"It appears this truly constitutes Orochimaru's underground laboratory."
In the dense forest, Jiraiya occupied crouching position on a substantial tree branch, surveying the distant scene.
He then rotated his cranium toward adjacent Kitagawa Minamoto, producing facial expression suggesting pleasure as he spoke.
"See? We located it without significant difficulty. Why the displeased expression?"
"Heh."
Minamoto produced hollow laughter, his expression displaying lack of impression. Jiraiya indeed demonstrated mastery regarding intelligence, but when his information demonstrated deficiency, circumstances could easily deteriorate.
Similar to his reckless venture into the Land of Rain. Even after Minamoto's warning, Jiraiya had stubbornly persisted.
To maintain fairness, their tracking abilities demonstrated excellence, and most others wouldn't have detected them.
But unfortunately, among their surveillance targets existed a certain orange-haired individual...
"If my assessment demonstrates accuracy, that individual should be Jūgo, possessing animal communication ability."
Minamoto recognized their likely exposure, but experienced uncertainty regarding explanation methodology.
After contemplation, he finally spoke.
"Regardless, I sense circumstances won't proceed with your anticipated smoothness. We should implement increased caution. For instance, dispatching a toad to follow them might have constituted safer option."
"Tch, you simply don't comprehend Orochimaru."
Jiraiya implemented cranial negation, his vocal tone suggesting irritation.
"Snakes and toads constitute natural enemies. If I utilized a toad for tracking, Orochimaru would have immediately detected it."
No wonder the mission designation was [Brotherly Stabfest]—these two truly epitomized mutual betrayal.
"Alright, let's discontinue this discussion."
Jiraiya demonstrated unwillingness to continue. He redirected his gaze forward and stated,
"Now that we've located the position, let's await appropriate opportunity to—huh?!"
Before completing his statement, Jiraiya's expression suddenly transformed. He detected massive Chakra surge erupting nearby.
Looking upward, he observed the distant ground shattering into countless sand grains, surging toward them like tidal wave!
"This earthflow magnitude..."
Observing the scene before him, Jiraiya immediately comprehended the situation. Silently cursing Minamoto's "jinxed verbal expression," he quickly prepared for combat.
"Earth Release: Earth Style Wall!"
Boom!!
With resounding Chakra roar, massive earthen wall rose before them, blocking incoming sand and debris torrent.
"I was contemplating why I continuously detected annoying presence. It appears it's you, Jiraiya."
At that moment, raspy vocal tone originated from above the earthen wall.
Looking upward, they observed Orochimaru standing atop the wall, his beige attire swaying in atmospheric current. His extended hair fluttered as his penetrating gaze directed downward, though his expression demonstrated anything but friendliness.
Orochimaru genuinely experienced exasperation with Jiraiya. Since departing Konohagakure, this individual had relentlessly pursued him.
Constantly verbalizing about bonds and insisting on his village return—sufficient to induce madness in anyone.
Recently, Orochimaru had received information that Jiraiya had returned to Konoha, and he anticipated potential tranquility. Yet, here he appeared again.
"So, you're truly present."
Upon Orochimaru's observation, Jiraiya's expression acquired seriousness.
Although he experienced puzzlement regarding their exposure, he recognized necessary strategy adjustment.
"Orochimaru, return to Konoha with me."
"..."
Orochimaru, who had just lamented Jiraiya's persistence, couldn't suppress cold facial expression suggesting amusement at this statement.
"You maintain naivety. Konoha no longer constitutes the village we previously knew. It has decayed and withered. Why would I return to such hopeless location?"
"Even decayed tree can produce new buds. Those buds can restore the tree's vitality."
Jiraiya's gaze demonstrated unwavering quality as he retorted.
"Orochimaru, this time, I will implement your return!"
"Oh, is that so..."
Orochimaru sighed softly. In the subsequent instant, he moved without hesitation.
"Then let's determine if you possess such capability."
Almost instantaneously, countless venomous snakes surged from all directions, lunging toward Jiraiya and Minamoto with terrifying velocity.
"Implement caution. Seek retreat opportunity. I'll attempt maximum information extraction."
Jiraiya quickly formed hand seals, but remembered to warn Minamoto.
"Fire Release: Flame Bullet!"
Raging flames erupted, engulfing approaching snakes. The atmosphere filled with acrid burning flesh odor.
Using flame cover, Jiraiya leaped toward Orochimaru, and they immediately clashed atop the earthen wall.
Meanwhile, Minamoto utilized the opportunity to distance himself. However, two figures blocked his path.
"Kimimaro, Jūgo..."
Observing the two before him, Minamoto's gaze sharpened. Kimimaro's cold expression contained killing intent, while Jūgo's face demonstrated equal grimness.
Minamoto immediately comprehended the situation. As he gathered his Chakra, sly facial expression suggesting pleasure spread across his face.
"Appreciation for guidance. Otherwise, we'd never have located Orochimaru's position."
"..."
His words temporarily rendered the two speechless. Kimimaro, particularly, radiated intense murderous intent.
Elevating his hand, bone spike emerged from his palm, directed at Minamoto.
"Today..."
Before completing his statement, Kimimaro charged at Minamoto.
"You will experience termination!"
He had assumed their captives constituted insignificant bandits or wandering ninjas. Never in his wildest imagination did he anticipate they'd bring such trouble to Orochimaru.
Kimimaro, willing to sacrifice his existence for Orochimaru, couldn't tolerate such error.
"Such recklessness... Well then..."
Minamoto deftly dodged backward, establishing distance between them. Without forming seals, he clasped his hands together.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Whoosh!!
Massive fireball roared forward like meteor, hurtling toward Kimimaro!
Minamoto's techniques' power directly correlated with his Chakra reserves. This enabled him to achieve results comparable to legends like Madara Uchiha or Hashirama Senju—even with simplest jutsu.
"Implement caution!"
Jūgo, startled by the fireball's sheer magnitude, quickly activated his Curse Mark. Red patterns spread across half his face as natural energy surged through him.
In a flash, he positioned himself before Kimimaro, transforming his arm into shield to block the attack.
Boom!!
Deafening explosion reverberated, and intense heat lingered atmospherically. Amazingly, Jūgo had successfully blocked Minamoto's fireball.
Whoosh!!
Kimimaro wasted no time. Determined to correct his error, he leaped through dissipating flames, charging directly at Minamoto.
But just as he approached contact, Minamoto suddenly produced facial expression suggesting amusement. Simultaneously, he clasped his hands together.
"Earth Release: Earth Style Wall!"
With Chakra surge, massive earthen wall rose between them.
"Hmph!"
Kimimaro snorted coldly. Mere earth wall wouldn't impede him—he could easily pierce it with bone spikes.
But just as he prepared to strike, his eyes widened in shock. He froze mid-action, unable to proceed.
Carved into the wall was Orochimaru's face.
And the carving's position was such that any attack would pierce directly through Orochimaru's cranium.
"Damn it..."
Kimimaro experienced shock and fury simultaneously. But before further reaction, crackling electricity sound filled the atmosphere.
In the subsequent instant, purple lightning streak pierced through the earth wall, hurtling directly toward his chest...
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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