The lush forest whipped past as Orochimaru sprinted through it, feeling a fleeting sense of déjà vu.
The last time he had fled in such a state was when he defected from Konoha.
He'd thought he would be free from such predicaments, but here he was, running once more—and in an even more desperate situation.
Reflecting on how he'd ended up in this position, he realized it all traced back to his own actions: collecting Gensou's cellular remnants and using Edo Tensei to resurrect him during the Chunin Exams. Instead of gaining control, Gensou had escaped and was now pursuing him for revenge.
For the first time, Orochimaru felt a deep regret.
Why had he meddled with Edo Tensei on Gensou in the first place?
Just as Orochimaru was lost in thought, he snapped back to reality, his face growing dark as he muttered, "He's here."
The connection with the snakes he'd left at his base had just been severed.
Clearly, Gensou had arrived.
"Lord Orochimaru…" Kabuto looked at him anxiously.
Having personally experienced the overwhelming pressure Gensou exuded, Kabuto found it unnerving to see Orochimaru, typically unfazed by both Konoha's and Akatsuki's pursuits, now showing genuine anxiety.
As Orochimaru's assistant, Kabuto knew well that Orochimaru's genius, talent, and intellect surpassed everyone in the shinobi world.
The Living Corpse Reincarnation, cursed seals, Edo Tensei… each of these jutsu was enough to leave an indelible mark on history.
And yet, hearing Gensou's name alone was enough to make Orochimaru decide to retreat without hesitation.
It dawned on Kabuto that someone could truly be powerful enough to disregard everything.
Now, faced with this overwhelming force, Kabuto felt an unprecedented sense of helplessness.
In contrast, Orochimaru, having weathered countless crises, remained calm.
Unable to sense his snakes within the base, Orochimaru didn't hesitate. Opening his mouth wide, he released thousands of serpents, each slithering out with thick, viscous mucus.
In no time, a vast army of snakes blanketed the area in front of them.
Orochimaru glanced at Kabuto beside him.
Unlike other subordinates who could be replaced, Kabuto held special value to him.
With a quick command, one of the larger snakes swallowed both Orochimaru and Kabuto, concealing their presence entirely.
Under Orochimaru's orders, the mass of serpents dispersed in all directions, spreading quickly.
Back at Orochimaru's base…
Sensing the sudden surge of summoning energy nearby, Gensou wasn't surprised.
"I anticipated this," he muttered, placing his hand on one of the serpents from Ryuchi Cave.
With a surge of chakra, the snake's eyes turned into Rinnegan, losing its aggressive aura and obediently coiling at Gensou's feet, awaiting his command.
The Rinnegan's Animal Path ability could override existing summoning contracts, temporarily claiming the summoned creatures as his own.
Orochimaru, assuming his snakes had been killed, was unaware that Gensou's Rinnegan-controlled snakes were now tracking his serpentine escape route.
Snakes understood other snakes best.
No matter where Orochimaru fled, the Rinnegan-controlled snake army would find him.
Gensou stepped out of the base, observing the impending chase with a calm smile.
Elsewhere…
A hawk, flying at high speed, had already begun delivering Gensou's message to Deidara and Kisame.
Meanwhile, Hanare lay in wait by the lake, monitoring the Three-Tails and watching the movements of Konoha and Guren's group.
"Kakashi…"
Hanare had spotted Kakashi earlier but hadn't paid him much attention until now, as the lake had finally calmed down.
She found herself recalling the day he had accompanied her in Konoha, remembering how he'd shown restraint during the prisoner exchange.
She also remembered the intelligence indicating that he was still single and that his biggest hobby was reading certain adult novels.
Shaking her head with a hint of regret, she murmured to herself:
"If it's because of me that you lost interest in real women, then I'm truly sorry."
"You don't have to apologize. I'm single because I haven't found the right person, not for any other reason."
A steady, slightly emphasized voice suddenly spoke from behind her.
Hanare's eyes widened as she instinctively prepared to move.
But the cold touch of metal against her neck froze her in place.
A kunai was now pressed to her throat.
Hanare ceased all movement, lowering her eyes as she calmly enunciated:
"Kakashi…."
"It's me." Kakashi held the kunai to her neck. "We meet again, Hanare."
Kakashi acknowledged her before adding:
"Though this meeting isn't exactly friendly, Hanare, there's no need to spread rumors about me right from the start."
"Rumors? Did I say something wrong?" Hanare raised her hand, which had been reaching for her ninja pouch, signaling she wouldn't resist.
Kakashi kept the kunai steady, replying briefly, "About why I'm single."
Realizing his concern, Hanare chuckled softly. "So, that's it. I see I misinterpreted things."
Kakashi: "Thank you for understanding."
With them were Team 8 and Team 7, minus Naruto, along with Yamato as their leader.
The rest of the group looked on, intrigued by this unexpected interaction.
Kiba, ever curious, whispered eagerly, "What's Kakashi-sensei's relationship with that woman?"
"I know!" Sakura, the only one who had met Hanare before, whispered excitedly. "Her name is Hanare, and she was someone Kakashi-sensei used to like!"
Hearing this, Yamato's eyes lit up. "So that's it! I'd heard rumors that Kakashi-senpai once had someone special, and it was her!"
"But…" Sai raised his hand, puzzled, "didn't they just say they weren't connected?"
Before Sakura could answer, Shino, hands in his pockets, calmly remarked, "When my parents argue, they often claim to love insects more than each other, but it doesn't stop them from continuing their life together."
Sakura nodded approvingly, adding, "Didn't you notice? Kakashi-sensei is talking more than usual to an enemy."
"Ah, so verbal statements don't always match one's true feelings. This is what they call 'speaking contrary to one's heart!'"
Sai, enlightened, quickly jotted down this revelation in his notebook.
Hearing the sound of his pen scratching on paper, Kakashi looked back at his teammates with a helpless expression.
Honestly, could you guys be any louder with your 'whispers'?
(End of Chapter)
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