Crackle.
The sound of lightning flashing rang out, drawing the attention of Tsunade, Orochimaru, and the others.
All four of them looked toward the top of the wall.
The humanoid lightning gradually dissipated, revealing Yagyu, dressed in a fitted combat outfit and carrying a chakra blade on his back, standing calmly atop the wall.
"Can you tell me about the transaction you mentioned?"
After glancing at Tsunade and Shizune, Yagyu spoke as a powerful aura and killing intent flowed around him.
"I am very interested in the contents of that deal."
Hearing Yagyu's words and noticing the Konoha forehead protector tied to his arm, Tsunade frowned slightly, doubt arising in her heart.
"Why would a genin from the village appear here? And this aura... it is very strong. Is this kid really just a genin?"
Unaware of Tsunade's thoughts, Yagyu fixed his gaze on Orochimaru. Although he showed no intention of attacking, a sense of danger enveloped Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi, preventing them from relaxing in the slightest.
Upon seeing Yagyu, a trace of gloom flashed across Orochimaru's face before he quickly returned to normal. With a cold smile, he said,
"Oh? Isn't this Teacher Hiruzen's final disciple, little junior brother Yagyu Sosuke? It is our first meeting. Please take care of me in the future."
Hearing this, Yagyu let out a cold laugh.
"This is not our first meeting. The female ninja who targeted Sasuke in the Forest of Death was also you, wasn't it, Orochimaru?"
Grinning, Orochimaru looked at Yagyu with surprise.
"Oh? What keen perception. You discovered that as well. How capable you are, Yagyu-kun."
Killing intent collided between them, forming an oppressive atmosphere that made the tension extremely heavy.
At that moment, Tsunade and Shizune, who had been uncertain about Yagyu's identity, heard Orochimaru reveal his name and looked at him with curiosity.
Yagyu Sosuke.
Even though she was not in Konoha and had been traveling, Tsunade still had her own sources of intelligence. She was not unfamiliar with this name.
"You are the final disciple that the old man took in a few years ago?"
Tsunade examined Yagyu carefully as she asked.
Although he already knew her identity, Yagyu maintained a hint of doubt on his face for the sake of appearances. After a brief pause, he replied,
"I am. If I am not mistaken, you must be Senior Sister Tsunade. And the one beside you is your disciple, Shizune. Senior Brother Jiraiya and I have been searching for you for several days."
Hearing this, Tsunade's beautiful brows furrowed.
"Jiraiya is here as well? Hmph. It seems today is a special day. Old friends are gathering one after another."
Shizune's face lit up with joy upon hearing Yagyu's words. In her view, Jiraiya's arrival greatly improved the situation.
As for Yagyu, she did not yet know him well enough to form an opinion.
Unlike the calm Tsunade and Shizune, Orochimaru and Kabuto's expressions turned serious.
"Tsunade, I hope you will carefully consider what I told you earlier," Orochimaru said after a moment of silence.
"I hope our cooperation will be a pleasant one."
As soon as he finished speaking, Orochimaru and the silent Kabuto shifted slightly, preparing to leave.
The moment they leapt into the air to escape—
Crackle.
Lightning exploded.
Yagyu's figure instantly appeared before them.
Clang!
The chakra blade was unsheathed in a flash of lightning, forming a silver streak that slashed directly at the necks of Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi.
Thud, thud.
With a single strike, two heads flew into the air.
However, during this process, they transformed into two shriveled layers of human skin filled with mud.
After being beheaded by Yagyu, the bodies of Orochimaru and Kabuto also dissolved into a pool of sludge, remaining on the ground.
As for Orochimaru and Kabuto themselves, they had already vanished without a trace.
Click.
Yagyu sheathed his blade.
Looking at the two pools of sludge on the ground, he frowned.
"What a fast Substitution Jutsu. That guy's life-preserving methods are truly formidable. Again and again, he has escaped from my grasp."
As soon as Yagyu finished speaking, Tsunade spoke from beside him.
"Isn't that only natural? Orochimaru may have become something close to a pervert now, but no matter what, he is still one of the Three Legendary Sannin, famed throughout the shinobi world."
As she spoke, Tsunade turned around, her back facing Yagyu.
"If you could kill him so easily, he would not be Orochimaru."
Yagyu nodded in agreement.
"That is true. However, killing Orochimaru is not impossible. He is currently in a weakened state, this is the perfect opportunity."
Tsunade did not respond to Yagyu's remark.
Instead, she turned around and looked at him, her gaze sweeping over his upright posture and handsome, sunlit features.
"You said that Jiraiya has also come, didn't you?"
After a moment of thought, Tsunade asked again,
"Where is he?"
Hearing this, Yagyu was briefly stunned and was about to answer—
Tap, tap, tap.
The sound of rapid footsteps approached.
Swish, swish.
Two figures leapt down from the wall and landed in front of Tsunade.
Jiraiya and Naruto had finally arrived.
"Tsunade!"
Upon seeing her, Jiraiya revealed a joyful smile at their reunion.
"It has been a long time!"
Tsunade was visibly stunned by Jiraiya's arrival.
Soon after, a genuine smile appeared on her face.
"Hmph. Judging by the way you look," Tsunade said with a smile as she looked him up and down, "you have been living quite well all these years."
Laughing heartily as he approached her, Jiraiya surveyed the scene, quickly grasping the situation.
Without asking about Orochimaru, he withdrew his gaze and focused on Tsunade.
"It has been a long time."
Looking at her, Jiraiya directly extended an invitation.
"Let's have a drink and grab something to eat. There are also a few matters I would like to discuss with you."
Understanding his intentions, Tsunade nodded.
"Fine. But you are paying."
Smiling, Jiraiya patted his chest.
"No problem."
As he spoke, Tsunade began walking toward the bustling streets of Tanzaku Town, and Jiraiya followed behind her.
After the two took the lead and left, Yagyu glanced at Naruto, who looked completely confused and bewildered.
With a helpless expression, he said,
"Let's go, Naruto. That blonde beauty is the target of our mission. We just need to follow them. As for everything else, there is no need for us to worry."
Meanwhile, Shizune also motioned for Yagyu and Naruto to follow Tsunade and Jiraiya ahead.
----------
Patreon Advance 30 Chapters: patreon .com/OneFic