Naruto: Manipulation

In truth.

Everything happened just as Black Zetsu had predicted.

Though Shigen had successfully deceived Anko Mitarashi by impersonating Orochimaru, the flaws in his disguise were far too obvious—even Anko found them unbearable.

Who was this amateur?

He didn't even know the way around Konoha!

"That's a dead end."

Anko rolled her eyes in frustration, glaring at the imposter trying to fool her.

"Orochimaru-sensei, the exit is this way."

"Is that so?"

'Orochimaru' sounded momentarily confused before quickly covering up his mistake.

"Who would've thought… Konoha has changed so much over the years."

"Yeah, sure."

Anko nodded slowly, absentmindedly licking the sugar residue from her lips.

She was already planning a cruel death for this little fraud.

"You look thirsty. Here, have some sugarcane juice."

'Orochimaru' handed her the unopened bottle, looking for all the world like a caring teacher.

"Thanks, Orochimaru-sensei~"

A dangerous smile crept onto Anko's lips.

This guy…

He couldn't even get the details right!

As Orochimaru's student, she remembered how, when she was younger, her sensei would always buy her sweets—he would always pick the best red bean soup.

Sugarcane juice, on the other hand…

That was something Tsunade liked.

Orochimaru had never once mixed up the preferences of his student and his teammate. He was always meticulous.

Though Anko resented her teacher's betrayal, she had to admit that Orochimaru had a talent for making people feel safe, even as he deceived them.

And yet this fraud…

Didn't even know what she liked, and dared to trick her?!

A gentle breeze swept through the forest.

The towering trees stood still against the wind.

Only the rustling of dense leaves broke the silence.

The path Anko pointed out did indeed lead out of the village, but it cut through a thick forest rarely traveled.

"Who the hell are you?"

Anko suddenly stopped in her tracks, her voice turning icy.

"Orochimaru isn't as naive as you."

"What do you mean?"

'Orochimaru' turned back, feigning disbelief that he had been caught. But seeing Anko gripping her kunai, ready to fight at a moment's notice, he let out a small sigh.

"When did you figure it out?"

"From the beginning."

Anko's grip on her kunai tightened, her lips curling into a sweet yet mocking smile.

"Your Transformation Jutsu is excellent—I couldn't see a single flaw.

But I was Orochimaru's student.

I know him better than anyone."

That knowledge…

Had once been a source of pride.

But after Orochimaru's defection, it became a curse.

His habits were etched into her life, shaping her instincts in ways she hated.

"If nothing else…"

"Orochimaru would never get lost in Konoha."

Anko sneered coldly, her tone turning sharp.

"Who are you really? Why impersonate Orochimaru? What's your goal?!"

'Orochimaru' fell silent.

Meanwhile, Zetsu had been listening in from underground.

Black Zetsu, already familiar with Shigen's ways, sighed.

"See that? This is what Shigen calls 'concealment.' He thinks staying silent in moments like this is how ninjas keep secrets…"

"At least…"

White Zetsu muttered hesitantly.

"She doesn't know who Lord Shigen actually is… Otherwise, his silence would feel like an outright confession…"

Then—

'Orochimaru' finally spoke.

And, as expected…

He told the truth.

"I can't tell you much."

"I just need you as a hostage."

"Because I need to use the cursed mark on you."

"See?"

Black Zetsu wasted no time criticizing Shigen.

"The moment he doesn't know what to say, he just tells the truth."

"…"

White Zetsu was equally exasperated.

"The cursed mark… So you plan to kidnap me?"

Anko narrowed her eyes.

She touched the spot on her neck where Orochimaru had left his mark.

But…

She had no memory of when or where she received it.

Orochimaru had erased those details from her mind.

After she returned to Konoha, she endured constant pain from the curse seal—until the Third Hokage had it completely sealed away.

Since then, it had never troubled her again.

"It seems there's no time to talk."

'Orochimaru' sensed Kakashi trailing them.

His slitted pupils flashed with resolve.

"Someone has been following us. I need to take you away before more arrive."

The next instant—

'Orochimaru' lunged forward!

"Then I'll just capture you and interrogate you myself!"

Anko scoffed, wind whipping through her coat.

The tight fishnet under her clothes barely concealed her curves, and her short skirt did nothing to slow her movement!

She was fast!

Her kunai slashed through the air in a deadly arc—evidence of the Snake Sword Style!

Even though Anko wasn't a true swordswoman, her combat style had inherited the sinister, unpredictable flair of Orochimaru.

"So weak."

'Orochimaru' sounded genuinely puzzled.

He tilted his body slightly, dodging the kunai with ease.

Then—his hand clamped down on her wrist!

"!!!"

Anko's face froze in shock.

Before she could react, pain shot through her wrist—her kunai slipped from her grip, falling straight into his hand.

One move.

And she was disarmed.

She hadn't even had time to weave hand signs!

As she instinctively leapt back, a cold, sharp kunai pressed against her throat—signaling her complete defeat.

"So… strong…"

Cold sweat soaked Anko's back.

She had never faced such overwhelming close combat skills before.

She had been caught completely off guard, rendered powerless in seconds.

This idiot…

Was far more terrifying than he seemed!

"I'll be borrowing your kunai. Hope you don't mind."

'Orochimaru' ignored his captured target.

Instead, his gaze shifted toward a hidden observer.

"Come out."

"I sensed you long ago."

A young man with silver-white hair hesitated briefly—then, realizing he had been discovered, he stepped forward with his hands raised.

"Kakashi?"

Anko called out.

Despite growing up under Orochimaru, she was never one for formalities—she had never been polite to her so-called "senior."

"It's me."

Kakashi's voice was calm.

"I wasn't expecting to get caught up in a kidnapping case today."

He lifted his forehead protector, revealing his Sharingan.

Then, as his hands slowly formed a strange seal, he casually spoke to the 'Orochimaru' in front of him.

"Orochimaru, let Anko go."

Kakashi's voice remained steady as chakra surged within him.

"Is a hostage really necessary against someone like me?"

"Kakashi, he's not Orochimaru!"

Anko snapped.

"He's just an imposter!"

"Then who is he?"

Kakashi's mind wavered slightly.

"I haven't gotten that far yet!"

Anko replied shamelessly, completely disregarding the fact that she was still a hostage.

"You're called Anko?"

'Orochimaru' sounded genuinely surprised, as if he had just learned her name.

Which only confirmed—he was, indeed, an imposter.

"Hey, you idiot…"

Anko's face darkened.

"You're trying to kidnap someone without even knowing their name?!"

As a ninja, Anko wasn't the most cautious person.

But even she found this guy's recklessness unbearable.

Who even was he?!

"Whoever you are…"

Sweat began forming on Kakashi's forehead.

He narrowed his eyes.

"Someone like you, sneaking into Konoha and kidnapping a shinobi… You're clearly no ordinary man."

"Stop asking for my identity."

"It'll be better for both of us if I don't answer."

'Orochimaru' spoke coldly.

"Leave now. I promise I won't hurt this Anko."

"That would be ideal…"

Kakashi nodded.

Then—

In an instant!

Lightning exploded in his hands!

"Storm Release—Chidori Wild Dance!"

Bolts of electricity surged from his palms, weaving chaotically through the air.

Like rushing water, the lightning arcs twisted unpredictably—yet, under Kakashi's precise control, they avoided Anko completely, streaking straight toward the kidnapper!

A sneak attack—too fast to evade!

This Storm Release jutsu…

Might even be more effective than his Raikiri.

With the Sharingan tracking his target's every move…

His plan to rescue Anko had succeeded!

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