A powerful kekkei genkai, exceptional combat talent and intelligence, and a capacity far beyond his peers-was this another genius like Itachi?
Thinking of Uchiha Itachi, a man of few words whose every move shook the world, Orochimaru could not help letting out two cold chuckles, a fierce, greedy gleam showing in his eyes.
"Orochimaru!"
Tsunade barked from beside him, her gaze hostile. She had heard a fair amount about her former teammate, but if he dared harbor any designs on Naoki, he could not blame her for disregarding their old friendship!
Among the Konoha Sannin, their summoned beasts also countered one another, and Katsuyu was particularly effective against Orochimaru's snake summons from Ryūchi Cave.
Because Katsuyu could split apart and use medical ninjutsu, she had nothing to fear from the snakes' two strongest methods of attack. Her acid, however, could inflict tremendous damage on snakes, making her an absolute counter.
Orochimaru came back to himself and reined in his smile. The greed in his eyes vanished as well, and he explained to Tsunade:
"Something came to mind, so I got a little distracted. Come, I'll take you to my base in the Land of Rice Fields."
Tsunade looked toward Naoki Senju. Naoki shook his head gently, indicating that Orochimaru had not been targeting him just now. But afterward, Tsunade's gaze remained guarded whenever she looked at Orochimaru. Clearly, after so many years apart, she could not feel entirely at ease around him.
"All right, the poison has been neutralized. You'll be able to move again in a little while."
Shizune took out a sealing scroll and stored away the test tubes and medicines scattered across the ground. Neutralizing datura toxin was not difficult for her, so she worked extremely quickly.
"Thank you." Guren sounded rather unaccustomed to thanking someone. Then, with Shizune's support, she stood up and slowly moved her body.
Orochimaru, however, did not so much as look at the poisoned Guren, walking ahead on his own. Guren gritted her teeth and tried to force herself to follow him.
But with the datura toxin only just neutralized, Guren barely had any strength. Before she had taken two steps, she pitched forward.
"Lord Orochimaru..."
Even as she was about to land face-first, Guren did not close her eyes. This was a ninja's basic discipline: maintaining absolute self-control in the face of danger and never missing a single chance to turn defeat into victory.
Fortunately, a hand caught Guren's collar the next instant. With a firm tug, Naoki Senju settled her onto a Wood Clone's back, then explained quietly to Tsunade, who wore a faintly amused expression:
"Her kekkei genkai is Crystal Release. If handled properly, the profits would be enough for you to build the biggest casino in the entire Shinobi World, Sister Tsunade. Then you could gamble however you liked."
"Hmph, did you really need to explain all that to me?" Tsunade tossed her golden ponytail with a haughty air and stopped paying attention to the weakened Guren, looking as though she did not care at all.
But if she truly did not care, she would not have been so tense just now. Amused, Naoki Senju kept pace with Tsunade and walked beside her.
Shizune still needed to look after Guren to prevent a repeat of what had just happened. Besides, a plant toxin like datura, which was not particularly potent but had very long-lasting effects, was a good learning opportunity for her.
Glancing at the two ahead, who were growing ever more intimate as they chatted, laughed, and playfully tussled, Shizune felt certain that something had happened. It was definitely not as simple as fighting side by side, but she could not think of what unusual thing might have happened.
No matter how hard Shizune racked her brains, she could never have imagined Naoki Senju's boldness and decisiveness. After all, she was only an inexperienced young woman herself, and matters of love and romance lay far beyond her understanding.
The following day, Naoki Senju's group arrived at the base in the Land of Rice Fields.
Orochimaru's secret base in the Land of Rice Fields lay near the border, in an extremely secluded mountain village. Clear waters and green mountains surrounded it, oxen plowed verdant fields, and wisps of cooking smoke rose from the homes. Had Orochimaru himself not led the way, Naoki Senju truly would not have believed this was his base.
"We're here. Let Guren show you around the base first. I'll go organize the ninjutsu materials on Wood Release. However, some secret Wood Release techniques are recorded only in the Senju Clan's secret traditions. If you want those, you'll still need to return to Konoha."
Standing before the village gates, Orochimaru gave Guren a few instructions, then headed alone to the experimental facility in the mountains behind the village. His manner was somewhat cold, but Tsunade seemed long accustomed to it.
"Konoha..." Tsunade clenched her small, delicate fists. If she had still held out hope for Konoha before, Danzo and Root's actions had made her utterly loathe the village.
It was time to settle some scores!
"Sister Tsunade." Naoki Senju took her tightly clenched hand, cradling it in his palm and opening it little by little before interlacing their fingers. Their gazes met as well.
"I said I would protect you, Sister Tsunade. So let me handle these things, all right?"
Tsunade gave her captured hand a gentle tug... but could not pull it free. Then she stole a worried glance at Shizune. Seeing that Shizune was happily playing with Tonton and had not noticed them, she finally felt relieved.
Giving Naoki a moderately firm swat, Tsunade chided him in a sweet voice:
"Don't be so brazen in front of Shizune. What if she notices? And as for Konoha, we'll discuss that after you learn Wood Release. Stop letting your thoughts run wild all day."
Naoki Senju nodded repeatedly, humbly accepting her criticism but firmly refusing to change. The hand holding Tsunade's began to misbehave as well. Tsunade shot him several embarrassed, annoyed glares to no avail, and only when Guren returned nearby did he behave himself.
"Lady Tsunade, your accommodations are ready. Please follow me."
Guren led Tsunade, Naoki, and Shizune to a house on the mountainside near the summit, then stopped and introduced it:
"This residence was originally built for Lord Orochimaru, but he has always lived in the laboratory and has never stayed here. All the furniture and bedding inside are therefore brand-new. Would you like them replaced?"
Tsunade glanced around casually, nodded with considerable satisfaction, and instructed:
"There's no need to replace the furnishings or furniture. Replace the bedding and everyday necessities in the rooms. I also need some medicinal herbs and equipment."
As she spoke, a slip of paper had already appeared in Tsunade's hand. She handed it to Guren without ceremony, then began touring what would be her new home for the next several years.
Guren took the slip and gave it a casual glance. Then her gaze grew grave, and her body began to tremble involuntarily. This was "some medicinal herbs"?
Thousand-year snow lotuses native to the Land of Snow, premium deer antler velvet produced by the Nara Clan of the Land of Fire, gastrodia, ginseng, and notoginseng native to the Land of Grass...
None of those were the real issue. The crucial part was Tsunade's final note.
One hundred jin of each!!!
If they really tried to gather everything, Lord Orochimaru's plan to establish the Sound Ninja Village would probably go bankrupt.
Seemingly noticing Guren's difficulty, Naoki Senju approached of his own accord and spoke in an exceedingly enticing tone:
"Are you finding this difficult, Sister Guren? It's all right. I have a way..."