Kapitel 112: Chapter 112: A Proactive Deal
Jiraiya didn't really want to fight. He was a shinobi with a strong sense of heroism; otherwise, he wouldn't have spent his life searching for the so-called "Child of Prophecy."
They were in a small town. If Jiraiya and Orochimaru fought here, the entire town would be leveled due to their immense power.
At that moment, Tsunade stood up and walked right between them.
"If you want to fight, do it somewhere else. I plan to rest here tonight. Shizune, let's go."
Shizune quickly picked up Tonton and followed her, frequently glancing back at Jiraiya and Orochimaru, worried they might actually start fighting.
In contrast, Tsunade didn't seem to care at all.
"Tsunade-sama, the two of them…"
"It's none of your business. Let's go."
Shizune didn't dare continue, so she hurried after Tsunade. But when they returned to their inn, they found someone already sitting inside.
"Who's there?" Shizune quickly stepped in front of Tsunade, but Tsunade brushed her aside.
"Aoba Kamikawa?"
Though they had never met, Tsunade immediately guessed his identity.
"Jonin of Konoha, Aoba Kamikawa. I apologize for coming uninvited."
"And if I don't accept your apology?"
"…I just paid off ten million ryō of your gambling debt at the casino."
"You're forgiven," Tsunade said, her demeanor instantly changing as she pushed Shizune to make tea.
Shizune pouted in annoyance and reluctantly left the room.
"Say what you came to say. Just don't try to convince me to become Hokage; anything else is fine." Tsunade cut him off immediately. But Aoba had come prepared.
"In honor of that ten million ryō, could you tell me why you're so unwilling to return to Konoha? It is, after all, your home."
"It was once, but not anymore. The Senju and Uchiha—the very foundations of Konoha—are completely gone. How could that place still be my home?"
"So you don't want to return because Konoha isn't what it used to be. But if that's the case, wouldn't it be better to make it like it was again, rather than running away?"
"You little brat, don't think you can act like you understand everything just because you're a bit clever. You don't know anything."
"Actually, I know a little. One reason you don't want to return is what we just discussed: Konoha isn't what it used to be.
But there are other reasons—like Dan Katō and Nawaki. Am I right?"
With a loud bang, the tea table shattered as Tsunade leaned forward, glaring at Aoba intensely.
"Listen, brat, in honor of that ten million ryō, I won't hit you today. But if you bring up those names again, I'll smash your mouth in."
Ignoring her threat, Aoba continued.
"To witness the death of someone you love is one of the greatest pains in this world. I can't feel exactly what you do, Tsunade-sama, but I can understand that sense of regret—regret that you never got to confess, say goodbye, or share those final moments with them.
These regrets have become the demons in your heart. You fear blood, not because it can hurt you, but because it reminds you of those regrets. Isn't that right, Tsunade-sama?"
Her response was a punch.
Aoba didn't move from the couch. Tsunade's fist stopped an inch from his forehead, the force lifting his hair slightly, but she didn't strike him.
"Why didn't you dodge?" Tsunade asked coldly.
"Why would I?"
Tsunade lowered her fist in defeat and sank back into the couch.
"Leave. Like you said, you understand regret. And regrets are regrets because they can't be undone. So I'm not going back with you."
"No. Who said regrets can't be undone?"
Tsunade's head shot up at his words.
Just then, the sound of intense fighting erupted outside the town. It seemed that Jiraiya and Orochimaru had indeed started battling beyond the town limits.
This time, Jiraiya was in much better condition than in the original story—no drugs affecting him, and with a strong intent to kill Orochimaru.
Before long, they had both summoned their giant animals: Gamabunta and Manda. The battle between these two titanic creatures shook the earth.
Several shinobi watching from afar didn't dare to come closer, intimidated by the scale of the fight.
When Tsunade and Aoba arrived, Jiraiya had the upper hand. Unlike in the original story, he was in full form and determined to kill Orochimaru this time.
The armless Orochimaru and Kabuto were struggling to hold their ground.
Though they were managing to keep up, Orochimaru would still be able to escape if he wanted to.
"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!"
Both Jiraiya and Orochimaru were skilled in all five chakra natures. Jiraiya, in particular, was adept at using multi-nature jutsu.
Orochimaru, after modifying his body, had relied more on his unique serpent techniques.
But without his hands, his jutsu was severely limited. Adding to his difficulties was the fact that he had traded both of his favorite Kusanagi swords to Aoba.
Without his usual snake-to-sword techniques, his abilities were clumsier than ever. Orochimaru was now at one of the weakest points of his life.
Manda was trapped in the swamp, while Orochimaru and Kabuto used the Multiple Striking Shadow Snakes to mount a counterattack.
Their large-scale jutsu turned a section of forest outside the town into a wasteland.
Gamabunta, encountering his old rival Manda, was energized and went at him with his short sword.
Suddenly, a figure appeared between Jiraiya and Orochimaru. Tsunade swung her powerful leg down, creating a deep fissure in the ground and separating the two.
Both Jiraiya and Orochimaru were taken aback by Tsunade's appearance, but Orochimaru's eyes quickly shifted to Aoba, who had appeared behind her.
"Well, Aoba-kun, I didn't expect to see you here. Are you here to capture me as well?" Orochimaru said in his usual slippery tone.
"Orochimaru, the bounty on you in Konoha has never been lifted. Technically, every Konoha shinobi is obligated to capture you, myself included. But don't worry, I have more pressing matters to attend to."
"Orochimaru, I have a proposal for you."
For the first time, Aoba offered Orochimaru a deal.
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