https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-36-The-Novice-Mission-That-Took-Decades-to-Complete/12553232/
Chapter 35: Hagoromo Ootsutsuki and Naruto's First Encounter
Chapter 35: Hagoromo Ootsutsuki and Naruto's First Encounter
"You've arrived."
Hagoromo Ootsutsuki, his face etched with cracks, greeted the three newcomers after his long wait.
Shizune, Jiraiya, and Naruto were speeding along when Jiraiya suddenly came to a halt, causing Shizune's expression to shift as she quickly followed suit. Naruto, a beat slower, continued on his path.
Jiraiya grabbed the back of Naruto's collar, lifting him to a stop just shy of reaching Hagoromo.
Still unsure of what was happening, Naruto flailed like laundry on a clothesline, protesting, "Hey! What are you doing, Eremite?"
Jiraiya set Naruto down, his face darkening. "At a time like this, don't tarnish the reputation of the Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku any further."
He glanced at Hagoromo and added in his mind, "Especially in front of such a renowned elder."
Naruto, now standing on solid ground, asked in confusion, "What are you talking about? He's clearly an old pervert."
Jiraiya ignored the idiot.
He straightened his expression and addressed Hagoromo, "May I ask why you've suddenly appeared, Elder Hagoromo?"
With time being of the essence, Jiraiya cut straight to the chase.
Hagoromo's gaze shifted from the unruly Naruto to Jiraiya and Shizune, "It's simple. Hand over the Spirit Transformation Technique, and my conditions remain the same. Or I can take it by force, in which case, things will get messy."
At his words, Jiraiya and Shizune's expressions turned grave.
Although Naruto couldn't understand what this strange, suddenly-appeared fellow was saying, his keen instincts told him that he meant no good.
"Another bad guy like Orochimaru? No matter what you're up to, I won't let you get away with it!"
Naruto bristled, ready to fight.
Jiraiya held him back once more, glancing at Shizune before turning to Hagoromo with a solemn expression, "As the S-rank secret jutsu of Konoha, the Spirit Transformation Technique requires the Hokage's signature for it to be passed on. Elder Hagoromo, if you truly need it, you'll have to wait a while."
Just like Tsunade's earlier thoughts.
Jiraiya believed that someone like Hagoromo, who had gone to great lengths to acquire this secret technique, must have some important plan in mind.
Although he didn't know what the other party intended to do, he was highly vigilant of Hagoromo, who had forcibly lingered in the mortal realm beyond the boundaries of life and death, a historical figure of great renown.
"Looks like we're at an impasse."
Jiraiya's attempt to deceive a three-year-old didn't work on Hagoromo.
Shaking his head, Hagoromo addressed the three, "Tsunade is currently meeting with Orochimaru. Unexpectedly, they're about to clash."
"They're going to fight? Tsunade-sama..." Shizune's eyes lit up, and she started, surprised.
But before she could finish, Hagoromo continued, "However, Tsunade is unaware that Orochimaru already knows about her hemophobia. Guess how long she can last in this situation?"
As if to echo Hagoromo's words, a loud rumble echoed from the distance, accompanied by a rising cloud of thick dust.
"Why did it turn out like this? Tsunade, you just tried to kill me!"
In an alleyway far away, a confident Orochimaru was about to offer his arm to Tsunade for treatment when a kunai, thrown by Kabuto, came speeding towards him.
Orochimaru quickly retreated, not questioning Kabuto but instead looking at Tsunade in disbelief, unable to comprehend her decision to betray him.
"All physical things will eventually perish, as you once said, Orochimaru. But the dream of becoming Hokage will never fade!"
Tsunade's gaze sharpened, her fists clenched tightly as she glared at Orochimaru with murderous intent. "Come, Orochimaru! I will kill you here and now!"
A loud explosion reverberated through the air.
Orochimaru's expression turned cold as he swiftly retreated. "The negotiations have completely broken down. It has come to this; I can only defeat you with my fists, Tsunade."
"They're already fighting?"
"In that case, let's deal with Hui Yin Xuanyue as quickly as possible."
Jiraiya turned his attention from the distant cloud of dust and, for the first time, looked at Hui Yin Xuanyue with utmost seriousness. If what he said was true, they had to hurry to ensure Tsunade's safety.
"Shizune!"
"Yes!"
Jiraiya clapped his hands, ready to join forces with Shizune, who was also prepared for battle, to defeat Hui Yin Xuanyue as soon as possible.
Naruto, always full of surprises, suddenly interjected excitedly:
"Ha ha! Watch me!"
Naruto performed a series of hand seals and shouted,
"Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Boom! Boom! Boom! In an instant, a vast amount of white smoke erupted, and hundreds of Naruto clones burst forth.
With a wave of the original Naruto's hand and a passionate cry of "Follow me, everyone!" the massive army of clones charged toward Hui Yin Xuanyue.
"Naruto, stop! This opponent is different from the others!" Jiraiya tried to stop him but was too late, and could only call out anxiously.
Obviously, Naruto wasn't listening.
Any ordinary ninja would have been intimidated by the sheer number of shadow clones.
But Hui Yin Xuanyue was no ordinary ninja.
Facing the army of Narutos, he remained calm and even shook his head in disappointment.
It was like a fine ingredient ruined by a terrible cook.
"What a waste of chakra."
Before Naruto's clones could reach him, Hui Yin Xuanyue stomped his right foot on the ground, and as the ground cracked like a spider web, he shot forward like a cannonball.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! The sound of the clones' disappearance rang out continuously amid the Naruto army.
In the thick white smoke, Hui Yin Xuanyue slashed with his hand, dispersing the clone in front of him who had been shouting, and then swept his right leg, kicking away several clones that had attacked from behind.
The Naruto clones continued to charge forward fervently.
But the faster they came, the faster they disappeared.
Under Hui Yin Xuanyue's concise and fierce offense, the clones, with their stiff movements and reactions, were like three-year-old children.
The real Naruto, hidden among the clones, gritted his teeth as he watched, feeling frustrated and ready to use the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu again.
Hui Yin Xuanyue's eyes suddenly shifted as he scanned the crowd.
"Found you!"
Whoosh! In an instant, he appeared in front of the real Naruto.
"So fast!"
Naruto's eyes widened in surprise, and before he could react, he was kicked away by a heavy blow.
Boom! Boom! Boom! This time, the white smoke dissipated uniformly.
The once-boisterous army of clones had completely vanished in just a few seconds.
(End of Chapter)
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