A few minutes before Orochimaru found out the truth, Daichi and his fellow Leaf ninjas were getting ready to deal with Orochimaru's back up plan. They got closer and Jiraiya got ready.
"I'll put it in Genjutsu. Then I'll join you guys and disable any traps and barriers here." He spoke in a hushed tone and moved closer to his victim.
Daichi and Tobirama kept their distance while Jiraiya approached the larger than average looking snake from its blind spot. It was hidden near the entrance to the chamber where Shizune and Tsunade were held.
It was alert and was looking for any signs of intruders.
The Toad sage immediately weaved several seals. 'Genjutsu isn't my strong suit but this should be enough to keep you down.'
'Ninja art: Eight blissful songs.'
Jiraiya's chakra immediately latched on to the snake summon. To the creature it was as if nothing changed. 'That Genjutsu will keep its victim in a peaceful state and make sure that they don't sense any changes in their environment.'
The Toad sage gave the other two the signal and they immediately got near the chamber. Tobirama closed his eyes briefly, laying a gloved palm on the ground. "I detect several layering seals placed ahead. They're all keyed specifically to Orochimaru's chakra." He opened his eyes and rose to stand. "If we cross the threshold unprepared, the barrier will trigger."
Jiraiya nodded, lips pursed grimly. "Makes sense that he'd secure his main lab. Let's see… from the faint tingle of chakra, I'd guess there's a booby-trap—some kind of barrier that would either paralyze us or alert him if we step inside without disabling it."
As they proceeded, the corridor widened into a small antechamber. Hanging from the center of the room were a series of seal tags interlocked in elaborate patterns, each swirling with faint serpentine motifs. Two large, black talisman circles were painted on two opposite sides of the chamber.
The three Leaf ninjas could sense Tsunade and Shizune in the next room. But to get to them they had to go through several protections Orochimaru had placed.
Tobirama surveyed them, arms folded. "This appears to be the lab entrance. The presence of Orochimaru's personal seals is strong here." His gaze shifted to Jiraiya. "If we disrupt them haphazardly, we could set off half the traps in this place."
Jiraiya clenched his jaw. "Yeah… Orochimaru never was one to skimp on security, especially for his 'experiments.' We might be dealing with multiple layers, each with its own fail-safe."
Daichi stepped forward, raising a hand to hover just above one of the swirling seals. The hair on his arm stood up as he felt the tingle of malevolent chakra. 'We have to do this carefully.' He immediately activated his 'Observe' skill.
[Orochimaru's Primary Lock Seal] [Rank: B]
[An intricate barrier that synchronizes with Orochimaru's chakra signature. Any unauthorized presence crossing its boundary triggers a silent alarm and releases a disabling neurotoxin into the surrounding air. Additional sub-seals cause illusions or illusions layered with real physical traps. The anchor points are the black talisman circles on either side.]
[Weakness: Disabling the sub-seals in the correct sequence can prevent activation. However, forcing the lock will result in immediate alert to the caster.]
[You have obtained the correct barrier disabling sequence.]
Daichi nodded to himself and lowered his hand. He exhaled softly. "It's a primary lock. One of Rank B difficulty. There's a neurotoxin release system tied to illusions as well. If we breach it incorrectly, Orochimaru will know, and the room will flood with poison."
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "You managed to figure that out from a glance?" He cast a sidelong look at Daichi, a mixture of curiosity and respect in his eyes.
Daichi gave a modest shrug. "I've been studying advanced Sealing Jutsu for a while now." He didn't say anything more.
Even Tobirama was surprised. 'He figured out the mechanics of these talismans before me. That's impressive. One needs to have a very advanced knowledge of sealing jutsu to quickly decipher these.'
Tobirama, carefully pressing two fingers to one of the black talismans, sensed the flow of energy. "Yes, it's anchored here. We'll need to remove each sub-seal in the correct order or risk setting off the trap." He stood back and looked at Daichi and the Genin nodded.
"I can handle it. I'll be able to deduce the sequence quickly but the other barrier seals mirroring it should be destroyed too." Daichi quickly answered the unasked question.
