"Is this what a battle between Kage-level shinobi looks like? This is my first time being able to observe it so closely without any hindrances." Chizuru watched Jiraiya and Orochimaru's fight intently, his voice filled with emotion.
The battles between the strong and the weak are vastly different. The weak often compete in the power of their ninjutsu, and while the scenes of battle might seem grand, they only offer visual appeal and hold little value for detailed appreciation.
However, battles between the strong showcase the ultimate application of ninjutsu; even a D-rank ninjutsu can be fully utilized to its value.
"Orochimaru and Jiraiya grew up together and fought side-by-side for decades. It's safe to say they know each other's strengths and weaknesses very well. For them to determine a winner, it would either have to be a surprise attack or a battle of attrition until one is exhausted." Asahi said. "However, Orochimaru is currently a rogue ninja on the run, so he probably won't drag this out with Jiraiya."
"Heh! I actually hope Jiraiya wins." Chizuru said.
The entire forest had been utterly devastated by the battle between Orochimaru and Jiraiya. At this point in battle, it seemed that Jiraiya was no match for Orochimaru in terms of ninjutsu mastery, and his clothes were tattered and disheveled.
Or perhaps, deep down, Jiraiya didn't want to capture Orochimaru and bring him back for the village's judgment.
Although Jiraiya was slow-witted and naive, after so many years, he had gained understanding of the dark politics.
Asahi on the side found it quite ironic that the higher-ups of Konoha, in their struggle for power, had driven away one powerful individual after another who could threaten their position.
First, there was the suicide of Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo, and now the Sannin were leaving one after another. Their positions in the village might have improved, but Konoha's standing in the ninja world was already on the brink of collapse.
However, Asahi wasn't in a position to criticize Konoha's higher-ups, as he bore some responsibility for the incidents involving Tsunade and Orochimaru.
In truth, everyone was the same; before acting, everyone considered problems from their own perspective.
Even Senju Hashirama and Namikaze Minato, who constantly advocated for peace, and even the future protagonist of the original story, Uzumaki Naruto, were no different. They all hoped that others would accept the peace they championed, and those who didn't were naturally considered enemies.
Ultimately, the core of this world was still prevail of the strong. There was no good or evil in the Great Ninja Wars; the victors were naturally righteous, and the defeated could only accept the victors' terms.
It was a pity that Shimura Danzo's intricate schemes failed, after all, what he didn't expect was that the Third Hokage would let Orochimaru escape, instead of fighting him to a mutual destruction.
People who lack emotions naturally won't factor them into their calculations when scheming against others. In this regard, Danzo was far inferior to Orochimaru, who was a master at exploiting others' emotions.
*Boom!*
With the explosion caused by the clash of two jutsus, the surrounding trees all collapsed. Orochimaru looked coldly at Jiraiya, who was leaning against a large tree, panting, and did not continue to attack.
"Why, why did you betray Konoha?!" Jiraiya still asked persistently.
"For eternal life, to grasp the truth of the world!" Orochimaru waved his hand, his voice filled with longing.
"Aren't we the Sannin of Konoha?! We grew up together, played and completed missions together since we were kids! Now Tsunade's gone, why must you leave too?" Jiraiya recalled the past years, questioning Orochimaru with an incredulous and agitated tone.
"Hehehe!" Orochimaru laughed mockingly when he heard Jiraiya's words. "What a foolish fellow! Jiraiya, you never think before you act. That's why you still haven't realized the things I've been doing until now."
"So you won't change your mind, Orochimaru?" Jiraiya asked dejectedly.
"That's enough, Jiraiya, there's a limit to foolishness!" Orochimaru, not wanting to hear Jiraiya's nonsense any longer, said coldly.
"Why, why…!" Jiraiya clutched his injured area, and shouted with all his might, "Just why?!"
"Idiot, do you still not understand?" Orochimaru took off his Konoha headband and used a kunai to carve a deep scratch into the Konoha symbol on it.
Looking at that mark, Jiraiya felt as if countless arrows pierced his heart. That scratch severed Orochimaru's connection with Konoha, and at the same time, it severed the friendship and bonds between the Sannin… "I am a rogue ninja to Konoha! I'll collect your pitiful life another time." Orochimaru tossed the headband in his hand aside, then turned and disappeared into the dense forest.
"Orochimaru…" Seeing Orochimaru leave, Jiraiya called out in sorrow, and at the same time, tears fell upon Jiraiya's face.
Bonds and friendship were utterly destroyed at this moment; only the scratched headband remained conspicuously, a reminder of the sorrow.
The battle ended, and the defeated Jiraiya disheartened returned to Konoha, while Orochimaru continued his escape. Asahi and Chizuru continued to follow Orochimaru from a distance.
"Orochimaru-sama, it's been a while." Sensing that they were far enough from Jiraiya, that even a big battle wouldn't be noticed by him, Asahi appeared directly in front of Orochimaru, blocking his path.
Chizuru remained hidden in the shadows, his three-tomoe Sharingan already activated, watching Orochimaru coldly.
"Oh? Asahi-kun. Are you here to catch me too?" Orochimaru slowly licked his tongue, his voice low, eyes narrowed, adopting a wary stance.
"You could say that." Asahi shrugged casually, then chuckled at the wary Orochimaru. "Actually, I don't want to be enemies with you, Orochimaru-sama, which is why I didn't come out to bother you during your fight with Jiraiya. I just want to have a good talk with you now!"
"What do you want to talk about with me? As a rogue ninja on the run, what do I have that's worth your attention?" Orochimaru asked somewhat playfully, though he did not let down his guard against Asahi.
Even so, Orochimaru's actions and demeanor still possessed a unique charm.
"To be honest, I've envied the Sannin's summoning beasts for a long time. I originally wanted to inherit Tsunade-sensei's Katsuyu, but unfortunately, you, Orochimaru-sama, ruined that. So… shouldn't you compensate me?" Asahi casually leaned against a large tree, his body relaxed, indicating he had no intention of fighting Orochimaru.
"Oh? It seems you've realized it." Orochimaru stuck out his tongue and licked his lips, his brows gradually relaxing as he looked at Asahi and smiled, "I was originally planning to watch a good show, but I didn't expect Tsunade to just leave like that."
"I don't care whether Tsunade-sensei leaves Konoha or not. What I want to know most right now is… your decision, Orochimaru-sama. Are you willing to give me your summoning scroll?" Asahi straightened his body, took a step forward, and raised his voice a few octaves.
*****
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✓ Killed For 100 Years in Hueco Mundo, Aizen Invited Me To Soul Society!
✓ Naruto: Senmei Asahi
✓ Naruto: Uchiha's Intelligence Dealer
✓ Naruto: The Fifth Hokage Is Naruto's Uncle
✓ Naruto: Who Made Him a Ninja?
✓ Bleach: In My Second Reincarnation, I Became The Ninth Kenpachi
✓ To Love-Ru: Spoiler Route [R-18]
✓ Naruto: The Accidental Incubus [R-18]
✓ The Academy's Saint Is Too Popular, But He's Not the Protagonist [R-18]