Jiraiya Returns

Like this, whenever Orochimaru had free time, he would drag Tsunade into sparring with taijutsu. In the afternoon or at night, they would conduct academic research.

With a steady supply of energy, Orochimaru leaped from initially being able to take only Tsunade's three punches and two kicks to later enduring dozens of exchanges of energy.

Every day, his cells grew denser, his physical condition improved, and his body became much sturdier.

The result was that he could store more energy. If every cell in his body were filled with energy, his weight could multiply several times over.

But all of this was controllable, much like how Sebastian Shaw could flick young Magneto away with a single finger.

It was quite similar to Tsunade's Chakra-Enhanced Strength, though it was limited to taijutsu. Orochimaru could also convert the kinetic energy he absorbed into scorching flames and release them.

His academic research also grew increasingly in-depth, progressing from theoretical knowledge to clinical practice.

Orochimaru converted Tsunade's basement into a small biological laboratory. The test subjects were rabbits, mice, and the like that he had caught.

Anatomy was inevitably used often as well, and Tsunade naturally had no interest in taking part in such bloody experiments.

It was not as though she had to keep Orochimaru company. Dan Katō's niece, Shizune, was still young, so Tsunade often went over to look after the little girl whenever she had nothing to do.

In the blink of an eye, two and a half years passed. It was Konoha Year 37.

That day, Orochimaru tossed a listless white mouse to Shiro. Shiro swallowed it in two or three bites.

"All that eating, and you're still not growing!"

Seeing Shiro still wanting more, Orochimaru stroked the hard bone on its head.

Ever since coming to this world, Orochimaru had never let the little fellow go hungry. Its appetite was not large, though; one meal could sustain it for three to five days.

After he began conducting clinical trials, he fed it even more often. The little fellow was not picky—so long as the prey was not too large, it could digest it.

"Let's go out and get some air!"

After an afternoon of cell research, Orochimaru was feeling somewhat mentally exhausted. He put away the laboratory equipment and decided to go outside for some fresh air.

Tsunade was not home at the moment. Orochimaru had long grown used to that; she had most likely gone to Shizune's place. As long as she made time to train with him in the morning, it did not matter.

The moment he opened the courtyard gate, someone approached from directly ahead. A hint of surprise appeared in Orochimaru's eyes when he saw who it was.

The newcomer also had long hair, but it was white. There were two red markings beneath his eyes, and he looked rather sunny and handsome.

"Jiraiya, why are you back?"

The newcomer was Jiraiya, who had been gone for three years. Judging by the timing, he should have finished teaching Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan in Amegakure.

"Hm? Orochimaru, why are you at Tsunade's house? Where's Tsunade?"

The moment they met, the two began questioning each other. The original Orochimaru and Jiraiya had never gotten along, so naturally they had never seen eye to eye.

The current Orochimaru naturally did not share that mindset. He did not take it to heart that Jiraiya had immediately questioned him without any intention of answering his own question.

"Tsunade went out. Let's talk while we walk."

As he spoke, Orochimaru shut the gate. He had no intention of inviting Jiraiya inside. Wouldn't two grown men sitting face-to-face chatting be awkward? That would turn into truly awkward small talk.

Hearing that Tsunade was not home and that Orochimaru wanted to talk while walking, Jiraiya did not refuse. He planned to hear what Orochimaru had to say first.

After all, he had only just returned to the village. He had merely made a brief inquiry into Tsunade's situation before rushing over.

"Why did it take you so long to come back?"

Orochimaru was the first to ask. Even if he already knew the answer, he still had to go through the motions.

"I took on three disciples. Teaching them ninjutsu took quite a bit of time."

There was nothing to hide, so Jiraiya answered readily.

"Don't tell me it was those three brats from before?"

The original owner had also met Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan. At the time, the Sannin had been carrying out a mission deep in Amegakure. Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato had come to beg them for food.

As for homeless war orphans like them, Orochimaru had advocated killing them all. In his view, a short pain was better than a long one.

But Jiraiya had stopped him. In Jiraiya's eyes, it was war that had destroyed their homes and families, and war that had left them homeless.

At first, he had taught them a few self-defense techniques out of guilt. But after discovering Nagato's Rinnegan, he mistakenly believed Nagato was the Child of Prophecy he had been searching for.

Thus, the three became Jiraiya's disciples, and he spent three years teaching them.

If he had known how greatly his disciples would affect the Ninja World decades later, would he have regretted this decision?

Perhaps, just like in the Original Work, he would have personally ended it all.

"Yeah! Those three. Luckily, I stopped you back then, or I would've missed out on three excellent prospects."

Jiraiya said with a smile. It was clear that he was very satisfied with his disciples and sincerely thought highly of them.

"Excellent prospects? Just don't regret it."

They truly were excellent prospects—figures who would one day stir up the Ninja World, and even bring several bags of rice to Konoha. If not for Naruto's Talk no Jutsu, the strongest Land of Fire would have existed in name only.

If Orochimaru had ignored Jiraiya's objections and insisted on killing them back then, who knew whether everything that followed would still have happened.

At most, he would have fought Jiraiya afterward. However, Black Zetsu lurking in the shadows would presumably not have allowed Nagato's Rinnegan to fall into someone else's hands.

Orochimaru also would not have been taught a lesson by Nagato, a junior.

Who could know what the future held? How could the inertia of the plot be changed so easily? Defying fate and changing one's destiny was easier said than done.

"How is Tsunade...?"

By then, the two had reached the place where Orochimaru usually trained with Tsunade. Orochimaru stopped and looked at the visibly uneasy Jiraiya.

"I'll tell you while I beat you. You're not allowed to fight back!"

Jiraiya was initially stunned by Orochimaru's answer. Then his gaze met Orochimaru's sharp eyes.

A wave of guilt rose within him. Orochimaru gave him no time to blame himself before a powerful knee strike sent him flying five meters away.

Caught completely off guard, Jiraiya was ruthlessly sent flying by Orochimaru. Even the acid in his stomach was knocked up.

Just as anger rose within him and he was about to curse Orochimaru for hitting so hard, Orochimaru's voice slowly rang out:

"She was Konoha's most skilled Medical Ninjutsu user, yet Dan Katō died in her arms."

Hearing that, Jiraiya opened his mouth, but he did not know how to say what he had wanted to say.

"Because of that, she developed hemophobia. It'll be nearly impossible for her to operate personally again!"

Ignoring Jiraiya's hesitant expression, Orochimaru kicked him in the face. Jiraiya flew out again, crashing through several small trees nearby.

"You have no idea how many tears she shed. She cried even in her dreams. Where were you then? What were you doing?"

Orochimaru pinned Jiraiya beneath him and threw punch after punch.

At first, Jiraiya blocked with both hands, but later, he simply let Orochimaru's fists rain down on his face.