her to the different areas of the lab and explaining her responsibilities. First, he had her acclimate to the work environment, then he implanted her data into the clones' minds and assigned her some authority over them. With this setup, the clones would recognize her as a supervisor, preventing any chance of rebellion. Not that Orochimaru expected any, but it was always wise to be cautious.
In truth, Orochimaru had been contemplating whether to restore Yoru's independent thinking so that he could manage the base in Orochimaru's absence. The clones, after all, lacked independent thought and wouldn't function properly if left alone for too long. But before he could make a decision, fate had brought Chana to him.
And surprisingly, this girl wasn't just anyone she was the mother of Karin. Yes, the very same Karin who would later become a key figure in Orochimaru's research.
Although the name "Chana" might have been a fake alias, Orochimaru was certain of her identity. Her hair color and healing ability were unmistakable traits of the Uzumaki bloodline.
Orochimaru remembered how, during the brief skirmish with the rogue ninjas, he overheard one of them demand that the girl heal him by biting, a signature ability of the Uzumaki clan.
Between her distinctive hair and her unusual healing powers, it wasn't difficult to piece together the truth.
A smile crept across Orochimaru's lips. Before Yakushi Kabuto was even born, he had crossed paths with Nono in Root. And now, before Karin was born, he had encountered her mother.
Sometimes, fate had a peculiar way of working.
Meanwhile, in the Land of Rain…
The sound of battle echoed through the dense forests. Shouts of desperation and explosions filled the air as ninjas clashed in a fierce fight.
"Retreat! Quick, fall back!"
Figures moved through the trees in a blur, carrying their wounded comrades as they fled toward their base. Blood soaked their clothes, but they didn't stop. They couldn't.
But as they raced through the forest, a strange noise reached their ears.
*Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta~!*
"What… what is that sound?"
The noise grew louder, coming from all directions.
Suddenly, a squad of puppets appeared in the sky, their wooden joints clicking and clattering with every movement.
"Damn it! It's the puppet troops from the Sand Ninja!"
"We've been ambushed!"
"Konoha shinobi, form a defensive line, now!" a commanding voice shouted.
The Konoha ninjas quickly moved into position.
"Mid- and long-range fighters, prepare for attack!"
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
"Wind Style: Gale Palm!"
"Lightning Style: Lightning Serpent!"
Wind, fire, and lightning clashed in the skies, creating a chaotic battlefield.
But the constant rain in Amegakure made their jutsu less effective. The moisture dampened their flames and scattered their winds.
"We can't keep this up! We need to concentrate our forces and break through!"
"Yes! Someone needs to get past them and request backup from the Hokage!"
"Flank them! Move, quickly!"