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Land of Earth - Time 3:07am.

The night sky hung black and silent over the hidden base's remote location. The two Leaf shinobi, Kakashi and Daichi, had taken their positions on opposite sides around the large hidden area.

"This is it," Kakashi said softly, his voice crackling through the tiny communication device in Daichi's ear.

Daichi pressed himself low against a rocky outcrop, carefully regulating his chakra flow. 'I need to make sure to conceal my chakra as much as I can.' He reached out through the earpiece, whispering, "I'm in position."

In a series of swift, silent movements, Kakashi approached the last talisman stone hidden beneath a loose cluster of pebbles. He was positioned to the east. He touched his earpiece and spoke quietly. "I'm about to break the second seal of the detection barrier."

Daichi gave a slight nod to himself, even though Kakashi couldn't see him. "Understood." He steadied his breathing, focusing his senses. The plan was to have Kakashi deliberately tip off the guards, drawing their attention away, while he infiltrated silently from another direction.

'Once he disrupts the seal, the guards will focus on him. That'll be my chance to act. Based on what Lord Tobirama sensed, one of the guards is stationed near my path. He'll see me coming and I'm certain he'll report that to his master.'

On the East side of the hidden terrain, Kakashi was steadily forming hand-seals. As he formed the final barrier destruction jutsu seal, the second and last anchor talisman went up in flames.

With a precise application of chakra, he disrupted the seal's delicate matrix. A shimmer of chakra suddenly formed around the large terrain before it disappeared. Immediately, Kakashi sensed a surge in the barrier's network. 'Well that triggered the alarm.'

Daichi, who was hidden and waiting far away, saw the destruction of the barrier. 'Just as planned. He'll be the decoy and I'll go in and rescue those two.'

Kakashi was waiting for something to happen as he carefully looked ahead. Slowly he began moving forward. About half a minute later he heard the voice of the second Hokage in his ear. "They're coming. Headed straight for you. As we anticipated."

"Understood." He gave a short reply and lifted up his headband. His Sharingan eye glowing red as he waited for his enemies.

Daichi sensed the faint flash of chakra from Kakashi's position and began moving. He slipped through a narrow gap between two boulders and found a small depression in the earth. Just enough room for him to slide through an overlooked crevice. Every step he took was measured, careful not to scrape stone against stone or snap any twig that might alert vigilant ears.

—-

Deep underground in a large chamber, Orochimaru stood beside a dimly lit corridor lined with twisted pipes and alchemical tools. He had been idly adjusting a syringe-like instrument in his hand when he felt the barrier's disturbance. His eyes narrowed, a predatory grin forming on his lips.

"Now this is an unexpected surprise." he murmured to himself. 'It seems I have a visitor. Even after all the precautions I took? Who could it be?'

He raised a hand, forming a short sequence of hand seals. Across the room, a small snake coiled in a crevice opened its eyes.

It was a special snake with a unique skill. It had a twin that was above ground keeping an eye on the surroundings. These snakes had the unique ability to see through each other's senses.

Orochimaru channeled a surveillance jutsu through the snake's senses. The world before his vision briefly overlapped with the snake's.

He saw the rocky landscape above, and then he quickly spotted a figure. The copy-nin of the Leaf village, Kakashi Hatake, moving near the disrupted barrier anchors.

"How did you find this place, Kakashi?" Orochimaru mused. 'If Kakashi found this lab, then who else is here? Tobirama? Jiraiya?'

Sensing Kakashi above his lair alone made Orochimaru cautious. As he probed further with his sensing technique, he detected another faint chakra signature approaching from a different direction. 'Another one coming from the opposite side. But who?'

The second ninja was using a chakra masking technique that made Orochimaru unable to identify him.

At that moment, Ukon emerged from a hidden panel in the wall, kneeling at Orochimaru's side. "Lord Orochimaru" Ukon reported, voice low, "I've been keeping watch as you ordered. That Leaf ninja, Daichi Hekima, is here. He's trying to get in through the west side."

"Daichi?" Orochimaru's eyes glittered with excitement when he heard that name. He immediately expanded his sensory range and tried to find if there was anyone else. After several seconds he stopped molding his chakra.

'Sarutobi sensei wouldn't have sent them here without backup. But there's only just the two of them. Does that mean the Leaf village doesn't know they're here?... Hmm… The boy probably couldn't keep still and must have left the village on his own initiative. And Kakashi must have followed, wanting to keep him safe.'

Orochimaru crossed his arms for a few seconds and thought about the situation. It only took a few seconds for him to figure out their plan.

'So that's the plan. Kakashi is using himself as bait and trying to draw my attention while letting Daichi infiltrate here and rescue the captives. How predictable… Still, I can't make any assumptions until I speak with that child.' The Snake Sannin smiled, amused. 'They think they can outsmart me. Let's see how well they fare.' He set down the syringe and turned to leave the room.

In the corner, Shizune overheard Ukon's words. Her eyes went wide with shock. 'Daichi…? He came to help?'

Suddenly she looked to where her captor was standing and became afraid for the boy. 'No. Orochimaru knows he's. He's in trouble.'

As she panicked she remembered all the challenges he faced throughout his time with them and she slowly calmed down. 'He's not like the others. Daichi is smart. He must have some kind of a plan. He wouldn't make a mistake like this. And he wouldn't have come here without bringing any help. If Orochimaru could sense him… it must be because he let him… At least… I have to believe that… Otherwise…'

Fear and hope mingled in her voice as she looked at Tsunade's comatose form strapped to the table. "Lady Tsunade, please hold on a little longer. We just might be able to leave here alive after all." she whispered in her master's ear with tears in her eyes.

Orochimaru paused at the doorway as if hearing what Shizune said to her teacher. He turned his head and glanced back at his captives. "Shizune," he said softly, voice dripping with contempt, "Don't get your hopes up. Even if they get in, I have precautions in place." With no more words he and his guard stepped out, his sandals tapping lightly on the stone floor.

As Orochimaru and Ukon went up he immediately gave his order. "Take Sakon and Tayuya and go stop Kakashi. Keep him busy. If you get the chance, kill him but try not to damage the Sharingan if you can."

"Yes Lord Orochimaru." Ukon bowed and immediately left his master's side.

The Snake Sannin merely chuckled. 'They may not be able to kill Kakashi but they'll be able to keep him busy till I'm done with the boy.'

As he reached the topmost floor, he turned his chakra into sensory mode once more. 'Only two chakra signatures so far. Good. It seems they don't have backup from the Leaf… Is it possible that sensei kept the existence of the Second Hokage a secret from Kakashi?... Hmm… It seems like it.'

—-

Far away in another location, Tobirama knelt behind a large boulder. His index and middle fingers rested on the rocky soil. 'I can sense them shifting away from their spot. The guards are moving to confront Kakashi, and Orochimaru is heading towards his position.

"Looks like things are proceeding according to plan." Tobirama spoke softly and the figure behind him standing in the shadows nodded his head.

The reanimated Hokage turned his head slightly, whispering into his earpiece. "Jiraiya, now's your chance. Orochimaru's leaving the heart of the base towards his target. Go!"

Jiraiya's voice crackled softly in Tobirama's ear. "Alright. I'm going in." the Toad Sage replied. 'Finally, a clear opening. Hang on Tsunade, Shizune. We're coming.'

Jiraiya vanished from his vantage point and slipped into an entrance Tobirama discovered. 'Alright stealth mode. Don't fail me now.'

As the infiltration commenced, Tobirama smiled faintly, impressed by Danzo's calculations and Kakashi's analysis of the Snake Sannin's mind.

'Danzo might be untrustworthy, but his strategizing had proven useful. And Kakashi's deliberate method of exposure reduced their suspicion and drew them all out. Now that he's lured Orochimaru out, Jiraiya can slip inside and plant the teleportation marker near them. A near perfectly executed plan… But there is still the chance of 'that' happening.'

—-

On the surface, Sakon, Ukon, and Tayuya emerged from concealed trenches and hidden tunnels and soon appeared to confront Kakashi. The silver-haired Jonin stood calmly in a patch of stony terrain lit by moonlight, one hand resting casually near his tool pouch with a bored expression behind his mask.

The Sound ninjas fanned out, forming a crescent formation in front of the Leaf ninja.

"Well, well. What's this?" Tayuya sneered, her flute clutched at her side. "Just one Jonin from the Leaf? Are they short on manpower or something?"

Kakashi shrugged. "I guess they sent me because I have such a charming personality."

"That question was rhetorical. I wasn't really looking for an answer you dumbass. As far I'm concerned you're just another dipshit who's going to die at our hands." Tayuya instantly shot back.

