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"It seems this really is Orochimaru's underground laboratory."
Within the depths of the forest, Jiraiya crouched upon a dense tangle of tree branches, his sharp eyes surveying the distant scene ahead.
Then, he turned his head slightly to glance at Kitagawa Gen, who stood quietly nearby. With a casual smile, he spoke.
"See? We found it without too much trouble. No need for that gloomy expression."
"Heh."
Kitagawa Gen gave a dry chuckle, his face still sullen, saying nothing in response. Jiraiya's intelligence capabilities were undoubtedly formidable, but it was precisely when he lacked sufficient intel that his overconfidence could lead to disaster.
Just like when he had recklessly barged into the Land of Rain. After receiving Gen's tip, he had followed up immediately, completely ignoring Gen's attempts to dissuade him.
To be fair, their tracking had been executed with great skill. Had it been anyone else they were tailing, they likely would have gone unnoticed. However, unfortunately for them, among the people they were following, Gen spotted a man with orange hair.
"If my guess is correct, that one should be Jūgo. And he possesses the ability to communicate with animals."
Gen knew then they had likely been exposed. Yet such things were difficult to explain clearly. No matter how he thought about it, he could only say:
"I don't think this is going to go as smoothly as you think. We should be more cautious. For example, it might have been better if you'd sent a toad to follow them instead."
"Tch. You really don't understand Orochimaru at all."
Jiraiya shook his head and spoke with a hint of irritation.
"Snakes and toads are natural enemies. If I had used a toad to track them, Orochimaru would have sensed it immediately."
No wonder the mission name was [Brotherhood Demands Two Stabs]. You two really do have a way of stabbing each other in the back.
"Alright, enough talk."
Jiraiya seemed unwilling to keep dwelling on the subject. He turned his gaze forward and said,
"Since we've found the place, we just need to find the right time to slip in. We—hmm?!"
Before he could finish his sentence, his expression suddenly changed, his senses catching a powerful burst of chakra.
Looking up, he saw the ground in the near distance shatter into a mass of fine sand, rolling toward them like an advancing tidal wave.
"This level of earth flow..."
The moment he witnessed it, Jiraiya knew something was wrong. He couldn't help but curse Gen inwardly for jinxing them and immediately shifted into combat mode.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
BOOOOM—!
With a thunderous roar of chakra, a massive wall of earth erupted in front of them, rising as a barrier against the oncoming sand.
"I was wondering why I suddenly caught a whiff of something so unpleasant. So it's you, Jiraiya."
At that moment, a raspy voice rang out from above the earthen wall.
Lifting their heads, they saw Orochimaru, clad in his usual pale-yellow robe, standing high above them, gazing down with cold disdain.
His long black hair danced in the wind, but his eyes held no warmth.
He was truly fed up with Jiraiya. Ever since leaving Konoha, this man had been relentlessly pursuing him.
Always going on about bonds and trying to drag him back to the village. It was infuriating.
He had recently heard that Jiraiya had returned to Konoha, and for a brief moment, he thought he might finally have some peace. But now, not long after, the man had tracked him down once again?
"So you really were here."
Upon seeing Orochimaru, Jiraiya's expression instantly grew serious.
Though he was still puzzled as to how they had been discovered, there was no time to linger on that thought. He had to change tactics now.
"Orochimaru. Come back to Konoha with me."
"..."
Orochimaru had just been thinking about this very thing, and now Jiraiya had gone and said it outright. Though it vexed him, he couldn't help but let out a low, mocking laugh.
"You're still as naive as ever. Konoha is no longer the place we once knew. It has already rotted away and withered to nothing. Why would I return to such a hopeless shell?"
"Even a withered tree can sprout fresh shoots. Those young shoots will one day restore vitality to the old trunk."
Jiraiya's voice was resolute as he met Orochimaru's gaze, his tone unwavering.
"Orochimaru. This time, I will bring you back."
"Is that so..."
Orochimaru let out a long sigh, then moved without the slightest hesitation.
