A Peaceful Departure

Tsunade quieted down. Everyone stared at Princess Tsunade, whose neck was being held and whose limbs hung limply, her face a mask of distress.

Just as he had predicted, Princess Tsunade's status, especially her political significance, was paramount among all the ninja present. The Third Hokage could sacrifice even himself, but Tsunade…

was out of the question.

"Let her go! I'll take her place!" Jiraiya roared, his face a picture of fury.

Orochimaru's expression turned cold, his narrow eyes narrowing as he scrutinized Oguri Hayashi like a blade.

"Lord Jiraiya, are you foolish? You think you're fit to replace Princess Tsunade?" Oguri Hayashi completely ignored him. Jiraiya might simply be concerned for his comrade, but he hadn't considered Tsunade's political significance at all. As the most pure-blooded princess of the Senju Clan in Konoha, did Jiraiya even have the right to claim kinship?!

"Jiraiya, that's enough," the Third Hokage said, raising his hand to stop him.

"What are your conditions?"

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

Oguri Hayashi calmly held Tsunade's neck, pressing close to her as he spoke.

He didn't know if Minato Namikaze had developed space ninjutsu yet, but it wouldn't be strange for a seventeen or sixteen-year-old Minato to suddenly possess space ninjutsu. Even if Tsunade didn't have his mark on her, he could have set up a mark beforehand and suddenly appeared to snatch Tsunade away.

He wouldn't give Minato that chance.

"I understand. Let him go," the Third Hokage said, his gaze fixed on Oguri Hayashi as he raised his hand and shouted.

"Third Hokage!"

"Teacher!"

"Old man!"

The ninja couldn't help but stir.

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

If Oguri Hayashi broke his promise and killed Tsunade, it would be the Third Hokage's fault.

The Third Hokage understood this clearly.

But then he remembered the intelligence that had arrived a few days ago.

The secret scrolls of the Stone Ninja and Cloud Ninja had been stolen. Because they were at war, both sides suspected the other. But logically, this didn't make sense. The Cloud Ninja had more Lightning Release users and focused on taijutsu training, while the Stone Ninja were mostly Earth Release users who focused on ninjutsu training. Why would they want the other's ninjutsu scrolls?

Comparing that to the time Oguri Hayashi disappeared and the blue-glowing ninjutsu he used.

It was likely that he was responsible for both incidents.

Coupled with his current infiltration of Konoha to steal its secret scrolls.

It was likely that only the child before him had the ability to accomplish such feats.

Furthermore, he had never shown any hostile attitude or methods. Even now, he hadn't injured a single Konoha ninja.

His actions led the Third Hokage to judge that he had no ill intentions. Perhaps becoming stronger was his true goal.

And with Tsunade in his hands, would he really risk her life to fight him to the death for a secret scroll?

The Third Hokage had made up his mind. The ninja could only obey, clearing a path and glaring at Oguri Hayashi with hatred and anger.

Oguri Hayashi couldn't grip Tsunade's neck with just one hand, but he had his wrist around her neck and his other hand gripping her clothes, even lifting her up entirely. This leveled the difference in their heights. However, Tsunade's arms had been dislocated, and with her legs held by Oguri Hayashi, she couldn't exert any force, making her a very weak hostage.

As a medical ninja, she was no stranger to setting bones. Even with both her arms dislocated, she could reset them given the chance.

What mattered was that chance.

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

Oguri Hayashi, carrying Tsunade, who was several times heavier than himself, walked out step by step.

Amidst the furious glares of the Konoha ninja, he slowly made his way out.

The Konoha ninja knew in their hearts that based on the taijutsu he had displayed, few of them present could defeat him in taijutsu.

But even if they were outmatched, they would never retreat. This was the way of the Konoha ninja.

Oguri Hayashi walked out of Konoha step by step. Standing before the village, he turned his head, ignoring the countless ninja glaring at him, and spoke to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Hokage, pay close attention to those 'acquaintances' who mysteriously appear in the village."

After saying this, he didn't wait for the Third Hokage's reaction and instantly disappeared with Tsunade.

He was seen stepping on the trees a few times before rushing out over a hundred meters.

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

"I understand," Orochimaru nodded, his gaze shifting to the ninja.

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

Orochimaru nodded at them, and the four of them instantly vanished from everyone's sight.

"This matter is of the highest secrecy level in Konoha. Do not tell anyone!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said to the ninja around him as he watched the four disappear.

Ordinary soldiers would certainly not be able to maintain such secrecy, but ninja were known for their discretion. This matter was naturally covered up.

"Announce to the public that Tsunade has gone on vacation, to train, or to search for medicinal herbs. Spread false rumors!" The Third Hokage, as a disciple of the Second Hokage, was flawless in his arrangements, leaving no room for enemies to investigate.

"Old man!" Jiraiya couldn't help but call out anxiously as he watched Orochimaru and the others disappear.

"Jiraiya, you come with me." Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at him, waved his hand at the other ninja, and they dispersed instantly. However, they knew that tonight was destined to be a sleepless one. The Sealing Squad and Barrier Squad would have to conduct thorough investigations. As for the other ninja, they wouldn't sleep at all; they would be on high alert, guarding against the possibility that Oguri Hayashi was merely a decoy to lure them away, with the real objective being to infiltrate Konoha for attack, reconnaissance, or theft.

"Teacher Sarutobi!" Jiraiya called out anxiously again as he followed the Third Hokage on the rooftops. He liked Tsunade but had never expressed it. Faced with the situation of his beloved being kidnapped by an enemy, his personality wouldn't allow him to remain calm.

"Jiraiya, I have something for you to do. This matter is extremely important," the Third Hokage said seriously, turning to Jiraiya.

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