"Haru, are you sure it was Number Six who acted?"
Facing the Third Hokage's inquiry, Haru nodded with certainty.
"Mm, it was definitely him. I could never mistake the Flying Thunder God Technique."
"But as for how he managed to repel Rasa and the others, I'm not sure. Judging by the state of the battlefield, the fighting was intense."
Recalling the scene at the heart of the battle, which looked like a hornet's nest, Haru sighed inwardly.
"Alright, I understand. Haru, take Number Six to the hospital and have the doctors thoroughly examine his condition."
"Rinkaku, go inform Orochimaru to come see me."
Oh? Orochimaru returned to the village?
If Chizan found out, he'd definitely declare himself healed on the spot and rush to Orochimaru's lab for another round of harvesting.
Unfortunately, he was still sound asleep in the medical ward.
Before long, Orochimaru arrived at the Hokage's office.
That same cold, sharp face, and emotionless aura.
"Sensei, you called for me."
"Yes. Orochimaru, Anbu just reported that the elite jonin from Sunagakure, Rasa, is a Magnet Release ninja who controls gold dust."
Orochimaru blinked slightly.
Gold dust? Not bad. That's certainly a huge upgrade for Sunagakure.
Whether in terms of financial power or combat ability, it makes a difference.
"You're saying, sensei, that Sunagakure's recent moves are tied to their increased wealth and military strength?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.
Orochimaru was, after all, his own disciple—keen of mind.
"Yes… This Rasa fellow even led a squad trying to invade the Land of Fire. Fortunately, they were stopped by Anbu."
"Now the pressure on Sunagakure's side is rising. If necessary, I'll need you to personally lead a team to hold the battlefield at the Land of Rivers."
Orochimaru nodded, though a trace of curiosity appeared on his face.
It was clear he was intrigued by the Anbu who managed to repel Rasa.
"No need to wonder. The one who repelled Rasa was your disciple—Gekko Chizan."
"Hm? Chizan-kun?"
Hiruzen's words left Orochimaru momentarily stunned.
He knew his student had joined Anbu—he had recommended it, after all.
But Gekko Chizan managed to repel Rasa? That was unexpected.
Though he quickly recalled his student's various talents.
"If it was Chizan-kun, then it makes sense. Even a forbidden technique like Flying Thunder God is within his grasp. His talent is no less than Rasa's."
"Even against prodigies like Namikaze Minato or Uchiha Fugaku, he wouldn't lose."
Orochimaru was well aware of his disciple's potential.
Especially considering how cunning Chizan was—he even dared to scheme against his own teacher, let alone enemies.
"Oh? You hold Gekko Chizan in such high regard?"
"That aligns with what Hatake Sakumo thinks."
"Seems like your judgments weren't wrong. That kid may not enjoy fighting, but when it comes to actual combat, his strength isn't weak at all."
Hiruzen took a puff of his pipe. While he had been somewhat surprised by Haru's report, he quickly adjusted.
He shared a similar view as Orochimaru—someone capable of teaching himself the Flying Thunder God Technique couldn't possibly be weak in real combat.
"Where is Chizan-kun now?"
"The hospital. Though he's not injured, he's extremely drained. The Anbu medical ward couldn't help him much, so I had him sent to the hospital."
"Be prepared, Orochimaru. If Sunagakure makes a move, you must head to the Land of Rivers immediately."
Orochimaru nodded. For a ninja, carrying out missions at any time was perfectly normal.
But right now, he planned to visit the hospital to see his disciple.
Besides, he had big news to share with Gekko Chizan—something he considered worth celebrating.
...
Konoha Hospital.
At this moment, Gekko Chizan was fast asleep in the ward, hooked up to an IV drip containing nutrient fluids to help restore his body.
Standing at his bedside were two people: Pakura and Sayo.
Both wore expressions full of worry. Especially Sayo, who looked at the unconscious Gekko Chizan as if seeing her deceased friend and husband.
Being a ninja was cruel—life and death were constant companions.
As for why they were here, it was thanks to Haru.
Haru had long recognized the true identity of Number Six from Anbu. Thinking it only right to inform the family now that he was hospitalized, he rushed to the Gekko household to tell Sayo.
Upon hearing the news, Sayo immediately ran to the Ninja Academy to fetch Pakura, and the two came to the hospital together.
"Doctor, is he going to be okay?"
Pakura looked at Gekko Chizan's pale face, feeling a sharp pang in her heart.
"It's nothing too serious—severe muscle strain, some bone damage, and heavy chakra depletion."
"After a period of rest, he'll recover."
The doctor explained and then left.
Now the large hospital ward was left with just the three of them.
"That damn brat… how did a mission end up like this…"
"You go in and out of Sunagakure like it's nothing…"
Pakura muttered as she gazed at the sleeping Chizan, not realizing how deeply his every action had affected her emotions.
"Ah… Ever since his parents died, he's been the pillar of the Gekko family, constantly taking missions to earn money… just to support me, and Hayate."
"To ease my worries, he deliberately avoided dangerous missions and only took on D- or C-rank tasks."
"Even if the pay was lower, he didn't care. In his words—so what if the money's less? It's safer. Do more missions and you still make enough."
Sayo sat in a chair, half talking to herself, but really speaking to Pakura.
The next moment, Sayo chuckled softly:
"That little rascal, he's clearly talented, but he just refuses to work hard."
"I asked him once—why don't you train harder to be promoted to jonin?"
"Guess what he said?"
"He said: What's the point of working so hard? Don't you know there are only exhausted oxen, not worn-out fields?"
At that, both Sayo and Pakura burst into laughter. Pakura looked at Chizan and said with a smile:
"That really does sound like him. That guy… where does he come up with all this nonsense?"
"He's so lazy he won't even take an extra step. A perfectly good space-time ninjutsu, and he uses it solely for commuting."
Suddenly, a slightly cold voice came from outside the door.
"So Chizan-kun has such a history…"
"Hehehehe… Seems this teacher of his still doesn't fully understand his student…"
Orochimaru, exuding his usual chilly aura, slowly walked into the hospital room.
He gave Pakura and Sayo a small nod as a greeting.
"Orochimaru-sama?"
Sayo, being from the same ninja generation as the Three Sannin, naturally recognized Orochimaru.
After all, he was one of the Three Legendary Sannin—someone far beyond the reach of ordinary ninja like her.
"Hehehe, I'm just here to check on Chizan-kun."
"Seeing that he's alright is enough. Once he wakes up, would you please pass on a message for me: Just say…"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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