Chapitre 160: Chapter 161 : Poisoned Senju
"Orochimaru, I must admit, I didn't expect you to be so serious and responsible. My opinion of you has changed," Tsunade said with a mixture of exhaustion and enthusiasm.
Takeshi, brimming with fighting spirit, couldn't help but speak up.
"Yes, yes, I'm quite invested in helping the world and saving people. It's become somewhat of an obsession," Takeshi responded, his demeanor composed and his heart steady. He deftly stored a small vial in his bag, a practiced action that indicated he had done it countless times before.
"Tsunade, you mentioned that shinobi from the Sand Village are fond of using poison. What if they've managed to plant some hidden poison within our own ninja? Shouldn't we conduct checks?" Takeshi inquired calmly.
"Hmm? Is it really that ominous?" Tsunade's brow furrowed for a moment before she shook her head dismissively. "I don't think it's that extreme. The Sand Village wouldn't likely have the means to poison a large number of our ninjas without us noticing. After all, both Uncle Fumio and Aunt Koharu have been keeping a close eye on the battlefield. Especially Aunt Koharu—her medical ninjutsu is renowned in the ninja world, and she wouldn't overlook something like this."
"...That's true, but what if it's only a small group of individuals?"
"Orochimaru, you're acting quite peculiar today!"
Tsunade placed her hands on her hips, regarding Takeshi with suspicion. Leaning forward, her big eyes locked onto him, and her golden bangs swayed gently in front of her face.
"You're an Anbu, for sure, but you're going out of your way to help treat the wounded. This behaviour doesn't really match your usual style!"
"Forehead...," Takeshi stammered.
"What hidden motive do you have?" Tsunade prodded, poking Takeshi's chest as she scrutinized him with a playful expression.
"Uh... well, you know, we used to study together!" Takeshi admitted somewhat sheepishly.
"No, on the contrary, I think I know you all too well!"
Tsunade smirked suggestively. "You're quite a purpose-driven person. Not as reckless as Jiraiya. Even your time in medical training, developing the Mystical Palm Technique in secret—your actions all seem meticulously calculated. Even becoming the Chunin Exam runner-up seemed like you did it intentionally to show favor to the Senju clan."
"What? You knew?" Takeshi was taken aback, though it didn't appear to be much of a surprise.
He deliberately provided Tobirama with the enhanced Mystical Palm Technique technique and often referenced his status as the Chunin Exam runner-up to garner favor with the Senju clan.
These were measures he took when his strength was yet to fully develop. Now, being able to handle opponents like Ebizō and Chiyo with ease, he had gained confidence in his strength and wasn't as reserved in his actions.
The impending Ninja World War also factored into his plans for the future. While Takeshi's motives were strong, Tsunade's comments seemed to imply a special consideration for him, almost as if she was trying to please him.
"Snap!"
Suddenly, Tsunade's hand pressed against the wall behind Takeshi, and an intense aura radiated from her. "Tell me, what are you up to?"
Tsunade wore a mischievous smile, her thoughts veiled...
"Oops... slammed into the wall..."
Takeshi found himself momentarily at a loss for words.
"Don't get too full of yourself. I wasn't really targeting you. My intentions are all self-serving. Just think of it as me doing you a favor."
Takeshi offered a light smile, his expression nonchalant, which seemed to have caught Tsunade off guard.
Well, my ultimate goal is the sea of stars. That's it!
Takeshi patted Tsunade on the shoulder and said, "I'm heading back if there's nothing else."
"Hey, you sneaky snake!"
Tsunade watched Takeshi's retreating figure with annoyance. She had only been teasing him, but he seemed rather dense.
"Hoo~ Tsunade's becoming quite audacious," Takeshi sighed. As a tech enthusiast, he didn't harbour any inappropriate thoughts about a ten-year-old girl. He simply viewed her through the eyes of an adult and found her amusing.
Tsunade was actually quite alright, but what did she have to do with him? He would just have to resign himself to focusing her affection on Jiraiya!
Wait, why does my heart feel so constricted...?
Takeshi shook his head, something seemed off. Shaking his head again, he managed to dispel some of the cluttered thoughts.
But any form of "census" wouldn't work. He couldn't come up with a reasonable excuse, and even Tsunade didn't buy it. As an Anbu, conducting a "medical check up" would certainly arouse suspicion.
"It seems I'll have to resort to certain actions to achieve my goal. Well, it's not like I have much of a choice."
At this moment, Takeshi reverted back to his cunning demeanor. He made his way towards the Anbu's tent, while a small purple snake stealthily slithered toward the Senju clan's tent!
Tomorrow was bound to be a busy day. Many "business" matters awaited him.
Under the cover of natural energy, a small purple snake made its way toward the Senju clan's water source, unnoticed by Konoha's guards.
In the border region between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire, the environment remained harsh, with water sources being scarce. While most ninja could manage such conditions, a few wells were dug to alleviate the situation.
Each ninja clan had its designated area, and the well the purple snake approached happened to belong to the Senju clan.
Several ninja passed by, but the purple snake remained still. After a while, a Genin walked by, and in a lightning-fast motion, the snake struck his neck!
"Ugh...!"
The ninja staggered a bit but didn't collapse. His eyes, however, were devoid of consciousness.
"Hehe, a golden opportunity! Act quickly!"
Takeshi sat cross-legged within the tent, his thoughts racing silently as he controlled the serpent's movements from a distance. His actions remained unnoticed by anyone around.
"Whoa-"
The amethyst snake tumbled straight into the well, dissolving into the water and vanishing without a trace.
The bitten shinobi stood in a daze, shaking his head. "What just happened?"
"Kimura, what brings you here?"
A fellow shinobi inquired suspiciously upon seeing him.
"Oh, it's nothing. I'll head back first."
"Something seems off?"
...........
The following morning, as the Konoha ninjas began to rise, a commotion erupted in the camp.
"Oh, it appears the Senju ninjas have been poisoned!"
Everyone rushed over to see. There, they found hundreds of individuals moving sluggishly. While their lives weren't in danger, they lacked the strength to act.
"This water is toxic!" a ninja exclaimed urgently.
"What?" Senju Fumio was taken aback. He hadn't stayed at Senju Camp, thus he remained unaffected.
"It must be a spy from the Sand Village!" A group of voices immediately flared up.
"I saw Kimura skulking around the well yesterday, up to who knows what!"
A ninja suddenly interjected.
"Impossible... What about the others? Why isn't he here? Go investigate his activities!"
At that moment, another ninja shouted, "Kimura is dead!"
"What?!"
Kimura's mouth bled, a sinister smile etched across his face as he lay in a secluded, dim corner.
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. "Dammit, that guy must be responsible!"
"Indeed, he's likely a Sand Shinobi spy who committed suicide out of fear of capture!"
"Everyone, let's remain composed and avoid jumping to conclusions!"
The Konoha camp plunged into chaos, and by the time Takeshi and his companions emerged, the scene was already chaotic.
"Dammit, while this poisoning isn't fatal, its stealthiness makes it hard to detect. Deciphering this won't be easy!"
Turning on the bedding, Koharu's brows knitted, her expression gravely focused.
"It seems we need to tighten our internal security!"
Homura still grappled with the poison's effects, confined to bed. During these moments, Koharu had become the group's focal point.
"All medical ninja, work to detoxify the affected individuals immediately. Senju Fumio, in the event of a Sand Ninja attack, you should lead a team to defend against it!"
"Understood!"
As the bustling crowd moved about, only Tsunade appeared puzzled, as if sensing something amiss.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone