Chapter 34: Time’s Up

Chapter 34: Time’s Up

Chapter 34: Time's Up

One must admit, Danzo is quite adept at training ninjas.

Even Hagoromo Gengetsu had to acknowledge that these Root ninjas were not inferior to the elite shinobi of the Warring States period; in some ways, they even surpassed them in cold-blooded efficiency.

It was simply unfortunate for them to encounter him.

Any ninja below Kage level would find it extremely difficult to come out unscathed against these two squads.

"It seems that Danzo must have issued a high-priority order to capture me," Hagoromo Gengetsu thought, glancing around. Otherwise, these disciplined Root members would never fully abandon their mission to monitor the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki just to apprehend him.

"I'll remember this debt," he murmured to himself, casting a last look towards the direction of Tanzaku Town before disappearing into the night.

A minute later, Jiraiya arrived at the scene.

Though the commotion between Hagoromo Gengetsu and the Root ninjas had been drowned out by the bustling activity in Tanzaku Town, it hadn't escaped the notice of a Sannin.

Tsunade remained uninterested and continued drinking, leaving Jiraiya to investigate alone.

As he examined the eight corpses on the ground, Jiraiya felt a mix of emotions. While he didn't approve of Danzo or Root's methods, these ninjas were still part of Konoha.

The fact that someone had killed eight Konoha ninjas within the borders of the Land of Fire, right under his nose, was a blatant provocation.

"Could it be Orochimaru?" Jiraiya pondered, recalling that Orochimaru had met with Tsunade in Tanzaku Town and was likely still lingering nearby.Follow the latest novels at novelhall.com

However, after closely examining the injuries on the Root ninjas' bodies, Jiraiya dismissed the idea. He was too familiar with Orochimaru's fighting style, and these wounds didn't match it.

Almost simultaneously, Orochimaru appeared from the other end of the alley.

As they approached each other, a flicker of doubt crossed Orochimaru's golden eyes. "Hagoromo Gengetsu isn't here?"

Similarly, Tsunade scanned the surroundings, frowning when she didn't see Hagoromo Gengetsu. 'Is it just Orochimaru?' she wondered.

Hagoromo Gengetsu, the person both Orochimaru and Tsunade were thinking about, had indeed not arrived. After seeing the bet between Tsunade and Naruto, he realized that Orochimaru's deal was off the table, and by extension, so was his.

Having no desire to further entangle himself with the unyielding Tsunade, he turned his attention to Shizune. With Orochimaru's threat looming, Shizune would undoubtedly hurry to aid Tsunade.

With the Will of Fire instilled in Konoha ninjas, they would always choose to protect their comrades.

Hagoromo Gengetsu was eager to see what decision they would make.

Meanwhile, back in Tanzaku Town, Naruto's early awakening due to his injuries from practicing the Rasengan had also roused Shizune. She had been unconscious for an entire night after being knocked out by Tsunade to prevent her from intervening.

"Not good! Lady Tsunade!" Shizune exclaimed, leaping to her feet to pursue Tsunade.

At that moment, Jiraiya, now awake and sensing something amiss, returned. Seeing that Tsunade was nowhere to be found, he gravely addressed Shizune, "Shizune, it's time you told me what you and Tsunade discussed with Orochimaru."

Shizune, looking downcast, replied, "I wanted to believe in Lady Tsunade, so I didn't say anything. But... there's no time now! Please, follow me; I'll explain on the way!"

With that, Shizune quickly ran off, with Jiraiya and Naruto close behind.

As they ran, Shizune explained the details of the deal to a predictably outraged Naruto and a deeply concerned Jiraiya.

"This is Orochimaru's doing. We must stop Tsunade, no matter what," Jiraiya resolved, preparing for the worst.

But before they could act, an unexpected visitor appeared ahead, making Jiraiya's expression darken.