Chapter 161: Orochimaru, Why Is Your Belly Bulging?
After Naruto threw a huge pile of White Lotus Sectdoctrines to Jiraiya, he immediately disappeared from before him.
He walked along the seaside, planning to wait for a while.
This was to prevent Jiraiya from connecting Merlin to his original body.
Naruto formed hand seals and used the Merlin version of the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
As a non-aggressive persona, he wasn't too worried about the clone causing any major trouble.
According to his plan, Merlin would go out to establish the Langya Pavilion, tell fortunes when he had nothing else to do, and earn some money.
At most, if he got bored, he could create some rankings.
Let the Five Great Villages of the Ninja Worldengage in verbal battles and argue over who was first, second, or third.
"You understand, right?"
Naruto looked at Merlin, who wore a mysterious smile, and asked.
It had to be said that this Character Card was quite charming.
Combined with Merlin's own appearance, it would likely make many girls fall for him.
And in legends, he had certainly hooked up with many people.
"I understand."
Merlin nodded; before being split off, his thoughts were the same as the original body's, so no more words were needed.
"Go then."
Naruto handed him a Kunai with a Flying Thunder God Mark.
Since Merlin didn't have the Flying Thunder God Technique, this was the only way.
"Goodbye."
Merlin turned around and left the seaside slowly, like an old man.
Naruto performed the Shadow Clone Jutsu once again.
But this one was the 'Premium Edition'.
"Master, stop preaching, I understand everything."
As soon as the Shadow Clone appeared, it raised its hand and interrupted his chanting.
"..."
Naruto's mouth twitched.
You understand jack shit!
Dammit, you haven't even left yet and you're already starting, aren't you?
He pressed his forehead and asked, "What's your plan?"
"I'll join the Akatsuki Organization first."
The Shadow Clone didn't think for long and said, "The Akatsuki has lost two members in a row and encountered external enemies; I think I can give them a hand."
Sasori had been abducted.
Hidan had been sealed.
And the external enemies referred to Destiny and Konoha.
"Being an undercover agent is fine, just don't learn from The Fool."
Naruto thought for a bit and said.
There was no real need to stop him.
Going to the Akatsuki as an undercover was okay too. Wingdings: ♦︎♦︎⬧︎♦︎◆︎⌧︎♦︎♦︎□︎❍︎
"Don't worry, I definitely won't learn from him."
The Shadow Clone shook his head with a look of disdain, "I want to be myself. I am who I am, a firework of a different color."
Is this guy really my Shadow Clone?
Naruto began to have doubts.
Could it be that my eighth-grade syndrome phase has started?
That makes no sense.
The original body doesn't have it, so how did a clone come out with eighth-grade syndrome?
"Then what do you want to do?"
Naruto couldn't help but ask.
"It's a secret."
The Shadow Clone smiled slightly and said, "It wouldn't be a surprise if I said it. Alright, I'm off."
He used the Flying Thunder God Technique and vanished.
As a Shadow Clone, he shared the Flying Thunder God Marks with the original body.
Naruto scratched his head, feeling as if he had let loose a Husky.
And it was a Husky capable of destroying the world.
"I forgot to ask him what his persona is. Whatever, I'll find out eventually."
Naruto waited for another half hour before returning to the Inn in Wudi City.
Just as he was about to speak, he saw Jiraiyasitting at the table reading a book.
Reading was one thing, but his expression was fascinating, changing like a face-changing performer.
One moment he was laughing, the next he was worried, then scratching his head, then scratching an itch.
This state was very much like how Naruto looked when solving math problems in his past life.
Fidgeting and scratching his ears.
More like a monkey than an actual monkey.
But it shouldn't be that bad, right?
Naruto glanced at the book cover; it was precisely the introductory doctrine of the White Lotus Sect.
Is reading this really that outrageous?
He didn't understand at all.
He felt that Jiraiya's reaction was even bigger than En Yui's.
"Master Jiraiya?" Naruto called out.
"Ah, it's Naruto."
Jiraiya was immediately startled. He hurriedly closed the book, hid it, and forced a smile, "Just got back?"
I've never seen you this nervous when reading erotica.
Naruto nodded.
"Did Tsunade have any instructions?"
Jiraiya didn't mention his previous behavior at all, regaining his composure and taking a sip from his flask.
"Sister Tsunade has a new mission."
Naruto took out a scroll, handed it to him, and said, "It's an S-rank mission, designated for you and me to do."
Jiraiya quickly scanned the contents and wasn't surprised.
"Let's pack up and set off this afternoon."
"Okay."
Naruto didn't say anything else.
He had nothing to pack, so he directly practiced his Sealing Jutsu in the courtyard.
Seeing this, Jiraiya breathed a sigh of relief and took out the book from his robe to read again.
He felt the same way he did when he first read erotica years ago.
It wasn't that the content was similar.
Rather, the feeling of opening the door to a new world was almost identical.
But while the former made his heart race more as he read, the latter made him more and more alarmed.
He felt a bit afraid.
If he finished reading it, he might no longer feel the proper fear towards the noble class.
Because he already understood the essence.
Human fear stems from the unknown.
But if he didn't read it, Jiraiya couldn't control himself.
Time passed quickly.
After the two of them had lunch, Naruto flew Jiraiya to Otogakure in the Land of Rice Fields.
Because he suddenly remembered that the Land of Rice Fields was not far from the Land of Waterfalls.
Why go back to the Land of Hot Springs?