Tobirama nodded. "I can manage it, but since it has multiple anchors, it'll take time. Jiraiya, you can help accelerate this process, but only if you're confident in advanced sealing arts."
Jiraiya let out a slow breath. "I'm no slouch at sealing, but Orochimaru's style is… twisted. It'd take me a while to unravel everything. Meanwhile, we have Tsunade's life on the line. If we go too slow, we risk losing her."
"Then we better get started." Tobirama and Jiraiya quickly got to work on one side while Daichi worked on the other.
All three were masters at sealing jutsu, so disabling the barrier went much faster than they expected.
The three Leaf ninjas traced small but precise inscriptions over the anchor's swirling patterns. Soon in less than a few minutes, all three poured a synchronized pulse of chakra into the markings, forcing the lock to dissipate. The swirling script flared once, bright violet, before extinguishing altogether with a soft crackle. Then the entire barrier's oppressive aura faded away.
The corridor grew oddly still. The door arch with its black circles no longer thrummed with potential malice; no illusions flared, no toxins spilled forth. They'd successfully neutralized Orochimaru's primary protective lock without triggering an alarm.
Jiraiya stood, rolling his brush in his fingers. He eyed Daichi with a new level of respect. "Your sealing is impressive for someone your age. I had no idea you were so adept."
Daichi managed a modest shrug, tucking away his brush. "I've practiced… bits and pieces… here and there."
Tobirama, in his Anbu guise, studied Daichi for a moment, then nodded approval. "We have no time for admiration. We must keep moving."
Just beyond the archway, faint torchlight illuminated another short passage. At the end, an ominous metal door waited. "Be alert for more traps or remote triggers. Orochimaru isn't one to rely on a single layer of defense." Jiraiya warned them.
With that, the three edged closer to the door. Along the frame, more seal tags were plastered, smaller than the first but still humming with residual chakra. Jiraiya ran a quick hand over them. "These look like remote triggers. Wired to respond if someone forcibly opens the door. They can be set off from a distance, too."
"Can we disable them quickly?" Daichi, who was behind them, asked.
Tobirama bent forward, eyes narrowing on the cluster of tags. "Yes, but we must be fast. If Orochimaru suspects anything, he might try to activate them from wherever he is."
"Then let's not linger." Jiraiya motioned for Daichi to assist once more, and together, they began removing these smaller protections. Daichi's parallel processing skill made short work of analyzing the arrangement, while Jiraiya gently peeled away each explosive or sabotage seal, neutralizing them with chakra-laced ink. Tobirama stood guard, senses fully extended in case any threat approached from behind.
In less than a minute they destroyed the final sealing tag and the barrier dissipated. Daichi swallowed, adrenaline thrumming through his veins. He glanced at Tobirama, whose masked face inclined once in silent acknowledgment.
The old metal door now stood powerless, robbed of its hidden wards and illusions. Jiraiya placed a palm against the door, testing it gently.
But at that moment something unexpected happened. The Snake summon Jiraiya had placed in Genjutsu broke out and silently lunged towards Daichi who was standing behind the two ninjas.
The Toad sage immediately sensed that his Genjutsu was broken. But faster than he or the Genin with them could react, Tobirama who was in Anbu disguise took action.
He disappeared from his spot and next instant the snake was cut up into half a dozen pieces and they fell near Daichi's feet.
The Genin immediately jumped and kept his distance as he knew that the situation could become dangerous even then. He looked at the Second Hokage and was shocked. 'Damn, if I was up against this guy, he could have attacked me before I could have even reacted. What incredible speed. And to think the fourth Hokage is even faster than him…'
At that moment just as Daichi expected, the snake began regenerating quickly and was starting to take a larger form.
Tobirama glanced at the other ninjas and immediately gave a nod. The three nodded their heads in understanding and immediate weaves through seals.
'Fire style - Fire Barrage Jutsu.' x2
'Wind style - Slicing Gale jutsu.'
They made sure to control their chakra and keep the damage contained. The combined attacks immediately destroyed the summoning creature and nothing was left but ash.
"Well, there goes stealth. There's a good chance Orochimaru knows we're here now." Jiraiya sighed.
"Let Danzo deal with him. Our goal is right in front of us now." Tobirama spoke and came near the door.
