章節 213: 213.The Death of Sōsuke (4)

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Located within the borders of the Land of Rain.

In the pouring rain, in an abandoned village.

The white mist seemed to submerge this place in a sea of clouds, drifting as if in another world.

In the village, a peculiar small house, patched up everywhere, stood tall.

Inside the house.

Three children were now exhausted, lying on the table, unmoving.

Beside them, an old grandmother with a benevolent face was boiling hot meat soup in the house. She would occasionally smile at them, her aged eyes filled with a happy expression.

"Gurgle, gurgle...."

The meat soup simmered, and the white fragrant vapor rose. Soon, the rich aroma filled the house.

At this moment, smelling the rich aroma of the meat soup, the children sniffed, even with closed eyes. They raised their heads, like newborn puppies, searching for the source of the fragrance.

Suddenly, they all opened their eyes!

Seeing the meat soup being cooked beside them, their previous fatigue seemed to vanish instantly. They exclaimed with joy.

"Grandma! You made meat soup!"

Yahiko, with wide eyes, showed an ecstatic expression. The smile on his face almost reached his ears.

The other two, though not as exaggerated, also swallowed saliva with expectant faces, happily awaiting the upcoming sumptuous feast.

Seeing the children wake up, the old grandmother showed a kind smile and said happily.

"You're awake. Just wait a bit more; the meat soup you love is about to be ready."

"This is a special lynx hunted by your master for you."

Hearing the old grandmother's words, the three children showed joyful smiles. However, right after, their expressions suddenly froze.

They looked around the room and, not finding the figure they remembered, asked in a low voice.

"Grandma, where is Master Jiraiya? Isn't he here?"

Hearing the children's words, the old grandmother gently shook her head, indicating she didn't know.

The three children also felt a moment of surprise.

This is the first time... Master Jiraiya has suddenly disappeared without any news...

At the same time.

"Splish, splish...."

Fine drizzles of rain continued to fall from the sky, as if the heavens were weeping, pouring endlessly.

Near this abandoned village, in a dense forest.

Two figures stood on a tree trunk, allowing the fine rain to fall on them, paying no attention to it.

"I've said enough here... at this moment... if you still want to stay here..."

"Then... I won't waste any more time here."

A hoarse voice slowly rang out in the rain, the tone flat and tasteless.

The speaker was a pale-faced young man, with long jet-black hair and snake-like pupils shining on his thin cheeks.

As his words slowly fell, he turned and walked away.

Hearing his words, the man in front remained silent, letting the rain fall on his conspicuous white hair. He lowered his head, making it impossible to see his expression.

Suddenly, he murmured softly, "That guy... how could he possibly die in such a place..."

Hearing the man with white hair's words, the black-haired man stopped his steps for a moment. He didn't turn around, speaking in a deep and hoarse voice.

"I saw it with my own eyes... Sōsuke... he was engulfed by the Sand Iron that the Third Kazekage unleashed overwhelmingly!"

Upon hearing this, the man with white hair still muttered to himself.

"He... he's Sōsuke... he's 'Child of Konoha'... how could he possibly die in such a place..."

In response, the black-haired man's expression tightened slightly, seemingly unwilling to face this fact. Still, he had to accept the reality rationally. He spoke with a slightly angry and hoarse tone.

"Jiraiya! I told you! Sōsuke is dead! He died in the Sand Village!"

"That guy... he... he's dead..."

Upon hearing his words, Jiraiya lowered his head, letting the rain fall incessantly on him.

Suddenly, he lifted his head. His face, marked with two red imprints, now wore a solemn expression. His eyes were firm, and his voice resonated with determination.

"Orochimaru... I believe in Sōsuke. I believe he wouldn't die in a place like that!!"

"He... is supposed to become the Hokage!!"

Hearing Jiraiya's words, Orochimaru was slightly stunned, looking at this companion he had once not paid much attention to, speechless for a long time.

Then, Jiraiya gently stepped forward, his voice deep.

"I will go back... and at the same time, I will find that guy...!"

"I don't believe... our comrade would die in such a place!!"

Having said that, Jiraiya's figure slowly disappeared from the scene, leaving Orochimaru standing in the rain, staring blankly at his disappearing silhouette, silently lost in thought.

After a while, he suddenly raised his head. His snake-like pupils squinted as he looked at the gloomy rain curtain. He spoke slowly, his voice extremely hoarse.

"Perhaps... you're right, after all..."

"Sōsuke... he's our comrade... how could he die in such a place..."

As his words slowly fell, his figure also disappeared from the scene.

Only the dense, gloomy drizzle continued to fall incessantly.

...

Within the borders of the Wind Country.

The howling strong wind, mixed with yellow sand, raged wildly over a vast expanse of reddish-yellow terrain. Wherever it passed, it sounded like the wailing of ghosts and the roaring of monsters, truly terrifying.

In this endless desert, there was a village situated here.

Inside the Sand Village.

At this moment, an atmosphere of tension permeated everywhere. Shadows occasionally flashed over the buildings, indicating the movements of the Sand Ninja.

Not long ago, that terrifying war almost shocked the entire Sand Village, making them truly understand what kind of village Konoha was!

Under the leadership of the Third Kazekage, countless Sand Ninja were unexpectedly halted by two Konoha ninjas!

The one known as "Konoha's Shura," a Konoha ninja possessing the bloodline of the Uchiha clan, showed them the terror of the Sharingan!

With a Chakra armor that seemed impervious to all attacks and the terrifying power of thunder, he slaughtered their comrades right in front of them!

The horrifying power... was something they would remember for the rest of their lives...

Even with the intervention of the Third Kazekage, it was only after suffering severe injuries that they managed to kill him.

As for the other guy, known as 'Child of Konoha,' he vanished under the terrifying attacks of the Third Kazekage!

Although there were reports that he had been killed by the Third Kazekage, according to the strict search orders issued by the Third Kazekage afterward, the results seemed to differ from the rumors.