Return or Defection

"Orochimaru, this is rare. You actually accepted this kind of mission voluntarily..."

The "Sannin Squad," not yet known by the name "Sannin," moved northwest along the border between the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain.

Their mission was to search for Yuzuru and bring him back safely.

Orochimaru completely ignored Jiraiya's chatter. In truth, his personality had been quietly changing since the war began.

Although Orochimaru was taciturn and unconventional as a child, his depth of thought far surpassed his peers, but at that time, he was still fundamentally no different from other children.

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After the war started, Orochimaru witnessed too much death, and he became increasingly withdrawn and indifferent... Well, if he were to say it himself, it wasn't indifference, it was just that his way of caring for others was different from normal people.

For example, during this war, the Sannin were trapped deep in the battlefield by the enemy. The three were isolated and helpless, and Jiraiya was seriously injured. When escape seemed hopeless, Orochimaru prepared to help end Jiraiya's life... His logic was that being captured would be terrible, and escaping with Jiraiya was impossible, so it was better for Jiraiya to die, which would be good for everyone.

Then there was the time Orochimaru first met Yahiko and the others. After lamenting how pitiful the orphans of war were, he immediately decided to lead these children down the path to the greatest happiness... Living was misfortune, therefore death was good fortune.

Well, it could only be said that Orochimaru almost saved the Shinobi World from peril.

"Can a Chunin really break through from the Land of Rain?" Tsunade was somewhat doubtful.

"You have to believe in the potential within a ninja, Tsunade," Jiraiya was more optimistic, but he had his reasons. "If the intel is accurate, then last night was indeed a good opportunity to escape the Land of Rain."

The northern battlefield of the Land of Rain was like a nuclear war was happening; who would pay attention to a rat scurrying around in the rainy night?

Jiraiya and Tsunade saw Orochimaru's changes. Jiraiya had been paying close attention to his condition and wanted to say something to Orochimaru, but at that moment, he suddenly turned his head to look in a certain direction.

He even stopped in his tracks involuntarily.

"Jiraiya, what's wrong?"

Seeing Jiraiya's reaction, the other two quickly became alert, thinking he had sensed enemy activity.

"Is there an enemy?"

"No, it's just..."

Jiraiya had been training in Sage Mode on Mount Myōboku since he was a child. Limited by his talent, he hadn't mastered Sage Mode yet, but he had no problem sensing Natural Energy.

At this moment, he sensed a concentrated mass of Natural Energy moving.

After a while, Yuzuru's figure emerged from the shadows of the bushes, appearing in their sight.

Yuzuru hadn't expected these three to be the ones coming to meet him. However, it wasn't him they valued, but the intelligence he possessed about the Jinchuriki's activities.

Jinchuriki were too dangerous; Konoha had to take it seriously.

"You are Yuzuru?" Jiraiya asked Yuzuru.

"It is I, Lord Jiraiya, Lord Orochimaru, and Lady Tsunade." Yuzuru addressed each of them by name, proving he was indeed a Konoha ninja.

Tsunade merely found Yuzuru somewhat familiar. Just as one cannot remember how many slices of bread they've eaten, Tsunade couldn't recall how many ninjas she had treated.

Yuzuru glanced at Orochimaru out of the corner of his eye. For some reason, Orochimaru gave him a bad feeling, even reminding him of the ambush during the Tailed Beast Rampage dungeon.

Could Orochimaru suddenly have a relapse? This was still during the Second Shinobi World War... Had the madman gone completely mad?

If a conflict were to break out, my return might turn into desertion... Yuzuru was a bit confused about Orochimaru's intentions, but he had prepared for the worst.

"Did you witness the battle between Hanzō of Amegakure and the Iwagakure Jinchuriki?" Jiraiya continued to inquire.

"I cannot be certain, Lord Jiraiya. I couldn't get too close to the battlefield, so I could only infer that it was Hanzō in action."

"Why?"

"Although I can't confirm the number of Jinchuriki involved, the Jinchuriki seemed to be pushed into a corner. He, or they, released at least five Tailed Beast Balls... As far as I know, only Hanzō can do something like that," Yuzuru said.

The theoretical support for this deduction was very weak, but the result was very convincing. It was the same logic as when the Fourth Hokage saw the masked man during the Nine-Tails' Rampage and assumed he was Uchiha Madara.

Because in people's minds, only Madara possessed the Sharingan to control the Nine-Tails.

"So the Jinchuriki was out of control... Hanzō of Amegakure, indeed, it could only be him."

"Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Genjutsu, especially Water Release, Hanzō has no weaknesses. His strength far exceeds the imagination of ordinary ninjas."

Jiraiya directly agreed with Yuzuru's deduction. He didn't think it was a problem that Yuzuru hadn't gotten too close to the battlefield; it was too much to ask a Chunin, who had only recently been a Genin, to approach a battlefield of that caliber for reconnaissance.

However...

This Chunin named Yuzuru was truly extraordinary. What was with the Natural Energy on him? Was it accidentally absorbed, or intentionally accumulated?

"After all, he is the instigator of this Shinobi World War. Possessing strength that surpasses the Shinobi World is the bare minimum," Tsunade also expressed her agreement.

Hanzō at this period was quite different from the Hanzō in the plot Yuzuru knew. Although the later Hanzō was very strong, his strength wasn't overwhelming. However, the current Hanzō was like a big boss...

"Regardless, let's withdraw first."

"Yes."

After a brief exchange, Yuzuru followed behind the three, and the squad began to withdraw from the Land of Grass.

Theoretically, acting with these three guaranteed basic safety, unless... the danger came from within the trio.

Jiraiya glanced at Yuzuru first, feeling that the Natural Energy on him seemed to be accumulating more and more. Would that really cause problems?

Then he looked at Orochimaru again and kindly asked him, "By the way, how can you use summoning snakes..."

"Jiraiya."

Orochimaru interrupted Jiraiya, but his gaze was fixed on Yuzuru.

"It seems you're ready, then let me see your strength." Orochimaru was still quite honorable, issuing a reminder before making a move.

Yuzuru was taken aback. What did he mean? Did he want to see if I'm qualified to be a Ryūchi Cave summoner?

However, Orochimaru's honor was limited. As soon as he finished speaking, he attacked...

Ninjutsu: Shadow Snake Hand!

Such fast hand seals!

Orochimaru flicked his sleeve, and a large number of long snakes rapidly coiled around towards Yuzuru. But Yuzuru didn't hastily dodge; instead, he allowed himself to be controlled by them.

Feeling the snakes' breath and the crushing sensation on his bones and muscles, Yuzuru remained calm.

"Lord Orochimaru, I am merely a Chunin, I am not qualified to fight you."

"No, my senses don't deceive me. I sense a dangerous aura from you... As fellow Ryūchi Cave summoners, let me witness your unique abilities."