Tsunade took the paper talisman and examined it from every angle.
Complex patterns were drawn on it, faintly giving off an ominous aura, yet there was indeed no trace of chakra left behind.
"So he was just an ordinary person?"
Tsunade frowned. "Then why did those Chunin and Genin listen to him?"
"I don't know."
Orochimaru shook his head.
"Maybe money, maybe some kind of leverage, or maybe..."
He looked at the patterns on the paper talisman.
"There's something wrong with this.
We can study it after we return."
Tsunade fell silent for a moment, then suddenly clenched her fist.
"So we only need to deal with those two Chunin, plus the four Genin I already knocked down—they probably haven't recovered yet."
"Probably."
Orochimaru's tone remained calm, but he did not deny it.
The two talked for a while longer. Tsunade's breathing gradually steadied, and color returned to her face.
She stood and stretched her limbs. The Recovery Pill was quite effective; her chakra had recovered to around seventy or eighty percent, and her strength had returned as well.
"Orochimaru."
She looked at her companion beside her. "Help me save them."
Under the moonlight, Orochimaru's golden slit pupils flickered faintly.
He looked into Tsunade's determined eyes and remained silent for two seconds.
"In theory,"
he said slowly,
"this is too risky, and it has nothing to do with us. The best option would be to return and tell Sensei to handle it."
Tsunade said nothing. She only looked at him.
Orochimaru averted his gaze and looked into the distant darkness.
"...But you're my partner."
The corner of Tsunade's lips lifted slightly.
"Thank you."
"Talk after we make it out alive."
Orochimaru stood and dusted himself off. "Let's go."
"Yeah!"
The two figures vanished into the night, racing back the way