Orochimaru glanced back toward Naruto Uzumaki and said with a faint smile:
"That child doesn't seem to be doing too well."
Jiraiya remained composed and replied coldly:
"Tsunade is a renowned medical expert. You don't need to worry about Naruto. He'll be fine.
Besides, you're fighting me. How do you have time to look around?"
Orochimaru's expression shifted as he considered his options:
I didn't expect this boy to be so powerful. If the Akatsuki gets him, that'll be trouble!
In other words... if I'm going to kill him, now's the time!
Seizing the moment when Jiraiya checked on Naruto, Orochimaru slid forward and lunged toward Tsunade.
Jiraiya's expression changed, and he immediately gave chase.
Whoosh!
Orochimaru suddenly turned back, shooting out his long tongue and wrapping it around Jiraiya's ankle.
With a forceful flick of his tongue, he slammed Jiraiya hard into the ground.
Jiraiya hadn't expected Orochimaru to strike so suddenly and was caught off guard.
The impact was so heavy that it embedded him in the ground.
Though Orochimaru was humanoid, his body was as supple as a python's.
Even his movements resembled a snake's as he slithered swiftly across the ground.
Within a breath, he reached Tsunade's side, his mouth stretching into a terrifying grin.
A gray snake emerged from his throat. In the blink of an eye, it opened its own mouth and spat out a sword.
Tsunade's pupils contracted sharply at the sight of Orochimaru attacking.
"He's trying to kill this child!"
A flicker of conflict appeared in Tsunade's eyes, then gave way to resolve.
She threw herself forward!
Shhk-
The sound of a blade piercing flesh rang out as the razor-sharp sword plunged straight through Tsunade's chest.
Blegh-
Blood gushed from Tsunade's mouth in great mouthfuls, and the searing pain nearly made her