Why is Orochimaru here?
And why is he wearing a creepy expression as if he's waiting for Linto?
This needs to be explained from a while ago.
After Uchiha Itachi annihilated his entire clan in an instant and joined the Akatsuki organization with Obito, he teamed up with Orochimaru to carry out internal Akatsuki missions.
During repeated missions, Orochimaru took a liking to Uchiha Itachi's Sharingan and wanted to take it for himself. He took the opportunity to launch a sneak attack, but was countered by Itachi, who cut off one of his arms, and Orochimaru fled the Akatsuki organization.
Orochimaru is a flexible person.
Aren't there two other Uchiha out there?
He set his sights on Linto, who was gaining fame, but Linto was previously in the Land of Water, with elusive whereabouts, and he could never find a suitable opportunity, until he heard that Jugo and Kimimaro had encountered Hope Village.
Kimimaro had traveled with Orochimaru in his early years, learning about the customs and cultures of various countries. After coming to Hope Village, he quickly discovered that the people in this village...
Were not normal.
Their lifestyle was like that of the Land of Water.
Hope Village was not recorded in Konoha's village maps.
Combining this with the widespread Land of Water human trafficking case from some time ago – the survivors who sought political asylum in Konoha clearly stated that a group of people planned to build their own village.
Combining the above information, Orochimaru deduced that the villagers of Hope Village were the survivors.
"...So, I used a trick within a trick, killing some people and letting some go, just to lure you here."
Orochimaru's snake eyes carefully observed Linto, as if looking at a work of art.
Linto pulled out the Destruction Blade: "You killed so many people just to find me?"
Orochimaru chuckled.
His voice was hoarse, but not unpleasant, sounding like sticking your hand into a bag of rice.
"Linto, I understand you, we are the same kind of person."
Orochimaru raised a finger: "Life is the most precious thing in the world, but look at them, living in poverty, worrying every day about food, taxes, and labor.
If living is just for suffering, it's better to end it early and enter the next cycle of reincarnation. I killed them to help them escape. I achieved my goal, it's a win-win situation."
This is Orochimaru's theory, and Kimimaro showed admiration.
He had long been brainwashed by Orochimaru and firmly believed in the "escape" theory.
"Arrogant! Disgusting!"
A rebuke full of anger came from the side.
Orochimaru turned his head to look.
It wasn't Linto speaking, it was little Sasuke standing beside him.
The so-called poor people, wrapped in difficulties all day long, depressed and unhappy... This is completely the "fantasy" of those in power about the lower classes, to satisfy their pity.
Sasuke used to think the same way.
But during his time living in Kirigakure, he discovered that even the poorest people, even the cripples, widows, and old people without children, would find various joys in life to satisfy themselves.
They would cry, and laugh, would tell jokes, and would have their own forms of happiness.
Killing them in the name of escape, with a sense of righteousness...
Disgusting!
Sasuke wanted to say what was in his heart, word for word, and throw it in Orochimaru's face.
But when he met Orochimaru's snake eyes, fear grew from the bottom of his heart, cold sweat poured out from his back, and he even forgot how to breathe, almost suffocating –
A figure blocked Orochimaru's gaze.
"I also think it's pretty disgusting."
Linto looked at Orochimaru, Kimimaro, and Jugo: "Whether it's you, or..."
He looked at the five Root members.
"...You."
Before arriving at this village, Aerosmith had been flying in the lead, and Linto had long noticed the five people hiding on the outskirts of the village.
Linto would no longer be surprised by anything Danzo did.
As for Orochimaru... Linto originally thought that he was a tough guy for daring to attack Uchiha Itachi.
Now it seems, he is just another madman.
A figure sped over and landed beside Linto, it was Jiraiya, who had been ambushing in the rear.
Jiraiya frowned tightly, his expression grave.
The enemies were Orochimaru, Kimimaro, and five Root Jonin.
Their side was Linto, Jiraiya, and little Sasuke.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru are evenly matched.
Linto is definitely stronger than Kimimaro and the Root members. On paper, Linto's group has the advantage.
But...
The difference between them ambushing Orochimaru and being ambushed by Orochimaru is huge!
"Knowing Orochimaru, he suffered a loss with Uchiha Itachi, so he must have made thorough preparations this time."
Jiraiya said in a low voice, "Let's retreat."
With Jiraiya's temperament, if he was alone, he would have rushed up without hesitation.
But during these past two days of contact with Linto and Sasuke, Jiraiya recognized their will. Such excellent young people should not die here.
"You go first, I'll hold them back. Orochimaru and I were classmates after all, even if I lose... he can't possibly kill me."
Jiraiya said it lightly, but he didn't feel confident at all.
Orochimaru seemed to see through his old friend's worries, shook his head, and streams of venomous snakes flowed out of his pants legs, devouring the flesh and blood of the dead villagers.
"No need to hesitate, Jiraiya, anyone can leave today, except Linto."
Venomous snakes surrounded the village, spitting out poisonous mist, blocking Linto's escape route.
