Tsunade and Jiraiya

On a street in Tanzaku Town, Tsunade trembled all over. The blood reminded her of the two people most important to her, who had once fallen before her eyes. Fear, terror... At that moment, she was like a little girl lacking any sense of security.

Orochimaru felt that everything was under his control. "Hehe... Tsunade, as payment, I can let you see the two people most important to you!"

The trembling Tsunade suddenly raised her head. Though afraid, her stubborn eyes showed no sign of yielding, and her presence was imposing. "Orochimaru, you're still the same, researching this kind of ninjutsu?"

"Yes, and it is precisely this ninjutsu that can let you see them again. It will also let me join the First Hokage and Second Hokage in sending Teacher Sarutobi to heaven!" The corners of Orochimaru's mouth curled upward, and his words were filled with pride.

Tsunade was furious. "You actually use the dead, Orochimaru..."

Orochimaru sneered. "Teacher Sarutobi had grown old, and Konoha had been at peace for too long. I will use this wind of mine to make Konoha's wind blow for even longer. Tsunade, give me your answer after you have considered it..."

"Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan..."

Suddenly, Naruto descended from the sky and appeared out of nowhere.

"Danger..."

Faced with Naruto's sudden attack, Kabuto Yakushi and Orochimaru scattered to evade. Naruto's Rasengan struck the ground, blasting out a massive crater.

"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!"

Jiraiya slammed both palms against the ground. Orochimaru, who had just landed, was swallowed into the swamp.

Taking the opportunity, Naruto formed two Rasengan in his hands and launched an attack on Kabuto Yakushi.

Kabuto Yakushi formed Chakra Scalpels in both hands and clashed with Naruto's Rasengan. His gaze beneath his glasses turned cold and sinister.

"What a surprise, Naruto. I never expected you to possess such strength, or to have mastered a ninjutsu like the Rasengan. You even managed to hide it from me."

Kabuto Yakushi's words left Naruto stunned. Hidden it from him? What had he done?

The Nine-Tails in the inner space was still watching the show. Naruto had improved quickly. After the events in the Land of Waves, he had been able to handle difficulties on his own without help. After training with Jiraiya, he could even fight Kabuto Yakushi evenly and would not be suppressed because of his lack of experience.

While Kabuto Yakushi had been infiltrating Konoha, he had constantly gathered intelligence, including information on graduates. Naruto's performance was completely different from the intelligence he had collected.

"Jiraiya..." Tsunade stared blankly at Naruto and Jiraiya, who had descended like divine reinforcements.

"Long time no see, Tsunade!" Jiraiya greeted her, his gaze fixed on Orochimaru. "This is not the time to catch up. We finally made it. Orochimaru, you really intended to have Tsunade treat you!"

Even trapped in the swamp, Orochimaru did not panic. "Jiraiya, it seems you have not changed at all. You are still as foolish as ever!"

"Heh... Orochimaru, you have gone too far. You even killed the old man. This time, I will not let you go!" Jiraiya's eyes widened with killing intent as he formed hand seals.

"Fire Release: Flame Bullet!"

Jiraiya spat out a blazing fireball at Orochimaru.

Orochimaru let out a scream. Then, a pair of hands suddenly pried open Orochimaru's mouth. Using the Orochimaru-Style Substitution Technique, he shed his skin and emerged from within. His tongue then spat out the Sword of Kusanagi, which shot toward Jiraiya.

Jiraiya's eyes narrowed, and he hurriedly dodged, causing Orochimaru's Sword of Kusanagi to miss. With Jiraiya no longer supplying chakra, the swamp on the ground returned to normal.

Orochimaru drew back his tongue, panting heavily as his face grew even paler. He was in poor condition now. The souls in his hands were still sealed by the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, leaving him unable to use his hands to perform ninjutsu.

Kabuto Yakushi was being suppressed by Naruto and had no chance to break away and help him.

"Tsunade, judging by today's situation, you will not be able to make a decision. One week from now, I will wait for your answer on the plains outside!" Orochimaru began to retreat.

"Don't think you can run!" Jiraiya hurriedly chased after him.

Bang!

Kabuto Yakushi deliberately exposed an opening and allowed Naruto's Rasengan to strike his abdomen, sending him flying.

However, it had been intentional. After seeing Orochimaru retreat, Kabuto Yakushi had activated Yin Healing Wound Destruction in advance to minimize his injuries, allowing Naruto's Rasengan to hit him. Then, as if nothing had happened, he quickly fled.

"What?" Naruto was astonished and immediately gave chase.

This situation was quite different. Kabuto Yakushi had activated Yin Healing Wound Destruction beforehand, so Naruto's Rasengan did not inflict much damage.

In Awen's memories, Kabuto Yakushi had activated that ninjutsu only after being struck by Naruto's Rasengan, which had caused him to suffer severe injuries.

Naruto chased after him as well, but Kabuto Yakushi had already escaped using Earth Release and shaken him off.

"That guy is really troublesome. He got away!" Naruto said after returning to Shizune and Tsunade.

Jiraiya also returned empty-handed. There was no need to say anything about Orochimaru's skill at escaping and staying alive.

"Damn Orochimaru... Tsunade, how are you? Are you all right?" Jiraiya asked with concern.

Shizune gently shook her head. Tsunade had still not recovered. Even now, the sight of blood frightened her.

Naruto said, "Sorry for interrupting your reunion, Pervy Sage, but this is not a good place to talk, right? That commotion was too big. Let's find somewhere quieter to rest for a while."

"Mm, that works. Tsunade, let's go. I also want to know exactly what Orochimaru said to you earlier." Jiraiya was smiling, but his tone allowed no refusal. Orochimaru wanted to harm Konoha. If Tsunade joined forces with Orochimaru and attacked Konoha, then even if it was Tsunade, he would not let her off.

The four of them found an inn and settled in. Inside a room, Tsunade had recovered somewhat and was drinking with Jiraiya.

"Tell me, Jiraiya. You did not come looking for me with this brat just to reminisce, did you? Hurry up and say it. What exactly do you want from me?" Tsunade drained the alcohol in her cup in one gulp. Her slightly intoxicated face was flushed and somewhat alluring, making it impossible for Jiraiya to look away.

Jiraiya did not beat around the bush and said directly, "Tsunade, the village has decided to appoint you as the Fifth Hokage!"

Shizune was shocked, and Tsunade froze as she set down her wine cup.

Jiraiya continued, "Tsunade, you participated in the Shinobi World War and made tremendous contributions. You are the finest medical ninja, the granddaughter of the First Hokage, and extremely powerful. Konoha's higher-ups have unanimously decided to appoint you as Konoha's Fifth Hokage."

"No..." Tsunade's eyes trembled slightly. After pouring herself another cup of wine, she drained it in one gulp. "Only idiots and fools would become Hokage. I refuse!"

Jiraiya was not surprised and smiled. "Just as expected, you refused. Just like when I confessed to you and asked you to date me."

Tsunade looked at Naruto. "Jiraiya, who is this brat you brought with you? Is he your student?"

Naruto introduced himself. "My name is Naruto Uzumaki. I'm going to become Hokage, and I'll become a Hokage more outstanding than any of the previous ones, including you, Granny Tsunade!"

Tsunade's gaze sharpened. If anyone else had called her that, she would definitely have been angry. But for some reason, she did not feel disgusted when Naruto said it.