Jiraiya was slightly stunned when he saw the unfamiliar ninja village and asked, "Where is this?"
"Otogakure," Naruto replied.
"Hmm?"
Jiraiya looked at him in surprise, "Why have you been to Otogakure?"
Naruto let out a sound of surprise.
He remembered that Jiraiya didn't know Sasukewas here.
The person he had seen before was just a guy named Xu Qing.
"When you two were fighting in the Land of Sea, I secretly left a mark on him."
Naruto thought quickly and made up an excuse.
If anyone else had said this, Jiraiya definitely wouldn't have believed it.
Who was Orochimaru? How could you leave a Flying Thunder God Mark on him without being noticed?
But after witnessing Naruto's strength in Wudi City, he felt it was quite possible.
"Good job!"
An excited smile appeared on Jiraiya's face, "Come, let's go find Orochimaru."
Previously, he definitely wouldn't have entered Otogakure without permission; first, he was afraid he wouldn't come back, and second, he was afraid of causing a war.
But after their relationship softened following the Land of Sea incident, plus with Naruto's Flying Thunder God Technique, he felt he could take a risk.
Naruto naturally had no objections; he expanded his Kagura Minds Eye and easily found Orochimaru's location.
"Follow me."
He led the way.
"Try not to cause trouble; we are coming with a friendly attitude."
Jiraiya reminded him.
He naturally knew about Naruto's Kagura Minds Eye.
"..."
Good grief.
I feel like you're even more careful seeing Orochimaru than seeing Tsunade.
Naruto stopped his pace.
Three people appeared before him.
It wasn't the Fuma clan that The Fool had encountered last time, but three of the Sound Five.
Excluding the paralyzed Kimimaro and Tayuya who was following Haku, the remaining ones were Sakon and Ukon, Kidōmaru, and Jirobo.
"I am Jiraiya."
Jiraiya dropped his disguise, and a powerful aura surged forth.
The faces of the three immediately changed drastically, their original contemptuous expressions turning into solemnity.
Someone who could share a title with Lord Orochimaru was naturally not to be trifled with.
"I want to see Orochimaru."
Jiraiya withdrew his aura again and said calmly.
"Lord Jiraiya's personal visit is indeed that of an honored guest."
Another person landed in front of the three.
Yakushi Kabuto.
He scanned Jiraiya and Naruto and asked, "I wonder what this is about?"
"Coming to catch up."
"..."
Yakushi Kabuto was a bit stuck for words upon hearing this.
Are you serious?
You, a high-ranking official of Konoha, are looking for a rogue ninja to catch up?
Aren't you afraid Hiruzen Sarutobi will jump out at you?
He thought silently for a moment and said, "Please follow me."
Jiraiya's strength was too great.
And Naruto was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
He had no way to stop them.
Yakushi Kabuto led the two through a long tunnel, finally arriving at a dark underground hall.
"Jiraiya."
Orochimaru was still in his loli form. He looked at Jiraiya and asked, "What do you want with me?"
Beside him was Sasuke.
But it wasn't his true face; he had used a Transformation Jutsu.
Sasuke's gaze bypassed Jiraiya and glanced at Naruto.
Fighting intent surged in his eyes.
He had just successfully cultivated Sage Mode.
He didn't expect Naruto to deliver himself to his doorstep.
For a moment, he felt this was destiny.
"..."
Naruto looked speechless.
What's wrong with you now?
Wanting to fight as soon as we meet?
Jiraiya felt Sasuke's fighting intent and couldn't help but smile, "This apprentice of yours seems quite impatient."
Orochimaru looked indifferent, not caring about Sasuke, and repeated his question, "What did you come here for?"
"An old friend arrives, why do I feel like you're so unwelcome?"
The corners of Jiraiya's mouth curved up, and he said in a joking tone, "In life, one must be happy. I came here just to invite you for a drink."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and said impatiently, "I have no interest. Go ask someone else."
The emotion in his words was exceptionally obvious.
Jiraiya felt it was a bit strange.
Since when did Orochimaru show his emotions so easily?
He used to be so cold that he never changed.
The clever Jiraiya seemed to understand something and asked, "What? Did something happen recently? Tell me about it, maybe I can help you a bit."
Naruto didn't know what to say upon hearing this.
Doesn't this sound a bit like a simp?
"It has nothing to do with you."
Orochimaru heartlessly rejected Jiraiya's request and said, "This isn't Konoha, it's Otogakure."
But the more he acted like this, the more curious Jiraiya became.
He understood Orochimaru's personality.
He couldn't imagine what in the world could make him so irritable.
After all, he hadn't hesitated when killing their teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He killed when he said he would.
In comparison, Jiraiya's own performance was very average.
He couldn't even bring himself to strike Orochimaru, his teacher's killer.
Seeing Jiraiya unmoved, Orochimaru felt increasingly irritable.
He said coldly, "If you don't leave now, do you want to start a war with Otogakure?"
His tone was full of threat and seriousness.
Jiraiya was slightly startled in his heart.
To think he would even say something like that.
It seems the matter is not small.
He looked Orochimaru up and down, then suddenly froze and asked, "Orochimaru, why is your belly bulging?"
Naruto instantly understood why Orochimaru's behavior was so strange today.
Some people, after becoming pregnant, become irritable, prone to anger, and lose their temper for no reason due to various factors.
Presumably, Orochimaru was at this stage.
Four or five months had passed since he became pregnant.