Safe Departure

Tsunade fell silent. Everyone's faces darkened as they looked at Princess Tsunade, whose neck was held and whose hands hung limply at her sides.

Just as he had expected, Princess Tsunade's status—especially her political significance—was such that, among all the ninja present, the Third Hokage could sacrifice even himself, but Tsunade alone...

Was untouchable.

"Let her go! I'll take her place!" Jiraiya roared furiously.

Orochimaru's expression turned icy. His narrow eyes narrowed further as he scrutinized Oguri Hayashi like blades.

"Have you gone stupid, Lord Jiraiya? What makes you think you're worthy of replacing Princess Tsunade?" Oguri Hayashi did not even spare him a glance. Jiraiya might simply have been concerned for his comrade, but he had not considered Tsunade's political importance in the slightest. As the princess of Konoha's purest-blooded Senju Clan, was Jiraiya worthy of taking her place?

"Jiraiya, say no more." The Third Hokage raised a hand to stop Jiraiya.

"What are your conditions?"

"I will leave Konoha safely with the Book of Ninja. Princess Tsunade will be returned to you in three days."

Oguri Hayashi calmly kept an arm around Tsunade's neck, pressing close against her as he spoke.

He did not know whether Minato Namikaze had developed Space Ninjutsu yet, but it would not have been strange for sixteen- or seventeen-year-old Minato Namikaze to suddenly possess Space Ninjutsu. Even if Tsunade did not bear his mark, he could set one up ahead of time along the route, appear out of nowhere, and snatch Tsunade away.

He would not give Minato Namikaze that chance.

"Understood. Let him go." The Third Hokage stared fixedly at Oguri Hayashi, then raised his hand and shouted.

"Lord Third!"

"Sensei!"

"Old man!"

The ninja could not help but stir restlessly.

"I will bear all consequences," the Third Hokage shouted.

If Oguri Hayashi broke his word and killed Tsunade, then the blame would fall on the Third Hokage.

The Third Hokage understood that clearly.

But he recalled the intelligence report delivered a few days earlier.

The secret books of the Stone Shinobi and Cloud Ninja had been stolen. Since the two sides were at war, they both suspected the other of the theft. Yet that made no sense. The Cloud Ninja had more Lightning Release users and focused on taijutsu training, while the Stone Shinobi were mostly Earth Release users who focused on ninjutsu. What would they want with the other side's ninjutsu scrolls?

Then there was the timing of Oguri Hayashi's disappearance, along with the blue-glowing ninjutsu he had used.

He was likely responsible for both incidents.

And now, he had boldly infiltrated Konoha and stolen Konoha's secret book.

There was probably only one person capable of doing all those things: the child standing before them.

Furthermore, he had never shown any hostile attitude or used any hostile methods. Even now, he had not injured a single Konoha ninja.

His actions led the Third Hokage to conclude that he harbored no ill intent. Perhaps he truly only wanted to become stronger.

And with Tsunade in his hands, could they really disregard her life and fight him to the death here over a Secret Technique Scroll?

The Third Hokage had already made his decision. The ninja could only obey, parting to open a path while glaring at Oguri Hayashi with hatred and fury.

One hand alone could not grip Tsunade's neck, so Oguri Hayashi wrapped his wrist around it instead. With his other hand clutching Tsunade's clothes, he even lifted her directly into his arms. That erased the difference in their heights. Tsunade's arms had already been dislocated, and with Oguri Hayashi holding her legs, she could not exert any strength. She was an exceptionally helpless hostage.

As a Medical Ninja, she was naturally no stranger to setting bones. Even with both arms dislocated, she could immediately set them back if given an opportunity.

The important thing was that opportunity.

If she had been given the chance to set her bones, Jiraiya and Orochimaru would have rescued her long ago.

Oguri Hayashi carried Tsunade, who weighed several times more than he did, and slowly walked outward, one step at a time.

Under the furious stares of the Konoha ninja, he strolled away at an unhurried pace.

The Konoha ninja understood that, judging by the taijutsu he had displayed, few among them could defeat him in hand-to-hand combat.

But even if they could not win, they would never retreat. That was what Konoha's ninja were like.

Oguri Hayashi walked out of Konoha step by step. Standing before the village, he turned around, ignored the countless ninja eyeing him like tigers, and addressed Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage.

"Lord Hokage, keep a close eye on those familiar people who appear in the village for no apparent reason."

After saying that, he did not wait for the Third Hokage's response. He vanished from the spot with Tsunade.

They only saw him kick off the trees several times before he had already shot more than a hundred meters away.

"Orochimaru, lead Shisui Uchiha, Minato Namikaze, and Hyuga Hiashi to form a pursuit squad. You must bring Tsunade back!" Hiruzen Sarutobi shouted.

"Understood." Orochimaru nodded and turned his gaze toward the ninja.

Shisui Uchiha, Minato Namikaze, and Hyuga Hiashi instantly appeared before him.

Orochimaru nodded at them, and the four vanished from everyone's sight in an instant.

"This matter is classified at Konoha's highest level. No one is to tell anyone!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said to the ninja beside him as he watched the four disappear.

Ordinary soldiers might not have been able to keep such a secret, but ninja were known for secrecy. The matter was naturally covered up.

"Announce that Tsunade has gone away to clear her mind, train, and gather medicinal herbs. Release false information!" As the Second Hokage's disciple, the Third Hokage's arrangements were flawless, leaving enemies no reason to investigate.

"Old man!" Watching Orochimaru and the others vanish before them, Jiraiya could not help but cry out anxiously.

"Jiraiya, come with me." Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at him and waved to the other ninja. They immediately dispersed, though they knew this night was destined to be sleepless. The Sealing Squad and Barrier Squad would conduct thorough inspections one by one. As for the other ninja, none would sleep either. They would remain on guard against the possibility that Oguri Hayashi was merely bait to lure the tiger from the mountain, while the enemy's true goal was to infiltrate Konoha to attack, scout, or steal.

"Sensei Hiruzen!" Following the Third Hokage across the rooftops, Jiraiya could not help calling out anxiously once more. He loved Tsunade but had never shown it. With the woman he loved taken away by an enemy, how could someone of his temperament possibly endure it?

"Jiraiya, I have something for you to do. It is extremely important." Hiruzen Sarutobi turned around, looked at Jiraiya, and spoke solemnly.