With each word Shen Mo spoke, the faces of the two Hokages darkened further.
Tobirama tried to speak several times, only to be interrupted by worse news.
It sounded like…
Konoha, which they'd given everything to protect, was on the brink of ruin.
"Is that bastard Hiruzen Sarutobi still alive?"
Even with just a head remaining, Tobirama's aura was fearsome.
The Senju clan, wiped out?
Hiruzen's student plotting to destroy Konoha?
He'd entrusted Konoha to Hiruzen—how did it come to this?
"This is…" Hashirama's expression was deeply crestfallen.
Konoha held too much of his heart.
It was something he'd protect with his life.
"The current Hokage is still Hiruzen Sarutobi. Not long ago, he bought quite a few cans from me," Shen Mo said with a smile, suddenly glancing into the distance. "The fight over there's done. Well, gentlemen, since you've no interest in buying cans, farewell."
"Wait—"
Tobirama's words were cut off as Shen Mo vanished decisively.
As if he'd truly just come to chat.
With Shen Mo's disappearance…
The mysterious time pause ended, and their dissolution resumed.
"Damn it!"
Tobirama roared in frustration, but he could do nothing.
Shen Mo…
That name became his final memory.
Shen Mo had truly left.
He hadn't planned to sell cans to these two yet—no rush.
There were plenty of business opportunities in the living world.
Like Orochimaru.
No time was better than now to sell cans to him.
Though Shen Mo seemed to be casually chatting with the First and Second Hokages, his attention had been on Orochimaru.
In the end…
Gravely injured, Orochimaru barely survived thanks to his subordinates' rescue. With the Sound Five staying behind to hold off Tsunade, Kabuto Yakushi managed to escape with the wounded Orochimaru.
"Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto said, stopping in a secluded spot after their frantic escape. "Your injuries are severe. We must treat them immediately."
Orochimaru's arms were severed, his lower body limp, his waist a mangled mess, and his organs critically damaged.
For an ordinary person, death was certain.
Even now, Kabuto found it daunting.
"First… heal," Orochimaru spat out a mouthful of blood.
"After stabilizing your condition, we must return to base and select a new body for transfer," Kabuto said, giving Orochimaru a pill and using Mystical Palm Jutsu to treat him.
Such injuries, even if survived, would render the body useless.
For Orochimaru, the loss was immense.
This female body, perfectly compatible with his soul, was his best yet. Used for seven or eight years, it allowed him to unleash his full strength.
Now, ruined.
"Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto said, almost in disbelief. "Is Tsunade, one of the Sannin, really that strong?"
He'd never seen Orochimaru so gravely injured.
And he knew Orochimaru's trump cards.
To lose so badly…
"That's what I don't understand," Orochimaru said, panting, his eyes still filled with disbelief. "Tsunade's a medical ninja. She's not weak in combat, but not this strong. Even… Edo Tensei was countered by her."
"What!?" Kabuto's pupils shrank.
Edo Tensei, a near-miraculous jutsu.
Orochimaru could summon past Hokages with it.
Yet it was countered?
"I don't know what that power is," Orochimaru said, recalling the white light, his gaze mixed with longing and fear.
It wasn't ordinary.
Each time that weapon glowed, a primal fear surged in his mind, telling him it was unstoppable, that he deserved judgment, that dying under that light was an honor.
Terrifying.
What was that power?
"That power is Holy Light."
A calm voice suddenly rang out, making Orochimaru and Kabuto's hair stand on end.
Kabuto instantly drew a kunai, shielding Orochimaru.
It was a man in a black suit, holding a scepter and a cat.
Ninjas typically didn't wear such impractical clothing for combat.
Then…
"Meow."
The cat on the man's shoulder gave a lazy cry, glancing at Kabuto, then baring its claws.
—In an instant!
An overwhelming, ferocious pressure erupted. Kabuto stared in horror at Hiju.
In his eyes, this cute cat transformed into nature's most terrifying predator, the ultimate enemy of all life.
A slight move, and he'd be mercilessly hunted.
Yes.
Kabuto felt like he'd met his natural predator.
But how could humans have a natural predator!?
"Hiju," Shen Mo gently stroked the cat.
Hiju nuzzled his master's hand affectionately.
Then retracted its claws.
The pressure vanished, but Kabuto's back was soaked in cold sweat.
What…
Was this man?
Shen Mo was pleased with Hiju's display. After last time, he'd bought Hiju a demon cultivation technique and enhanced her bloodline toward the White Tiger, boosting her strength.
For someone as perceptive as Kabuto, bloodline suppression was especially effective.
Orochimaru sensed the danger.
He saw Kabuto's legs trembling.
He knew his subordinate's capabilities well.
His snake-like eyes fixed on Shen Mo.
He was certain he'd never seen this man.
"Didn't you say you wanted to meet me?"
Shen Mo approached leisurely, speaking gently.
A flash of realization hit Orochimaru.
He exclaimed, "You're Tsunade's man?"
"…" Shen Mo was momentarily speechless, shaking his head. "That's a misunderstanding. Tsunade is just one of my clients."
"Client?"
Orochimaru's raspy voice echoed as he watched the man approach.