The fierce battle in Snow Moon Castle Black Ice Hall did not end in the romantic way of "sympathizing with each other and agreeing to fight again" as the storyteller exaggerated.
The real situation is much more abrupt and bizarre.
Just as Naruto and Sasuke entered Cursed Seal mode were at war, and a new round of fighting was about to break out, two suffocating Chakras came crashing down from two different directions in the hall without warning, like landslides and tsunamis.
A violent and fiery wave, with scorching air waves and heroic and unruly momentum, like a volcanic eruption.
There was a cold and sticky feeling, with a snake hissing sound and a bone-deep chill, as if it came from Jiuyou Yomi.
Two completely opposite but equally terrifying forces were not directed at Naruto and Sasuke, but collided violently in the center of the hall!
"Sage Art·Sage Art: Goemon!"
"Ninpo·Many Snakes Formation!"
The fiery storm of Flames mixed with Toad Oil and the torrent of hundreds and thousands of poisonous snakes that surged out like a tide, strangled, devoured, and annihilated crazily in the empty hall.
The shock wave of the explosion threw away the remaining ice crystals, gravel, and even Kazahana Dōtō's headless body, causing the entire Palace to tremble violently!
Naruto and Sasuke's expressions changed dramatically at the same time, and they quickly retreated to avoid the aftermath of the battle that was far beyond their current levels.
And in this earth-shattering confrontation, the "Jiraiya" that Naruto had been wary of, and the "Orochimaru" lurking in the shadows, finally showed some of their true colors, or rather... revealed their flaws.
The fiery and violent Flames storm with Toad Oil's unique aura is clearly one of Mount Myōboku Toad Senjutsu's signatures.
And the "Jiraiya" who has been following Naruto, who is addicted to alcohol and lust, and occasionally looks gloomy, the Chakra exuding from his body at this moment, but under the reflection of the Flames storm, there is a faint hint of the cold and smooth essence belonging to Orochimaru!
On the contrary, the figure of "Many Snakes Formation" emerged from the shadow. Although the move was sinister, deep inside Chakra, there was a more majestic and majestic aura that was deep in Naruto's memory and connected to the word "hero"!
In a flash of lightning, Naruto's mind was like lightning flashing across his mind, and all the doubtful points were instantly understood!
That's it!
It turns out that Jiraiya, who had been following him, teaching him, and taking him away from Konoha, and even just now taking over the job of assassinating Kazahana Dōtō outside, was actually Orochimaru in disguise.
And Orochimaru, who has been lurking in the shadows, walking with Sasuke, and whom he regards as the biggest threat, is the real Jiraiya!
Although Naruto had long doubted the authenticity of "Jiraiya" around him, the opponent's strength performance and the detailed information about Jiraiya.
Taijutsu is superb, Ninjutsu is comprehensive, he is proficient in Sealing Jutsu, he can channel two Great Toad Sage, and he can even use powerful Genjutsu, so he can never be completely sure.
After all, even if Sage Mode is not turned on, Jiraiya under normal conditions is also the benchmark among the strong Kage Level, which is theoretically enough to suppress Orochimaru.
Jiraiya may not be able to kill Orochimaru, but it is possible for normal Jiraiya to defeat Orochimaru.
Who would have thought that Orochimaru not only disguised his appearance, personality, and habits, but even his level of strength and fighting style to look real?
Thinking about it now, on the eve of her engagement to Hinata, it was Orochimaru who forcibly took her out of Konoha, disguised as Jiraiya.
"Finding clues to Parents's enemy" is simply an excuse.
And in the scene before us, it is probably not accidental that the two former "Sannin" appeared to confront each other in this way.
Naruto understood instantly.
This is probably some kind of agreement between Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
The two exchanged apprentices for teaching, and agreed to settle the entangled grudges between them through a duel between apprentices.
He and Sasuke are just pawns and trial subjects in their long game.
After thinking about all this, Naruto felt mixed emotions.
There is anger at being deceived and used, there is a sudden realization that the truth is revealed, and there is also a feeling of extreme absurdity.
With the official appearance of the two "masters", the battle of Snow Moon Castle naturally cannot continue.
Sasuke was taken away by Jilai and disappeared into the darkness.
And the Jiraiya next to Naruto has also lost the need to continue pretending.
