Chapter 287: Deterring Orochimaru, An Ashamed and Angry Tsunade
Jiraiya was instantly petrified, staring at the scene before him in disbelief, wondering if he was hallucinating.
But then he breathed a sigh of relief. It turned out Tsunade was giving Akiyama Makoto artificial respiration.
Seeing her instruct Shizune to start chest compressions on him, Jiraiya also became nervous and asked quickly, "Is he alright?"
"I don't know. His physical constitution is special. We can only do our best."
Tsunade's voice was painful, faintly carrying a tremor.
Naruto also leaned over, looking at Makoto with wavering eyes.
Makoto, who had just saved him, how did he end up like this in the blink of an eye?
At the same time, Makoto's shadow clone, bathed in lightning, pierced a White Zetsu's body with his fingers like a knife.
After doing this, he breathed a slight sigh of relief.
White Zetsu was still too troublesome to deal with. He wondered if there would be a more convenient way to deal with them later. He would try it out in the simulation.
After doing this, his shadow clone planned to end the jutsu and report the situation to the main body, but suddenly sensed Orochimaru's tracks.
The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, and he used Earth Style to merge into the ground.
When he reappeared, he had entered a space like an underground cave. It was damp but warm, giving the feeling of a snake's den.
The moment Makoto appeared, a light stabbed towards his chest.
Without thinking, he punched the opponent flying directly.
As for the Chakra Scalpel that could cut the muscles and tendons of Tsunade and Naruto, it was blocked by the Lightning Release Armor on his body.
Listening to the opponent's scream, he raised his hand again.
Orochimaru, who had silently extended his neck in the darkness, preparing to bite the back of Makoto's neck, stood still, motionless. It turned out Makoto had controlled him using the Formless Wave.
"Hee hee... So it was you. That day at the Chūnin Exams, you controlled me with this jutsu."
"No dōjutsu, and it doesn't seem to be a Kekkei Genkai either. How on earth did you do it? I'm really curious..."
Orochimaru's voice was hoarse. Although he was at a disadvantage, he showed no fear.
He still had the Eight Branches Technique. In this narrow space, he believed he was invincible.
Makoto had no intention of continuing to fight him. Instead, he released him and said, "Orochimaru, remember this favor I did you. If I had acted just now, you would be dead."
Kabuto wanted to say something, but coughed up blood as soon as he opened his mouth.
Orochimaru's expression changed. Then he retracted his neck, sat back against the stone wall, and said, "Indeed. Then I'm curious, why didn't you act?"
"I don't think we can be considered partners by any stretch of the imagination. I killed the Third Hokage, and I heard from Kabuto that he showed you kindness and recognition."
Makoto said calmly, "The Third Hokage did indeed show me kindness by promoting me, but I also gave him a decent funeral."
"Otherwise, considering his indulgence of Danzō, and Danzō wanting to experiment on me, it would be reasonable for me to take revenge on him."
Orochimaru laughed loudly. "I see. It's because of Danzō... Indeed, Konoha's young powerhouses always seem to be able to reach a consensus on cursing Danzō."
"Then I'll remember this favor, Akiyama Makoto. Besides this, do you have any other purpose for coming here?"
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he took out a scroll, released the seal, and threw out the remains of the White Zetsu corpse.
"Do you recognize this thing?"
"This is—"
Orochimaru's pupils constricted. "You killed Zetsu?"
"It seems you don't know..."
Makoto stroked his chin, not surprised by this result.
Although Orochimaru was once a member of the Akatsuki, White Zetsu did not belong to the Akatsuki. The one who truly belonged to the Akatsuki was a member named Zetsu, composed of Black Zetsu possessing White Zetsu.
Otherwise, with Orochimaru's nature as a mad scientist, knowing of White Zetsu's existence, he would definitely not be able to resist researching them.
"Let me put it this way. This thing has been secretly spying on us, and I killed it. This isn't the first one I've killed. Killing them is very troublesome; they slip away at the slightest disturbance."
Orochimaru was a smart person. He had long been curious about Zetsu's form of existence.
Now with Makoto's reminder, he vaguely realized that Zetsu might not be composed of a single life form.
As for why White Zetsu had such strange characteristics... Orochimaru had even transformed his own body into a white snake. Maybe these White Zetsu were also the product of someone's experiment.
"Then, Makoto-kun, what is your purpose in letting me know this?"
"Do you want me to help you eradicate them, or do you plan to let me help you research this thing?"
He shook his head. "No, I'm just here to gather intelligence. As for what this thing really is, I will research it myself first."
Then he put away the White Zetsu corpse, sealed it into a scroll with sealing jutsu, and then used the Heavenly Transfer Technique to send it to his main body.
Finally, he said, "Oh, one more thing."
"Not long ago, I fought Itachi Uchiha. I was lucky enough to win slightly. He met Sasuke. If you're going to do something, you'd better be careful of him."
