Chapter 372: The Trace of Orochimaru!

"It really is you, Hatake Kakashi!"

Mizuki clutched the massive scroll, his expression betraying his nervousness. He hadn't expected to run into Kakashi while stealing the Book of Seals!

Encountering any Jonin would be troublesome, but he had the misfortune of crossing paths with the son of Hatake Sakumo, a disciple of the Fifth Hokage—the renowned genius Hatake Kakashi, whose name had spread throughout the ninja world.

As Mizuki spoke, he quickly assessed the terrain, already planning his escape. After surveying his surroundings, his gaze landed on Kurama Yakumo, who stood beside Kakashi, and a smirk crept onto his lips.

"Mizuki, I've already reported the theft of the Sealed Book to Minato-sensei."

"Put the scroll down and surrender. You still have a chance to atone."

"But if you attempt to escape with it or resist, you will die!"

Kakashi's keen eyes were fixed on Mizuki as he silently stepped in front of Kurama Yakumo, shielding her.

"A chance to atone? Stealing the Sealed Book is an act of betrayal against the village. Surrender means death, and resisting also leads to death."

"How could I possibly surrender? Are you an idiot?"

Mizuki sneered as he swiftly removed the massive sealing shuriken from his back and hurled it at Kakashi without hesitation. At the same time, he grabbed several more shurikens from his pouch and sent them flying toward Kakashi.

Unwilling to engage Kakashi directly, Mizuki immediately darted into the woods, not even waiting to see the outcome of his attack.

"Foolish," Kakashi muttered in disappointment. His right hand crackled with lightning chakra as he casually swiped forward, effortlessly altering the trajectory of the sealing shuriken. It embedded itself into the ground beside him, the blade sinking deep into the earth.

In the same instant, Kakashi produced a few shurikens of his own, launching them precisely to intercept Mizuki's incoming projectiles.

Watching Mizuki vanish into the shadows of the forest, Kakashi quickly formed hand seals and murmured, "Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

Despite the dry autumn air, water rapidly converged beside Kakashi, forming a massive dragon within moments. The aquatic beast coiled around him twice before surging toward the woods.

"Boom!"

"Ugh!!!"

A deafening explosion rang out in the distance, followed by a deluge of water. As the water dragon burst, a powerful wave carried broken roots, leaves, and debris back toward Kakashi's feet—along with Mizuki's drenched and disoriented figure. Though he had avoided a direct hit, the sheer force of the current had dragged him back.

Mizuki groaned, staggering to his feet, still clutching the Sealed Book. The scroll, though made of leather, was only slightly damp.

"Damn it, Hatake Kakashi!"

Mizuki's expression darkened. He knew he wasn't a match for Kakashi; even if he used his trump card, he wouldn't stand a chance. What frustrated him even more was that he couldn't even escape in front of Kakashi.

Kakashi, seeing Mizuki rise again, began walking toward him.

"Kakashi, don't come any closer!"

"If you take another step, I'll destroy the Sealed Book!"

As Kakashi advanced, Mizuki hastily pulled out an explosive tag and pressed it against the scroll, shouting in desperation. However, Kakashi detected the tremor in his voice—fear.

Despite Mizuki's weakness, he was still a trained Chunin. Even though there was a massive gap in skill, he could still detonate the tag before Kakashi could stop him.

The Sealed Book was too valuable to be destroyed.

"Mizuki, you have no way out. If you surrender, I will ask Minato-sensei to spare your life."

"You know Minato-sensei—he is a kind Hokage. If anyone will give you a chance, it's him."

"There's no need for a desperate last stand."

Kakashi's voice was calm, but before he could say more, he felt a small hand clutching the corner of his sleeve. He turned his head slightly to see Kurama Yakumo standing beside him, her gaze locked onto Mizuki.

"Step back!" Kakashi ordered immediately, noticing the hatred burning in the girl's eyes.

But she didn't move.

Instead, she continued to glare at Mizuki.

A sudden chill ran down Mizuki's spine as an ominous presence loomed behind him. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.

Whipping around, he found himself face-to-face with a massive white python. Before he could react, its tail coiled around him, binding him tightly.

The Sealed Book slipped from his grasp.

However, instead of hitting the ground, the large scroll was caught by a young man.

Kakashi's eyes widened at the unexpected development. But when his gaze landed on the figure holding the scroll, his pupils contracted sharply.

"You're Orochimaru!?"

Kakashi spoke without any honorifics. He had no respect for traitors, but the mere presence of Orochimaru stunned him.

This was the Death Forest of Konoha—still within the village's territory, though in a remote area.

With both the Fourth and Fifth Hokage present in Konoha, how could Orochimaru dare to return?

Was he walking into the lion's den?

Kakashi instinctively tensed, his muscles coiling like springs. The pressure emanating from Orochimaru was overwhelming. Even standing still, he exerted an oppressive aura.

"So this is one of the Legendary Sannin... I never felt it when we were on the same side, but now that we're enemies, I can truly sense his terrifying presence."

"Damn it, Minato-sensei hasn't received word yet!"

Cold sweat dripped from Kakashi's forehead. Orochimaru hadn't made a move yet, but Kakashi knew he couldn't afford to let his guard down.

"Hohohohoho."

"Not bad, Kakashi. You've grown."

Orochimaru chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. He examined the scroll in his hands, his fingers trailing over the aged leather.

"I only managed to glimpse a portion of the Sealed Book in the past, but even that knowledge was invaluable."

"Mizuki, you did well."

Though his words sounded like praise, the white python binding Mizuki remained firm.

"Orochimaru-sama, as long as you're pleased..."

"Then please release me and take me away from Konoha! I'll serve you forever!"

Mizuki pleaded, desperation flashing in his eyes.

But Orochimaru merely smiled.

