Jiraiya's heart trembled slightly.
For now, he decided not to tell Naruto everything.
His true purpose in seeking out Tsunade was not merely to reunite with an old teammate—it was to persuade her to return to Konoha and assume the position of Hokage in place of Sarutobi-sensei.
"Let's go," Jiraiya said.
"Ah!" Naruto responded energetically.
And just like that, Naruto left the village alongside Jiraiya, setting out to find Tsunade.
Otogakure – A Secret Base
Deep within a hidden underground facility, Orochimaru slowly unrolled a scroll.
His golden, snake-like pupils scanned the contents carefully.
After reading, he extended his long tongue and licked his lips thoughtfully before raising his gaze toward the masked ninja standing before him.
"This is Danzo Shimura's intention?"
"Yes," the Root ninja replied in a low voice.
"He wants me to kill Tsunade?" Orochimaru sneered faintly. "Why would I do that?"
"Lord Danzo assumes you already understand the reason."
Orochimaru chuckled coldly.
"To make himself Hokage?"
"Even after all these years… he still hasn't let go of that obsession."
He closed the scroll.
"There is no animosity between Tsunade and me. We once fought side by side as comrades. Why would I kill her without cause?"
"What benefit would that bring me?"
The Root ninja hesitated before responding carefully.
"Lord Orochimaru… those don't sound like words you would normally say."
"After all… you even tried to kill your own teacher."
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Orochimaru slowly stood up.
To the Root ninja, it felt as though a colossal python had uncoiled itself behind him. An enormous shadow loomed overhead, suffocating and oppressive, ready to swallow him whole.
Cold sweat trickled down his back.
"Do you truly believe," Orochimaru said softly, "that someone like you can comprehend my thoughts?"
His pupils narrowed into vertical slits, terrifying and predatory.
"N-No… I wouldn't dare…"
"These are Lord Danzo's instructions."
The ninja swallowed hard.
"Lord Danzo also said… if you do not wish to kill Tsunade, you only need to prevent Jiraiya from persuading her to return to Konoha."
A faint smile appeared on Orochimaru's lips.
"Now we are finally speaking plainly."
He folded his arms.
"What are the terms?"
The Root ninja straightened slightly.
"Lord Danzo is willing to offer what you desire most."
Orochimaru's pupils constricted.
"Uchiha…"
"Sasuke?"
Silence lingered for a moment.
"Why should I believe Danzo can deliver him to me?"
The Root ninja replied steadily, though fear remained in his voice.
"If Lord Orochimaru prevents Tsunade from returning, Lord Danzo will rightfully become Hokage. Once that happens, dealing with Sasuke—an Uchiha descendant—will be effortless."
"Even if it cannot be done openly, there are countless subtle methods."
"Lord Danzo said that you and he have cooperated tacitly for years. This is no different. He hopes you will not betray your… long-standing understanding."
Orochimaru burst into laughter.
"Understanding? Coming from Danzo, that word is laughable."
He turned away slightly.
"But… the deal is not without appeal."
"You may return."
Relief flooded the Root ninja.
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru!"
"Lord Danzo awaits your good news."
Once the ninja departed, Yakushi Kabuto stepped forward from the shadows.
"Can you truly trust a man like Danzo?" Kabuto asked quietly.
His past with Danzo was complicated—and bitter.
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
"As long as people possess desire, cooperation is always possible."
"And no one understands that old man's desires better than I do."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses.
"So what is our course of action?"
"Prevent Jiraiya from persuading Tsunade."
Kabuto nodded slowly.
"Then we must first determine their location."
Orochimaru licked his lips, revealing a chilling smile.
"I know where Tsunade will likely go."
"Where?"
"Tanzaku Town."
On the Road to Tanzaku Town
"Hey, hey, Pervy Sage…"
Naruto trudged forward, a massive backpack strapped to his back—so large it looked like a small mountain.
Despite sweating profusely and struggling with the weight, he refused to complain.
"Where exactly are we going to find Granny Tsunade?"
Jiraiya walked ahead casually.
"Since leaving the village, Tsunade has wandered across the world. She rarely stays in one place for long."
"However… there is a town she frequents."
"Tanzaku Town. It's a famous cultural heritage site in the Land of Fire. It existed long before Konoha was founded."
Naruto's eyes sparkled.
"That's awesome!"
"There are so many things I want to buy!"
"Oh?" Jiraiya glanced back. "Like what?"
Naruto counted eagerly on his fingers.
"First, weighted leg and arm bands like Lee's. Then a really good sword. And after that…"
Jiraiya stopped walking.
"A sword?"
"Since when are you skilled with a blade?"
Naruto scratched his head sheepishly.
"I've been thinking about learning a new ninjutsu… a legendary one."
"Wind Release: Vacuum Blade!"
Jiraiya blinked in surprise.
"I recall seeing that technique once in Konoha. A man named Hayama Shirakumo used it."
"It was indeed formidable."
Naruto's eyes widened.
"So someone in Konoha already mastered it?!"
He immediately complained.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier, Pervy Sage?!"
Jiraiya crossed his arms.
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?"
"Where did you even learn about such a technique?"
Naruto froze.
He couldn't exactly say it was a system reward.
"Uh… well… I figured it out myself!"
Jiraiya looked skeptical, yet Naruto had previously developed creative applications of Shadow Clone training. It wasn't entirely impossible.
"Fine," Jiraiya said. "Once we reach Tanzaku Town, buy what you need."
"And while searching for Tsunade, we'll continue training."
"Yeah!"
Tanzaku Town
The scenery shifted.
Naruto stared in disbelief.
The town was vibrant and dazzling—far more extravagant than he had imagined.
Casinos. Luxury hotels. Bathhouses. Theaters.
It was one of the most prosperous places in the Land of Fire and a renowned tourist destination across the Five Great Nations.
Meanwhile—
Jiraiya was already seated comfortably in a lively establishment, surrounded by beautiful women, sake cup in hand.
Naruto's face darkened instantly.
"Pervy! Sage!"
"This is your idea of training?!"
Jiraiya laughed heartily and took a deep sip of sake.
"Naruto, you're still too young to understand the three great ninja taboos."
"You're breaking all three at once!" Naruto shouted.
Jiraiya waved dismissively.
"I'm not just enjoying myself—I'm gathering information."
"And asking around about Tsunade."
Naruto crossed his arms, unconvinced.
"You're not gathering anything!"
"Information comes in unexpected ways," Jiraiya replied smoothly.
"Take your allowance and explore. We don't come to towns like this every day."
Naruto grumbled.
"I came here to train."
"You promised to teach me new techniques!"
Jiraiya leaned back lazily.
"Train on your own for now. I have… equipment to gather."
Naruto sighed heavily.
"What an unreliable old man…"
He left the noisy shop, determination replacing his frustration.
"Fine. I'll train by myself."
"And since this place is so prosperous, I'll buy everything I need first!"
Excitement returned instantly.
Tanzaku Town shimmered under the afternoon sun, alive with energy and endless possibilities.
Naruto stepped forward eagerly.
Training, new techniques, and maybe even finding Tsunade—
His journey was only just beginning.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)