33: Orochimaru, are you going to abandon Tsunade, abandon your comrades?

"This mission has finally been completed successfully."

Taking advantage of the chaos caused by Uchiha Sakuya, Orochimaru and Dan Katō successfully broke into the toxin research laboratory in Amegakure and looted all the research materials inside.

"In addition to the Salamander's toxins, we also captured several live Salamanders that Amegakure was using for research, and we even managed to take all the research data from their laboratory."

Clutching the scroll in his hands, Dan Katō looked full of excitement: "Orochimaru-kun, we have completed this mission quite successfully."

"Not bad indeed!"

Jiraiya, who was waiting to rendezvous with them outside Amegakure, was also full of excitement: "I didn't expect us to bring out so many things. Haha, I wonder how Teacher Hiruzen will reward us when we get back."

"Heh heh, there is no need to rush regarding rewards."

Watching the thick smoke over Amegakure in the distance gradually dissipate, Orochimaru nodded: "Was the signal sent out just now?"

"Yeah, it was sent."

Jiraiya nodded.

"The battle over there is also nearing its end. I imagine they will be coming out shortly," Orochimaru said.

"Still, that Uchiha Sakuya is truly impressive."

Jiraiya looked at the thick smoke that had almost dyed the sky of Amegakure black: "Relying on my Toad Oil, he actually managed to hold off all the ninjas in Amegakure..."

"Most of Amegakure's elite ninjas were taken by Hanzo to the battlefield in the Land of Wind. The number of ninjas left behind in the village is actually not high; most of them are just genin and chunin."

Dan Katō spoke up: "I took a moment to observe with the Spirit Transformation Technique earlier, and the number of jonin is limited."

"Even so, to be able to drag Amegakure to this extent, Uchiha Sakuya... is truly amazing."

Jiraiya sighed with a hint of envy.

Isn't this just a case of comparing oneself to others only to be driven to despair?

He couldn't compare in strength, looks, temperament, or reputation.

Even the woman he liked and the close friend he trusted were...

Sigh.

"Tap, tap, tap, tap..."

Accompanied by damp footsteps, Sakuya sped over from the distance and landed in front of them.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting."

He brushed the soot off his body and nodded at them.

"Thank you for your hard work, Sakuya-kun."

Orochimaru said gratefully: "If it weren't for you on this mission, I fear the risks would have been several times higher."

As per tradition, I should rub my nose and say it was just luck, but since my surname isn't Xiao, I won't pay that homage.

Sakuya smiled and shook his head: "...We are all ninjas from the same village; it is only natural to give our all when on a mission."

"Hahaha, well said, well said."

Everyone laughed together.

"Let's prepare to leave. If we wait any longer, I fear the Rain ninjas will realize what's happening," Orochimaru said.

"Right."

Sakuya nodded, but he seemed to notice something. He scanned the area, and his previously relaxed expression turned somewhat puzzled: "However, Orochimaru."

"Hmm?"

"Where is Tsunade?"

Sakuya asked: "Didn't she go to retrieve Shota's body? Why hasn't she returned after so long?"

"I find it strange as well."

Orochimaru nodded: "Among our divisions of labor for this mission, hers was the lightest. By all logic, she should have been the first to come out. Why would she be delayed for so long..."

"Could it be that some accident occurred and she got trapped inside?"

Jiraiya's expression stiffened, and he spoke instinctively.

"I'll go back and check."

Sakuya paused, then turned around, ready to charge back toward Amegakure.

"Sakuya-kun!"

Orochimaru grabbed his wrist with a grip so powerful it was suffocating.

"You cannot go!"

A flash of pain crossed his cold, golden eyes, but it quickly gave way to pure clarity.

"We cannot go back."

He emphasized once more: "We just fought our way out of Amegakure; we already have to deal with pursuit, not to mention that the village is surely on high alert now."

Sakuya raised his eyes to look at him.

"Then what about Tsunade?"

"If we go back now, the Amegakure ninja will already be waiting in ambush. If Tsunade is truly trapped inside, she has certainly fallen into a trap. If you go back now, aren't you playing right into their hands?"

Orochimaru's voice was low, sounding cold: "Besides, it is not certain that something has happened to Tsunade; perhaps she will come out in a moment? Furthermore, even if she is truly trapped, she is the granddaughter of the First Hokage. Her status is significant, and Amegakure would not dare do anything to her. When we return to Konoha, we can negotiate with Amegakure to rescue her!"

The torrential rain poured down, and while the icy rain did not dampen their spirits, Orochimaru's words chilled everyone to the bone.

"Moreover, Sakuya-kun, do you think it is only Amegakure?"

"Have you forgotten the Small Nations Alliance? In the cities surrounding Amegakure, there are garrison troops from the Small Nations Alliance. Kusagakure, Takigakure... those people have been eyeing this battle all along. They must have received news of us causing a ruckus in Amegakure and are currently on their way. If you go back now, you will inevitably be surrounded and annihilated. Listen to me, abandon Tsunade and let's go!"

"It... it hasn't reached such an exaggerated point yet, has it?"

Listening to Orochimaru's words, Jiraiya spoke with a struggle: "It is just uncertain for now, perhaps in a moment... perhaps in a moment..."

But Dan Katō kept his head bowed in silence.

Tsunade's mission was the simplest; she should have been the first to emerge, yet she had not appeared... he feared it was truly as Jiraiya had previously said: she was trapped inside Amegakure.

"I am going."

Uchiha Sakuya stared at Orochimaru and spoke: "Orochimaru, you said it yourself, those Small Nations Alliance ninja are on their way, but there is still time."

He stated: "Give me one hour, and I will bring Tsunade back."

"You..."

"They are nothing but small fry."

The Sharingan in Sakuya's eyes spun at high speed, flashing with a fierce light.

"Heroes across the world tremble at the mention of my name, let alone these Amegakure small fry. Wait for me for one hour; I will bring Tsunade out safe and sound!"

"...You."

Orochimaru gritted his teeth: "Are you insane?"

"The one who is insane is you!"

Sakuya said: "We Konoha ninja have no such thing as abandoning our comrades! If you say such things again, I will kill you!"

"..."

Staring at the tomoe spinning madly in his pupils, as if they were on the verge of evolving further at any moment, Orochimaru was stunned.

"Katō-kun, Jiraiya."

A moment later, he sighed and looked at the other two: "The two of you, hand over all the remaining Toad Oil, Military Ration Pills, and medical supplies you have to Sakuya, then take the research data and toxins and depart for the village immediately."

"The Toad Oil was already used up earlier."

Jiraiya nodded and handed a scroll from his bosom to Sakuya: "But there are still plenty of Military Ration Pills and medicine."

"That is enough."

Sakuya took them: "Thanks, everyone, and..."

He looked at the golden-eyed Cold Lord: "And, Orochimaru, thanks."

Orochimaru did not respond, only gazing into Sakuya's eyes: "I will wait for you here for two hours. Remember, Sakuya-kun, you only have two hours. If you exceed that time, I will leave immediately."

"I said, they are just a group of small fry."

Sakuya's expression remained unchanged, but his tone softened slightly: "In two hours, we meet here."

"Fine, I will wait for you."

Orochimaru nodded: "Don't break your word, Sakuya-kun."