For the Reputation of the Village
"You continue to travel ahead; I'll scout the battlefield and see if there are any missions I can take."
With those words, Jiraiya disappeared into the dense forest, his Body Flicker Technique making him vanish before the sound of his voice even faded.
Once the Sannin was gone, Zabuza kept his usual stern expression and turned to Naruto. "Master Mima, what's the plan? Do we move in now, or wait for an opening?"
Naruto's blue eyes lingered on the distant battle unfolding at Uzushiogakure. He gave a firm nod.
It wasn't long before they reached the battlefield's edge, where they saw the giant serpents of Ryūchi Cave wreaking havoc while Uchiha shinobi fought to contain them.
Zabuza leaped high, his Kubikiribōchō (Executioner's Blade) gleaming in the light, and with a single powerful swing, he cleaved through one of the massive snakes.
At the same time, Haku performed his Ice Release: Thousand Needles of Death, summoning razor-sharp ice shards that rained down on the enemy, impaling the poisonous snakes and shattering them. With Naruto's Water Release: Water Prison Jutsu, he ensnared and froze hidden human puppets scattered across the battlefield.
"Master Mima's Suiton is incredible," Haku commented sincerely. "When there's water nearby, my Ice Release becomes even stronger!"
Naruto smirked. "Your Ice Release is already impressive. If you keep honing it, you might become as famous as the Yuki Clan of Kirigakure… Unlike someone who just swings a big sword around."
Zabuza twitched but didn't take offense. He knew Naruto's teasing meant familiarity, and after working with him for so long, he didn't fear a sudden betrayal.
Now that the immediate threats were cleared, Zabuza's attention fell on a familiar figure perched on a tree trunk—Orochimaru. His expression turned grim.
He had initially assumed Uzushiogakure's attackers were low-level rogue ninjas, a chance to display his skills. But one of the legendary Sannin leading the attack changed everything. Orochimaru was a one-man army, far beyond what even a veteran Jōnin could handle.
Zabuza's unease grew when he sensed another formidable chakra signature—one that had been intentionally concealed until now. His sharp eyes caught sight of Jiraiya, who had discreetly arrived.
Jiraiya sighed as he saw Orochimaru advancing toward an Uchiha shinobi. With a smirk, he Body Flickered between them, raising his hand theatrically.
"I'm a wandering ninja who upholds justice! If you need a skilled warrior to fend off this monster, I'm available… for the low, low price of 100,000 ryō."
"…100,000 ryō?"
Uchiha Izumi blinked at the sudden intrusion of this eccentric "mercenary." But with Uzushiogakure in danger, she nodded. If he could stall Orochimaru, the price was worth it.
After securing his "payment," Jiraiya gestured for Izumi to retreat. Then, his playful expression faded as he locked eyes with Orochimaru.
"We meet again, Orochimaru," he said in a weary yet resolute tone.
Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed with recognition. "Jiraiya? It's been some time. What brings you here? Did Sarutobi-sensei finally send someone after me? Or are you here for these Uchiha fugitives?"
Jiraiya remained silent for a moment before responding, "That's not important. What matters is—why are you here?"
Orochimaru chuckled, his tongue flicking out momentarily. "Why shouldn't I be here? The Land of Whirlpools is not Konoha's territory, and these Uchiha have severed ties with Konoha. Are you really going to interfere?"
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes. "They may be rogue shinobi, but not by choice. They were forced out because of Itachi's massacre. There's still a chance they could return home."
"Still clinging to naive ideals, I see," Orochimaru sneered. "You and I both know that Konoha's elders—especially Danzo—will never allow the Uchiha to reintegrate. If anything, they're safer with me."
Jiraiya's jaw tightened. He knew that Danzo's policies made Orochimaru's words more than just a taunt. If these Uchiha ever tried to return, they'd be exterminated by Root ANBU.
Still, he couldn't let Orochimaru get his way. "Even if that's true, I can't let you experiment on them."
Orochimaru smirked, amused by Jiraiya's defiance. "Konoha slaughters them, but I'm the villain for offering them a purpose?" His tone turned mocking. "What do you plan to do, Jiraiya? Lecture me? Or will you fight me for their sake?"
Before Jiraiya could reply, he noticed something in his peripheral vision: Sasori of the Red Sand battling Shisui Uchiha.
He frowned. "And what about him?" Jiraiya gestured toward Sasori. "Why are you working with a rogue Suna puppet master?"
Orochimaru's smirk widened. "Let's just say our interests align… for now."
Jiraiya clenched his fists. "You betrayed Konoha for human experiments. But I won't let you harm innocent people again. Prepare yourself, Orochimaru."
He began weaving hand signs rapidly, preparing for battle.
Orochimaru studied the battlefield and realized that with Jiraiya present, his chances of obtaining Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan had vanished.
With an exasperated sigh, he muttered, "Fine. I'll indulge you this time."
Before Jiraiya could attack, Orochimaru shed his skin, leaving only a hollow husk clinging to the tree trunk—a signature of his Substitution Jutsu.
"Damn it, he's gone…" Jiraiya muttered.
With Orochimaru's retreat, the Ryūchi Cave snakes lost their summoner's control and were swiftly slaughtered by the Uchiha forces.
Now, the only remaining threat was Sasori's puppets, which continued their relentless assault.
As Jiraiya surveyed the battlefield, his thoughts grew conflicted. Orochimaru's words about the Uchiha's exile had unsettled him. Should he reveal his identity and bring these Uchiha back to Konoha? Or should he continue observing Uzushiogakure from the shadows?
His musings were interrupted when he spotted Naruto lurking behind a tree, wide-eyed with awe.
With admiration in his voice, Naruto grinned. "Uncle Ninja, you're amazing! You scared off Orochimaru!"
Jiraiya chuckled. "Scared off? Hardly. He retreated because he had no reason to fight me today."
Naruto beamed. "That's still awesome! But, Uncle, you lied about being a Chūnin. You're way stronger than that!"
Jiraiya scratched his head sheepishly. "Alright, you got me. I'm a Jōnin. But more importantly—" He stepped closer, intending to use genjutsu to erase Naruto's memory of him.
Before he could act, Zabuza and Haku arrived. Jiraiya hesitated—too many witnesses. He sighed, deciding to delay his plan.
For now, he would watch and wait.
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