Chapter Forty: What Are We Doing

…
Obito stormed into the Sound Ninja Village alone, wearing his orange spiral mask, exposing only one eye.
His pace was neither hurried nor slow, each step carrying him steadily toward the center of the village.
Wherever he passed, anyone who tried to block his way—regardless of strength—fell to the Wood Style: Piercing Technique.
No one could stand against him.
“At least, not in this village.”
Obito’s gaze was cold and fierce.
…
Kabuto was overseeing the creation of an army when news arrived that the village was under attack. He immediately put aside his work and began to organize a response.
It wasn’t long since Pain had assaulted the Sound Village, and now another intruder had come.
“I’ll go find Lord Orochimaru first!”
Kabuto was wiser this time. During the previous attacks, he’d waited passively for Orochimaru’s instructions, but they never came…
Orochimaru always had his own plans, never needing their assistance.
Kabuto felt he was failing as a subordinate.
This time, no matter what, he was determined to help Lord Orochimaru!
Orochimaru was deep in the Snake Cave, personally researching an “emotion” potion. Kabuto arrived and knocked loudly at the door.
Orochimaru, clad in a white lab coat and standing at the experiment table, turned and looked at Kabuto. “Ah, Kabuto. Is something the matter?”
Such calmness from Orochimaru?
Kabuto suspected Orochimaru didn’t yet know about Obito’s attack.
Entering the room, Kabuto bowed respectfully. “Lord Orochimaru, someone is attacking the Sound Village. Should we…?”
He was testing Orochimaru’s response.
Orochimaru’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Ah, that matter. It’s nothing. Ignore it—I have plans in place.”
Kabuto: “…”
He’d expected as much!
If he hadn’t come to ask, Orochimaru would not have assigned them any tasks; he would simply remain indifferent.
What use did Orochimaru have for these subordinates?
Kabuto felt he had lost favor.
He asked, “Then, Lord Orochimaru, is there anything I should do?”
Since Orochimaru hadn’t given him a task, Kabuto could only take the initiative.
Orochimaru tilted his head in thought, a contemplative look in his eyes. After a moment, he frowned. “I don’t think there’s anything you can help with—actually, there is one thing: take the others and hide. That way, after everything is over, there will be less mess to clean up.”
Orochimaru spoke earnestly. With Obito attacking, many would die—something he hadn’t considered previously.
Corpses weren’t the issue; it was the post-battle cleanup—the blood and flesh scattered on the streets would be troublesome to remove.
Kabuto: “…”
Take everyone and hide?
Just to make the post-battle cleanup easier?
…
What did Lord Orochimaru think of them…
Kabuto was deeply frustrated. Orochimaru walked such a lofty path; his subordinates were of no use to him.
Orochimaru asked, “How is the army coming along?”
Kabuto replied gloomily, “Half is complete. By the time the war begins in earnest, the rest will be finished.”
“Good.”
Orochimaru nodded. “Anything else? If not, you may go.”
Kabuto: “…Nothing else.”
…
Kabuto left Orochimaru’s quarters, his mind still clouded, as if filled with glue.
Lord Orochimaru had no use for them, save for hiding.
Why did this feel so unpleasant?
“Kabuto! Kabuto! The enemy is almost here!”
“We can’t stop him!”
“…”
At that moment, some subordinates found Kabuto, hoping he’d send the village’s elite to fight. They alone were no match for the enemy.
Kabuto looked at them, suddenly pitying them. Orochimaru didn’t care about their lives; they might die at any moment, without value.
Was he himself about to fall to their level?
“Sigh.”
Kabuto sighed. “Enough. Pass the word: ignore that man. Everyone, hide.”
“Huh?”
The subordinates were confused. Everyone should hide?
Ignore the enemy?
…
Within the Sound Village, in Sasuke’s residence, Naruto arrived secretly amid the chaos to find Sasuke.
At this moment, Sasuke no longer possessed his former gloom and rage, but was calm.
Having faced death once, he had changed and grown.
Naruto said, “Sasuke, I need your help.”
Sasuke, sitting on the bed with eyes closed, leaning against the wall, replied casually, “What do I get in return?”
Naruto said, “I can help you kill Itachi Uchiha!”
Sasuke’s eyes snapped open, blood-red, not with tomoe, but with six-pointed stars—the Mangekyo Sharingan.
The boulder hadn’t crushed him, but instead granted him mysterious ocular power, awakening his eyes.
Sasuke knew someone had rescued him in secret, but had never shown themselves.
Sasuke said, “Naruto, you’ve grown smarter.”
If it had been the old, naïve Naruto, he would have tried to convince Sasuke with endless arguments.
Not like now, when he understood equivalent exchange.
The biggest change: Naruto now had the intention to kill.
Sasuke’s lips curled into a smile. “I don’t need your help to kill him. Only I can do it.
Just help me by ensuring no one interrupts my battle with him.”
Naruto smiled, showing his white teeth and raised his thumb: “Deal!”
Sasuke nodded. “What exactly do you need from me?”
Naruto’s eyes narrowed, a murderous intent flashing within. “Amidst the chaos, you and I—together, we’ll kill Orochimaru!”
…
The Sound Village was in turmoil, but soon, it grew quiet.
Under Kabuto’s orders, the ninjas ceased attacking Obito, and even retreated, avoiding his gaze.
Obito had no interest in killing, especially insignificant figures, so he was content to let them avoid him.
No more deaths occurred.
Kabuto remembered Orochimaru’s words about the “troublesome cleanup,” so he sent people to dispose of the bodies of the fallen ninjas.
He even summoned water-style ninjas to wash away blood and flesh from the streets, then had fire-style ninjas dry them.
After these efforts, there was no trace of death on the roads.
Obito, noticing this, was momentarily stunned—the Sound Village maintained its environment remarkably well.
…
Kimimaro approached Kabuto, wanting to take action.
He still recalled the scene when Orochimaru was collapsed on the ground—like a lifeless corpse.
He didn’t know the specifics, but Orochimaru in such a state was vulnerable and in great danger.
He wanted to protect Orochimaru.
Kabuto said, “No need to act. Lord Orochimaru already has a plan.”
Kimimaro was reluctant; he wanted to serve Orochimaru, in any capacity.
Kabuto looked at him, understanding Kimimaro’s feelings—he himself had felt the same not long ago.
He frowned in thought, then said, “How about you go cheer for Lord Orochimaru?”
Kimimaro: “…”
What kind of suggestion was cheering?
Kabuto sighed. “There’s really nothing else we can do. As long as we don’t cause trouble for Lord Orochimaru, it’ll be enough.”
He patted Kimimaro’s shoulder. “Don’t dwell on it. Come help me with army creation. That’s also serving Lord Orochimaru.”
…
Obito walked unhindered to the center of the Sound Village.
He stared at the serpent’s residence before him, his gaze intensifying, and shouted coldly, “Orochimaru, come out!”