"Anko, don't worry," Orochimaru said, sipping tea in a small restaurant.
Now that they had entered the Land of Birds' capital, their escort mission was complete. Sasaki Tai had thanked them profusely and hurried away—staying with these ninja had been more dangerous than he ever imagined. Especially when the Rock Ninja ambush struck, he had thought himself doomed. Fate had smiled on him: the Rock Ninja pursuing Tian Yuan had spared him, and Orochimaru's duel with Roshi had taken place far from his path. Thus the merchant had survived by sheer luck.
"I'm so worried about Tian Yuan," Anko fretted.
"Look at Juken—he's perfectly calm," Orochimaru observed with a slight smile.
"Juken and Tian Yuan aren't exactly close," Anko pouted. "I mean, Tian Yuan did save him."
Uchiha Juken merely glanced at Anko and said nothing.
"All right, Anko. I know you care for Tian Yuan, but Juken is your comrade too," Orochimaru said. "We'll wait one more day here. If Tian Yuan still doesn't arrive by then…" He didn't finish the sentence—Tian Yuan's battlefield lay not far from the capital, and he would surely have reached them by now.
Orochimaru knew Tian Yuan's difference from fresh Academy graduates: with Chunin-level strength and battle experience, he would escape any but the unluckiest encounter with a Jonin.
"Sensei," Anko said anxiously, and at that moment a figure appeared before her—Tian Yuan himself.
"Tian Yuan, you're back! And those three ninja—" Anko checked him over. "You had us so worried."
"I could've arrived sooner, but I got sidetracked following a thread of destiny," Tian Yuan shrugged. "Your markers were clear, though—I found the city immediately."
"Stop joking," Anko rolled her eyes.
"Thank you, Tian Yuan," Juken said with a nod.
"No problem," Tian Yuan smiled and took the seat beside Orochimaru. "Sensei, mission accomplished."
"Of course—now we've only been waiting for you," Orochimaru said, unfazed. Geniuses were always different.
"You seem changed," Orochimaru added, studying Tian Yuan closely.
"After facing those Rock Ninja, I've improved a bit," Tian Yuan said casually.
"Really?" Orochimaru smiled. "Then we'll head back to Konoha."
"Already? I haven't rested enough," Tian Yuan protested.
"If you wish to stay longer in the capital, that's fine too," Orochimaru offered with a grin.
"All right then," Tian Yuan said, sipping his tea, and the Konoha squad prepared to depart for home.
…
A few days later.
"Sensei Orochimaru, I've found another thread of destiny," Tian Yuan announced.
"Truly?" Orochimaru halted, eyeing him warily.
"Truly," Tian Yuan replied. His Player System map had revealed another high-definition video signal, not far off. He wanted Orochimaru with him—facing such an enemy alone could be perilous. Last time, Orochimaru's defense against Roshi had reminded Tian Yuan how fortunate he was. Even two Senzu Beans might not suffice against too-strong a foe.
"Let's see," Orochimaru said thoughtfully. He wondered whether Tian Yuan's "sixth sense" was truly a gift for detecting danger. He needed confirmation. Of course, he knew such an excuse would only pique his own curiosity—Orochimaru's scientific inquisitiveness was legendary. But as Tian Yuan grew stronger, Orochimaru's ability to harm him diminished. Ultimately, power was paramount.
Anko and Juken exchanged uneasy glances—once more, Tian Yuan's notion of destiny had nearly cost their lives in the Land of Birds.
"Tian Yuan, let's go back," Anko urged.
"Here's the plan: Anko, Juken—you wait here. Orochimaru and I will scout the signal. If there's trouble, we'll return with Tian Yuan," Orochimaru said. He needed to test Tian Yuan's sense again. If the boy balked, he would find another pretext to bring him along.
"Don't worry—you're safe with Sensei Orochimaru. Rest here," Tian Yuan said reassuringly.
"Please don't let anything happen to him," Anko implored. Orochimaru simply nodded.
Tian Yuan and Orochimaru then dashed off toward the signal's source.
Moments later, they arrived—and Orochimaru's pupils narrowed. Once again, Tian Yuan had led him true. But this time, their adversary hailed from another village: Hidden Cloud Village.
At the forefront stood a young ninja with bronze skin and pale yellow hair, seven swords strapped to his back, and the Hidden Cloud Village headband on his forehead. He was their Jinchuuriki—the Eight-Tails, Killer B.
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