First Meeting with Orochimaru

Akiyama Shun was only a Chunin at this time and had no way to accept high-difficulty missions above A-rank on his own, but if Tsunade led the team, it would be a different story.

"You said you wanted to promote to Jonin quickly, and you know that becoming a Jonin requires a comprehensive evaluation, so I specifically found a mission that is most suitable for you to showcase yourself."

At this moment, Tsunade had already brought Akiyama Shun back to her home. She held a mission report in her hand, waving it like a fan while explaining the situation of the mission to him.

"Let me tell you the mission objective first: a spy has infiltrated the capital of the Land of Fire, and the mission requires you to take them out."

"The identity of the spy has been confirmed as Yoshioka Yusuke. His specific combat strength is unknown, and we don't know which village he belongs to or what ninjutsu he uses. If you can find out the spy's village of origin, the mission reward will certainly be better, and your service record will look even more impressive."

"There is an additional requirement for the mission. Because it is the capital of the Land of Fire, do not cause too much of a commotion. As much as possible, make him die silently in his residence without alerting anyone. It is a real test of a ninja's infiltration skills."

While explaining, Tsunade would occasionally stop to glance at Akiyama Shun, only continuing once she was sure he understood everything.

"I've finished explaining. Do you have any questions?"

"No, I have no questions at all." Akiyama Shun shook his head.

After Akiyama Shun finished speaking, he noticed that Tsunade had not yet stood up. He looked at her with a puzzled expression: "Do you want to gamble for a while longer before we leave?"

Tsunade: "..."

Calming herself down, Tsunade continued: "No, it was a coincidence that when I accepted this mission, someone else had also accepted it. We are waiting for him to leave together."

Waiting for him to leave together? That person knew Tsunade's address?

One had to know that Tsunade was not like Jiraiya and the others; in the past, to avoid debt collectors showing up at her door, she would hide her home address. Therefore, the only people who could find her home were those in her core circle of friends.

In other words...

"It has been a long time, Tsunade, and a pleasure to meet you, Shun-kun."

A sinister voice rang in Akiyama Shun's ears. He turned his head to look, and sure enough, it was him...

One of the Sannin, the 'Poison' of the gambling-drinking-poison trio, the person in the Ninja World who respected science the most, the man playing "Death vs. Naruto" in the Ninja World: Orochimaru!

At this period, regardless of what Orochimaru was like in the shadows, in the public eye, he was the legendary Konoha Sannin and even a widely favored candidate for the Fourth Hokage.

Orochimaru himself would also set aside time to perform high-difficulty missions.

"A pleasure to meet you, Lord Orochimaru!"

Since Orochimaru used an honorific, Akiyama Shun was naturally very polite in return.

"Orochimaru."

Tsunade also greeted Orochimaru.

"I have heard of your affairs; your talent is excellent, and you even possess the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai."

When Orochimaru said this, those snake-like pupils were staring straight at Akiyama Shun.

However, Akiyama Shun was not very panicked. Relying on his current relationship with Tsunade and Jiraiya, he was confident that in Konoha, no one would dare to lay a hand on him.

Most importantly, right now, Orochimaru was not yet completely insane like Danzo. Orochimaru currently only showed signs of instability due to the death of Nawaki.

In such a relatively safe situation, Akiyama Shun was quite willing to interact with Orochimaru. If all three Sannin were willing to support him, it would be much more convenient for him to do anything.

"Thank you for the compliment, Lord Orochimaru."

Akiyama Shun responded.

After hearing this, Orochimaru chuckled twice, did not continue the topic, turned, and left Tsunade's front door, heading toward the capital of the Land of Fire.

Tsunade was the second to leave, and she was completely relaxed now.

She knew very well that Orochimaru had accepted this mission first, and since he usually performed missions alone, the fact that she and Akiyama Shun were now included meant that the Hokage was intentionally grooming Akiyama Shun.

He wanted Akiyama Shun to learn more about infiltration techniques.

After all, in the entire Ninja World, Orochimaru's infiltration and disguise skills could be considered among the best.

As for herself, she was just going along to travel and clear her head; the mission had nothing to do with her.

Akiyama Shun followed at the very end.

And so, the three of them left Konoha together, heading for the capital of the Land of Fire.

The three were very lucky; no accidents occurred along the way. Even though it was a time of war and bandits were everywhere, no bandits came to rob these three seemingly unarmed travelers.

The journey went smoothly, and it didn't take long for the three to arrive at the capital of the Land of Fire.

Before reaching the capital, in order not to alert the enemy, the three used the Transformation Technique to change their appearances.

The moment they arrived at the capital, even Akiyama Shun had to sigh in admiration.

The gap was truly massive!

As expected of a national capital, the level of prosperity was simply incomparable to a small village like Konoha.

But then again, if you asked those ninjas to fight, they were experts, but if you asked them to develop the economy...

"Is this your first time here, Shun-kun?"

Orochimaru noticed Akiyama Shun's expression.

"Yes, when I went on missions with Teacher Tsunade before, it was usually in the wilderness or near the border lines."

Akiyama Shun replied as such.

"It doesn't matter, we have plenty of time. If you want to wander around a bit more, I don't mind."

Tsunade stretched her back, scanned the street, and quickly located her temporary lodging.

A casino right next to an izakaya could be called a sanctuary for Tsunade.

It's you who wants to wander around more...

Akiyama Shun shook his head, already accustomed to this. He knew that before her hemophobia was cured, Tsunade was ill-suited for this kind of mission; he was already grateful she had helped him this much.

From here on, only Akiyama Shun and Orochimaru remained on the road.

While walking, Akiyama Shun passed by a bathhouse, and as he looked at the establishment and then at Orochimaru beside him, familiar memories began to flood his mind.

"What is it, Shun-kun? Has Jiraiya taken you to see the women's bathhouse?"

Orochimaru's snake-like pupils stared at Akiyama Shun.

Akiyama Shun shook his head: "Not at all. It's just that Lord Jiraiya once told me that when they were children, he took Lord Orochimaru to see the women's bathhouse."

It had to be said that the young Jiraiya was truly loyal; once he discovered a good spot, he didn't keep it to himself, sharing it directly with his best friend.

It was just a pity that Orochimaru had absolutely no interest in women.

Orochimaru: "..."

Childhood memories began to assault his brain.

!

The two, who had been conversing, suddenly discovered something, but they acted as if nothing had happened and continued their exchange as usual.

Only when the figure's back had completely vanished into the street did Akiyama Shun look toward Orochimaru.

The two exchanged a glance, both understanding the other's intent.

The target had appeared.