The End of the Three Sannin's Title

During this time, Naruto had done nothing but train and have fun, looking like he was on a carefree vacation. Jiraiya, on the other hand, had it rough, often wanting to talk to Tsunade.

But ever since then, Tsunade had stayed in her room. Even her meals were brought in by Shizune. Every time Jiraiya tried to have a proper talk with Tsunade, he was refused, and she continued shutting herself away in her room.

It was not until this day, when the agreed time to meet Orochimaru arrived, that Tsunade finally came out of her room and left with Shizune.

Outside Tanzaku Town, Jiraiya and Naruto had been waiting since early in the morning. When he saw Tsunade emerge, Jiraiya stared at her with a solemn expression.

"Tsunade, you really are going to meet Orochimaru. Have you truly decided to join forces with him?"

Shizune looked conflicted. She did not know what Tsunade was thinking right now, either.

Tsunade glanced at Jiraiya, then at Naruto. The corners of her lips rose slightly, and she narrowed her eyes with a smile. "Come with me!"

"Uh..." Jiraiya froze. He could not make sense of what Tsunade was planning.

Naruto carefully noticed a bloodstain on Tsunade's finger. He immediately realized what she had been doing in her room these past few days. His blue eyes widened in shock, and he let out a breath of relief. Everything was settled!

Unlike the worried Jiraiya and Shizune, Naruto walked with his hands in his pockets and a bright smile on his face. He had already seen what would happen next. If they fought Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi, he and Shizune could hold Kabuto Yakushi down while Tsunade and Jiraiya dealt with Orochimaru. They might even be able to keep both of them here for good.

On the plains outside Tanzaku Town, Orochimaru stuck out his distinctive tongue. Unlike Naruto, the moment he saw Tsunade arrive with Jiraiya, he knew the answer.

"Hehe... Tsunade, have you made up your mind?"

Tsunade looked straight at Orochimaru, her eyes devoid of any confusion. "I refuse. And if you dare invade Konoha again, I will destroy you in the name of the Fifth Hokage!"

Hearing Tsunade's answer, Shizune and Jiraiya were overjoyed, while Naruto looked as if he had expected nothing less.

Orochimaru's face darkened terrifyingly. "Is that so? Tsunade, don't you want to see them again?"

"Of course I do!" Tsunade cried out emotionally.

"Ever since you said you could let me see them again, I've thought of them every day. I truly loved them, and I truly wanted to see them one more time..." Tsunade spoke through tears. At that moment, she did not look like the renowned Tsunade of the Three Sannin, but like a weak and fragile woman.

Tsunade wiped away her tears, her gaze turning resolute. "You're talking about the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu, aren't you? If Nawaki and Dan knew that I was going to sacrifice two innocent people just to see them once more, they would never forgive me. The past cannot be changed, but the future can still be saved. In the name of the Hokage, I will protect Konoha. Do not underestimate the Will of Fire!"

Tsunade's words made Jiraiya, Shizune, and Naruto's blood boil. The four stood shoulder to shoulder, facing Orochimaru.

Orochimaru licked his lips and bit his finger. Seeing that Tsunade remained calm, his gaze shifted slightly. "Interesting. It seems quite a lot has happened to you too, Tsunade."

"The title of the Three Sannin ends here. Jiraiya, let's go!" Tsunade tossed her green coat, bearing the character for gambling, directly to Naruto and charged forward first.

"Right!" Jiraiya eagerly rushed after Tsunade. "Orochimaru, you won't be so lucky this time!"

Naruto called out, "Big Sister Shizune, let's go too! Let's knock Kabuto Yakushi flat together!"

"Right, Naruto!" Shizune answered. Just as she was about to rush forward with Naruto, a pink crystal shuriken suddenly shot toward them.

Naruto and Shizune narrowed their eyes and split apart in opposite directions as the enormous pink shuriken flew past.

"You will not interfere with Lord Orochimaru!"

A blue-haired girl dressed in green appeared before them. Her black eyes coldly regarded Naruto and Shizune.

Kabuto Yakushi stood to the side and adjusted his glasses. "Guren, can I leave these two to you?"

"Hmph..." The girl called Guren snorted. She was deeply disgusted with Kabuto Yakushi and somewhat jealous as well. She said coldly, "Just don't delay Lord Orochimaru's plans!"

Kabuto Yakushi did not get angry. He simply regarded Guren as a little girl who was jealous and wanted to compete for favor. After all, his relationship with Orochimaru was close enough to make Guren jealous.

Kabuto Yakushi pointed at Naruto. "You should be careful of that ninja called Naruto."

"Hmph, Kabuto Yakushi, I really don't know what Lord Orochimaru sees in you!" Guren said disdainfully.

Kabuto Yakushi spread his hands. "I warned you. I'll leave this place to you while I go help Lord Orochimaru."

Whoosh!

As Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru fought in a tangled melee, Kabuto Yakushi suddenly appeared and helped Orochimaru form hand seals, summoning the creature Manda.

Jiraiya and Tsunade were no less willing to be outdone. They summoned Gamabunta and Katsuyu, and the battle of the Three Sannin reached a fever pitch.

Naruto was equally shocked. Crystal Release user Guren had actually appeared. Because of him, Orochimaru had sent Guren here. If Kimimaro's injuries had not been too severe, Kimimaro would likely have been the one who came this time.

Though she might not have been as strong as Kimimaro, Guren was still powerful. Her Crystal Release Kekkei Genkai was especially troublesome. At this point, she was also a fanatical follower who had been brainwashed by Orochimaru, blindly worshipping him. Chosen by Orochimaru as a candidate sacrifice for Living Corpse Reincarnation, she even considered it a great honor.

Orochimaru had a knack for brainwashing people and possessed a unique kind of charisma. Otherwise, so many people would not have willingly followed him. Not everyone could be like White-Clad Sasuke, who had followed Orochimaru for three years yet had not been brainwashed like the others and still retained his kind nature.

"A Kekkei Genkai! That girl actually possesses a Kekkei Genkai, Naruto, be careful!" Shizune said as if facing a formidable enemy.

Although Guren had just mocked Kabuto Yakushi, that did not mean she had ignored his warning.

"Crystal Release: Crystal God Crossing Technique!"

A row of crystals extended in a straight line across the ground toward Naruto and Shizune!

"Wind Release Rasengan!" Naruto hurled it at the oncoming crystals on the ground. With a loud crack, the Wind Release Rasengan shattered them and interrupted Guren's jutsu.

Shizune charged at Guren, spraying a cloud of poison mist from her mouth.

This poison mist was created when Shizune transformed the chakra within her body into a special chemical substance. Upon coming into contact with the air, it became a purple poisonous mist with extremely potent toxins.

Guren frowned slightly and condensed a crescent-shaped emerald crystal blade around her right arm. Completely ignoring the poison mist, she moved with incredible speed and slashed across Shizune's chest. Shizune stared in disbelief. Had she not dodged in time, she would have been cut in half.

Bang!

Naruto threw a Wind Release Rasengan, striking Guren's body. Guren's form shattered like crystal. The one who had attacked Shizune was merely Guren's Crystal Release clone, which was why she could ignore the poison mist and injure Shizune.