"Mizuki, you're mistaken."

"I only wanted the Sealed Book. As for you... you have your own fate to meet."

"I have no use for adults who betray their own village."

Mizuki's face went pale.

Abandoned.

The thought struck him like a hammer. His body trembled—whether from the cold or sheer terror, he didn't know.

His vacant eyes locked onto Orochimaru in disbelief.

Orochimaru ignored him. His attention had shifted to Kakashi—and then, to Kurama Yakumo.

"A member of the Kurama Clan? That sensation... it feels familiar."

"What's your name?"

Orochimaru's tone was laced with curiosity. He saw something in the girl's eyes—confusion, fear, and a quiet determination.

It reminded him of himself as a child.

Kurama Yakumo didn't flinch. She met his gaze and answered softly, "Kurama Yakumo."

The moment she spoke, Kakashi quickly placed a protective hand on her shoulder, pushing her behind him.

He didn't know why Orochimaru was interested in her, but one thing was certain: Orochimaru was an enemy.

And whatever the enemy wanted, Kakashi would ensure he didn't get it.

"Kurama Yakumo..."

"Your body is incredibly fragile. Without proper medical treatment, you won't live past twenty."

"The congenital illness you were born with—your bloodline affliction—cannot be cured by Tsunade. But if you seek salvation, come to me."

"I will find a way to heal you."

Orochimaru grinned, tossing the Sealed Book behind him before extending a hand in invitation. His words pushed Kakashi past his limit. Without hesitation, Kakashi lunged at Orochimaru, his short blade gleaming with lethal intent.

The audacity—Orochimaru was attempting to corrupt a child from the village right in front of him. How could Kakashi tolerate such a thing?

"You dare attack me? How bold!"

Orochimaru smirked. Opening his mouth, he revealed the hilt of a sword protruding from his throat. With a swift motion, he grasped the hilt and drew the blade.

By the time his blade was fully unsheathed, Kakashi was already upon him. His short sword, infused with lightning chakra, slashed toward Orochimaru's head. The intense glow of the chakra blade momentarily illuminated the dark forest.

Clang!

Orochimaru effortlessly parried with the Kusanagi Sword, deflecting Kakashi's strike. But Kakashi was quick—he immediately retracted his blade and shifted tactics. His left hand, crackling with lightning, shot forward toward Orochimaru's chest.

"Chidori!"

The air crackled as Kakashi thrust his lightning-coated hand toward his opponent. Orochimaru's eyes glimmered with intrigue. In response, he swiftly extended his left hand and caught Kakashi's wrist mid-strike.

The Chidori stopped inches from Orochimaru's chest, unable to move forward.

At that moment, two white pythons emerged from Orochimaru's sleeves, their fangs bared as they lunged toward Kakashi's throat.

Kakashi instinctively tried to evade, but with Orochimaru restraining his left arm, escape was impossible. His pupils shrank as he realized his predicament—then, in an instant, his entire body erupted with lightning.

Orochimaru hadn't expected Kakashi to coat his whole body in lightning chakra. The sudden electrical discharge caused Orochimaru to flinch and loosen his grip.

At the same time, the two pythons reached Kakashi and sank their fangs into his throat.

However, to Orochimaru's shock, the lightning chakra protected Kakashi like an armor. The pythons recoiled as their fangs shattered upon impact.

Orochimaru frowned.

"This technique… it's Raiden's Thunder Armor?"

Jumping back, he distanced himself from Kakashi and took cover behind the massive white python at his side. Then, without hesitation, he drove the Kusanagi Sword through Mizuki's chest.

Mizuki didn't even have time to scream. His eyes widened in disbelief as life left his body.

He had stolen the Sealed Book for Orochimaru. He had hoped to gain favor. Yet, in the end, he was discarded—cut down by the very man he had tried to serve.

As Mizuki's body grew cold, the massive python that had restrained him loosened its grip. Orochimaru leapt effortlessly onto the serpent's head.

The giant white python slithered forward, making its way toward Kurama Yakumo.

"Dammit!"

Kakashi gritted his teeth. Holding his short blade in both hands, he vanished from sight.

In an instant, he reappeared directly above Orochimaru, descending like a lightning strike. The enhancements of the Thunder Armor had amplified his speed and strength.

This time, Kakashi was sure he could land a hit!

"Hah!"

With a fierce cry, Kakashi swung his blade at Orochimaru.

But without even turning, the massive python flicked its tail.

Bam!

Kakashi was struck from the side, sent hurtling through the air.

"Boom!"

His body collided with a tree, halting his momentum. Even with the protection of the Thunder Armor, pain surged through his body, and cold sweat dripped from his brow.

"This… this gap in strength… Impossible!"

Gritting his teeth, Kakashi forced himself to his feet.

Refusing to accept defeat, he once again charged at Orochimaru, short blade gripped tightly in hand.

But this time, Orochimaru was done playing.

With a flick of his wrist, he tossed a kunai from his left hand.

In an instant, his arm stretched unnaturally, covering several meters in an instant, and clamped around Kakashi's throat.

Before Kakashi could react, the arm retracted, dragging him forward.

"I'm not interested in you."

Orochimaru's voice was a whisper against his ear.

"So why do you keep getting in my way?"

Kakashi struggled to raise his blade, but before he could strike, Orochimaru drove his knee into Kakashi's gut.

"Urgh!"

Kakashi coughed violently, his grip on the short blade loosening.

Orochimaru smirked.

"I won't let you live, Kakashi."

Raising the Kusanagi Sword high, he prepared to strike the final blow.

But just as he was about to bring the blade down—he froze.

At some point, a kunai had silently appeared at his throat.

A kunai with a very distinct shape.

A voice followed.

"Long time no see."

"Minato!"

(End of Chapter)