Chapter 181: Orochimaru Gets Jumped
As her sister for more than ten years, Hanabi knew Hinata all too well.
Hinata was shy—sweet, gentle, and soft-spoken. To most, that sounded ideal. But in Hanabi's eyes, it could be frustratingly boring.
Over their two-year journey, every night when Guts and Tsunade or any of the other women engaged in their late-night activities, Hinata would always claim she wasn't watching.
But Hanabi knew better.
Every single time, Hinata would secretly activate her Byakugan and peek from behind.
She never said a word, though. If she had, Hinata would've died of embarrassment on the spot.
When Hanabi planted another kiss on Guts's cheek, Hinata finally reached her limit.
Face flushed bright red, she leaned in slowly millimeter by millimeter toward Guts's rugged features.
His jawline, sharp and strong, had grown more defined over the years, giving him the raw, untamed aura of a beast... a man who exuded the same wild charm as Rakan, the Monarch of Fangs from Solo Leveling.
Hinata's trembling lips hovered just above his skin.
But she hesitated.
Hanabi rolled her eyes.
"Oh, for crying out loud…"
With a wicked grin, Hanabi gave her sister a hard push from behind.
Smack!
Hinata's soft lips collided with Guts's cheek not a gentle kiss, but a clumsy, full press.
She froze. Her body overheated like a boiling kettle.
Five seconds later, her knees gave out and she fainted dead away.
"You're so useless, Onee-san…" Hanabi muttered, sighing.
Dragging her unconscious sister to the shade, Hanabi looked down at Guts again, still deep in meditation, completely unbothered.
"Seriously, what are you made of?" she grumbled before smirking and planting one more kiss on his forehead for good measure.
The Next Morning.
After finishing their morning training, Guts sat beneath the same tree, eyes closed as he entered his virtual training realm once again.
Hanabi, as expected, wasted no time pulling her flustered sister close. Her voice was a teasing whisper against Hinata's ear:
"Sis… don't screw up this time. Go for it."
Hinata's face burned crimson, but this time after a deep breath she nodded.
Slowly, she leaned in. No bumping. No hesitation. Her lips brushed softly against Guts's cheek, delicate and warm.
Hanabi, watching like a proud coach, gave an approving nod.
"Finally. Took you long enough."
And then because she couldn't resist Hanabi leaned down and kissed his other cheek.
Day after day, the "training" escalated.
Hinata, once timid and frozen with embarrassment, grew bolder.
From accidental bumps to deliberate kisses… then holding the contact longer… then opening her eyes during it. Soon, she even started competing with Hanabi.
From shrinking violet to low-key love rival in two weeks flat.
"Mou~ you're too greedy, Onee-san! I wanted a turn too!" Hanabi huffed, puffing her cheeks in mock outrage.
Hinata, mortified at her own behavior, yanked her lips away and hid her burning face behind her hands.
Of course, what neither sister realized was that Guts knew everything.
Even while inside his mental training space, his mastery of the Voice of All Things allowed him to sense every detail.
If a true enemy appeared, he would snap back instantly and eliminate the threat.
But murderous intent never came.
Only the mischievous whispers of two Hyuga girls who had clearly decided to throw caution and shame to the wind.
At first, Guts assumed it was a one-time thing. A slip-up born of youthful curiosity.
But no.
They were getting bolder.
Even Hinata the quiet, polite Hinata was being dragged into Hanabi's games.
Again and again.
And again.
…Are you two for real?
He sighed inwardly.
Still, he couldn't entirely blame them. Eleven and sixteen… an age where curiosity burned brightest.
And after two years of traveling together seeing everything, knowing everything they'd clearly been holding back for a long time.
And now?
The dam had burst.
Still, Guts thought, if this keeps up, it's going to be a problem. But… what the hell do I even say?
That evening, Guts returned home deep in thought... only to be met with shocking news.
Anko was waiting for him.
"Orochimaru's dead," she said flatly.
The room went silent.
Kurenai froze mid-step. Tsunade's eyes widened. Even Guts raised an eyebrow.
Orochimaru—the Snake Sannin. The student of the Third Hokage. Tsunade's former teammate. Everyone knew how dangerous he was.
How could he be dead?
But Guts was stunned for a different reason.
Sasuke? Really? That scrawny emo kid?
In the original timeline, Sasuke had only killed Orochimaru because the Snake was crippled his arms sealed by Hiruzen's Reaper Death Seal.
But here?
In Guts's altered reality, Orochimaru had easily crushed Hiruzen two years ago. The Reaper Death Seal never came into play.
So how?
Anko explained everything.
The Kakashi-led team had been investigating Orochimaru's hideout, tracking signs of Sasuke.
When they arrived, they found Sasuke already locked in combat with Orochimaru.
Naruto didn't hesitate to jump in. Neither did Sakura. Kakashi, realizing the stakes, chose to back them up. Sai followed suit. ( PS: Shi..)
Five versus one.
Sasuke didn't say yes, but he didn't stop them either.
The result?
A full-on gang-up.
"Oh… shit," Guts muttered, lips twitching.
"They actually jumped him…"
He could practically picture it: the great Snake Sannin, swarmed by a pack of brats and their overpowered sensei.
Kakashi believed Orochimaru was finished.
Guts? Not so much.
If Orochimaru survived the "Sensei Killing Plan" years ago, then five mid-level shinobi even with Kakashi weren't enough to end him.
Still, the aftermath was clear: after the fight, Sasuke slipped away again.
Naruto knew where he was headed next.
Straight for Uchiha Itachi.
And so, Naruto shifted his sights to Akatsuki.
Guts rubbed his temple.
The way this kid chases Sasuke… this is starting to feel like a BL manga. Gross.
"Lord Guts."
A voice cut through his thoughts.
An Anbu operative appeared, kneeling with perfect form. His fox mask gleamed in the dim light as he extended a sealed scroll.
"This message is from Kirigakure. For your eyes only."
"Kirigakure?" Guts murmured, taking the scroll.
Behind him, Tsunade's eyes narrowed. Her instincts immediately latched onto one name—a certain woman infamous for her beauty and sultry charm.
"…That woman, isn't it?" Tsunade's voice was cold enough to freeze the air.
A dangerous smile curved her lips.
Clearly, Mizukage Terumi Mei and the Slug Princess were not on the best of terms.
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