CHAPTER 118
Half a month later, the three of them arrived within the borders of the Land of Rice Fields. The Konoha encampment was visible in the distance.
The journey over these past two weeks had been unexpectedly calm. They had taken the relatively safe route through the Land of Fire and had not encountered any ambushes from Kirigakure, nor had any accidents occurred. Aside from needing to constantly be on guard against Hozuki Mangetsu acting up and occasionally using the remote control to make him "behave," there hadn't been any other incidents.
At this moment, Might Guy looked at the border of the Land of Rice Fields before him and fell silent.
The Land of Rice Fields.
Otogakure.
Orochimaru.
"Has Orochimaru already begun his schemes at this point in time?"
Might Guy knew this very well. After defecting from Konoha, Orochimaru would eventually establish Otogakure right here in the Land of Rice Fields. He would gather many loyal subordinates under his banner. Looking at it now, his current presence here was undoubtedly connected to preparations for that future. The Land of Rice Fields had likely already become one of his hidden bases for conducting various secret experiments and research.
Might Guy shook his head, suppressing those chaotic thoughts.
There was no point thinking about this now. Since they had arrived, they should focus on completing the mission first.
The three of them escorted the visibly uneasy Hozuki Mangetsu toward the Konoha encampment ahead.
The camp's sentries were strict. They carefully verified the travel documents and mission scroll. After confirming that everything was correct, a Chunin led them inside.
As soon as they entered the camp, a peculiar smell drifted over.
Ebisu sniffed and muttered quietly, "What is that smell? It's weird..."
The odor resembled medicine, but it was also mixed with something unpleasantly pungent.
Might Guy recognized it immediately.
It was the mixed scent of preservatives, formalin, and various chemical reagents. Faintly, it was also mixed with a trace of decaying biological tissue.
His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
"Orochimaru... he has indeed already begun."
Thinking about it carefully, it made perfect sense. On a battlefield, many strange behaviors were easier for others to understand and accept.
Might Guy subconsciously glanced at the escorted Hozuki Mangetsu.
The other party had clearly smelled the odor as well. Combined with the slightly eerie atmosphere within the camp, the composure he had been forcing himself to maintain finally cracked, and a trace of unease appeared in his eyes.
"Hey... hey! Why did you bring me here? What exactly are you trying to do?!"
He demanded in a low voice, though the bravado behind it was noticeably weak.
Neither Might Guy nor the others answered him.
The leading Chunin remained expressionless, as though he had heard nothing.
Soon, they were led to the deepest part of the encampment.
Several large tents had been connected together, forming a spacious compound. Here, the pungent medicinal smell was even stronger.
Yet the people moving around seemed completely accustomed to it.
After reporting their arrival, they were permitted to enter the largest tent.
The interior was enormous and filled with shelves. Displayed upon them were countless glass containers filled with liquids of various colors, along with all kinds of strange biological tissue samples.
On a huge experimental table in the center were precision instruments, test tubes, flasks, and countless pieces of equipment.
Orochimaru's familiar figure stood with his back facing them, occupied with something on the table.
The leading Chunin silently withdrew.
Might Guy took a deep breath.
Suppressing the discomfort in his heart, he stepped forward and announced loudly, "Team 9 from the Land of Waves front, Might Guy, Ebisu, and Shiranui Genma. Acting under orders to escort the prisoner Hozuki Mangetsu, we have come to report to Lord Orochimaru!"
Orochimaru's hands paused.
He slowly turned around.
His gaze immediately landed on Might Guy.
The golden vertical pupils narrowed slightly.
The corners of his mouth curved into a faint smile.
"Might Guy... it really has been a long time."
His voice was calm and hoarse.
If one didn't know Orochimaru well, there would be nothing unusual about it. This was simply how Orochimaru normally spoke.
But inside, Might Guy was screaming.
With his preconceived knowledge, looking at Orochimaru felt like being stared at by a predator studying its prey.
Especially those eyes.
To him, they seemed filled with the greed and curiosity of a serpent examining something worthy of capture.
That single glance made a certain part of Might Guy's body tighten involuntarily.
Might Guy forced himself to remain calm. Meeting those cold golden eyes, he replied in a deep voice, "Yes, Lord Orochimaru. It has indeed been a long time."
Orochimaru let out a low chuckle.
After observing Might Guy for several moments, he shifted his attention to the bound Hozuki Mangetsu.
"The Hozuki Clan..."
Orochimaru's hoarse voice carried undisguised interest.
He slowly stepped forward and extended his pale fingers.
Gently lifting Hozuki Mangetsu's chin, he forced him to look upward.
The cold touch instantly made Hozuki Mangetsu stiffen.
Orochimaru carefully examined his face, neck, and exposed skin.
It was not the gaze one would use on a person.
It was the gaze of a researcher examining a specimen.
"The Hydrification Technique Bloodline Limit... his bodily structure differs from ordinary people, and even his Chakra flow possesses unique characteristics."
He muttered to himself, as though analyzing an intriguing subject.
Hozuki Mangetsu felt his scalp go numb.
An instinctive sense of danger made him subconsciously try to retreat.
Unfortunately, Shiranui Genma stood directly behind him, leaving him nowhere to go.
"Interesting."
Orochimaru appeared to have reached a satisfactory conclusion.
He released Hozuki Mangetsu and left him standing there stiffly.
Turning around, he looked at Might Guy once again as though he had merely completed a routine inspection.
"Was the journey smooth?"
He asked casually.
"Smooth. We did not encounter any attacks."
Might Guy answered as concisely as possible.
Although he felt somewhat guilty under that gaze, he neither avoided eye contact nor allowed himself to stare at Orochimaru for too long.
Orochimaru nodded slightly, unsurprised by the answer.
"Someone, take him away."
He casually waved a hand.
Two Konoha Ninja immediately entered from outside the tent.
One on each side, they grabbed Hozuki Mangetsu's arms and dragged him toward the exit.
"Hey... where are you taking me?!"
"What exactly do you want to do?!"
Hozuki Mangetsu finally abandoned his cool facade, his voice trembling with anxiety.
Unfortunately, no one paid him any attention.
Just as Hozuki Mangetsu was being escorted away, Orochimaru's gaze returned to Might Guy.
And just as he was about to speak, the tent flap was suddenly pushed aside.
A voice filled with obvious excitement rang out from outside.
"Teacher! I heard new experimental material has been delivered?"
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