Chapter 24

Orochimaru’s intelligence was wrong; they did not find Ao at the location specified in the report.

Fortunately, Shi Yuan’s sensory abilities were sharp enough to detect a battle nearby, and he rushed over in an emergency.

Orochimaru’s eye twitched. "Aren't Itachi afraid Itachi might have killed Ao as well?"

"Don't worry, I kept it under control. This level of force would only leave them severely injured; they shouldn't be dead."

Shi Yuan shook his head and headed toward the battlefield, feeling a bit strange in his heart.

Given the situation just now, it would have been impossible for Mei Terumi and Ao to survive.

Because there were too many enemies, and there were powerhouses like Fuguki Suikazan among them.

But Mei Terumi is the future Fifth Mizukage; this clearly didn't add up.

"Could it be that my appearance has already triggered a butterfly effect?"

With these doubts in his heart, Shi Yuan arrived at the battlefield, which he had reduced to ruins with his attack.

At this moment, the area looked as if it had been raked by artillery fire, becoming pitted and scarred.

The people who had been fighting just moments ago were now lying on the ground, with many severed limbs scattered about.

Orochimaru’s mouth twitched. "Is this what Itachi call 'kept it under control'?"

"At such a distance, a slight error is perfectly normal!"

Shi Yuan’s face darkened slightly, and he hurriedly joined the anxious Orochimaru to search for Ao.

Fortunately, Ao was only severely injured and unconscious, not dead, which allowed both of them to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Let's go!"

Orochimaru picked up Ao and turned to leave, intending to return so Shi Yuan could begin his research.

But just at that moment.

"Wait a moment!"

A figure within the ruins stood up shakily.

"Is that Itachi? Mei Terumi? I didn't expect Itachi to still be able to stand after taking a hit from Shi Yuan."

Orochimaru looked at her in surprise.

He had collected a vast amount of intelligence on the Hidden Mist Village, and Mei Terumi was one of the key figures, so he naturally recognized her.

Then, his expression shifted slightly as he hurriedly scanned the surroundings, his face sinking immediately.

"Something's wrong. Where are Fuguki Suikazan and the Great Sword Samehada?!"

"How could even the corpses and the weapon be gone!"

Hearing this, Shi Yuan raised an eyebrow and sneered, "Something unspeakable just came by."

His sensory abilities had indeed detected the appearance of Zetsu.

The opponent had taken Fuguki Suikazan and the Great Sword Samehada without any extra movements, disappearing deep into the ground in the blink of an eye.

That was why Shi Yuan hadn't paid it any mind.

"A member of the Akatsuki, likely Zetsu, who is responsible for intelligence gathering!"

Orochimaru’s face was filled with shock and anger.

"These bastards are truly like ghosts that won't go away!"

His expression was somewhat volatile.

As one of the few people in the ninja world who understood the situation regarding the Akatsuki.

Especially after having experienced a battle with them once, he was even more aware of the power of the Akatsuki and the Rinnegan.

He hadn't expected to encounter the Akatsuki again in the Hidden Mist Village.

Orochimaru said in a deep voice, "The Akatsuki’s strength is immense, but they are always very purposeful in their actions. I hope we don't end up in a conflict with them!"

"Let's hope so."

Shi Yuan narrowed his eyes.

The relaxed state of mind he had felt after defeating Kakashi and the others tightened once again.

He was still not strong enough; otherwise, he wouldn't need to worry about the Akatsuki at all!

Strength!

I must master even greater strength!

Beyond immortality, he also needed sufficient power!

If he were like Kaguya, obtaining immortality only to be sealed away for a thousand years, he would never accept that!

"I must accelerate the research on Kekkei Genkai!"

Researching Kekkei Genkai would not only help him complete his studies but also further enhance his strength.

Beside them.

Mei Terumi felt a surge of anger as she watched the two of them discussing things right in front of her as if she didn't exist.

But remembering the attack from earlier, she could only suppress her rage and observe the two of them carefully.

"Strange, who is this boy named Shi Yuan, to be able to talk to Orochimaru as an equal?"

"And listening to Orochimaru, that attack just now was done by Shi Yuan?!"

Mei Terumi looked at Shi Yuan’s handsome, young face in disbelief.

"How do Itachi plan to deal with her?"

Orochimaru pointed at Mei Terumi and asked with a frown.

Killing Mei Terumi wasn't difficult, but once discovered, he would be wanted by the Hidden Mist Village.

Although he wasn't afraid, he didn't want to invite trouble.

"Let's take her with us; she is useful for my research!"

Shi Yuan glanced at the silent Mei Terumi, then, to her astonishment, hoisted her up over his shoulder.

"Ah! Put me down! Itachi bastard, who are Itachi!"

Mei Terumi was startled.

Having been a proud daughter of heaven since childhood, this was her first time having such contact with a man.

Especially his body, it was so hot...

Mei Terumi pounded on Shi Yuan’s back in shame and anger.

That force was actually quite excellent in the world of massage!

"Behave yourself!"

Shi Yuan gave her a swat; wasn't she just making things difficult for him by squirming around like that?

"Itachi!"

Mei Terumi’s face flushed red, but she didn't dare to act out again.

In reality, she was trying to test the other party's attitude toward her through this method.

Now it seemed that, at the very least, she was safe for the time being.

Soon, the group returned to the base.

Orochimaru and Shi Yuan removed the black veils covering the eyes of Mei Terumi and Ao.

"What is this place?!"

Looking at the dim and gloomy room, Mei Terumi felt a sense of unease.

It seemed that Orochimaru had been in the Hidden Mist Village for a long time.

Yet she hadn't received a single piece of information about it.

"Are Itachi sure Itachi want to know?"

Orochimaru stared at her coldly and asked.

"Never mind!"

Mei Terumi’s expression shifted slightly, and she hurriedly refused.

Shi Yuan glanced at her, then looked at Ao and said in a deep voice, "Let's begin. First, remove the Byakugan!"

Mei Terumi’s face changed drastically. "So your target was the Byakugan!"

"Give it up. The Byakugan is protected by a special seal; it cannot be unlocked without Lord Yuan's intervention!"