Hearing this, Tsunade opened her mouth, bitterness rising.
Whether sincere or not,
Kushina could never go back.
If she returned, she would surely face suspicion and confinement; better to follow Lucian—it felt safe.
Lucian looked over. "Little girl, who are you giving that cold face to? It doesn't suit you at all."
"Ugh, so annoying!"
Kushina puffed her cheeks.
She had been a cheerful, lively girl, close with Tsunade.
Suddenly putting on a cold face as an enemy felt very unnatural.
Lucian said calmly, "I know you and Mikoto still miss Konoha—don't rush to deny it."
Seeing Kushina flustered, Lucian went on: "After all, you had a home there, some friends or family. Human feelings are hard to control."
"But… longing alone is enough."
"Lord Lucian, I…"
Kushina was a little at a loss.
In Kushina and Mikoto's eyes, Lucian was aloof yet spoke kindly, even allowing some less-than-proper acts.
But they also knew Lucian still regarded them as his people.
If they ever betrayed him,
the coldest strike would follow.
"Do I usually look that cold and heartless?"
"No, not at all…"
Kushina's expression turned pitiful.
When Lucian's frosty gaze shifted to Jiraiya and the others, they grew extremely wary.
After all, they were enemies; they didn't dare hope Lucian would let them go.
Let enemies go?
That didn't seem Lucian's way.
At that moment,
something shocking happened.
Orochimaru, standing behind Tsunade, took a small step forward; no one paid it any mind.
Then he raised his hand, chakra wrapping it, and chopped down hard.
"Forgive me, Tsunade…"
Thud!
Tsunade's head tilted, disbelief flashing in her eyes, and she collapsed unconscious.
"Orochimaru…"
Jiraiya was even more stunned—he had just watched Orochimaru attack.
Slash!
The Kusanagi flashed, and Jiraiya dropped to one knee in pain.
A hideous gash split his abdomen, blood pouring uncontrollably, yet the pain in his body was not a fraction of the hurt in his heart.
Orochi… are you going to kill me?
"I… the war in the Land of Rain is my last chance for cooperation…"
The wicked smile on Orochimaru's face froze into ice; his narrow serpent eyes grew even colder.
"Ah…"
Kushina was dumbfounded—weren't they comrades.
Then she glanced at the indifferent Lucian, stepped forward to lift the unconscious Tsunade, and… watched the show.
Lucian also watched, even shaping a throne from spiritual power and sitting down.
Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!
Orochimaru did not stop.
With a single-handed sweep, several giant serpents shot from his sleeve.
Jiraiya flashed aside and roared, "Are you insane, Orochimaru—why are you doing this?"
"Why?"
Orochimaru murmured, as if asking himself, then answered with certainty.
"I'm not insane. I'm seeking the truth—one that requires me to abandon everything to be worthy of pursuing it."
"Run. Flee in disgrace."
"Go back and tell the Third Hokage: the past me belonged to Konoha; the future me belongs to the Invisible Empire!"
Jiraiya's body trembled. He looked at Lucian, then at the merciless Orochimaru, and felt the whole world turn dark.
Wh—why must it be like this!
"Aaaaaah!!"
Jiraiya roared, venting his grief and fury.
Never had there been such a day!
The man who had been his companion since he was six, the man who once took a blade for him,
would backstab him!
More than ten years of laughter and tears!
Scenes flashed through his mind, each more painful than the last.
Drip, drip…
Tears traced his cheeks; the color left Jiraiya's eyes.
Sensei, you never taught me what to do in a moment like this.
What should I do?
"Haha… hahahahaha… so this is how a man grows."
Jiraiya gave a miserable laugh, stared hard at the indifferent Orochimaru for a few seconds,
then glanced at the unconscious Tsunade in Kushina's arms, gritted his teeth, and decisively turned and sprinted away.
For a moment, the world fell silent.
"To pursue my dream is my right…"
Orochimaru watched Jiraiya's receding back in silence for a few seconds.
Then he sheathed the Kusanagi, lightly straightened his clothes, and walked toward Lucian step by step.
"So ruthless!"
Kushina stayed on guard, set Tsunade down, and took a battle stance.
Lucian waved a hand slightly and watched Orochimaru approach.
Orochimaru drew two scrolls from behind, half-knelt, and raised them with both hands as he spoke with respect.
"Please forgive me for privately letting Jiraiya go. Someone must carry the message to proclaim your greatness."
"I bring gifts for you. I hope they please you, Lord Lucian."
"And please, accept my fealty."
Lucian looked Orochimaru over carefully.
"A wise choice…"
Letting Jiraiya go was purely personal sentiment, but Lucian didn't mind—Jiraiya could not affect the larger situation.
Taking the scrolls, Lucian glanced at them and was slightly surprised.
The labels on the scrolls read:
Scroll of Seals; First Hokage's Cells.
Though these were useless to Lucian, this is the shinobi world, not the world of death gods; it's impossible for everyone in the Empire to cultivate reishi.
Their value was immense.
Most importantly,
Orochimaru had put real thought into it.