Orochimaru smiled: "Linto, I don't like fighting. How about this? I'll let Jiraiya and this little friend go, you come back with me and help me with my research."
"Otherwise?"
"Otherwise, I'll have to kill them and take you back."
Linto nodded slightly, indicating that he understood.
"Linto!"
Jiraiya grabbed Linto's arm, signaling him to leave now.
A ninja wearing a fox mask said, "Orochimaru, this is not within the scope of your deal with Danzo-sama. Linto is a Konoha traitor, and we have the right to take him back."
Without waiting for Orochimaru's response, the five Root ninjas came in front of Linto, and some even took out shackles.
The ninja wearing the fox mask said coldly, "Bind your own hands and break your own legs, and I will take you back to Konoha to be punished. If you dare to resist, we will join forces with Orochimaru to kill you."
Linto nodded again.
Seeing this, two Root ninjas walked towards Linto with shackles.
The Destruction Blade was raised.
Linto did not launch a sneak attack. He made sure that the two ninjas walking towards him clearly saw the action of raising the blade, but when they tried to escape from the blade's attack range,
It was already too late.
"You dare!" the ninja wearing the fox mask shouted.
Thump—thump—
Two headless bodies fell to the ground.
Linto shook off the blood on the blade.
"You people are really strange, you all like to make me choose. Since you like choices so much, why don't you leave yourselves room to choose?"
He took one step forward and attacked Orochimaru.
The other three ninjas coldly attacked Linto from behind. Jiraiya blocked them, scolding, "You are not worthy to be called Konoha ninjas."
The three ninjas remained expressionless: "Jiraiya-sama, we are protecting Konoha in the way of 'Root', please do not interfere with our work."
"A bunch of idiots!" Jiraiya cursed loudly.
With Jiraiya there, Linto ignored the enemies behind him.
Holding the Destruction Blade tightly with both hands, yellow-gold power waves were fully activated, and streams of golden lightning appeared, wrapping around the blade.
With one slash, Orochimaru's body melted like liquid, turning into streams of small snakes, and tens of thousands of snakes leaped up, attacking Linto from all directions!
"Star Platinum!"
Ora! Ora! Ora!
The shadows of fists were like the wind, blasting streams of small snakes in mid-air.
Just then, the ground broke open, and a straight long sword stabbed towards Linto's chest.
Orochimaru had hidden underground when he transformed into snakes.
Linto didn't dodge at all, he gathered power waves to the bottom of his feet, and stomped hard on the ground. There was a muffled groan from the ground, and the stabbing sword became weak and powerless.
The ground burst open, and Orochimaru appeared from the other end. There was blood on the corner of his mouth, but in the blink of an eye, the injuries on his body disappeared. He stretched out his hand to Linto.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Hundreds of thick pythons pounced on Linto like a tide.
Orochimaru released giant pythons with one hand, and the other hand had already formed a hand sign. As long as Linto dodged, a Fire Release would be waiting for him in the next second.
But Linto didn't dodge.
Because Star Platinum was blocking in front of him.
Hundreds of pythons bit on it, and there was a sound of gold and stone colliding. Sharp teeth broke and shattered, but they didn't even break Star Platinum's skin.
This is the platinum skin obtained after leveling up to level three!
Star Platinum, floating in mid-air, coldly overlooked Orochimaru, with a majesty that was not of this world, like a god or Buddha.
Orochimaru swallowed instinctively, and instinctively wanted to step back half a step.
A violent pulling sensation came.
Star Platinum, like in a tug-of-war, grabbed Orochimaru and pulled him over.
Orochimaru cut off the connection with the Hidden Shadow Snake Hands immediately.
But it was too late, and under the effect of inertia, he still flew towards Star Platinum.
Flying towards...
Its raised fist.
"Ora!!!"
Star Platinum punched Orochimaru on the head, and there was a cracking sound, and the skull was shattered immediately. Orochimaru let out a miserable "Waga!" and flew out like a broken sack.
At this moment, Orochimaru remembered Itachi's description of Linto.
"Don't let Linto catch you off guard, not even for a moment."
Before, Orochimaru couldn't understand this. Others were fine, but with his physical recovery power and fighting skills, what would happen even if he got hit by that legendary "evil spirit"'s punch?
Now he knew.
Orochimaru has dozens of Ninjutsu that can speed up regeneration.
His body has undergone complex modifications and is nearly immortal on the battlefield.
But there is simply no time.
Star Platinum, like a real evil spirit, has already caught up with Orochimaru. It takes another deep breath, gathers strength on its fist, and is about to swing it out.
A snake's tail stabbed over, wrapped around Orochimaru's body, pulling him away.
Linto looked along the snake's tail.
A strange woman with long green hair and a golden crown was holding Orochimaru.
For the first time, respect appeared on Orochimaru's face:
"Thank you... Tagorihime."
---
You can read 50 Chapters ahead on my
pat reon.com/GMadman