Even Orochimaru Can't Cure It, What Kind of Illness Is This?

It was as if they had been enemies a second ago, only to become friends the next.

And the kind of friends who would risk their lives for one another, at that.

Zabuza, in particular, stepped forward and immediately slung an arm around Uchiha Sora's shoulder, his face filled with emotion.

"Boss! You really are something else. This weapon is incredible—could you give me one in the future?"

Beside them, Haku also removed his mask.

He revealed a face of breathtaking beauty.

Furthermore, in this space-time, Haku was truly a woman!

She also trotted over a few steps, arriving in front of Uchiha Sora.

"Brother Sora! Are you on a mission? How about I escort you?"

"Is there any way I could learn more about this kind of weapon?"

This scene shocked everyone present.

Kakashi blinked hard, looking at Haku, then back at the Icha Icha Paradise tucked into his vest.

What the hell?

How did this kid grow up?

How did he capture the heart of a beautiful girl so quickly!

And weren't they just enemies a moment ago?

How did they suddenly become such good friends?

Especially since Haku was already clutching Uchiha Sora's hand!

Watching this, Kakashi was absolutely furious.

"That damn kid! How does he do it? He's nothing but a walking disaster for the opposite sex!"

Jiraiya's eyes were also wide with shock.

However, his attention was focused on Zabuza.

"Holy crap! That looks like one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Even if he isn't the strongest of the bunch, he's still a renowned figure throughout the Ninja World!"

"Good grief, they just met—how was he tamed so suddenly?"

"No! Could it be that this kid Sora secretly used a Sharingan genjutsu to bewitch these two?"

"What terrifying talent. At such a young age, his mastery of genjutsu has reached such heights that he can control two grown men in minutes!"

For a moment, the way Jiraiya looked at Uchiha Sora was as if he were staring at a monster.

As for Sasuke, he was completely dumbfounded.

His older brother had only spoken with them for a short while.

How did he suddenly become the "Boss" in Zabuza's mouth and "Brother Sora" to that girl?

No way!

Could his brother have used the Sharingan in secret again?

But that wasn't right; why hadn't his own eyes seen through it?

"Could it be... that my brother has secretly awakened one of the strongest Sharingan abilities, Kotoamatsukami?"

Deidara, meanwhile, was filled with admiration.

"As expected of Master! That battle just now was truly art, even if the artistry wasn't displayed externally!"

"But this scene—surrendering a weapon to gain the enemy's friendship—this is what you call worldly wisdom!"

"Truly worthy of being my Master!"

For a moment, everyone present was deeply shaken.

They couldn't fathom how the enemies before them had suddenly turned into allies.

At this, Uchiha Sora turned his head and explained nonchalantly.

"It's nothing! It's all just technology."

Just like that, Uchiha Sora completed his mission and, in the process, gained the friendship of two people.

Zabuza chose to let them pass and agreed to follow Uchiha Sora's orders to gather the remaining Seven Ninja Swordsmen here.

Later, they would return to the village to assist with Uchiha Sora's research.

As for Haku, she was taken along by Uchiha Sora on the spot.

Of course, this definitely wasn't because of her looks!

Uchiha Sora shook his head, thinking very firmly.

It was because Haku was an all-around ninja.

She was also skilled at self-sacrifice, and with her natural talent, keeping her by his side as an assistant was well worth it!

And so, the group set off once again to escort the Bridge Builder.

This time, with no one to block their path, they completed the mission without a hitch.

Just as they were about to head home after receiving their reward, Jiraiya's ears suddenly twitched, and he slammed his hand against the ground, summoning a frog.

The frog held out a paper talisman.

Jiraiya took one look at it, and his expression turned grave in an instant.

"This is bad! Tsunade is in danger; come with me to save her!"

With that, Jiraiya performed the Summoning Jutsu, and a massive frog appeared.

Stepping onto the frog, he sped off into the distance!

Behind him, Uchiha Sora was completely bewildered.

What was going on?

Was Tsunade in danger?

Uchiha Sora's eyes flickered as he instantly associated this with the original plot.

According to the original storyline, Orochimaru had just invaded the village.

Although he hadn't had his arms severed by the Hokage, he had been interfered with by radiation.

Living a life worse than death, he was likely in desperate need of a powerful medical ninja.

Therefore, finding Tsunade was inevitable.

This made Uchiha Sora sigh; even with his own interference, the plot seemed to be drifting back toward the original trajectory.

This was a good thing, as it meant that as long as he didn't overplay his hand, and didn't kill off any important characters prematurely, the plot should remain within his grasp.

Without hesitation, the group rushed toward their destination.

In a bustling city somewhere in the Naruto World.

Shizune and Tsunade sat solemnly in a small courtyard.

Opposite them stood Orochimaru, draped in a black robe, and Yakushi Kabuto!

"You two... how did you find us here?"

Shizune glared coldly at Orochimaru, remaining on high alert.

Yakushi Kabuto spoke up from the side.

"It wasn't Orochimaru; I found you based on your reputation, you sucker!"

"That should be referring to you, Lady Tsunade!"

Shizune was stunned, then left speechless.

Good grief, they hadn't been tracked down through some high-level ninja technique.

It was simply because Tsunade's luck was that terrible?

At this moment, Tsunade interrupted Shizune.

"It's fine. After all, we're old classmates; Orochimaru isn't so insane that he would try to kill me."

Orochimaru gave a sinister laugh.

"Heh heh! It seems you understand, though I imagine you also know why I've come!"

Tsunade frowned, and after a moment, she said, "Are you looking for me to heal you? Have you been injured recently?"

Orochimaru nodded.

He then revealed his hands; while there were no obvious scars, anyone with a keen eye could see that the hands were ruined.

This caused Tsunade's pupils to contract.

"What kind of jutsu did you get hit with to be in such agony? And haven't you tried using that disgusting reincarnation method of yours?"

In Tsunade's eyes, Orochimaru was like a cockroach that refused to die.

Ordinary ninjutsu usually couldn't even scratch him.

Yet now, he was in such a pathetic state.

Moreover, as a medical ninja, Tsunade could clearly see that Orochimaru's injury was bizarre.

She couldn't quite put her finger on it; it was like some kind of persistent damage, to the point where even the air around his hands seemed to be distorted.

Shizune's pupils also contracted.

"Such an evil aura. I feel unwell just being near it; my whole body feels terrible!"

Tsunade's expression turned ugly; having practiced medicine for many years, this was the first time she had seen such symptoms.

"Is it a curse? Or is the Cursed Seal acting up?"