With that, Makoto turned into smoke and disappeared.
The smile on Orochimaru's face also disappeared, and he looked gloomily in the direction Makoto had left.
Before, he only thought Makoto was a super genius who had suddenly risen, with talent comparable to or even exceeding the First Hokage.
Now it seemed that the other party was no less skilled than him in scientific research and scheming. This was hard to explain by just calling him a "genius."
Could the other party actually be an old monster who had turned back into a young man?
"Cough cough, Lord Orochimaru, what on earth did this guy come here for?"
Kabuto struggled to speak. He had been trying to heal his injuries all this time.
Makoto's punch hadn't intentionally aimed for his life; otherwise, Kabuto would be dead now.
"Demonstration, and a reminder."
Orochimaru briefly summarized Makoto's intentions.
"I can understand the demonstration, but a reminder—do we need him to remind us?"
Orochimaru said calmly, "Kabuto, don't be so hostile towards others. He's not a Konoha ninja either."
"As for why he came to remind us... there are other conspiracies behind the Akatsuki organization—maybe he wants us to move and share some of the attention of the people behind the Akatsuki."
"He killed the scouts of those guys. And among the people here now, who has the most strength and motivation to do such a thing?"
Kabuto's face changed slightly, finally realizing that they were going to be scapegoats for Makoto.
He couldn't help but say, "Can't we tell the truth?"
"Then next time he comes, it won't be just a demonstration."
Orochimaru stood up. "Let's go. We're already on the Akatsuki's hit list anyway. A little more debt is nothing to worry about."
Then Kabuto borrowed Orochimaru's chakra to use Earth Style to continue their journey. At the same time, Obito also learned the news that another White Zetsu had fallen.
Not long after, a White Zetsu popped its head up in this underground cave, and immediately discovered the snakeskin deliberately left by Orochimaru.
"It's Orochimaru. Maybe he has found a way to discover and kill us. Should I continue to approach for reconnaissance?"
Obito frowned. So it was Orochimaru... But this makes sense.
Although Obito looked down on Orochimaru's strength, Orochimaru's strength in various research and development was unquestionable.
So Obito said, "Maintain medium-to-long-range observation. Don't lose any more personnel. We can't replenish your numbers quickly right now."
White Zetsu were divided into two types.
One type was humans turned into White Zetsu by Kaguya Ōtsutsuki using the Infinite Tsukuyomi in ancient times.
The other type was cultivated by Madara Uchiha using a small piece of Hashirama Senju's cells and borrowing the chakra of the Gedo Statue.
Now that Madara Uchiha was dead and the Rinnegan was still with Nagato, even Obito couldn't increase the number of White Zetsu.
"Understood. I'll be careful."
Then the White Zetsu disappeared underground, and Obito looked at the distant scenery of the Hidden Mist Village. It looked peaceful and quiet, but under the calm surface, a surging killing intent was hidden.
With this, the Sannin battle finally came to an end.
A scroll appeared in Makoto's palm. He opened his eyes, and Tsunade was leaning down again to give him artificial respiration.
So he unceremoniously wrapped his arms around Tsunade's waist and kissed her back proactively.
Realizing that he had recovered, Tsunade was filled with surprise and joy, and subconsciously began to kiss him for real.
Then she realized something was wrong, quickly pushed him away, and looked around guiltily.
To her utter embarrassment, Shizune, Tonton, Naruto, and Jiraiya were all looking at her in shock, making her feel like a little girl caught dating by her elders.
She covered her face in annoyance, then roared at Jiraiya, "What are you looking at?! Haven't you ever seen artificial respiration?!"
"No, I just think—"
"Shut up! I don't need you to think!"
Jiraiya obediently shut up, because Tsunade had already clenched her fist.
Only then did Makoto stand up, put away the scroll, lick his lips, and say, "I just had a shadow clone take out a guy who was secretly spying on us. I didn't mean to pretend to be weak."
"Shizune, Naruto, are you okay?"
Although Naruto didn't understand, seeing Makoto full of vitality, he immediately said excitedly, "I'm fine, Makoto... Big Brother!"
Naruto called him Big Brother with a relatively comfortable mind. After all, Makoto was the great hero who saved Konoha.
Although Naruto felt his personality still didn't quite mesh with Makoto's, he called him Big Brother sincerely.
"Secretly spying—Makoto-kun, can you elaborate?"
Jiraiya smelled intelligence and immediately put on a serious face.
But before Makoto could speak, Tsunade stomped on the ground, cracking the earth.
Jiraiya looked at Tsunade guiltily, and Makoto also looked at her with a smile.
Tsunade blushed, looked left and right, and finally said fiercely, "Everyone come to Tanzaku Town! I... I have some things I need to clear up!"
Seeing how familiar Makoto and Jiraiya were, she suddenly had a bad feeling.
Could this week of youthful memories be Makoto's plot to drag her back to Konoha?
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