Chapter 24 – The Summons
The Hokage's office was heavy with tension. The scent of ink and old wood mixed with the faint tang of medical herbs. Lady Tsunade stood behind her desk, arms folded, her golden eyes fixed on the two boys who now stood before her.
Jiraiya leaned against the wall beside her, his arms crossed, his expression grim in a way Naruto wasn't used to seeing.
Naruto scratched the back of his head nervously. "So… Granny, what's this about Orochimaru?"
Tsunade's gaze sharpened. "Don't take this lightly, Naruto. A flicker of Orochimaru's chakra was detected just beyond the barrier. It wasn't strong enough to trigger a full alarm, but it was him."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, his hand curling unconsciously near his hip. The memory of Orochimaru's mark burned faintly against his skin, a reminder of chains he thought he had broken.
Jiraiya's deep voice cut through the silence. "If Orochimaru's come this close, he's desperate. His body won't last much longer — and that means he'll come after you, Sasuke."
Naruto slammed his fists against the desk, leaning forward. "Then let's go find him first! I'm not letting that snake freak touch my friend again!"
Sasuke gave him a sidelong glance, faint irritation hiding something more complicated. "…Idiot. Don't make promises you can't keep."
But Naruto caught the flicker of unease in his eyes.
Tsunade exhaled slowly, folding her hands. "That's why we're not sending you alone. Jiraiya will lead this operation. You two will accompany him — but you will follow his orders."
Jiraiya gave a small nod, his eyes on both boys. "We move tonight. The longer Orochimaru lingers, the more dangerous it becomes."
Naruto straightened, determination blazing. "Fine by me."
But Tsunade's gaze lingered on Sasuke first. Her voice softened slightly, though her tone held steel.
"Sasuke… you need to be careful. Orochimaru will do everything to draw you in. If you feel the curse mark react — you step back. Understood?"
Sasuke's dark eyes met hers. For a moment, the Uchiha pride warred with something deeper, but he finally nodded. "…Understood."
Then her eyes turned to Naruto. She paused, measuring him carefully, as though weighing something she couldn't quite voice.
"And you, Naruto. If things go wrong… do not use that power."
Naruto blinked. "Eh? You mean the fox?"
Her jaw tightened. "Not just the fox." Her gaze flickered — sharp, almost knowing — to his eyes. "That dojutsu of yours. You still don't understand it. If you force it in battle, you could lose yourself. If I hear you ignored me, I'll drag you back here myself."
Naruto froze, his hand brushing unconsciously against his eye. The strange power that sometimes surfaced without his control… even Sasuke turned his head slightly at Tsunade's words.
"Granny…" Naruto muttered, quieter than usual. "…alright. I got it."
Jiraiya clapped his hands together, breaking the heaviness. "Good. Then it's settled. We'll leave before dawn." His gaze hardened, a glint of seriousness behind his usual smirk. "But don't forget — Orochimaru is at his most dangerous when cornered. Watch each other's backs, or you won't come back at all."
The office fell silent again, the weight of their mission pressing down.
Tsunade looked at the two boys — one carrying the burden of vengeance, the other the weight of power he didn't yet understand. Her chest tightened, but she said nothing more.
"…Dismissed."
Naruto and Sasuke turned to leave, their steps echoing through the hall. Behind them, Jiraiya's eyes lingered on the Hokage.
"You're worried."
Tsunade's hands trembled ever so slightly as she reached for the sake bottle hidden under the desk. "They're just kids, Jiraiya… but fate keeps throwing them into battles they shouldn't have to fight."
Jiraiya gave a small, almost sad smile. "Maybe. But they're not just kids anymore."
Outside, the night deepened — and in the forests beyond the barrier, snakes still slithered in silence.
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