A week passed quickly.
Actually, during this week, Tsunade's mood was quite complex.
Because she had killed Orochimaru, she had no reason to let Akihara Kagura use the Reanimation Jutsu to resurrect the deceased; if she didn't kill Orochimaru, he would inevitably threaten Konoha.
Ultimately...
The duty of the Konoha Ninja triumphed over her emotions.
Tsunade knew clearly that she was not an ordinary Konoha Ninja, but the granddaughter of the First Hokage, and she would even become the Fifth Hokage to continue protecting Konoha.
Killing an enemy threatening Konoha is something a Hokage must do!
Outside the town.
Tsunade chose to meet with Orochimaru.
When Orochimaru saw Tsunade, his lips seemed to curl into a smug smile, though his eyes remained narrowed, sharp enough to pierce through one's heart.
"Tsunade."
"I thought you wouldn't come."
Orochimaru extended his palm kindly and spoke with a grin: "Since you're here, hand over the summoning contract of Shikkotsu Forest to me, and our deal will be established."
"Don't need me to personally summon Katsuyu?"
Tsunade squinted her eyes, gazing at Orochimaru.
"In your current state..."
Orochimaru examined Tsunade and suddenly laughed slyly, as if everything was under his control: "Can you really summon Katsuyu?"
"What do you mean?"
Tsunade's expression shifted slightly.
Because the words from Orochimaru clearly touched upon her most embarrassing issue, had this guy already figured it out?
"The Summoning Jutsu requires blood..."
Orochimaru gazed at Tsunade's face and continued slowly: "Tsunade, can you really face blood in your current state? Have you forgotten? During that most troubling period of your life, I was always by your side..."
That period...
The feelings between the Sannin of Konoha were great.
Whenever there was a major upheaval in Tsunade's life, Orochimaru was almost always by her side, fully aware of Tsunade's condition.
As the most respected medical ninja in the Ninja World, Tsunade had developed hemophobia; whenever she saw blood, she would freeze up in fear.
Nature.
She was also unable to perform the Summoning Jutsu.
This was why Orochimaru dared to take on two opponents, because he knew he only needed to deal with Jiraiya.
"So you knew all along..."
Tsunade's eyes suddenly squinted, she abruptly punched towards Orochimaru: "So what if you know! Are you my opponent?"
"Such trouble... Hidden Shadow Snake Hand!"
Orochimaru quickly retreated, and suddenly a long snake darted out from his sleeve, its sharp teeth biting towards Tsunade!
Tsunade was about to smash the snake's head with a punch!
Yet the next second, she realized her dilemma: once she killed the snake, the blood would definitely splatter all over her, and she would become immobile due to her hemophobia...
However...
This wasn't something she could control!
Before Tsunade could think of how to respond, Orochimaru directly detonated the snake, and countless drops of blood splattered out, instantly falling into Tsunade's eyes!
"Blood..."
Tsunade's body stiffened instantaneously, collapsing on the ground!
"What a shame, Tsunade..."
Orochimaru sighed, his words carrying some regret: "Upon witnessing death, your heart was filled with fear, while I chose to embrace immortality..."
"Blood..."
Tsunade continued trembling, paralyzed on the ground.
Orochimaru walked towards Tsunade, extending his hand to grab her collar: "Tsunade, hand over the summoning contract of Shikkotsu Forest, let me sign a Blood Covenant with the Katsuyu Sage..."
Bang!
A shuriken forced Orochimaru back!
A towering white-haired man instantly appeared in front of Tsunade, blocking Orochimaru: "Long time no see, Orochimaru..."
"Jiraiya..."
Orochimaru's lips curled into a smile, expecting Jiraiya's appearance.
Orochimaru couldn't help but recall their past, he chuckled: "Even now, at your age, do you still want to put on a hero saving the damsel act?"
Life is interesting...
All the past seems so vivid.
Back when the three of them were still young, Jiraiya insisted on having me act as the villain robbing Tsunade, so he could play the hero saving her, but I almost got punched to death by Tsunade...
"..."
Jiraiya's expression was serious, seemingly unaffected by Orochimaru's words, he continued solemnly: "Orochimaru, for the sake of Konoha, today I will kill you here..."
Indeed.
For Konoha.
And also for his pupil Kagura.
Jiraiya resolved to kill Orochimaru here!
Just as Tsunade had thought, Jiraiya too envisioned a possibility, as long as Orochimaru was killed, Akihara Kagura wouldn't need to perform the Reanimation Jutsu to defend against Orochimaru.
"If you wish, give it a try..."
Orochimaru slowly clasped his palms together, smiling: "Remember, whenever we sparred in the past, you never won..."
"Ha!"
Jiraiya chuckled lightly, bluntly rebutting: "That was just to make you feel better, so you wouldn't feel bad losing to a tail-end like me..."
"If you believe your own words, then let it be that way..."
Orochimaru chuckled softly, shaking his head, not feeling upset at all, because he understood how much Jiraiya cared about his reputation when he was young...