章節 85: Chapter 85 : Jiraiya's Return
Still in the same place, in the midst of an ongoing mission, Orochimaru, who returned from his journey, descended from the sky. His arrival was as quiet as a falling leaf, attracting no attention from those who gazed at the starry expanse above.
"The barriers of Konoha still have numerous vulnerabilities. If I intend to establish a stronghold in the future, meticulous arrangements are imperative. Otherwise, when our adversaries come knocking, we shall remain bewildered."
Orochimaru sheathed his drawn sword and restored it to its original state. The shadow clone persisted, and he proceeded directly toward his abode.
"To craft a formidable barrier, it would be wise to seek individuals from the Uzumaki clan. They possess robust vitality and a wellspring of chakra within their bodies. Many of them also possess a penchant for sealing ninjutsu (FUINJUTSU)."
Orochimaru paused, his gaze narrowing slightly. "Though the mighty Land of Whirlpools was consumed by the tumultuous tides of war, the clan still pervades the ninja world in this era. Within Konoha, their influence rivals even the two esteemed clans!"
He contemplated for a moment, his thoughts meandering toward acquiring the Death Mask. However, the Uzumaki clan still harboured many members in the present, unlike the future Uchiha clan annihilation where he could brazenly approach the monument. The Uzumaki clan's substantial populace meant that clandestine observation remained a necessity.
In Konoha, as long as Uzumaki Mito remained among the living, none dared infringe upon the status of the Uzumaki. Not even Tobirama Senju!
Simultaneously, the Land of the Whirlpool clan remained ensconced within a massive, enigmatic barrier. At Orochimaru's current stage, he was far from possessing the might to breach it, be it through force or stealth.
"For now, I shall bide my time. Once the Great Ninja War erupts, the Uzumaki clan of the Whirlpool shall rapidly fade. No haste is needed on my part."
After the conclusion of the Third Great Ninja War, the Uzumaki clan's legacy evaporated entirely. Yet, the question lingered: why did the once-mighty Whirlpool nation crumble with such celerity? Why did the many Uzumaki denizens vanish so swiftly?
"Cough, cough!"
At that moment, a figure emerged, none other than Orochimaru's clone.
"Bang!" The clone wordlessly collided with Orochimaru before detonating into a cloud of smoke, leaving Orochimaru momentarily dazed.
"What in the...! What's amiss with my clone? Was it chased by a dog or something?"
Orochimaru shook his head to dispel the dizziness that clung to him. Emerging from introspection took longer than anticipated, yielding an overwhelming influx of information.
"Orochimaru! What on earth are you doing? Come out and greet your superior, Jiraiya!"
Indeed, the unexpected had occurred.
Orochimaru dusted himself off, and before long, Jiraiya appeared, followed by Tsunade.
Jiraiya too seemed to have returned from Mount Myōboku, his attire distinct—a reddish-brown cloak adorned with white jagged patterns upon the cuffs and hem. Embroidered on the back was the word "oil." His demeanour resembled that of Naruto's upon his return, albeit younger.
Orochimaru observed Jiraiya closely, detecting a faint strengthening. There was an enigmatic sense of resilience about him, an air of unyielding determination that prompted Orochimaru to believe he had become more resistant to setbacks.
Jiraiya's hair had grown slightly longer, but Orochimaru surmised that he hadn't yet delved into the realm of Sages. The pressure he exerted upon Orochimaru remained rather feeble, implying that Jiraiya had likely refined his body and acquired some new ninjutsu.
Nevertheless, Jiraiya had indeed progressed, now ranking as a commendable Chunin. With the Sannin passing the age of eight, by the age of twelve, both Tsunade and Jiraiya would likely approach Jonin Level.
"Orochimaru! What's the meaning of hiding away while we're here?"
Tsunade's hands rested on her hips as she adopted a reproachful stance.
"Oh... cough! I was feeling a tad parched!"
Orochimaru hastened indoors, pouring water from a jug to quench his thirst.
"In my absence, it seems Hyuga Kazuki paid a visit. I had left a 'Research in Progress, Do Not Disturb' sign on the door, which seems to have deterred him. Perhaps it was Hyuga Shiro of ANBU who arranged the previous visit to the Hyuga clan, inquiring about me. Is something amiss?"
Hiruko seemed to have lingered near my residence, even wandering near the hospital. It appeared the body-refining elixir hadn't culminated in him becoming a proficient ninja; perplexity had seemingly set in.
Furthermore, Jiraiya returned the day before, seeking me out in the early morning. He endeavoured to burst into my quarters, but fortune favoured me—I had already made preparations, narrowly avoiding his intrusion.
Today, to maintain the illusion of my presence in Konoha, I appeared at the hospital in the morning. Little did I anticipate that Jiraiya, accompanied by Tsunade, would confront me. Observing Jiraiya's fiery determination, I promptly made my exit.
Orochimaru sifted through his thoughts, realizing that the situation might not be as dire as it appeared.
"Orochimaru, what's your game?"
Both Jiraiya and Tsunade barged into the abode, prompting Orochimaru to pivot and restrain Jiraiya. "I heard you returned from Mount Myōboku?"
"You knew about that too? Indeed! I possesses an innate brilliance and uncanny luck. I ventured to a realm inhabited by sages, where..."
You ventured into Mount Myōboku through reverse channelling, encountered a throng of toads, received an enigmatic prophecy, and endured a three-month diet of worms, didn't you?
Orochimaru surmised as much from Jiraiya's strained expression and verbose storytelling.
"...The Toad Sage foretold a prosperous future awaiting me, imparting ninjutsu knowledge as well."
Jiraiya rambled on, painting an embellished picture of his time on the mountain. His discourse caught Tsunade off-guard.
"So such a marvellous place exists within the ninja world!"
Tsunade's fascination was evident. This marked the first time she had witnessed Jiraiya's lengthy soliloquy, yet she remained aware of the summoning contract with Shikkotsu Forest. She resolved to investigate this matter further.
"Orochimaru, I heard tell of your enormous summoning snake. Today, I shall put it to the test!"
Among the trio, Orochimaru stood as the preeminent force. Yet, Jiraiya, having dedicated three months to ardent practice, exuded newfound confidence, prompting him to issue a challenge.
Orochimaru pricked his finger, invoking the summoning technique. A billowing smoke enveloped the surroundings, and a figure emerged—three colossal pythons, each surpassing thirty meters in length. With scarlet forked tongues and resolute gaze, the serpents locked eyes with Jiraiya.
"What?!" Jiraiya was taken aback, besieged by an overwhelming pressure.
Orochimaru, perched atop the central snake's head, regarded Jiraiya with a smile. Summoning three massive serpents simultaneously didn't even induce a heavy breathing from him.
Jiraiya also didn't held back and summoned Gamabunta.
While Gamabunta might not fall to the pythons, Orochimaru was more potent, enabling him to channel three serpents concurrently. Thus, Orochimaru assessed the situation.
"Jiraiya, have you grown restless in my absence, or have I lost my edge?"
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