Kakashi's single visible eye curved in a bored half-moon, he loudly sighed and spoke with a tone that changed into casual disinterest. "If I had a Ryo for every loudmouth who said that to me, I'd be retired by now. You'd just be another donation to my vacation fund. Side note. You wouldn't happen to have any Ryo on you, would you?"

Sakon and Ukon snarled, merging slightly to present a united front. They recognized Kakashi's name and reputation.

Hearing Kakashi's retort, Tayuya's eyes narrowed. "You scarecrow looking bastard. I'll give you plenty of money after I've slit your throat."

Kakashi's single visible eye crinkled in a mocking smile. "Let's not be hasty to commit suicide. I'm sure we can have a civilized conversation-" He suddenly leaned to the side and easily dodged several fast shuriken aimed at his head, neck and torso. "...or not. Fine. Have it your way."

—-

Orochimaru slipped quietly through a side corridor, following the faint pulse of the second chakra. 'He's really trying hard to keep himself hidden. Does he really think he can escape my senses?'

Orochimaru connected with the barriers and still only felt two chakra signatures in the vicinity. 'I'm not sensing anyone else. So they really did come here, on their own, risking everything. How admirable and how foolish…'

But then a frown formed on his pale face. 'Still, there are questions that need to be answered. How did they find this location? Daichi must have fought Guren more than a day ago. So how did he get here so quickly? Does sensei really not know their movements? I'll find out the answers from him one way or the other.'

He had been wanting to meet the Leaf Genin for a while now. And now since the opportunity had presented itself, he intended to confront Daichi personally.

He reached a narrow passageway leading to a concealed exit. As he stepped into the cool night air, he slowed his pace, allowing the moonlight to paint an eerie picture: Orochimaru's pale face and golden eyes gleaming in anticipation.

'No doubt they plan to outsmart me, but I will show them who's truly in control.'

Peering through the darkness, Orochimaru spotted the faint silhouette of a child moving carefully between rocks and giant boulders. 'Daichi.'

Orochimaru's thin lips curved into a slow, predatory smile. "Thank you for coming all this way for your teachers. It saved me a lot of effort." he spoke softly, stepping forward into the Genin's line of sight.

Orochimaru found himself amused as he saw the surprise and horror appear on the boy's face. "Yo-you! But you should be…"

"On the other side facing your current sensei?... Did you really think I would fall for such a simple strategy?" Orochimaru finished the boy's sentence with a laugh.

Daichi had sweat running down his chin and he immediately got into a fighting stance.

Orochimaru merely stared at the boy for several seconds in silence without moving a muscle. He planned to question him, gauge his strength, and then deliver a lesson he and his current teacher would soon not forget.

Daichi stood facing Orochimaru, keeping his chakra minimal, feigning nervousness and determination on his face. Meanwhile Orochimaru regarded him with a mix of curiosity and contempt.

"Hihihihi…This should be interesting," He chuckled and said softly, each syllable was dripping with malice.

—-

Meanwhile, Jiraiya, using perfect stealth, slipped into the subterranean lair. 'I need to hurry and find them as soon as possible. Then summon those two.' Jiraiya went down deeper into the building with his senses extended, searching for that faint, beloved chakra of his old teammate.

Soon he found what he was looking for. 'There. It's them.' A smile formed on his face as Jiraiya realized that his former teammate was only a few dozen meters away from him.

'I don't know how long he can keep that bastard busy. I need to act now.' Without wasting another second, he made contact through his earphone. "I found them. I'm going to use your knife. Be ready."

Jiraiya updated Tobirama. He then immediately sent some chakra into the kunai the second Hokage gave him and plunged it into the ground.

A moment later two figures appeared near Jiraiya with the Flying Thunder God technique.

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Author's Note:-

We're in the climax of this arc now. It'll be battles from the next chapter onwards.

A few things.

One. Orochimaru isn't stupid. He is also a cautious fellow. Thats all im going to say for now.

Two. The reason Jiraiya is not in sage mode is because if he goes into that form, he'll be like a bright beacon to Orochimaru's barrier and senses.

If you enjoy my story then please take a moment to review and rate. A thumbs up always helps. 

And if you are interested in reading ahead, then check out my patreon site. I’ve uploaded up to 30 additional chapters there…

/MonkWithAPen