Jiraiya's Exclusive Mission

On the road from the Land of Fire to the Land of Hot Water.

Jiraiya and Kitagawa Gen sped along, though Jiraiya's expression was somewhat odd.

"What was up with Naruto just now? I heard that when he found out you were going on a mission, his face turned green."

"He's probably worried about me."

Kitagawa Gen glanced at Jiraiya. He had no intention of saying it was because he had tricked Naruto too many times, leaving Naruto with a stress response.

Jiraiya had come running over and shouted for him to go on a mission. There was no way Naruto would not be scared.

Still, Kitagawa Gen had been fairly decent this time. After doing so many missions with Kakashi before, he had earned a little money, so he had not skipped out on the bill.

"After all, Lord Jiraiya, you suddenly came over and told me to carry out a mission. Anyone would be worried, right? Speaking of which, what is it this time? Where's Teacher Kakashi?"

"Kakashi is still resting, but he's not far from recovery. Once we get back from this, you can follow him again."

Jiraiya thought for a moment before answering, but soon became serious again.

"As for this time, kid, you'd better pay attention. We're going to investigate Orochimaru's trail."

"Orochimaru's trail?"

Kitagawa Gen raised an eyebrow. His head was full of strange thoughts. How had Orochimaru been found?

"Yeah, him. You still remember that one-eyed old man you saw that night, right?"

Jiraiya did not know what Kitagawa Gen was thinking and naturally continued.

"He was the one who provided the intelligence. There's also been progress on Kirigakure's side. I don't like that guy, but he really is capable."

"."

What did he mean, capable?

Wasn't this just selling Orochimaru out?

Others might not know, but Kitagawa Gen knew very well that Shimura Danzō and Orochimaru were closely connected.

So, what was Shimura Danzō trying to do?

Could it be that he was "too eager to make progress"?

"So, why am I coming along on this mission?"

Kitagawa Gen asked, his stomach full of doubts. Jiraiya was also depressed, but his emotional intelligence was fine, so there were some things he would not say.

"Isn't it the old man's idea? He said your ability to analyze intelligence is strong, and that having you as my assistant could help figure out more things.

After all, the current focus is on Kirigakure. We shouldn't push too hard on this side. Reconnaissance is still the priority."

"I see. I understand."

Kitagawa Gen shrugged. He really did understand.

So they were having him act as Jiraiya's stabilizer, so that Jiraiya would think more about his own safety before taking action.

But that was not a bad thing. Orochimaru really was not easy to deal with.

"Hm?"

Suddenly, his brow twitched slightly. He realized his system had reacted again!

Obtained Jiraiya exclusive Side Quest

If You're My Brother, Stab Me Twice

Assist Jiraiya in finding Orochimaru

Exclusive Side Quests will not affect normal Side Quests

Accept?

Another exclusive mission?

Kitagawa Gen could not help blinking. He still vividly remembered the benefits he had received from the previous exclusive mission, and he had not expected another one to pop up now!

This kind of mission...

He absolutely had to complete it properly!

In any case, when Jiraiya and Orochimaru met, they really did stab each other, and in each other's eyes there was probably only the other person. It most likely would not affect him.

"Maybe I can even run into Kimimaro."

Orochimaru did indeed have a pile of good things, but unfortunately, snatching them from his hands was a little too difficult, especially with Jiraiya beside him.

But Kimimaro was different. This guy had long since been placed on Kitagawa Gen's "hunting list."

He strongly suspected that Kimimaro's Kaguya Clan was actually the clan that had inherited Otsutsuki Hamura's bodily power!

"This really is a good mission."

Kitagawa Gen murmured inwardly, and Jiraiya spoke at that moment.

"All right, let's speed up. We'll try to reach the Land of Hot Water tonight. The hot springs there are top-notch!"

"Is that so? Then I'm looking forward to it."

"Well, you might not be able to get in."

"?? What do you mean?"

"Because you're too young."

"Lord Jiraiya, are the places you go to not legitimate?"

"It's precisely because they're legitimate that they can't let you in."

"."

Kitagawa Gen almost laughed from anger. Damn it, minors were not allowed in, and this was still a legitimate place?

But on second thought, it did seem like it really was legitimate.

"Failed again, huh."

Inside an underground laboratory in the Land of Hot Water, Orochimaru looked at the test tube in his hand and finally shook his head helplessly.

Although he did not mind failure, every failure could be counted as a step toward success.

It was just...

He felt as if he might have chosen the wrong direction, because once the direction was wrong, no experiment would ever produce the correct result.

"Shikotsumyaku really is baffling."

Unable to stop himself from lightly licking his tongue, Orochimaru casually tossed the test tube aside, and Kimimaro, who had originally been lying on the operating table, also stood up.

His face was cold and calm, but his eyes held worship and respect, as well as a trace of guilt.

"I have disappointed Lord Orochimaru. I cannot become your best vessel."

"I'm not disappointed. In any case, I still have time."

Orochimaru shook his head. He really was not disappointed. He was even somewhat excited.

What he liked most was studying unknown things, and the problem in Kimimaro's body had clearly already stirred his interest.

Kimimaro's talent was unique, especially his Shikotsumyaku, which exceeded imagination somewhat. That intense Yang Release even made him feel a little strange.

It seemed that only when he had been studying the First Hokage's cells had he felt something similar.

Of course, Kimimaro's Yang Release power could not compare with Hashirama Senju's.

Amid such an intense eruption of Yang Release, Kimimaro's Shikotsumyaku grew stronger and stronger, but what followed was the outbreak of his "Bloodline Disease."

And as this "Bloodline Disease" appeared, Kimimaro's body began showing signs of collapse. Even Orochimaru felt a headache over it.

"Does this count as a kind of genius's illness?"

Orochimaru could not help thinking. The better the performance, the faster the death instead. This situation left him somewhat puzzled.

Unfortunately, he had no way to investigate the history of the Kaguya Clan.

That clan had already been wiped out by Kirigakure.

"But that is what makes it interesting."

Orochimaru chuckled. After thinking for a moment, he said,

"Your situation is somewhat complicated. What I can do for now is suppress your Bloodline Disease and keep it from worsening further. What you need to do is use your power as little as possible. Only then will your condition not grow worse."

"I understand, Lord Orochimaru."

Kimimaro lowered his head and answered in a deep voice, but that answer made Orochimaru shake his head.

He knew Kimimaro's personality. When the time came for this boy to act, he probably would not hesitate in the slightest.

But he did not mind, because he knew Kimimaro was completely loyal to him!

"All right, we don't have enough materials. I need you and the others to go out and get some more. While you're at it, buy some food and water too. There are quite a few people here."

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru. Are there any requirements for the materials this time?"

"Requirements?"

Orochimaru tilted his head. After pondering for a moment, he smiled and said,

"As you like. They're all just materials anyway. But if you want, perhaps you can bring back some people you find interesting."