With a subtle push, the door gave a low groan, cracking open. The faint smell of antiseptic and decay wafted out, mingling with the damp corridor air. Jiraiya's features hardened. 'Tsunade, Shizune. Please be alright. We're here.'
—-
Shizune, who was near her teacher, sensed a commotion outside the chamber. She anxiously looked ahead and saw the door slowly opening.
The first face she saw was a white haired ninja with the Anbu mask of the Leaf.
As soon as he stepped inside Tobirama took in his surroundings. He saw that along the cold, damp walls were shelves lined with glass containers filled with ominous fluids, surgical tools gleaming under flickering lamps. Strange contraptions, tubes, metal rods, advanced medical devices lay scattered across tables.
His eyes then went towards the woman looking at him with caution and then to the woman lying still behind her. 'Tsunade.'
Shizune was wary of the Anbu ninja but then just behind him came a familiar face into view.
"Master Jiraiya!" Shizune stood in shock and hope spread in her heart.
Jiraiya nodded and he made way. "I brought someone else too."
Shizune looked on and saw Daichi's worried face as he slowly walked into the room. Cautiously, Daichi stepped forward, mindful not to disturb any hidden wires or glyphs that might still be active.
As soon as the Genin came into the room Shizune ran towards him. Seeing his teacher, Daichi too moved forward and closed the distance. Shizune ran and clung to him, burying her face in his shoulder. "You're here. Oh, thank goodness… I—"
"We're here, senpai. You're safe." Daichi spoke in a soft tone trying to soothe her fears as he hugged her..
Daichi noticed her battered medical robe, her disheveled hair and her face pale exhausted. He saw the fear and hurt on her face and it pained his heart. "You've endured enough senpai. I'll handle everything from here."
Those words had a powerful impact on the woman. Uncontrollable tears fell down her face. "Daichi… I…"
"Don't say anything. Just save your strength. We'll take you both home… Everything's going to be alright."
Jiraiya smiled softly as he looked at the two. 'Seeing Daichi gave her strength… Even more than seeing me. Guess I shouldn't be surprised. He did spend two years with them.'
The Genin hugged the young medic in silence as Jiraiya and Tobirama turned their attention and made their way towards the Senju lying unconscious on the table.
Daichi looked down and saw a large chain tied to her leg and it made him angry inside. He also noticed the wound on her thigh. 'How dare that bastard…'
Daichi knelt down and quickly broke the chain with his strength. He immediately began healing her wounds and restoring her chakra.
A closer look revealed bruising around her wrists and cuts along her legs. Her chakra pathways felt drained and her face drawn from exhaustion. Daichi knelt beside her, carefully laying a palm on her arm, letting his medical ninjutsu flow. He poured a gentle wave of healing chakra into her battered form.
Shizune, having found hope, quickly tried to stop Daichi. "Not me. Daichi. You need to heal Lady Tsunade. I'm fine."
Daichi silently looked at the woman and his heart went out to her. 'She's mentally and physically exhausted and yet she's more worried about her sensei. That's just like you…'
'She's dehydrated and chakra exhausted. Good news is that her injuries aren't dire.' Slowly, he employed a subtle injection of chakra, accelerating her natural regeneration. Shizune exhaled a deep breath as warmth spread through her limbs.
The young Genin looked at her and smiled. "Don't worry. I'll treat her as soon as I heal you. Besides those two are busy removing the seals Orochimaru placed around sensei. Just focus on yourself for now," Daichi said, voice level. He felt her circulation gradually improve, color returning to her cheeks. She relaxed incrementally, blinking away tears.
"T-thank you," she whispered, eyes shining with gratitude. "You've gotten so strong, Daichi."
He didn't reply, simply offered a faint reassuring smile. When he sensed her injuries closing and her chakra stabilizing, he let his healing technique subside. Then, focusing carefully, he channeled a portion of his own chakra into her system, replenishing some of her reserves. 'That should do the trick.'
Daichi helped Shizune to her feet and the two medics made their way towards the blonde sleeping on the table.
Daichi looked at his teacher with relief and worry. 'Finally found you sensei.'
—--------------
Author's Note:
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