Chapter 51: Kidnapping Chōmei Mei, Gaining the Byakugan

Ishihara arrived at the battlefield reduced to ruins by his attack, his mind filled with doubt.

Now it was pockmarked as if bombarded by artillery.

The fighters who had just been battling lay scattered on the ground, many with severed limbs and broken limbs.

Orochimaru's mouth twitched. "This is what you meant by controlling it?"

"At this distance, a little mistake is normal!"

Ishihara's face darkened slightly; he hurriedly joined the furious Orochimaru in searching for Aoi.

Fortunately, Aoi was merely gravely injured and unconscious—not dead—and they both exhaled in relief.

"Let's go!"

Orochimaru picked up Aoi and turned to return, intending to have Ishihara begin his research.

But just then—

"Wait!"

From the ruins, a figure staggered to her feet.

"You? Chōmei Mei? I didn't expect you to still be standing after Ishihara's strike."

Orochimaru stared at her in surprise.

He had gathered extensive intelligence on the Hidden Mist Village; Chōmei Mei was one of its key figures, so he recognized her.

Then his expression changed; he swiftly scanned the surroundings, and his face darkened.

"Something's wrong—where are Kōmei no Kiri and the Samehada?!"

"Even their corpses and weapons are gone!"

Ishihara raised an eyebrow and sneered: "Someone with something to hide just showed up."

His perception had indeed detected Zetsu's presence.

The man had taken Kōmei no Kiri and Samehada, made no extra moves, and vanished underground in an instant.

So Ishihara hadn't paid it any mind.

"One of Akatsuki's members—likely Zetsu, the intelligence gatherer."

Orochimaru's face twisted in shock and fury.

"Those bastards are relentless!"

His expression flickered between dark and uncertain.

As one of the few in the ninja world who understood Akatsuki's nature,

especially after one battle, he knew better than anyone how powerful Akatsuki and the Rinnegan were.

He never expected to encounter Akatsuki again in the Hidden Mist Village.

Orochimaru growled: "Akatsuki is strong, but they always act with purpose—let's hope they don't clash with us!"

"Let's hope so."

Ishihara narrowed his eyes.

The slight relaxation he'd felt after defeating Kakashi and the others tightened again.

He was still not strong enough—otherwise, he wouldn't need to fear Akatsuki!

Power!

I must gain stronger power!

Beyond immortality, he needed sufficient strength!

If he gained immortality like Kaguya but was sealed away for a thousand years, he would never accept it!

"I must accelerate research on the Bloodline Limit!"

Researching the Bloodline Limit would not only help him complete his study but also further enhance his power.

Nearby,

Chōmei Mei watched as the two spoke as if she weren't there, and anger stirred within her.

But remembering the attack she'd just endured, she forced down her rage and carefully observed them.

"Strange—who is this boy named Ishihara? How can he speak to Orochimaru as an equal?"

"And from Orochimaru's tone, was that attack done by Ishihara?!"

Chōmei Mei stared at Ishihara's handsome, youthful face, unable to believe it.

"What do you plan to do with her?"

Orochimaru asked, frowning as he pointed at Chōmei Mei.

Killing Chōmei Mei wouldn't be hard, but if discovered, he'd be wanted by the Hidden Mist Village.

Though he wasn't afraid, he had no desire to attract trouble.

"Take her with us—she's useful for my research."

Ishihara glanced at the silent Chōmei Mei, then, in her stunned gaze, snatched her up and slung her over his shoulder.

"Ah! Put me down! Bastard, who are you?!"

Chōmei Mei was startled.

Raised since childhood as a prodigy, this was her first time being so intimately touched by a man.

Especially his body—so hot…

Chōmei Mei angrily pounded his back.

The force of it would be considered excellent in massage circles!

"Be still!"

Ishihara slapped her—this body wriggling around was just adding to his troubles.

"You!"

Mei Terumi's face flushed red, yet she dared not act rashly.

In truth, she had wanted to use this method to test the other's attitude toward her.

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

Soon, the group returned to the base.

Orochimaru and Ishihara untied the black veils covering Mei Terumi's and Ao's eyes.

"Where is this place?!"

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

It appeared Orochimaru had already arrived in the Mist Hidden Village long ago.

Yet she had received not a single word of news.

"Are you sure you want to know?"

Orochimaru stared at her coldly and asked.

"No need!"

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

Ishihara glanced at her, then turned his gaze to Ao, speaking in a deep voice: "Begin. First, remove the Byakugan!"

Mei Terumi's face changed drastically. "So your target is the Byakugan!"

"Give up. The Byakugan is protected by special talismans; it cannot be removed without the Master's intervention!"