Naruto: Echoes of a Distant Home

There was no more time for hesitation. Kakashi, his right arm hanging by his side, placed his left hand on his right wrist as the lightning began to flicker. He stared intently at Ye Zi's movements, preparing to take a step forward when suddenly, he froze. A senbon needle embedded itself in a branch in front of him. Looking up, he saw Kotoe, her hand still raised.

Kotoe stared coldly at Kakashi from a distance, silently conveying her message: Don't act rashly!

Though she hadn't spoken, Kakashi understood the warning from her gaze. He frowned, keeping the lightning flowing in his hand, unwilling to cancel his jutsu. Even if it meant wasting chakra, he was determined to be ready to support Kushina.

Despite being utterly outclassed by Ye Zi earlier, if Kushina were in danger, he wouldn't hesitate to attack Ye Zi again.

When Ye Zi's cold yet familiar hand gently rested on Kushina's, her heart trembled. The touch of his hand, with its familiar warmth and softness, made her momentarily hopeful.

"Ye Zi…" Kushina's heart quickened with the possibility of the outcome she longed for.

However, as Ye Zi slowly began to peel her fingers away, one by one—starting with her thumb—Kushina's hope quickly shattered. He continued methodically with her index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and pinky, each movement pulling away the last remnants of her hope.

Kushina stood frozen, staring blankly at Ye Zi, her hand falling limply to her side. Her eyes were filled with sorrow and despair, as if she had just lost something profoundly important.

"I can't go back," Ye Zi said softly as he released her hand and turned away.

"Don't even think about using your ability," he added. "You can't hold me."

With those words, Ye Zi disappeared, covering a distance of a hundred meters in an instant.

Kotoe followed closely behind him. As she passed Kushina, she left behind a single sentence carried by the wind, then vanished from sight.

Hearing Kotoe's words, Kushina's pupils constricted, and then slowly, she seemed to let go, her spirit utterly broken.

Seeing Ye Zi and Kotoe leave, Kakashi canceled his Chidori and approached Kushina's side. He opened his mouth to speak, but upon seeing her devastated expression, all his words were caught in his throat. He could only stand by silently, watching her bloodied arm hanging limply.

Like him, Kakashi couldn't help but notice Kushina-sensei's feelings for that man.

But no matter what she did, it seemed impossible for her to change Ye Zi's heart.

The mission to capture Orochimaru had ended in failure.

Even with dozens of skilled Jonin deployed, they were utterly powerless against Ye Zi's terrifying speed. If they had known in advance that Ye Zi would intervene, even Minato might have joined the mission, and Orochimaru's escape would have been far from certain.

After distancing themselves from the Konoha shinobi, Ye Zi remained cautious, unsure if they would continue their pursuit.

"Ye Zi, I…" Kotoe began hesitantly as they leaped through the trees.

"Since it's come to this, you might as well stay with me," Ye Zi said, his eyes fixed ahead.

Kotoe's face brightened with joy. She had feared Ye Zi would blame her for acting on her own. Originally, she was supposed to remain in Konoha as a spy, providing him with information. By revealing herself now, she thought he might be angry.

As they reached the edge of the forest, Ye Zi suddenly stopped. Once again, he sensed the presence of a White Zetsu clone, deliberately revealing itself for him to detect.

A man, pale and ghostly, emerged from a tree, showing only his upper body as he looked at Ye Zi and Yan Ye.

"Where's Orochimaru?" Ye Zi asked first.

"He's under control," the White Zetsu clone replied.

"Lead the way."

"Very well."

The White Zetsu clone fully emerged from the tree and began moving in a particular direction.

Ye Zi and Kotoe followed closely behind.

They left the forest, heading north, and after about half an hour of travel, they entered another forest. Before long, Ye Zi spotted Orochimaru's figure ahead, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

Having completed its task, the White Zetsu clone disappeared into the trees.

Ye Zi and Kotoe quickly approached Orochimaru, who turned sharply upon hearing the sound. His face darkened upon seeing Ye Zi, realizing that his attempts to throw off pursuit had failed.

Seeing Orochimaru's displeased expression, Ye Zi easily guessed what he was thinking. Unfortunately for Orochimaru, with White Zetsu's unparalleled tracking abilities, escape was nearly impossible.

"Konoha's forces have likely given up pursuit," Ye Zi said calmly.

Orochimaru scoffed, his pale face even more bloodless due to the blood loss. Leaning against a tree to support his weakening body, he spoke with a hint of sarcasm, "You've really become something."

Ye Zi turned to Kotoe and instructed, "Help Orochimaru stop the bleeding."

Nodding slightly, Kotoe took some herbal medicine from her pouch and approached Orochimaru to tend to his wounds.

Orochimaru cooperated, allowing her to treat his injuries. During his escape, he hadn't had time to stop the bleeding.

After applying the ointment, the bleeding quickly subsided. Yan Ye packed up her supplies and stepped back.

"Now, we can talk properly," Ye Zi said.

Orochimaru let out a self-mocking laugh, looking at Ye Zi. "Who would have thought we'd end up like this?"

His words carried a double meaning, referring to both of them now being rogue ninjas and the cooperation they were about to form for mutual benefit.

"As I said before, you give me what I want, and I'll give you what you want."

Orochimaru sneered. "Do I even have a choice?"

"No," Ye Zi responded without hesitation.

The answer was expected. Orochimaru then said, "Come with me to retrieve something."

"Alright," Ye Zi agreed with a faint smile.

Orochimaru's words indicated that he had accepted the partnership.

Ye Zi had long believed that combining Orochimaru and Nanako's talents would be the ideal way to achieve his goals. Now, that collaboration was becoming a reality.

The three of them set off toward Orochimaru's hidden base. On the way, Ye Zi briefly explained the situation regarding the base, including the fact that Nanako was still alive. Orochimaru seemed unsurprised by the news.

When they arrived at the secret base, a young boy named Shin Uchiha was there.

Orochimaru, acting decisively, gave his subordinates a few simple instructions. After collecting some valuable research materials and taking the unconscious Shin, the three of them left the base, heading toward another location in the Land of Earth.

Thus, Ye Zi and Orochimaru successfully formed a partnership.

On the way to the Land of Earth, Ye Zi informed Orochimaru that the leader of the Akatsuki was the rumored possessor of the Rinnegan. Orochimaru, naturally intrigued by such power, became even more interested. His studies of the human body had deepened to the point where he coveted not only the Byakugan and Sharingan but also the Rinnegan, believing he could even steal entire bodies, including their bloodlines.

Despite Orochimaru's interest, Ye Zi had no intention of allowing him to join the Akatsuki. His priority was to have Orochimaru work with Nanako on studying Hashirama's cells. If Orochimaru joined the Akatsuki, he would lose some of his freedom.

Moreover, even if Orochimaru joined, his usefulness within the organization would be limited. But alongside Nanako, his potential contributions could be immense.

After several days of travel, the trio finally arrived at their destination.

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Currently on Chapter 291 - A Meeting Between the Futures of the Sand and the Leaf