Seeing Jiraiya and Orochimaru rushing over, Hiruko wanted to go up and taunt his two old friends.
They had been friends since their days at the Ninja Academy. He had watched as Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru were chosen by the Third, gradually outstripped their classmates, and finally earned the title of the Konoha Sannin during the Shinobi World War, becoming famous throughout the Shinobi World.
He had envied their good fortune and complained that fate was unfair. That was why he had resolutely embarked on the forbidden path of developing the Chimera Technique.
Now fortune had finally smiled on him. He had completed the ritual and fused several Kekkei Genkai. Through his own efforts, he had once again reached the same level as Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru. He no longer had to look up at those three old friends as he had before.
But when the words reached his lips, he still forced himself to hold them back.
After all, he already had half of the Nine-Tails, while "B" and "C" had unclear allegiances. He had also lost an arm. If anything went wrong, all his efforts might come to nothing.
So he gave Orochimaru and Jiraiya a meaningful glance, then ignored the Fourth Hokage's Impure World Body and vanished in a flash.
Ranmaru said nothing and immediately retreated with Hiruko.
Seeing Hiruko and Ranmaru withdraw, Karin and Haku exchanged a glance, then chose to retreat as well.
Their mission objective—driving Hiruko and Ranmaru back—had been accomplished. Staying here any longer would only lead to unnecessary fighting.
In the blink of an eye, all four Akatsuki Organization members had withdrawn, leaving Jiraiya and Orochimaru staring at each other in confusion.
But there was no time to dwell on it. Jiraiya immediately rushed to Menma and crouched to examine him. A