Land of Rain
Deep in the forests of Amegakure
Orochimaru led Nawaki Senju quietly into the forest. Their mission was to destroy a supply depot secretly established by Amegakure, according to intelligence Jiraiya had gathered.
"Nawaki, be careful," Orochimaru said as they moved through the trees.
"Of course, Sensei!" Nawaki nodded. His expression was serious, though a hint of nervousness showed through. After all, this was a rare chance he'd worked hard to earn: going on a mission with Orochimaru.
Nawaki Senju was a new-generation ninja from Konohagakure in the Land of Fire, the grandson of Hashirama Senju, the First, and Tsunade's younger brother. Kindhearted, he was similar in personality and appearance to Naruto Uzumaki, and shared Naruto's dream of becoming Hokage.
Suddenly—
An ominous feeling settled over Orochimaru. He scanned the surroundings. The forest was thick and green, making it an ideal place for an ambush.
Orochimaru stopped first and took a guarded stance. Nawaki clenched his fists, ready to face any enemies who might appear.
At that moment, several ninja leaped out from the bushes and attacked them without a word.
"Water Release: Water Bullet Technique!"
Water balls shimmering with chakra burst from the bushes and shot toward Orochimaru and Nawaki.
"Nawaki, watch out for the attacks. Stay behind me," Orochimaru said in his hoarse voice.
Then—
A cold smile tugged at Orochimaru's lips. He darted forward, the kunai in his hand gleaming in the moonlight, and clashed with the enemy.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Countless brown pythons emerged from Orochimaru's sleeves, their eyes gleaming in the darkness. The instant the water balls neared him, they exploded, and the snakes clamped their jaws around them!
"Perfect. A nice warm-up." Orochimaru reached for his ninja tool pouch. In the next instant, an Explosive Tag Kunai flew from his palm!
A second later—
BOOM!!!!
"Kill him! He's Konoha's commander!"
"Quick, kill him!"
Several Rain Ninja leaped out from the bushes, short swords in hand, and tried to take down Orochimaru with a rapid assault. Orochimaru spoke coolly. "I'm really being underestimated here... Honestly, it's a little irritating."
RUMBLE!!!!!
Giant serpents erupted from the ground, forming a snake-shaped formation. They tore apart every Rain Ninja who had come near Orochimaru, sending blood and flesh flying. Even the rain around them turned crimson!
"Sensei, you're amazing!" Nawaki exclaimed.
"Don't worry, Nawaki. Someday you'll be even stronger than me. After all, you're going to become Hokage, aren't you?" Orochimaru smiled. He scanned the area and sensed a warehouse nearby. There were no other chakra signatures around. There were probably so few people in the area because Hanzo the Salamander had gathered his forces.
"Don't worry, Sensei! Someday I'll become an even greater Hokage than Grandpa!" Nawaki grinned and gave a thumbs-up.
"Hmph. First you'll have to convince your sister," Orochimaru said, standing beneath a tree and gazing into the distance. His eyes settled on the warehouse.
There—
There shouldn't be any danger over there, right?
"Sensei, I want to take a look ahead. There doesn't seem to be any chakra up there," Nawaki said with a smile as he stepped out from behind Orochimaru.
It wasn't as if Orochimaru didn't care for Tsunade's younger brother, his first student.
"Go ahead, but be careful," Orochimaru said, folding his arms.
Nawaki happily dashed off.
Watching Nawaki's retreating figure,
Orochimaru smiled.
"Nawaki, you're starting to carry yourself like a real ninja..."
RUMBLE!!!!!
A pillar of fire erupted into the sky!
"What!" Orochimaru's pale face was filled with disbelief.
Who would plant an array of Explosive Tags in their own warehouse?!
Thud!!!!
A necklace fell from the sky
and landed at Orochimaru's feet.
"Nawaki..." Orochimaru's pupils contracted.
The next day
At the Konoha camp
A deep sorrow hung over the entire camp. Everyone knew that the grandson of the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, the First, was dead. That meant that aside from Tsunade, none of Hashirama's bloodline would be carried on.
After all, following the death of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, the Senju Clan had come under inexplicable pressure and gradually faded away, nearly to the point of extinction. The clan that had once stood alongside the Uchiha Clan as one of the Warring States' great powers now numbered fewer than a hundred, and not even Hashirama's Wood Release had been inherited by anyone.
"Tsunade... I'm so sorry," Orochimaru said hoarsely, looking at her.
Tsunade knelt before Nawaki's charred body. Her face was flushed, and tears streamed down her cheeks, soaking both her face and her shattered heart. Her beloved younger brother, Nawaki Senju, was dead.
If only she'd stopped Nawaki from going on the mission...
If only she'd gone with him...
If only she'd asked Orochimaru to transfer him back to the support unit...
If only...
But there were no ifs. No what-ifs.
"This isn't your fault, Orochimaru. It's okay... It's okay," Tsunade said, wiping the tears from her face. Her voice trembled.
"Tsunade..." Jiraiya stood nearby, his heart breaking. Seeing the woman he loved weep while he could do nothing to help her—he'd rather have been killed outright than endure this feeling.
Jiraiya turned away, his guilt making his heart pound. He hadn't known that the intelligence he'd spent days gathering was false... If only he'd stayed undercover a little longer, perhaps this wouldn't have happened.
"This is the only thing Nawaki left behind." Orochimaru took the blue necklace from his pocket and handed it to Tsunade.
"Nawaki..." Tsunade picked up the necklace, and tears fell once more. She'd given it to him herself as a Lucky Necklace, but it seemed it hadn't brought him much luck.
After a long while,
she slowly lifted her head.
"Let everyone leave. I want to be alone with Nawaki for a while. Oh, and Orochimaru... there's something I want to ask you." Tsunade turned away. No one could see the expression on her face.
Orochimaru nodded, inviting her to ask.
"Will you withdraw our troops from this war?" Tsunade asked out of the blue.
Before Tsunade could even finish wrestling with the question in her mind,
"No. I know what you want to ask, Tsunade. Whether for our teacher or for Nawaki, I'll keep fighting. There's no mercy in war. Death is unavoidable. I'm the commander, so I have to take responsibility for Konoha's ninja." Orochimaru walked out of the tent, his pale face showing no sign of grief.
"Thank you... Jiraiya, what about you?" After hearing Orochimaru leave the tent, Tsunade continued.
"You already know the answer... The three of us will always stand together." Jiraiya smiled and left the tent as well.
Outside the tent,
Orochimaru stood beneath a tree.
Rain pattered down.
It soaked his clothes.
"Orochimaru, are you crying?" Jiraiya came to stand beside him.
"No. It's just rain."
Before you continue