Crisis!

"Neither. It was Uchiha Sora who struck me not long ago. I still haven't managed to fully analyze what kind of power that was!"

Orochimaru spoke with a grave expression, a lingering sense of dread still evident as he recalled the encounter.

"Uchiha Sora? Is that the Uchiha brat who has been making a name for himself in the village lately?"

"Wait, if I recall correctly, that kid should only be a genin!"

Tsunade asked, puzzled.

As one of the village's elders, Tsunade had seen Uchiha Sora when he was a child.

Back then, aside from acting a bit differently from normal people and always tinkering with strange inventions, there hadn't seemed to be anything remarkable about him.

Orochimaru shook his head.

"That's right. The boy appears harmless, but his bizarre ninjutsu caused damage I still cannot repair to this day, which is why I sought you out."

"But rest assured, this time I only seek healing. Once I am cured, I will not act recklessly again, and that includes against Konoha Village!"

Orochimaru was not lying; in truth, he had been genuinely frightened by the Uchiha boy.

One had to remember that there was still no word from Deidara.

In Orochimaru's imagination, that fellow had already been eaten alive by Uchiha Sora as a test subject.

If he dared to go back, wouldn't that be suicide?

Shizune, standing to the side, gritted her teeth and spoke up.

"Orochimaru, you were clearly a member of this village, yet you have repeatedly attacked your own kin. How can we possibly trust you now?"

Even Tsunade remained silent for a moment.

"She's right. I am not afraid of you. If you think you can threaten me into treating you, you might as well give up."

Seeing that the two were unmoved, Orochimaru's expression turned ugly.

In fact, he had already anticipated that Tsunade would not easily compromise when faced with an enemy of the village.

He let out a cold snort, his face icy.

"If that's the case, then don't blame me for being impolite. Let's fight; if I win, you won't have a choice even if you don't want to treat me!"

Orochimaru's snake-like eyes emitted a sharp aura.

It seemed as though he might launch a sneak attack at any moment!

"Damn it! I knew you two were up to no good!"

Shizune abruptly drew her weapon, ready to counterattack at any second.

As for Orochimaru, he let out a few cold laughs, retreated sharply, and began weaving hand signs in the air.

Soon, small white snakes appeared out of thin air, instantly coiling toward the two women.

At that moment, Tsunade let out a roar and smashed her fist toward Orochimaru's face!

A terrifying burst of monstrous strength erupted, and the ground was instantly shattered, leaving behind a massive crater.

The summoned snakes collapsed and disintegrated instantly in the face of that brute force.

Orochimaru himself had vanished amidst the explosion.

"Lady Tsunade, look out!"

Just then, Shizune turned her head sharply and caught sight of Yakushi Kabuto, who was rapidly closing in on Tsunade!

"Damn it, was I discovered? No matter, this distance is already enough!"

Yakushi Kabuto thrust his hand out like a blade, utilizing the surgical scalpel technique essential to medical ninjas.

It could sever carotid artery tissue without damaging the skin.

Sometimes, it could even directly disrupt the flow of chakra.

At this moment, Yakushi Kabuto was clearly intending to sever Tsunade's meridians!

Furthermore, he was already very close.

At the critical moment, Shizune threw the two flying needles she held in her hand.

As a medical ninja, her needles were coated with toxins.

The projectiles flew toward him with lethal speed and significant power.

Even Yakushi Kabuto dared not take them head-on.

He was forced to retreat rapidly, thereby missing his chance to strike!

"It seems you two are dead set on fighting. In that case, how about we move to a more spacious battlefield?"

"Otherwise, if we make too much noise, it will easily attract the powerhouses of Konoha Village, and who knows, Uchiha Sora might show up too!"

Tsunade threatened coldly.

At the same time, she was stalling for time, having already sent out a distress signal a moment ago.

Orochimaru froze for a moment, then fell into thought.

He seemed to conclude that fighting here would indeed invite danger, and it would be better to move far away.

Besides, with only Tsunade and her companion present, there was no way they could escape.

"Fine! As long as you don't run and dare to face me head-on, then everything is negotiable."

With that, both sides hurried toward the outskirts while keeping their guards up.

Meanwhile, Shizune whispered softly.

"Lady Tsunade, will using Uchiha Sora's name to threaten Orochimaru actually work?"

Tsunade hesitated for a moment.

"I don't know, but it seems to have succeeded; Orochimaru is clearly afraid of Uchiha Sora!"

"I have already sent out a distress signal, and I hope they arrive quickly!"

To be honest, Tsunade felt quite awkward, as the method she used to threaten Orochimaru was actually a junior from the village.

This was something she would never have imagined before.

As they moved, they soon found an open space.

Orochimaru waved his hand and immediately performed the Summoning Jutsu, causing a massive, purple-black python to appear beneath his feet!

Its enormous eyes were like two lanterns, and the snake's tongue, flicking out from time to time, sounded like a whip lashing through the air!

"Heh! Things have reached this point, so there's nothing left to say. Tsunade, if you had just healed me, none of this nonsense would be happening!"

Even now, Orochimaru still wanted to persuade her; after all, he was currently injured, and it was best to avoid a fight if possible.

Tsunade snorted coldly and likewise performed the Summoning Jutsu.

She summoned a massive blue and white slug.

"Enough talk! I will not do anything that aids the enemy!"

"Orochimaru, you should be grateful that it's only your hands that are injured this time, and not your brain!"

Seeing that things had reached this point, it was clear that reconciliation was unlikely.

Orochimaru let out a cold snort.

"Hmph! Fine! Since that's how you feel, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

He waved his hand instantly, and the massive python beneath his feet opened its maw, lunging to swallow Tsunade in one bite!

Yakushi Kabuto did not remain idle either, immediately engaging Shizune in battle.

However, the Tsunade duo were, after all, medical ninjas; although they possessed combat capability, it was only secondary.

Once the real fighting started, they quickly fell into a disadvantage. First was Shizune's side.

Under Yakushi Kabuto's relentless attacks, she had already sustained multiple abrasions.

Yakushi Kabuto had even severed the nerves in her limbs.

She was temporarily unable to move!

"Damn it! Has the backup not arrived yet?"

At this moment, Shizune's expression was grim, as she had temporarily lost her ability to fight.

Tsunade was no better off; a medical ninja was not meant for brawling.

Although she possessed superhuman strength, it was only a fraction inherited from Senju Hashirama.

It was not the full extent of his power, and her wide, sweeping attacks soon allowed Orochimaru to find an opening.