"This mission was ultimately a complete success."
Taking advantage of the chaos Sakuya had caused, Orochimaru and Dan Katō had successfully broken into the Toxin Research Institute in Amegakure and ransacked all the research materials inside.
"Besides the salamander toxins, we also captured several salamanders that Amegakure was using for research. We even got our hands on all the research data in their laboratory."
Holding the scroll in his hands, Dan Katō was beaming with excitement. "Orochimaru, this mission was a tremendous success."
"Indeed!"
Jiraiya, who had met them outside Amegakure, was also brimming with excitement. "I never expected we'd be able to take so much. Ha ha! I wonder how Teacher Sarutobi will reward us when we get back."
"Heh heh, there's no need to worry about rewards just yet."
Watching the thick smoke above Amegakure slowly disperse in the distance, Orochimaru nodded. "Did you send the signal?"
"Yeah, I did."
Jiraiya nodded.
"The fighting over there is nearly over, too. They should be coming out soon."
Orochimaru said.
"But that Uchiha Sakuya is incredible."
Jiraiya looked at the thick smoke that had nearly turned the entire sky above Amegakure black. "With my Toad Oil, he managed to keep all of Amegakure's ninja tied up..."
"Most of Amegakure's elite ninja were taken by Hanzo to the battlefield in the Land of Wind. There aren't many ninja left in the village, and most of them are Genin or Chunin."
Dan Katō spoke up. "I used the Spirit Transformation Technique to take a look earlier. There are only a limited number of Jonin."
"Even so, dragging Amegakure into this kind of mess... Uchiha Sakuya is incredible."
Jiraiya sighed enviously.
Was this what they meant by comparison being the thief of joy?
He couldn't match him in strength, looks, temperament, or reputation.
Even the woman he loved and his trusted friend both...
Sigh.
"Pitter-patter..."
With damp footsteps, Sakuya sprinted over from the distance and landed in front of them.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
He brushed the ash from his clothes and nodded to them.
"Thanks for your hard work, Sakuya."
Orochimaru said gratefully, "Without you, this mission would have been several times riskier."
By convention, this would be the moment for me to rub my nose and say I'd just gotten lucky. But my surname isn't Xiao, so I'll skip the homage.
Sakuya smiled and shook his head. "...We're all ninja from the same village. Of course I'd give it everything I had on a mission."
"Ha ha ha, that's right!"
Everyone laughed together.
"Let's get moving. If we wait much longer, the Rain Ninja might realize what's going on."
Orochimaru said.
"All right."
Sakuya nodded, but then he seemed to notice something. He looked around, and his formerly relaxed expression turned puzzled. "But, Orochimaru..."
"Hmm?"
"Where's Tsunade?"
Sakuya asked. "Wasn't she going to retrieve Shota's body? Why has it taken her so long to come back?"
"I was wondering the same thing."
Orochimaru nodded. "Of all our assignments, hers was the easiest. By rights, she should have been the first one out. Why is she taking so long...?"
"Could something have happened? Could she be trapped in there?"
Jiraiya's expression stiffened, and he blurted the words out without thinking.
"I'll go back and look."
Sakuya paused, then turned around, ready to charge back toward Amegakure.
"Sakuya!"
Orochimaru grabbed his wrist, his grip so tight it was almost suffocating.
"You can't go!"
A flash of pain crossed his golden, cold eyes, but soon they held nothing but clear resolve.
"We can't go back."
He repeated himself. "We just fought our way out of Amegakure, and we still have to deal with the pursuit. Not to mention, the village must be on guard now."
Sakuya looked up at him.
"What about Tsunade?"
"If we go back now, the Rain Ninja will already be lying in wait. If Tsunade really is trapped inside, she must have fallen into an ambush. If you go back, you'll be walking right into their hands."
Orochimaru's voice was low and cold. "Besides, Tsunade may be fine. Maybe she'll come out in a little while. And even if she is trapped inside, she's the First's granddaughter. Her status matters. Amegakure wouldn't dare do anything to her. Once we're back in Konoha, we can negotiate with Amegakure and get her back!"
The rain poured down in torrents. Its freezing drops couldn't dampen their spirits, but Orochimaru's words chilled them to the bone.
"And, Sakuya, do you think Amegakure is all we have to worry about?"
"Have you forgotten the Small Nations Alliance? There are troops stationed in several cities around Amegakure. Kusagakure, Takigakure... They've been watching this battle from the start. They must have heard that we attacked Amegakure, and they're on their way here right now. If you go back, you'll be surrounded and hunted down. Listen to me. Abandon Tsunade and leave!"
"Th-this isn't quite that bad yet, is it?"
Hearing Orochimaru's words, Jiraiya spoke hesitantly. "We don't know for sure. Maybe she'll be out in a little while... maybe..."
But Dan Katō stood with his head lowered, saying nothing.
Tsunade had the easiest assignment and should have been the first one out, but she still hadn't shown up... Perhaps she really had been trapped in Amegakure, just as Jiraiya had feared.
"I'm going."
Uchiha Sakuya stared at Orochimaru. "You said it yourself, Orochimaru. The Small Nations Alliance ninja are on their way, but there's still time."
"Give me an hour. I'll bring Tsunade back."
"You..."
"They're nothing but nobodies."
The Sharingan in Sakuya's eyes spun rapidly, glinting with menace.
"When the heroes of the world hear my name, they tremble in fear. These Rain Ninja nobodies are nothing. Give me an hour, and I'll bring Tsunade back safe and sound!"
"...You."
Orochimaru clenched his teeth. "Have you gone mad?"
"You're the one who's gone mad!"
Sakuya said. "We of Konoha have never abandoned our comrades! If you say something like that again, I'll kill you!"
"..."
Staring into Sakuya's eyes, where the tomoe spun wildly as if they might evolve at any moment, Orochimaru froze for a moment.
"Dan, Jiraiya."
After a moment, he sighed and looked at the other two. "Hand over all the Toad Oil you have left, along with your Military Ration Pills and medical supplies. Then take the research data and toxins back to the village at once."
"We already used all the Toad Oil."
Jiraiya nodded and handed Sakuya a scroll from his robes. "But we still have plenty of Military Ration Pills and medicine."
"That'll be enough."
Sakuya took it. "Thanks, everyone. And..."
He looked at the cold lord with golden eyes. "And, Orochimaru, thank you."
Orochimaru didn't respond. He only looked into Sakuya's eyes. "I'll wait here for two hours. Remember, Sakuya, you have two hours. If you're not back by then, I'm leaving immediately."
"I told you, they're just a bunch of nobodies."
Sakuya's expression didn't change, but his words grew gentler. "I'll meet you here in two hours."
"All right. I'll wait."
Orochimaru nodded. "Don't break your promise, Sakuya."
Before you continue