For three consecutive days, Yagyu followed Jiraiya and Naruto as they wandered around, searching for Tsunade's whereabouts.
But unfortunately, they did not obtain any useful information.
However, after examining the map, Yagyu clearly knew their general route, and he understood that they were heading toward Tanzaku Town.
Therefore, he was not worried that his presence would cause them to miss Tsunade.
On this day, at noon.
Yagyu stood atop a large tree, watching Naruto train diligently below.
Just as destined, Naruto was currently undergoing training to learn the Rasengan.
As for Jiraiya, he had gone somewhere unknown.
Either he had gone drinking and chasing women, or he was collecting intelligence.
Yagyu had little interest in what he was doing.
"That guy invited me along, he is probably doing it so that I can protect Naruto, this kid," Yagyu thought as he looked at Naruto, who was striving to burst the water balloon in his hand. "It really seems that way."
At that moment, Naruto wiped the sweat from his face and said in frustration, "This is completely impossible. How am I supposed to break this water balloon?"
Seeing Naruto like this, Yagyu revealed a hint of interest.
"Naruto, it seems you have encountered a bottleneck. Do you need me to give you some advice?"
Hearing this, Naruto looked up at Yagyu.
"Yagyu, do you also know the Rasengan?"
Yagyu's expression darkened slightly.
Casting Naruto a speechless glance, he jumped down from the tree.
Without saying much, he picked up a water balloon.
"Take a good look. What is the difference between my water balloon and yours?"
Holding the balloon in front of Naruto, Yagyu activated his chakra.
"To burst the water balloon, you cannot make your chakra rotate in just one direction. Instead, it should rotate in every direction, which means it must be irregular."
As expected, Naruto did not understand Yagyu's explanation.
However, for an unconventional genius like Naruto, understanding was unnecessary. As long as he saw it, he would grasp it.
"Watch carefully."
As Yagyu spoke, the water balloon in his hand began to tremble.
"This is the correct way to rotate it."
Buzz.
Accompanied by a surge of chakra, the water balloon in Yagyu's hand suddenly became uneven and jagged.
Pop.
With a crisp sound, the water balloon exploded.
"This is the correct method."
Patting Naruto on the shoulder, Yagyu said, "Work hard, Naruto. This jutsu is absolutely the most suitable jutsu for you, without question. To be precise, the Rasengan still has tremendous potential for development, and it all depends on you."
This statement was indeed correct.
When it came to forming Rasengan, Naruto was a true specialist among specialists.
In the future, Uzumaki Naruto would develop the Rasengan into countless variations.
After advising Naruto, Yagyu found a place to lie down and relax.
After breaking through to the Kage level, it was as if some kind of shackle had been lifted, and his strength was increasing every day.
Whether he trained or not made little difference to him.
Another three days passed.
During these three days, Jiraiya continued searching for information about Tsunade while traveling.
During this process, after receiving Yagyu's guidance, Naruto's Rasengan training had already entered its final stage.
On this day, Jiraiya brought Yagyu and Naruto to the entrance of Tanzaku Town.
"According to the intelligence we have gathered," Jiraiya said with a serious expression as he looked at the torii gate at the entrance of Tanzaku Town, "that woman Tsunade seems to be here recently."
As he spoke, Jiraiya stepped toward the town.
"Let's go. Sosuke, Naruto, if we are lucky, we will find her here."
Following behind Jiraiya, Yagyu and Naruto entered the bustling Tanzaku Town.
However, not long after they began strolling through the streets—
Boom.
A loud explosion echoed from the distance.
Immediately afterward, the three saw panicked civilians fleeing in haste.
Before Jiraiya could step forward to ask what had happened, Yagyu lowered his hand from forming the seal for a sensory ninjutsu and suddenly spoke.
"This chakra... it is enormous. And there is another person... Orochimaru."
Swish.
Opening his eyes, a trace of coldness flashed across Yagyu's face.
"Senior Brother Jiraiya, I will go ahead. Please bring Naruto and follow afterward."
Crackle.
Before Jiraiya could respond, Yagyu's figure flashed away like lightning.
Hearing Yagyu's words, Jiraiya's expression turned solemn.
"Enormous chakra... Orochimaru. We have found him."
In an instant, Jiraiya determined that the powerful chakra sensed by Yagyu belonged to Tsunade.
Glancing at Naruto, who still looked confused, Jiraiya spoke urgently.
"Naruto, follow me. This mission is about to be completed."
The Quiet Hills Behind Tanzaku Town
In a secluded area behind Tanzaku Town, a wall had been smashed open, leaving a large hole.
Standing before the breach were two women.
One possessed beautiful blonde hair and a figure that commanded attention above all others, her aura was powerful and imposing.
The other had short black hair and held a small pig in her arms.
These two women were none other than Tsunade and her disciple and attendant, Shizune.
Facing them were the weakened Orochimaru and his assistant, Kabuto Yakushi.
At this moment, Kabuto's forehead protector bore the symbol of the Hidden Sound Village.
"Tsunade, have you made your decision?" Orochimaru asked. Though weakened, he still exuded a formidable presence. "If you heal my arms, I will allow you to meet those two. After so many years, you must long to see them."
As he spoke, cold sweat gathered on Orochimaru's face, yet he continued smiling.
"And now you have such an opportunity... provided that you heal me."
Hearing Orochimaru's words, Tsunade fell into silence, while Shizune, standing beside her, looked deeply worried.
"Lady Tsunade, you must not agree to him."
Earlier, Orochimaru had proposed a deal.
Tsunade would heal his arms, and in return, Orochimaru would use the Reanimation Jutsu, Edo Tensei, to revive the two people most important to her in her lifetime, her younger brother Nawaki and her lover Dan Kato.
If it were any other condition, Shizune would not have been so concerned.
But since it involved Nawaki and Dan Kato, Shizune knew Tsunade well enough to understand that her heart was wavering, and she might even accept.
At times, longing for those deeply cherished could shake even the strongest person.
Such occurrences were not uncommon in the shinobi world.
Just as Shizune finished speaking.
Crackle.
A humanoid bolt of purple lightning descended from the sky and landed atop the broken wall.
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