"Then let us see if you truly have the strength to do so."
In that instant, a swarm of venomous snakes burst forth from all directions, baring their fangs as they surged toward Jiraiya and Kitagawa Gen.
"Be careful. Find a chance to pull back. I'll do my best to extract whatever information I can."
Jiraiya quickly began forming hand seals, but even in the midst of preparation, he remembered to give Gen a warning.
"Fire Release: Flame Bullet!"
A surge of blazing fire erupted outward, engulfing the swarming vipers in a torrent of searing heat. The air quickly filled with the pungent stench of charred flesh.
Using the flickering firelight as cover, Jiraiya leapt straight toward Orochimaru. The two collided atop the earthen wall in an instant, locked in a fierce clash.
Meanwhile, Kitagawa Gen took the opportunity to widen the distance between himself and the battlefield. However, just as he did, two figures appeared before him, blocking his path.
"Kimimaro. Jugo."
His gaze swept across the two of them, lingering especially on Kimimaro's cold and merciless face, which now brimmed with murderous intent. Jugo's expression didn't look too friendly either.
In that moment, Gen understood what was going on. As he gathered chakra within his body, a slow smile curved across his lips.
"I should actually thank the two of you for leading the way. Without your help, we wouldn't have found Orochimaru's location so easily."
"..."
His words fell like a stone into still water, instantly silencing the two.
Kimimaro's killing intent grew sharper. He raised his hand, and from his palm, a long, pale bone blade emerged, aimed straight at Gen.
"You will..."
Before his voice had fully faded, Kimimaro launched himself forward, charging directly at Gen with lethal intent.
"...not leave here alive today."
He had originally assumed they had brought back nothing more than two insignificant vagabonds or rogue shinobi. Never could he have imagined that these two would become such a massive thorn in Orochimaru's side.
Kimimaro was the type who would willingly sacrifice his life for Orochimaru. In this situation, how could he possibly bear such shame?
"So reckless. Well then..."
Kitagawa Gen moved in a blur, pulling back several paces. This time he did not bother with hand seals. He simply brought his hands together, fingers pressed tight.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
A deep hum resonated through the air. In the next instant, a massive ball of flame roared forward like a falling meteor, hurtling toward Kimimaro.
Gen's jutsu was directly tied to his chakra reserves. This made him akin to figures like Uchiha Madara or Senju Hashirama. Even the simplest technique, when used by someone like him, could unleash terrifying power far beyond what was considered ordinary.
"Look out!"
Jūgo's eyes widened at the sight of the enormous fireball. Alarmed, he activated his innate ability. Red, jagged markings spread across his body, covering half his face with the wild power of natural energy.
In a flash, he leapt in front of Kimimaro, his arm transforming into a broad shield to meet the incoming fire.
BOOOOM—!
A deafening explosion erupted. Heat waves rolled through the air in every direction. Incredibly, Jugo had managed to withstand the full force of Gen's blazing fireball.
WHOOSH—!
Kimimaro did not utter a word. Guilt gnawed at him. He wanted nothing more than to atone for the mistake he had made. He soared through the waves of heat, charging straight at Kitagawa Gen once more.
Just as Kimimaro was about to reach him, Gen suddenly smiled. At the same moment, he brought his hands together once more.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
With chakra pouring into the earth, an earthen wall rose with great force, standing firm between him and Kimimaro.
"Hmph."
Kimimaro snorted coldly. Just an Earth-Style Wall. He could pierce through it easily using his bone blade.
However, just as he was about to strike, his pupils suddenly widened. His body froze completely. He did not dare make a move.
Because there, etched clearly into the surface of the earthen wall, was a portrait of Orochimaru's face.
What's more, the position had been carefully chosen. If he struck now, his attack would pierce straight through Orochimaru's forehead.
"Damn it."
A surge of shock and fury flooded Kimimaro's heart. And just then, a sudden crackle of lightning split the air.
In the next instant, a flash of violet light tore through the earthen wall, thrusting straight toward his chest.
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[Chapter End's]
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