"Lady Tsunade, you're back? Is there anyone injured who needs treatment?"

As the summoning beasts that followed the Legendary Sannin of Konoha and became famous throughout the ninja world, the most cultured of all the summoning beasts is undoubtedly the slug. The slug's voice is full of gentleness, calmness, and a slightly soft and sweet quality. Even if you don't see its face, just hearing its voice will give you a sense of peace.

Tsunade was flipping through the photo album in her hand, her fingernails tracing over each photo, finally landing on an old photo with slightly yellowed edges.

"Slug, Shizune said you were very close to a boy today. Is there anything special about that boy?"

The slug wasn't surprised at all by Tsunade's question. It simply climbed up Tsunade's right hand to her shoulder and whispered in her ear:

"Lady Tsunade, that boy's appearance is somewhat similar to Lady Tobirama, but the chakra within him is more like Lady Hashirama's. Although it is very faint, it is indeed very warm."

The slug's words sobered Tsunade up instantly, but a moment later, she slumped back down. The news shocked her, but it was meaningless to her now; the people she loved could never come back.

The setting sun hung in the sky, and the evening breeze rustled across the table in front of her, making the photo album rustle. Finally, it settled on an old photograph. In the photo was a young man with brown spiky hair, fair skin, delicate features, and pupils like rubies, with a calm and composed expression.

"Leave with Shizune in two months. I'm not suited for this place after all. So, Orochimaru, how long are you going to stay outside?"

Under Tsunade's scrutinizing gaze, Orochimaru, dressed in a white kimono with a purple sash tied at the back, pushed open the door and entered.

"It's been a long time since I've seen Tsunade. It seems your travels over the past few years haven't helped you let go of the past. This is probably not what Nawaki and Dan want to see."

The cold-blooded Orochimaru ignored Tsunade's increasingly dangerous gaze and spoke to himself. This was a rare moment of truth from Orochimaru; he knew that opportunities to meet his former comrades as a Konoha ninja would become increasingly rare.

-----------------

Sarutobi Kurasuke is a member of the Sarutobi family, one of the most prestigious clans in Konoha, and is also the teacher leading the three members of the Chiba group.

In Chiba's memory, Sarutobi Kurasuke wasn't the kind of person who had a deep emotional bond with his student council. He had a faint sense of arrogance and was usually quite businesslike in his dealings with others.

That makes sense, since Konoha's three-person teams are usually composed of two men and one woman: a genius, a loser, and an ordinary person.

Iruka was a loser, Chiba was an ordinary person, and Uchiha Tsuki was quite talented, but his background was somewhat problematic, so they didn't have a close relationship with their teacher like the twelve Konoha 1s in the original story.

In fact, this is how most team leaders and students get along. Nowadays, every team leader in Konoha is a survivor of the battlefield. They have seen too much life and death and separation, so they don't have such rich emotions anymore.

Even so, when Chiyu and Iruka saw Sarutobi Kurusuke on the hospital bed, they couldn't help but freeze in place.

The man on the hospital bed was so thin he was almost unrecognizable. His legs, from the thighs down, were completely gone, lost in the night of the Nine-Tailed Fox's chaos.

In the other's hand, a chakra blade was being polished. It was a weapon combining a knuckle duster and a blade, one of the unique combat weapons of the Sarutobi clan. The young clan leader, Sarutobi Asuma, used this weapon.

"The village has already arranged other teachers to lead the teams. Qianyu and Iruka, you should train well with your new teachers. I'm fine here. Focus on your training and don't waste your time coming to see me."

Hearing that the other party did not mention Uchiha Tsukuyomi, Iruka thought that Sarutobi-sensei was a little angry because of this, so he wanted to step forward to explain, but was blocked by Chiba.

"Teacher, please rest well. We'll head back now and come see you again when we have time."

After placing the carnation in the vase on the table, Chiyu left with Iruka. Sarutobi Kurusuke then simply wiped his chakra blade without responding to them.

After dragging the still-dazed Iruka out, Chiyu deliberately led him to a balcony far from the ward. "Iruka, if you ever visit Sarutobi-sensei alone in the future, remember not to mention Yue again."

"Ah, why do you say that, Chiba? I also want to explain why you haven't been able to visit."

Seeing the bewildered look in Iruka's eyes, Chiyu didn't explain, since not knowing these things was a good thing for Iruka.

Just as Chiyu was giving Iruka repeated instructions, a sudden change occurred.

"boom!"

A huge sound rang out above Qianyu, and a figure broke through the wall and landed on the street outside the hospital, but his clothes were tattered and he looked rather disheveled.

Orochimaru? Chiba, who had jumped down to the wall below to avoid falling bricks, looked at Orochimaru kneeling on one knee, somewhat confused. Had he been beaten up?

The ninjas who had landed on the perimeter with Chiyu were also completely bewildered. Looking at Tsunade kicking through the remaining wall above, they didn't know what to do.

"That bastard Tsunade, she's still so short-tempered." Orochimaru felt a surge of hot blood rising in his chest as he realized how much damage his modified body had sustained.

However, upon seeing the medical staff around him and thinking about Tsunade's psychological issues, Orochimaru forced himself to swallow the fishy smell in his mouth.

Orochimaru then waved for everyone to leave, then exchanged a cold glance with Tsunade before turning and leaving.

Both sides knew that their friendship would be over after this day.

"A female Tyrannosaurus Rex! This is even more terrifying than what you see on screen!"

Looking at the shattered wall above and the deep crater created by Orochimaru's body, Chiyu couldn't help but swallow hard. The strongest ninja in the world was no joke, but Orochimaru's resilience was even stronger. Chiyu had certainly learned something new today.

"Aoki Chiba, what are you doing squatting there? Get down here, I need to talk to you."

Just as Qianyu was in a daze, Jingyin walked up to the base of the wall at some point, put her hands on her hips and looked at him.

A few minutes later, Shizune took Chiyu's address and turned to leave, returning to report to Lady Tsunade, leaving Chiyu somewhat bewildered as she and Iruka went their separate ways.

On the other side, the sun had already set behind the western mountains, and Orochimaru was walking alone on the street under the cold moonlight. His injuries had recovered to about 70-80%, and no longer affected his activities.

Before long, a rustling sound came from the corner. Under Orochimaru's cold snake eyes, a python with a body as thick as an adult emerged from the shadows, its huge mouth holding an ANBU member in front of him.

"Danzo is really in a hurry."

Ignoring the Root members who had been swallowed by the giant snake, Orochimaru slowly left in a different direction.

Only the sound of swallowing remained.

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like