The sixteenth day of Izanami.
Steady rain fell over Shikkotsu Forest.
At the foot of the stone steps, Jiraiya held an oil-paper umbrella over Tsunade, shielding her from the rain.
She had gone sixteen days without food or water, relying entirely on the Strength of a Hundred Seal to keep her body functioning. But after the wear of a million loops, the markings released by the seal were visibly fading...
Tsunade was running out of time.
Jiraiya's expression grew increasingly grave.
"This can't go on. Tsunade's life really will be in danger. Orochimaru, release Izanami first! Let her recover her strength, then try again!"
Orochimaru shook his head. "No technique is flawless, and Izanami is no exception. Once activated, even its caster cannot release it at will. Only the person caught in it can escape the loop through their own strength..."
Jiraiya was shocked. "What...!? Why didn't you tell us that sooner?!"
Orochimaru smiled. "Whether I told you sooner or not, it wouldn't have changed Tsunade's decision."
That was true!
Jiraiya gritted his teeth.
"How long did it take someone else to escape Izanami's loop?"
"The only precedent I know of is Kabuto. He took half a day..."
"What... half a day?!"
"That boy had extraordinary insight. He was simply too fixated. Once he saw through his own obsession, accepted it openly, and let it go... he found himself again in the shortest possible time."
Jiraiya clenched his fists. "So... Tsunade's insight isn't good enough?"
Orochimaru's answer was startling. "No... she successfully adjusted herself to meet my expectations in three days. However, she developed a new obsession, so she hasn't escaped the loop."
"What did you say...?!"
Jiraiya said, "You're contradicting yourself! If she's already achieved the preset goal, how could she still be trapped? Even if she developed a