Naruto: sleeping invincible

Danzo's expression darkened as he turned to Orochimaru.

"How is the research on the First Hokage's cells, Orochimaru?"

This was Danzo's top priority.

With the power of the First Hokage, Hashirama's cells, combined with the Sharingan he possessed, Danzo believed he could gain control of the Nine-Tails, the strongest tailed beast in the ninja world.

At that point, no one would dare oppose him.

Orochimaru smiled sinisterly and extended his dark purple tongue, licking his lips from bottom to top.

"Tsk tsk, the Hashirama cells have been developed to the final stage. You'll be able to use them very soon."

Despite his defection from Konoha, Orochimaru still maintained a secret partnership with Danzo. The two shared common goals and interests.

Danzo had provided Orochimaru with state-of-the-art equipment in one of his secret bases, trusting him implicitly. Orochimaru's unmatched scientific prowess made him indispensable to Danzo's ambitions.

Danzo's trust in Orochimaru went back to when he had recommended him to the daimyo of the Land of Fire as the next Hokage.

However, that plan had failed. The Third Hokage had supported Namikaze Minato, who was ultimately chosen instead.

---

In the Forest

Elsewhere, Anko continued searching for Nanaya's trail.

Uchiha Nanaya wasn't particularly skilled at concealing his presence—at least, not according to his profile. His methods were comparable to those of a Ninja Academy student.

"The old man Iruka and the Third Hokage said this guy has decent taijutsu potential," Anko muttered, brushing her hair back. "I'll check out his skills myself."

She pulled a kunai from her ninja pouch and threw it toward a tree, angled at 45 degrees.

"Nanaya, your teacher will demonstrate a classic ninja tactic—taijutsu!"

The kunai flew through the air, whizzing straight toward Nanaya.

Nanaya, hanging upside down on a tree branch, reacted swiftly. With precise chakra control, he shifted his body just enough to avoid the blade.

The kunai grazed a strand of his hair, which floated to the ground.

Has his chakra control reached this level? Anko thought, her eyes narrowing. Not bad—not as bad as the data suggests.

Nanaya smirked.

"Ah, Sensei, you're so slow. I've already had time to nap."

Anko chuckled.

"This kid still has the nerve to joke? He might actually be my kind of disciple."

Spinning a kunai in her hand with expert precision, Anko lunged toward Nanaya.

"Teacher Anko," Nanaya teased, "didn't you just say taijutsu is a direct attack without weapons? What's with the kunai?"

Anko laughed as she closed the gap.

"You idiot! You can't be so rigid. Which do you think is more effective—fists or weapons?"

"Oh, I get it now," Nanaya said, his lips curling into a sly smile.

He'd asked the question deliberately. As a traveler from another world, he knew how iconic battles in the ninja world played out. He'd seen Rock Lee use kunai against Gaara's sand and remembered Naruto's explosive kunai during his fight with Gaara.

A kunai with an explosive tag attached is far more efficient in certain situations.

---

The Trap

As Anko neared him, Nanaya sprang back. His hands moved swiftly, forming a series of seals.

That's the tiger seal! Could it be...?

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

Nanaya inhaled deeply and exhaled a massive fireball toward Anko. The air around him grew hot, and the fire roared as it flew toward the tree where she stood.

Anko's eyes widened.

"The Uchiha clan's signature Fire Style? I didn't expect him to know this already! This boy's hiding more than I thought."

As she prepared to counter the flames, Anko noticed something else. The tree behind her was covered in explosive tags—dozens of them.

A trap! This kid set this up in advance!

Anko leapt back immediately, chakra surging to her feet to propel her away.

The fireball connected with the tree, igniting the explosive tags.

BOOM!

The explosion reverberated through the forest, sending shockwaves rippling outward. The impact was powerful enough to topple nearby trees.

In the chaos, Anko reacted quickly.

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

Several snakes burst from her sleeves, coiling around her and forming a protective barrier. The snakes wrapped tightly, shielding her as she rolled to safety.

---

Aftermath

Smoke filled the air as the forest settled. Scorched wood and the faint odor of burnt foliage mixed with the acrid scent of charred snake skin.

From a safe distance, Nanaya watched the aftermath unfold. He smirked.

"Sensei, you're not done already, are you? I haven't even gotten serious yet."

A figure emerged from the smoke, landing gracefully a dozen meters away.

It was Anko.

Her fishnet stockings were slightly torn, revealing patches of pale skin beneath. Dust smudged her face, but she remained uninjured.

Anko patted herself off, glaring up at Nanaya.

"Nanaya, you brat! Are you trying to kill your teacher?!"

Nanaya shrugged innocently.

"Sensei, didn't you say I needed to have the resolve to kill you to succeed?"

Anko paused, momentarily speechless. She had said that.

Not wanting to admit she'd underestimated him, Anko prepared for round two.

"Alright, Nanaya. I'll teach you another important lesson. The second-best way to fight as a ninja is with ninjutsu!"

She quickly formed a series of hand seals, slamming her palm to the ground.

"Summoning Technique!"