Naruto: I Became Orochimaru's Apprentice-Chapter 52: Mist Village

The dense fog of the Hidden Mist Village stretched before them, an eerie shroud concealing the buildings and streets below. Itachi and Teriyaki stood on the thick branches of a withered tree, the gnarled bark damp beneath their feet. The cold air bit at their skin, the scent of saltwater drifting in from the ocean beyond.

For a moment, neither spoke. The only sound was the faint rustle of the wind through the leaves. Then, Itachi broke the silence.

"You're not going to back out, are you?"

Teriyaki scoffed. "You think I'd hesitate now? After all that?"

Itachi's crimson Sharingan glowed faintly in the dim light. "If you were a spy for Orochimaru, this would be the time to show your true colors. Because after this mission you will be one of us, there will be no exits other than death."

Teriyaki turned his head slightly, meeting Itachi's gaze. "You're just as paranoid as him, aren't you? I get it. You don't trust me."

"Trust isn't given. It's earned."

A beat of silence passed between them before Itachi continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "I can tell Orochimaru taught you. Tell me, who else did he teach whilst you were his apprentice?"

Teriyaki's expression remained neutral, but he understood immediately. They weren't talking about just any boy.

"A bunch of people. I guess you want to know about one person in specific... What about him?" Teriyaki asked, feigning ignorance.

"I want to know Orochimaru's plans for him."

Teriyaki exhaled slowly. "He's alive. He's strong. But Orochimaru's got his fangs in him. You already know that. Worst comes to worst, he'll become like me. A genetic abomination. Even worse, he'll fail in the process."

"He won't, if you survived through luck, he'll survive through his own power." Itachi muttered coldly.

Teriyaki shrugged. "I doubt Orochimaru would touch him, knowing the risks."

Itachi closed his eyes briefly, as if considering the weight of that statement. When he reopened them, they were colder than before. "We should move. Ao won't be alone for long."

Without another word, they took off.

Teriyaki leaped from branch to branch, feeling the wind rush past him. The trees became blurs in his vision. He wasn't even thinking—his body moved instinctively, flickering from one shadow to the next.

My body flicker technique is so much better after the year in Ryuichi cave.

Itachi, who had been moving at his usual controlled pace, glanced over. His eyes narrowed slightly.

'He's fast... Faster than I expected. His power isn't built purely on those cells.'

Teriyaki could feel it. He was nearing something close to mastery. Each movement was smoother than the last, his chakra distribution flawless. This was one thing he could boast.

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The older Uchiha said nothing, but Teriyaki felt the scrutiny in his gaze. He pushed himself further, flickering forward until he landed on the edge of a rooftop overlooking the village below.

The streets were filled with patrols. Mist shinobi moved in groups, keeping a sharp eye on the alleys and buildings. Ao was somewhere inside, but finding him would be a challenge.

"He's in there somewhere," Teriyaki muttered, scanning the buildings. "It'll take too long to check each one manually."

Itachi glanced at him. "Do you have a plan? If you plan to brute force your way towards him you may find yourself outmatched."

Teriyaki bit his thumb, quickly forming the necessary hand seals. A moment later, three snake clones slithered from his form, their scales glistening as they disappeared into the darkness.

"I'll let them do the searching," Teriyaki said, his voice calm. "They'll slip inside undetected and locate Ao. Once they do, we strike."

Itachi gave a small nod of approval. "Efficient. But I am only here to watch."

"Right..." Teriyaki sighed, nothing could be easy in life.

The clones slithered into the village, maneuvering through the cracks of buildings and slipping past unsuspecting guards. As they moved, Teriyaki felt his chakra stretching thin, his connection to each clone flickering through his mind.

Minutes passed in tense silence. Then, a pulse of information surged through him.

"I've found him," Teriyaki said, eyes sharpening. "Top floor of the watchtower. He's speaking with someone, but he'll be alone soon."

Itachi studied the tower from afar. "Then wait. The moment he's alone, you must move. The longer you take the more they will doubt you."

Teriyaki nodded, gripping his knuckles. His heartbeat steadied, his breath slowed.

Shadow Flicker. Assassinate. Take the body. Leave.

The plan was simple. It was time to execute.

The night deepened, the mist thickening as time crawled by. From their vantage point, they watched Ao's silhouette through the dimly lit windows of the watchtower. He was in conversation with another shinobi, likely discussing intelligence reports.

Teriyaki remained still, his fingers flexing subtly in anticipation. He could feel his chakra reserves adjusting as his body prepared for the strike.

"How do you last such long shifts..."

"It's easy after many nights." Itachi closed his eyes briefly.

Itachi stood beside him, arms crossed. "Your body is powerful, but I can tell that you, yourself are vulnerable."

Teriyaki allowed himself a smirk. "I didn't realize you were paying attention so much."

"I observe everything."

There was a weight to those words, one that Teriyaki didn't overlook. "And? What do you think?"

Itachi didn't answer immediately. Then, after a brief pause, he said, "As Hidan said, you are clearly inexperienced. A novice. Afraid of blood."

Teriyaki scowled. "Tch. Of course you'd say that. I've suffered more-."

"Suffering alone doesn't make you strong. The way you use it does. The way you overcome." Itachi's gaze flickered toward the tower. "When the time comes, don't overcommit. Precision is more important than raw speed. Lastly, I can tell you have not overcome your suffering."

Teriyaki exhaled, focusing back on the target. "Yeah, yeah. I know."

How can I overcome my suffering? He has a bomb on my neck.

A sudden flicker in the window. Ao's conversation had ended. His companion left the room, closing the door behind him.

"He's alone." Itachi's voice was final.

Teriyaki's muscles coiled. His body sank into the shadows.

It was time.

With a final glance at Itachi, Teriyaki vanished, flickering across the rooftops toward his target.