"I understand, Lord Orochimaru!"
Kabuto Yakushi spoke with a serious expression.
"I'm ready. Now I will take her back!"
Whoosh.
As his words fell, Kabuto's figure shot toward Tsunade.
His speed was astonishing, fully demonstrating the level of an elite jōnin.
Buzz.
Forming hand seals in an instant, Kabuto activated the Chakra Scalpel. The blade of chakra condensed in his hand required only the slightest touch to render Tsunade incapable of fighting.
"This brat..."
Seeing Kabuto rushing toward her, Tsunade's expression hardened.
"In terms of medical ninjutsu alone, his skill is no less than mine. And he has mastered the Chakra Scalpel to such an extent!"
Her face solemn, Tsunade's muscles tensed as she prepared to respond.
Of course, she could not focus all her attention on Kabuto. Orochimaru, standing nearby, was far more sinister and dangerous.
Just as Kabuto was about to reach Tsunade and the two were about to clash—
Crackle!
A sharp sound tore through the air.
In the next instant, Yagyu, enveloped in Lightning Release chakra, appeared behind Tsunade as if teleporting.
"I made it in time!"
His voice was icy and filled with killing intent, a hint of disdain on his face.
"Konoha Whirlwind!"
Whoosh! Boom!
In a flash, his whirlwind kick, infused with Lightning Release chakra, smashed toward Kabuto's head.
Had it landed directly, Kabuto's skull would have shattered instantly, leaving him no chance of survival.
"What?!"
Faced with the terrifying strike that seemed to arrive in an instant, Kabuto felt death closing in.
"So fast!"
He could only raise one arm beside his head to block.
Boom! Crack!
It felt as if a massive meteor had slammed into him. His head rang violently, and the searing pain shooting through his arm constantly reminded him—
His arm had been shattered by Yagyu's kick.
Boom!
Like a cannonball, Kabuto was blasted away. He crashed into a massive boulder, shattering it, then struck the ground and carved out a deep crater, tumbling over a hundred meters before finally coming to a halt.
Lying within the pit, Kabuto was unable to rise again.
Tap.
With a single Konoha Whirlwind kick, Kabuto was eliminated from the battlefield.
Yagyu landed calmly in front of Tsunade, shielding her behind him. His gaze locked firmly onto Orochimaru.
"Tsunade-senpai!"
While keeping his gaze fixed on Orochimaru, Yagyu spoke to Tsunade.
"How are your injuries? They shouldn't be too serious, right?"
Looking at Yagyu, who stood resolutely in front of her, his figure still somewhat youthful yet radiating an extraordinary sense of security, Tsunade could not help but be momentarily stunned.
After a brief pause, she finally came back to her senses.
"Ah! It's nothing serious. It won't affect the battle that follows."
As she spoke, Tsunade stood up from the ground and wiped the blood from her face.
"Thank you, Sosuke. If you hadn't arrived in time, I might have suffered even more severe injuries."
Hearing Tsunade's words, Yagyu turned his head and glanced at her.
Her body was covered in bruises, along with wounds inflicted by kunai and shuriken.
However, the bleeding had already stopped. The most fatal injury, without a doubt, was a wound that had pierced straight through her chest. Judging by its position, it had passed right beside her heart.
Yet even at this moment, Tsunade still appeared full of fighting strength.
"The Senju clan truly is extraordinary."
After sighing inwardly, Yagyu remained calm on the surface, his gaze locking onto Orochimaru ahead.
He said nothing more.
This situation was best left to Tsunade to handle.
After all, it was a personal matter among the Three Legendary Sannin. Although he bore the title of their junior disciple, Yagyu had no intention of interfering in their affairs.
As for killing Orochimaru, he could do so at any time.
Yagyu was not in a hurry.
For now, he would leave the matter to Tsunade.
Looking at Orochimaru, Tsunade also remained silent.
Both sides waited in tacit understanding.
They were waiting for the arrival of the final member of the Sannin.
About three minutes later,
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Jiraiya and the other two arrived at the scene.
"Orochimaru!"
Upon seeing him, Jiraiya's expression turned solemn and cold.
"So you really are here."
Orochimaru grinned coldly as he looked at Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya! It's been a long time. I've been waiting here for you."
As the two exchanged greetings, Tsunade suddenly spoke softly:
"Sosuke, protect Shizune and Naruto. As for what happens next, please do not interfere. This is a matter between the three of us, and we will settle it ourselves."
Before Yagyu could respond, Jiraiya spoke as well,
"Sosuke, I'm counting on you."
Hearing this, Yagyu nodded silently.
Without saying anything further, he moved to Naruto and Shizune's side and led them a certain distance away, clearly having no intention of participating in the battle between the Three Legendary Sannin.
"Yagyu, what's going on?"
Naruto, who had been confused from the very beginning, finally asked.
Glancing at the bewildered Naruto, Yagyu pondered for a moment before explaining:
"This is a grudge from the previous generation. They need to resolve it themselves. Just as you insist on upholding your own ninja way, this is the moment when the legendary Three Sannin uphold theirs."
"In short, we just need to watch quietly and not interfere."
If he tried to explain it seriously, Naruto would not understand.
But once it was framed in terms of upholding one's ninja way, it became something Naruto was deeply familiar with.
After all, ever since he was young, Naruto had always adhered to his own path.
Sure enough, after hearing Yagyu's explanation, Naruto said nothing further. Instead, he watched Jiraiya and Tsunade confronting Orochimaru with a worried expression.
When he noticed that Kabuto, who had recovered some of his strength, had taken his place beside Orochimaru, Naruto fell into confusion once again.
"That is... Kabuto-senpai!"
Seeing Kabuto clearly standing at Orochimaru's side, Naruto asked in disbelief:
"Why would Kabuto-senpai help the enemy who killed Grandpa Third?"
Thud.
Yagyu raised his hand and struck Naruto on the head before speaking coldly:
"Idiot! Take a good look at the ninja forehead protector Kabuto is wearing. He has been a spy of the Hidden Sound Village from the very beginning. You, Shikamaru, and the others merely believed he was an ally!"
Hearing Yagyu's words, Naruto looked carefully at Kabuto's forehead protector and immediately understood.
His confusion quickly turned into embarrassment and anger.
"You despicable bastard! Kabuto actually dared to deceive me and everyone else! Damn it! Why did he deceive me?!"
Watching Naruto's furious expression, Yagyu exchanged a glance with Shizune.
Both of them shared the same unspoken thought.
That was because you are a hot-blooded fool!
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