In the following days, Naruto helped Kazahana Koyuki stabilize the situation of Land of Snow, found the real "Spring Descent Deity" and successfully launched it, witnessing the miracle of the frozen land coming back to life.
Asama Sandayu burst into tears of gratitude and offered the promised generous reward.
Kazahana Koyuki was officially crowned and became New Daimyo of the Land of Snow. He finally took off the disguise of "Princess Gale", and his eyes showed the perseverance and responsibility of a king.
After dealing with all this, Naruto decided to leave Land of Snow temporarily. He needed to clear his mind, and he also needed to go back and face the "mess" that he had avoided for a long time - Konoha, Hyuga Clan.
He first went to the Land of Snow market and carefully selected some gifts.
For Hinata, it is a warm jade pendant that is special to Land of Snow and can warm and nourish the meridians; for Hanabi, it is several exquisite picture books recording the ancient legends of Land of Snow; for Hyuga Hiashi...
He hesitated again and again and chose a ceremonial dagger made of Land of Snow cold iron. It said it meant "hidden edge". Maybe it could alleviate the future father-in-law's anger a little?
As for Neji...
Naruto thought about it and bought a set of excellent quality weight-bearing wristbands, which are practical and less likely to cause misunderstandings.
When he packed his bags and was about to leave, the figure who had "no longer acted" naturally followed him.
Orochimaru has returned to its original appearance - pale face, Golden Snake Eyes, loose black hair, and a loose Kimono.
He no longer used that pretentiously heroic or lazy tone, nor did he deliberately conceal his cold, inquiring temperament, as if he was analyzing everything all the time.
He followed not far away, Golden's vertical pupils stared straight at Naruto's back, his eyes were complex, sometimes flashing with appreciation, sometimes flashing with contemplation, sometimes with a burning feeling like seeing a "precious experimental object", sometimes with some kind of indescribable... emotion?
Naruto felt uncomfortable being stared at, but he couldn't drive him away and might not be able to beat him, so he could only pretend not to see him.
Finally, when Snow Moon Castle was resting at the first station, Orochimaru took the initiative to sit next to Naruto.
"It was indeed me who took you away before your wedding."
Orochimaru Gate of Opening came to the point, his voice was hoarse, but with a strange kind of frankness, "The agreement with Jiraiya is part of the reason. The other part... is that I am very interested in you."
He Golden Snake Eyes turned slightly, "Uzumaki Clan's physique, and those... strange 'possibilities' in you."
Jiraiya's naive training method may not be able to fully tap your potential."
Naruto didn't answer the call, just ate the dry food in silence.
Orochimaru didn't care, as if he was just having an academic discussion, and continued, "The 'Nintaijutsu' you used when Snow Moon Castle dealt with Sasuke was a good idea. It combined the movements of Chakra Nature Transformation with Taijutsu, gave up the cumbersome seals, and pursued instant bursts and changes.
However, it is still a bit rough.
The Chakra circulation of Wind Pressure Pull can be more precise and reduce its own loss; the smoke and clothing protection of 'Kesa Slash' is indeed clever, but against the Sensing type Ninja or the more advanced Dōjutsu, the flaws are still obvious..."
He actually started to give sharp comments and guidance on Naruto's performance in the battle.
The tone is plain, but every sentence hits the point. The improvement direction proposed is also incredible, but it is vaguely consistent with the principles of Chakra and combat.
Naruto was sullen at first, but as he listened, he involuntarily pricked up his ears.
Orochimaru's guidance is completely different from Jiraiya's style that emphasizes momentum and will. It pays more attention to details, efficiency, and cold analysis of the essence of power.
Although his motives are suspicious and his methods are strange, his vision and knowledge are undoubtedly top-notch.
Seeing Naruto not responding, but the subtle changes in his eyes, the corners of Orochimaru's pale mouth raised a very faint, almost invisible arc.
"Konoha is a good place, but it is also full of constraints."
He suddenly changed the topic, his gaze seemed to penetrate the wall of the inn, looking towards the distant Land of Fire direction.
"Hyuga Clan...Caged Bird Seal's Cursed Seal is an interesting and troublesome thing. When you go back this time, you may face more than just a late wedding."
Naruto finally raised his eyes and looked at Orochimaru: "What do you know?"
Orochimaru just smiled meaningfully and did not answer directly.