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Chapter 31: Tsunade's Hesitation
Chapter 31: Tsunade's Hesitation
Tsunade was not one to show deference to the elderly, especially when they tried to rob her. Her only response to such audacity was to beat them within an inch of their lives.
In a quaint and quiet alley, the atmosphere was oppressively tense. The calm before the storm was about to be shattered.
"Tsunade, your impulsive nature hasn't changed a bit," Orochimaru remarked, breaking the silence that had prevailed since Yuiyi Xuan Yue's appearance. "Sometimes it's best to take time to consider your options carefully. Hasty decisions often lead to regret. Take, for instance, the wise suggestion made by our predecessor, Yuiyi. Or, perhaps, consider the resurrection of your beloved brother and lover."
Tsunade initially scoffed at Orochimaru's words, but as he mentioned her brother and lover, her expression softened, and she slowly unclenched her fists, her eyes flickering with uncertainty.
Noticing her change in demeanor, Orochimaru curled his lips into a smile. He then turned to Yuiyi Xuan Yue and proposed, "Predecessor Yuiyi, let's give Tsunade some time. Forcing her hand will only lead to mutual destruction. Once she's had time to reflect, everything will be much easier to resolve."
Orochimaru didn't want to see Yuiyi Xuan Yue and Tsunade engage in a battle to the death. Regardless of who emerged victorious, he knew Tsunade wouldn't be in the right state of mind afterward for his dual-hand treatment.
Yes, Orochimaru was confident that Tsunade would agree to his terms. As a former companion, he was well aware of the importance of Dan and Nawaki in her life.
All she needed was time to realize what truly mattered most to her. Coercion would only yield the opposite result. That's why Orochimaru chose to intervene at this moment—to stabilize the situation between Tsunade and Yuiyi Xuan Yue.
As for whether Tsunade would eventually agree to Yuiyi Xuan Yue's conditions, he didn't particularly care. Otherwise, he could have easily tied his deal to the predecessor's offer.
Would he gain Yuiyi Xuan Yue's gratitude by doing so? The thought made him chuckle. He wasn't that benevolent, nor did he care for such intangible sentiments.
More importantly, Orochimaru, with his respectful facade, had his own agenda—to dissect the predecessor and gain profound insights. Even if he couldn't achieve that, knowing Yuiyi Xuan Yue's desires would still provide him with immense leverage in their future negotiations, undoubtedly resulting in significant gains.
A gentle breeze blew, carrying a fallen leaf that sliced through the frozen tension in the air. Yuiyi Xuan Yue's eyes narrowed as he turned to Orochimaru, fully aware of the schemes spinning in the half-snake, half-human creature's mind.
Since Orochimaru had offered a way out, and considering Tsunade's current stubbornness, along with the information he had just received from his shadow clone, Yuiyi Xuan Yue decided to play along.
"I shall await your response," he said calmly.
With that, Yuiyi Xuan Yue stood to the side, observing the ongoing conversation between Orochimaru and Tsunade while simultaneously accessing the memories of his shadow clone stationed outside Tanabata Street, which included the recent arrival of Jiraiya, the white-haired ninja, and Uzumaki Naruto, the yellow-haired youth.
"Looks like we have the full trio of legendary ninjas here," he mused.
Tanabata Street wasn't very large, and if a fight broke out, it was likely that Jiraiya would arrive within minutes. This was one of the reasons why Yuiyi Xuan Yue had refrained from taking action thus far.
Fortunately, he wasn't in a rush.
Yuiyi Xuan Yue glanced at the confident Orochimaru, who had offered Tsunade seven days to consider his proposal. A subtle smirk played at the corners of his mouth. Only time would tell who would have the last laugh.
With Orochimaru's intervention, he now had the opportunity to try an alternative approach. Yuiyi Xuan Yue's gaze shifted from Tsunade to Shizune, and his eyes glinted with a profound light.
The alley returned to its tranquil state.
Until Shizune's voice, persistently comforting Tsunade, echoed through the air.
After a quarter of an hour, in front of the small alley that had been crushed by the giant snake.
Jiraiya, who had just entered Tanabata Street not long ago, immediately thought of something upon hearing someone exclaim with a panicked expression that a giant snake was causing destruction. After inquiring about the location, he rushed over with Uzumaki Naruto, the youth with yellow hair.
But he was too late.
The last ones remaining, Tsunade and Shizune, had already left.
"Did I miss them again?" Jiraiya didn't hesitate and quickly started walking. "Let's go, Naruto. Tsunade is no longer here."
"What's the rush? You've been hurrying me along since earlier," Naruto muttered in confusion, hurrying to keep up.
Elsewhere.
Outside Tanabata Street, in the forest.
Not long after they had left, Yuyi Xuan Yue and Orochimaru met once more.
"Is there something else, Orochimaru?" Yuyi Xuan Yue asked calmly, his arms crossed.
To many time-travelers, Orochimaru, the great scientist, and educator, might be considered a coveted prize.
After all, whether as a subordinate who could backstab at any moment or as a fellow explorer on the path of scientific discovery, the gains far outweighed the dangers.
However, Yuyi Xuan Yue was not one of those people.
Having time-traveled for several decades already and having reached the pinnacle of the ninja world, his research into chakra would only go deeper, and so he didn't pay much mind to Orochimaru, his junior.
Thus, when faced with Orochimaru's apparent desire for collaboration, his reaction was lukewarm.
As if unaware of Yuyi Xuan Yue's current attitude, Orochimaru smiled and said, "I'm sure you're eager to obtain the Spirit Transformation Jutsu, aren't you, predecessor Yuyi?"
Yuyi Xuan Yue lifted his eyelids slightly, "So?"
They were all intelligent people, and he wouldn't waste time stating the obvious—that he wouldn't be too bothered if he didn't get it.
Orochimaru spread his hands, explaining his intentions, "If you can't get it from Tsunade, predecessor Yuyi, feel free to come to me."
"Oh? Do you have the Spirit Transformation Jutsu?" Yuyi Xuan Yue was intrigued.
"Not having it now doesn't mean I won't have it in the future. I still have quite a few helpers within Konoha," Orochimaru said confidently.
"I see."
Yuyi Xuan Yue, aware that Orochimaru was interested in his conditions, didn't press further.
Although he had his own plans, having an additional option wouldn't hurt.
After all, it would only take a moment.
"My conditions remain the same. When you obtain the Spirit Transformation Jutsu, you can look for me."
As his words landed, Yuyi Xuan Yue nodded to Orochimaru and then disappeared from sight.
Shortly after.
Orochimaru's companion, the medic-nin Kabuto, adjusted his glasses as he watched the spot where Yuyi Xuan Yue had vanished. He turned to Orochimaru and asked, "It's odd that someone like Yuyi Xuan Yue would be so determined to obtain the Spirit Transformation Jutsu. Do you know why, Orochimaru-sama?"
Orochimaru extended his long, blood-red tongue and licked his lips, tasting the air, "Who knows?"
Regarding the Spirit Transformation Jutsu, he had some understanding due to his connection with Tsunade.
While the secret technique was indeed unique, it didn't seem like something that would make Yuyi Xuan Yue, with his richer ninjutsu background, so eager to acquire.
Unless...
(End of Chapter)
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