Chapter 190:
Tanigaki was a wandering ninja.
Rogue ninjas were those without allegiance to any ninja village. They roamed between nations, picking up bits of ninjutsu from various places. In the ninja world, many such individuals existed. After gaining power, they resisted being controlled and often ended up taking on diverse roles within the ninja world.
Some sought political influence, infiltrating small nations to claim power. Others craved strength, spending years scheming to seize the secret techniques of minor villages. If they succeeded, they could become prominent figures in small nations; if they failed, they might end up as little more than bandits.
Tanigaki and his group came to the Land of Fire not in pursuit of power or techniques. They were here for profit. With the war creating chaos, it was the perfect opportunity to steal and plunder with little resistance. Killing was a common means to an end.
Everything had gone smoothly—until today. Today, they crossed paths with the long-haired man who changed everything.
Orochimaru. One of the legendary Sannin. A name whispered throughout the ninja world.
Initially, they hadn't recognized the man before them as the famous Orochimaru. Confident in their numbers, they had intended to take on the lone Konoha Jounin. Everyone knew Konoha's Jounin were formidable, but surely eight rogue ninjas together could take him down. After all, a Jounin would carry valuable items that could set them up for life.
But now, Tanigaki regretted it deeply.
The realization of Orochimaru's identity filled him with terror. This was the Sannin who had stood against Hanzo the Salamander and lived to tell the tale. If he had known the man's true identity from the start, he would have fled without hesitation.