Sensing that Kakuzu's presence had completely disappeared, Orochimaru finally relaxed the tense energy he had been forcing himself to maintain. Letting out a long breath, his body slumped like a deflated balloon.
He shut one eye tightly, his chest heaving violently. His pale face reflected deep exhaustion.
The meridians near his heart were severely damaged, his physical strength retreating like a receeding tide. His condition was shockingly poor.
"Pfft!"
Orochimaru's pale complexion shifted. He spat out a mouthful of blood—most likely because the painkillers were wearing off.
His entire body trembled, his vision blurred with double images.
The internal injuries were severe...
Naruto, unconcerned with checking out any new features from the system, sheathed his Zanpakuto.
He walked over to Orochimaru and softly said, "Orochimaru-sensei, let me heal you."
"You… know medical ninjutsu?" Orochimaru's voice trembled, the pain nearly driving him unconscious.
"No," Naruto replied, his tone serious and heavy.
Even someone as composed as Orochimaru couldn't help but get a little annoyed. He glared at Naruto as if to say, If you don't know medical ninjutsu, why are you meddling?
"Don't worry, Orochimaru-sensei. My chakra has healing properties."
Supporting Orochimaru, Naruto found a simple wooden hut and laid him flat on the bed.
Naruto pulled open his green vest and placed his hands on the black mesh underneath.
"…Uh…"
Instantly, Naruto's hands felt a soft and slippery texture. "No way!?"
He stared at Orochimaru's throat closely—no Adam's apple. At Orochimaru's age, that was odd…
When Naruto hesitated too long, a faint trace of anger crossed Orochimaru's pale face. He huffed, "Can you heal me or not!?"
Oh no... Orochimaru is a woman!
Shaking his head to clear his chaotic thoughts, Naruto refocused.
His hands glowed faintly with blue light as they hovered over Orochimaru's chest.
This rudimentary chakra healing technique was crude compared to advanced medical ninjutsu.
The chakra flowed along Orochimaru's meridians, entering and spreading through her internal organs.
A sudden, searing heat shot through Orochimaru's entire body, making her momentarily lose her breath.
She bit her lip tightly, drawing a trace of blood.
"Hold on just a bit longer. It's almost done," Naruto said flatly, reducing the chakra output.
After a long while…
Orochimaru—perhaps it was her imagination—felt the intense pain caused by her damaged meridians subside. Her heartbeat returned to a steady rhythm, and her depleted chakra seemed replenished, as if gifted by the ocean.
"So this is the power of the Uzumaki clan…"
A faint ripple of emotion passed through Orochimaru's pale gold, slit pupils before she succumbed to unconsciousness.
---
"Ding! The system has issued a mission."
Mission Details: Remove Orochimaru's human-skin mask and reveal her true face.
Reward: One system lottery draw.
Failure: No penalty.
While still healing Orochimaru, Naruto suddenly heard the system's voice.
Orochimaru's true face?
Hearing this, Naruto's curiosity was piqued. His gaze fell on Orochimaru's face.
The pale human face appeared lifelike, occasionally furrowing from pain, with no visible signs of disguise.
But since the system issued the task, it couldn't be lying. Naruto was now intrigued by what lay beneath Orochimaru's perpetually impassive mask.
"Orochimaru-sensei, wake up. The hut is about to collapse," Naruto called softly.
After waiting a while, there was no response—Orochimaru was in a deep sleep.
Stopping his chakra output, the room dimmed.
Using the faint glow of candlelight, Naruto hesitated for a moment before nervously placing his right hand on Orochimaru's neck, feeling around carefully.
Moments later…
He felt something odd—a texture like paper at a spot on her neck.
Swallowing hard, Naruto gripped the edge and gave it a firm tug.
The human-skin mask peeled away, revealing a stunningly beautiful face beneath.
Skin like cream, sparkling eyes, radiant teeth, and flowing black hair. The sheer beauty left Naruto momentarily dumbfounded.
"This mission was worth it."
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the mission."
"Reward: One system lottery draw."
As Naruto prepared to reattach the mask, a pair of pale gold, slit pupils stared intensely at the mask in his hand.
The air thickened with a murderous intent so heavy it was suffocating.
"damn, I screwed up," Naruto muttered under his breath, his eye twitching.
Fortunately, the killing intent disappeared as quickly as it appeared.
Orochimaru snatched the mask from Naruto's hand and reattached it to her face.
"If you dare tell anyone, I'll kill you," she said in a voice that was surprisingly soft, almost feminine.
"Got it, Orochimaru-sensei." Naruto nodded, thinking to himself, So this is Orochimaru's true voice.
For a ninja, altering one's voice was child's play.
Perhaps realizing her slip, Orochimaru coughed lightly and reverted her tone back to its usual raspy state.
"Let's go."
---
By dawn, the group reached the base of the mountain, and Orochimaru led Team Seven back to Konoha.
---
In the early hours, Konoha, Hokage's Office.
Orochimaru stood alone in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
As for what Orochimaru discussed with the Third Hokage, Naruto and the others didn't know.
The only clue came the next day.
Their mission records now bore the mark of an A-rank mission.
This meant Team Seven had successfully completed an A-rank task.
===================
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