Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 0
Chapter Title: Confrontation in the Secret Base
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The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen wore a grave expression as he led the two elite jonin, Kakashi and Suzume, into the dim corridor.
Meanwhile, inside the secret base, the massive explosion jolted Orochimaru awake from his immersion in his experiments.
"Hmph, I thought you'd come sooner, Teacher Sarutobi."
Orochimaru slowly turned around, his golden slit pupils glinting under the cold light of the lab table.
He was still wearing his jonin vest, with the Hidden Leaf Village headband on his forehead. His upright golden pupils fixed on the three figures emerging from the corridor.
"Orochimaru... it really is you..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze swept across the laboratory. Everywhere he looked were cultivation dishes filled with floating organs, all sorts of experimental equipment, and the air thick with the stench of disinfectant and blood.
There were even a few ninja corpses wearing Hidden Leaf Village headbands.
He had known that Orochimaru had become obsessed with research after the Third Great Ninja War, even teaming up with Danzo. But he still couldn't believe that Orochimaru would use the village's own ninja for live experiments!
"You dare trample the Will of Fire..."
This utterly depraved act left Sarutobi Hiruzen feeling ashamed before the previous Hokage.
More importantly, if word got out that the Third Hokage's disciple was capturing ninja from the village for live experiments, what would the other clans and civilian ninja think?
So, Sarutobi Hiruzen had to clean house!
Kakashi and Suzume, both wearing white cat masks, instantly flickered in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen. They drew their kunai and assumed combat stances.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's hands blurred into seals as he slammed his palm heavily onto the ground.
"Summoning Technique!"
Bang!
As the runes of the summoning array scattered outward, a puff of smoke dissipated to reveal the burly form of the Ape King Enma, wearing a Hidden Leaf Village headband, materializing from the mist.
"Hiruzen, the enemy is—"
Enma crossed his arms over his chest, but his words cut off abruptly as he made out the pale face in the shadows.
"Forgive the embarrassment, Enma. This time, I have to clean house."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said with heartfelt pain.
"You won't keep me here with just this... Teacher."
Orochimaru formed hand seals.
A high-frequency sound wave ripped through the air like an invisible blade, vibrating the eardrums of Sarutobi Hiruzen, the two jonin, and the summon. Sarutobi Hiruzen even fell flat on his rear.
By the time the three ninja and one beast recovered, Orochimaru had already flickered to the corridor exit behind them.
Orochimaru glanced back, his slit pupils churning with complex emotions as he looked at his teacher one last time. Then, without another word, he dashed out of the corridor.
At the same time, the secret base's self-destruct mechanism activated. A massive number of explosive tags detonated, and chain explosions engulfed the facility.
"Lord Hokage!"
Kakashi, Suzume, and Enma immediately shielded Sarutobi Hiruzen.
On the outskirts of the Hidden Leaf Village, Orochimaru raced through the treetops.
What laughable indecisiveness...
Recalling Sarutobi Hiruzen's earlier actions, Orochimaru sneered.
Pity I didn't have time to transfer the equipment from the other labs. It'll all just benefit Danzo.
Orochimaru didn't care about the experimental gear. All his research results were stored in his mind. Given some time and funding, rebuilding several better labs would be a simple matter.
But the thought of handing so much equipment to Danzo for free still left him somewhat resentful.
That old fox Danzo won't pass up this opportunity...
Pursuers were probably already on their way.
Orochimaru kept racing forward.
Soon, he approached the village's protective barrier.
But the moment he passed through it, the Barrier Team would sense it. The Hidden Leaf would know exactly which direction he'd fled in, and pursuers would close in fast.
Chiii—