CH_175
Hearing the voice, Tōji had no time to wonder how Orochimaru knew his name. In that instant, his entire body went cold—hands and feet like ice—his heart pounding violently in his chest. His mind was filled with a single sentence: 『Orochimaru—he's really here!!!』
『Don't panic—the Fourth. Summon the Fourth!』 Before Orochimaru could reach them, Tōji's panicked mind grasped at his last resort.
Using the activation method for the 【Directional Teleportation Technique】, he channeled a thread of chakra into Minato's special kunai…
"…" But Minato didn't appear right away—and there was no telling when he would. Though it was only an instant, Tōji felt a deadly stillness.
Tap. Tap. Tap… Only the sound of Orochimaru's slow footsteps. Tōji, Natchi, and Tenchi didn't dare breathe. Beside them, the octopus monster trembled silently…
"Yo—hello, everyone!" The Fourth! He'd come—appearing out of thin air in front of Tōji, smiling as he greeted them all!
"Minato-kun?" Orochimaru was slightly surprised. He stopped a few meters behind Tenchi but showed no sign of alarm.
"It's been a while, Orochimaru-sensei. How has your health been?" As Tōji and Natchi let out heavy breaths of relief, Minato stepped forward and began talking with Orochimaru.
What followed became a "clash" between big shots.
Tōji's sweat-soaked palm gripped the special kunai even tighter.
In the narrow space, Minato and Orochimaru faced off, the atmosphere incredibly tense. "I never expected this—Minato-kun showing up here of all places." Orochimaru said in his sinister, mocking tone.
"Orochimaru-sensei—you're still the same as ever, always liking to catch people off guard." Minato wore a smile, trying to ease the tension.
"My being here isn't anything strange, is it? This is one of my experiment bases. But you, Minato-kun—as the newly appointed Hokage, shouldn't you be in Konoha…? Why have you come all this way? And what's your relationship with these two brats?" Orochimaru's gaze was like a blade, scrutinizing Minato.
"Orochimaru-sensei, you needn't worry about the village's affairs. Tōji and Natchi are my subordinates. And I came here for their sake." Minato explained in a relaxed tone.
After a brief pause, Minato continued calmly, "I sent them on a mission. I don't think you need to concern yourself with that, sensei."
"Minato-kun—you really are getting better and better at joking. As a Konoha shinobi, I should have no reason to doubt the Hokage. But…" Orochimaru's snake-like, cold gaze flicked toward Tōji. His long, pointed tongue licked his lips, and his tone grew even more sinister. "Look at this situation. How can you expect me to believe your one-sided story?"
Tōji and Natchi stood behind Minato, not daring to move. Anyone could tell—this wasn't the time for them to speak. The situation had completely exceeded what they could influence.
Minato glanced at Tōji and Natchi, then turned back to Orochimaru. "Orochimaru-sensei, these two brats answer to me. They didn't come looking for you. Coming to find Dr. Tenchi—that was the mission I gave them."
Orochimaru furrowed his brow. "A mission? What mission—care to share it with your so-called sensei?"
Minato was silent for a moment, then said, "Orochimaru-sensei, do you remember the research we did together back in Konoha?"
Tōji hadn't expected Minato to suddenly bring up something like that. In truth, Minato had no idea what Tōji's secret actually was.
Orochimaru's expression shifted slightly. "You mean… that forbidden jutsu experiment?"
Minato nodded, his face turning serious as he picked up Orochimaru's words. "Yes—the one the Third Hokage ordered halted long ago. That forbidden jutsu experiment."