Nawaki's Good Captain

"Lord Orochimaru, it's been so long since we last met!"

In the Konoha forest, Zhou Duan took out a scroll and unsealed a pile of tableware and pastries. Nawaki, with a fawning expression, tried to grab a piece, only to be kicked away by Zhou Duan. Zhou Duan, holding the most exquisite pastry, offered it to Orochimaru:

"This is the work of a famous pastry chef from the village. Would you like to try a piece?"

"No!"

Orochimaru's face was cold:

"I'm not hungry right now!"

"What about some sake?"

"During wartime, ninja cannot drink alcohol!"

"Oh, Lord Orochimaru is truly a strict ninja!"

Zhou Duan ignored Orochimaru's poker face:

"Lord Orochimaru, your cloaking skill is truly amazing. Hundred Palms couldn't find you even with his Byakugan!"

"I merely created the illusion of my entire body's chakra flow pausing. Their eyes became completely blind!"

"Ah, truly amazing. By the way, how did that Sand Ninja who used forbidden ninjutsu find us? We were at least five hundred meters away!"

"It was merely an auxiliary function of the ninjutsu, allowing him to roughly sense nearby individuals. His inherently violent desires prevented him from stopping his killing spree, and coupled with his instinctive fear of me, plus my observation that your squad was the closest to him, it's not strange that he targeted you!"

"I see. Lord Orochimaru is truly remarkable, analyzing so much information with just a simple glance. Huh? Why would Lord Orochimaru, who should be fighting on the front lines, suddenly come here?"

"That is a village secret!"

"Ah, I was too presumptuous..."

Zhou Duan gave a slightly embarrassed smile:

"Then may I ask why our supply transport squad suddenly encountered Sand Ninja? And judging by their appearance, they seemed to know we were coming and were prepared to ambush us. It doesn't seem like it was just our team. If there was a leak, wouldn't so much information have been released?"

"That..."

Orochimaru gave Zhou Duan a cold glance:

"Operational secret!"

"Oh, I see..."

Zhou Duan nodded:

"Thank you very much for clearing things up, Lord Orochimaru!"

Minato: "..."

Hyakuho: "..."

Nawaki: "..."

Sitting on the other side, far from Zhou Duan and Orochimaru, Minato, Hyakuho, and Nawaki looked at Zhou Duan and Orochimaru's conversation with utter confusion. They felt a strange atmosphere emanating from the air. Nawaki thought for a moment, then spoke to the two beside him:

"I think something's not right with this atmosphere!"

"Not right? This is downright awkward!"

Hyakuho looked at Zhou Duan and Orochimaru's discussion, a vein throbbing on his forehead:

"This is just painful small talk! Anyone would find it unbearable. It's amazing these two can keep talking. What is he even trying to achieve?"

"Of course, it's for benefits!"

Minato, on the side, looked thoughtful:

"You've all heard about Captain Zhou Duan's actions in the village. He never misses an opportunity for personal gain. Especially now, with him trying so hard to please Lord Orochimaru, he must be trying to get something out of him!"

It had to be said, Minato's guess was quite accurate. Zhou Duan was never one to be at a disadvantage. Without any benefits, he wouldn't be trying so hard to please Orochimaru. Of course, this was all contingent on Orochimaru giving him an opportunity, and that opportunity was now right in front of Zhou Duan—Senju Nawaki!

More precisely, it was Nawaki's blood and bodily samples, genetic samples inherited from the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama!

Orochimaru's boldness hadn't reached its current level yet, or perhaps he was sufficiently cautious. He dared not touch the First Hokage's corpse. He even hesitated to touch other Senju Clan members who, despite lacking Wood Release, possessed vigorous blood and were active on the battlefield. As for the remaining Senju Clan members, the stronger the genes, the lower the probability of a perfect inheritance. The ninja in the current Senju Clan either had poor aptitude, physical defects, or even in middle age, their chakra levels were far below those of ordinary ninja. The only one Orochimaru found interesting to research was Nawaki, whom he had just seen today!

Orochimaru had planned it all out nicely. He would let the Sand Ninja, who used forbidden ninjutsu, injure Nawaki, and then he would suddenly appear, saving Nawaki while also collecting his blood samples. After all, Nawaki was Tsunade's brother, and he couldn't be too excessive. However, reality was always cruel. Not only did things not go as expected, but he also witnessed a "gut-wrenching" battle. Orochimaru's heart was a mix of emotions!

Zhou Duan deliberately dragged out the conversation with Orochimaru for so long to gauge how important Nawaki was to him. The facts showed that the Senju Clan's blood samples held significant appeal for Orochimaru. On one hand, since things hadn't gone as planned, Orochimaru truly wanted to leave. But seeing Nawaki right before him, he was uncomfortable staying but unwilling to leave empty-handed. He was thus held back by Zhou Duan. However, seeing Orochimaru's patience dwindling, Zhou Duan also knew when to call it a day. So, Zhou Duan gave Orochimaru a look and turned to walk towards Nawaki.

"Nawaki!"

Zhou Duan walked up to Nawaki and said with a serious tone:

"Nawaki, you've been poisoned. You need to sell your butt to Lord Orochimaru!"

"...What the hell are you talking about!?"

Nawaki's eyes widened in horror:

"How did I suddenly get poisoned? Why do I need to sell my butt? Zhou Duan, can you please explain yourself clearly?"

"Alas, it's my fault..."

Zhou Duan looked self-reproachful:

"The hormone potion just now had side effects. After I detoxified Minato and Hyakuho, you weren't with us, so I forgot about you. If the potion's toxins are delayed, my current medical skills can't cure you. Coincidentally, Lord Orochimaru is also very knowledgeable about Medical Ninjutsu. While he's still here, you should quickly accept his analysis and treatment!"

Oh, right. What I just said might have been misunderstood. I don't mean for you to sell your butt, but to cut off a piece of flesh from your butt for Lord Orochimaru to analyze!"

"...I have a feeling you're trying to get me killed!"

Nawaki trembled as he covered his butt with both hands. Under the terrifying stimulation, Nawaki's mind instantly cleared:

"I don't want to sell my butt or cut off my butt! If you want me to believe you, wait until the side effects of your potion kick in!"

"Alas, Nawaki!"

Seeing Nawaki's wary look, Zhou Duan's face was filled with grief:

"Look, the potion's side effects are already starting to act up. You don't trust me and think I'm trying to harm you, which is the best proof of its onset!

I am a doctor first, and then your captain. Do you think a physician with the world in his heart and a captain who cherishes his subordinates would harm his own patients and teammates?"

"I think..."

Nawaki stammered:

"As long as it's for profit, you wouldn't hesitate to kill me!"

"Nawaki, how could you think that!"

Zhou Duan shouted "grief-stricken," kicking Nawaki to the ground before he could dodge. He stepped on Nawaki's back with his right foot, and a kunai sliced open Nawaki's pants. Then, he fiercely brought the kunai down towards Nawaki's butt:

"You are already critically ill. As your doctor and captain, I cannot stand by and watch you continue to be poisoned!"

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