Chapter 66: Orochimaru, You've Really Fallen!
"Jiraiya, you idiot, you're back too? What kind of nonsense are you babbling about? I don't understand a word of it."
Orochimaru glanced at Jiraiya outside the barrier, then shifted his gaze back to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
At this moment, Hiruzen had already noticed the Suna and Oto ninja launching attacks all over Konoha outside the Four Violet Flames Formation. He was issuing orders to the ANBU rushing over, telling them to go defend various locations and carry out rescue operations.
"Third Hokage, do you need help?"
A voice came from outside the barrier. Hiruzen looked over.
"With just one word from you, the Tsuchikage, the Mizukage, and we can all help Konoha resolve this crisis, and deal with Orochimaru while we're at it."
At some point, Shiromo appeared on the rooftop, standing right beside the ANBU.
Only then did the Konoha ANBU notice Shiromo's presence. They were startled and immediately drew their weapons, taking defensive stances.
"What is your objective?"
Hiruzen's expression was grave.
He truly wanted the Tsuchikage and Mizukage's help, but he knew even better that there was no such thing as a free lunch.
What's more, this man, merely a ninja from Amegakure, was somehow qualified to negotiate on behalf of two major villages' Kage. He was definitely not simple.
"There is, of course, a purpose. The first is to stop this life-and-death duel between sensei and student, and bring the traitor Orochimaru back into our organization."
"Organization?"
When Hiruzen heard that word, his mind began racing.
He had previously analyzed things with Kakashi and concluded that the incident of Sasuke being made to drink milk had Orochimaru's shadow behind it. Now it seemed he hadn't been wrong after all.
"Organization?"
Orochimaru also frowned when he heard that word.
Could it be…
Whoosh!
Shiromo yanked off his outer robe and tossed it aside.
A trace of doubt appeared in Orochimaru's eyes as he stared intently at Shiromo.
"What are you looking at me for? I got a bit hot and took off a layer, what, that's not allowed? Konan, your turn."
At Shiromo's command, Konan removed her hat and threw off her outer robe, revealing the Akatsuki cloak. Wings spread from her back as she floated into the air above the rooftop.
"Orochimaru."
Konan looked coldly at Orochimaru inside the barrier.
"So it really is Akatsuki!"
Orochimaru's expression instantly grew tense.
"Akatsuki?"
Isn't that the organization Itachi joined?
Hiruzen was also taken aback.
Although Itachi was a spy, the only information Hiruzen currently knew was that the organization was called Akatsuki.
"Konan? So it really was you! You showing up here, are you planning to join forces with Orochimaru?"
Jiraiya, recalling the person he had encountered on Konoha's streets before, immediately shouted at her.
"Jiraiya-sensei, were you asleep just now? Didn't you hear Shiromo say that we're here to help Konoha and the Third Hokage?"
Konan looked down at Jiraiya and spoke calmly.
"..."
Jiraiya instantly looked awkward.
"Then what exactly do you want?"
Jiraiya hurriedly changed the subject.
"First, to stop their battle and take Orochimaru back with us."
"Second, to obtain some ninjutsu and resources we need from Konoha as compensation…"
"You're taking advantage of the disaster!"
One of the Konoha ANBU couldn't help but speak up.
"Taking advantage of the disaster? Our current leader's parents were killed when Konoha ninja broke into their home. Our former leader was killed by your Konoha's Danzō."
"Now we've chosen to put aside our hatred and extend a helping hand, asking only for some external resources, and you call that taking advantage of the disaster?"
"If that's the case, then it seems putting aside hatred is useless. You're the ones who can't put aside prejudice and arrogance. You're the ones trying to provoke a war…"
"Stop!"
Hiruzen quickly interrupted.
Then he turned to the ANBU.
"Hurry and go support the other areas. Don't stay here. I'm not in danger."
He needed to get these ANBU, who lacked political awareness and loved to speak out of turn, out of here fast. Otherwise, things would really spiral out of control.
At a critical moment like this for Konoha, the appearance of a force led by Jiraiya's disciple, willing to set aside hatred and offer help, was already a blessing beyond measure.
And yet the ANBU were thinking about mocking and provoking them, were their brains broken?
Jiraiya was left speechless for a moment.
Just like Naruto earlier, when Neji had dismantled his Talk-no-Jutsu.
Konan had opened her mouth with "putting aside hatred," instantly taking the moral high ground and stealing his lines. What could he possibly say now?
"We can slowly negotiate your conditions after this is over. I can guarantee, in the name of the Third Hokage, that we won't go back on our word."
"But right now, the key issue is that Orochimaru probably won't go back with you."
As Hiruzen spoke, his gaze returned to Orochimaru.
"Hehehe, Sensei, as expected, you know me best."
Orochimaru stuck out his tongue and licked the air, then formed seals and slammed his hands onto the ground.
"Summoning Jutsu: Impure World Reincarnation!"
Originally, he'd planned to exchange a few moves with his sensei before using this. Now there was no time.
Akatsuki's appearance had disrupted his plan.
Who knew how many Akatsuki members had arrived?
The Four Violet Flames Formation wasn't invincible. He had to finish the fight before the barrier was broken.
Three coffins were summoned onto the rooftop one after another.
One was marked "First."
One was marked "Second."
One was marked "Fourth."
"No! We must stop the last one!"
Hiruzen hurled a shuriken at the final coffin.
The coffin marked "Fourth" suddenly sank downward, and the shuriken missed.
What the hell? Even coffins can dodge now?
Hiruzen was stunned.
Fortunately, after sinking down, the coffin completely disappeared. It seemed the summoning had failed, and Hiruzen let out a sigh of relief.
But only for a single breath.
The next moment, the two successfully summoned coffins opened, and two familiar figures stepped out.
The First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
"Orochimaru, don't rush to insert the tag that erases their consciousness. I believe the two Hokage can't let go of Konoha's situation right now, so they won't struggle against the Impure World Reincarnation for the time being."
Orochimaru had just taken out two kunai with tags attached and was about to reach toward the backs of their heads when Shiromo's voice sounded.
"Oh? Do you have something you want to say to them?"
Orochimaru stopped, curious.
And how did this man know about the improvements he'd only recently made to the Impure World Reincarnation?
"No. I'm talking to you. Before that, take a look at this."
Whoosh.
A photograph spiraled through the air toward Orochimaru.
Orochimaru raised a hand and caught it. Just as he was about to lower his head to look, his heart jolted.
How did he break through the Four Violet Flames Formation and throw something inside?!
Without thinking further, Orochimaru looked down at the photo. It felt vaguely familiar, yet he didn't recognize the person.
"Who is this?"
"Your son."
"..."
Jiraiya: "Huh?"
Hiruzen: "..."
Orochimaru was silent for a moment. Surprisingly, he didn't question it or deny it. Instead, he asked: "Who is the father or the mother?"
Why "or"?!
And why don't you know?!
Orochimaru, just how many men and women have you been intimate with?!
Jiraiya clutched his head, on the verge of a breakdown at Orochimaru's words.
"I don't know. Anyway, it's definitely your child."
Shiromo shook his head.
What do you mean you don't know?!
Jiraiya's head was already starting to spin.
You don't know, but you're sure it's Orochimaru's child.
Doesn't that mean Orochimaru really did transplant that, and then went around engaging in "group activities"? Otherwise, how could he not know?!
"Orochimaru! You, you've fallen!"
Jiraiya shouted at Orochimaru in grief and indignation.
"Shut up."
Orochimaru glanced at Jiraiya coldly.
(End of this chapter)