Those who had previously received reward gift packs were already feeling the sweet taste of victory.
Springing with excitement, Haruno Sakura and Yamanaka Ino paid no mind to the rest of the Konoha 12. The way they looked at each other now was practically crackling with lightning.
Clearly—
They were both dead serious.
Just as the two were about to throw hands—
Sakura's gaze was drawn to the image on the scroll.
Because, in the image—
She was seen mustering up her courage to approach Tsunade, hoping to become her apprentice.
Although she already knew she would eventually succeed…
Compared to a duel with Ino—
This future moment held far more emotional significance for her.
Seeing Sakura lose interest in their showdown, Ino also backed down.
As for the crowd who had gathered, hoping to see a fight and bet on the outcome for potential reward packs—they were clearly disappointed.
The image continued:
[All of this was seen by Tsunade. So when Sakura came to her, asking to become her apprentice, Tsunade accepted without hesitation.]
[Gazing up at the portraits of the previous Hokage, Tsunade murmured to herself: "Since I've inherited Konoha from you all, cultivating the village's next generation of shinobi is my duty."]
[And thus, the Legendary Three Sannin—Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade—all took disciples at the same time.]
Watching this scene, Tsunade made up her mind.
Once she returned to Konoha, she would take a proper look at Sakura—
To see if she was truly as worthy of apprenticeship as the vision portrayed.
Sakura, on the other hand, was overjoyed.
"So it's true… in the future, I really do become Tsunade-sama's student!"
[Haruno Sakura @Senju Tsunade:
Master, where are you right now?
I want to become your disciple right away and learn from you!]
[Senju Tsunade @Haruno Sakura:
I'm on my way back to Konoha.
But whether or not I'll take you as a disciple—
that depends on your performance when I get there.]
[Haruno Sakura:
Understood, Master! I'll be waiting in Konoha!]
[Yamanaka Ino @Haruno Sakura:
Forehead Girl, congrats on being accepted by one of the Legendary Sannin!]
[Haruno Sakura:
Thank you, Ino-Pig.
I'm sure you'll achieve great things in the future too.]
[Yamanaka Ino:
Of course! I don't know about others,
but I'll definitely end up better than you.]
Sakura and Ino both felt their fighting spirit ignite.
It wasn't about dueling anymore—
Now, they both wanted to work hard and surpass each other through strength and growth.
The scroll continued:
[Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura underwent drastic transformations over three years. Sakura's progress was especially impressive—surpassing even Shizune, who had trained under Tsunade for years.]
[She mastered top-tier medical ninjutsu, learned the Strength of a Hundred Seal, and gained Tsunade's legendary superhuman strength.]
[Despite not having any innate bloodline powers or special hacks, Sakura—through Tsunade's guidance and her own hard work—was finally able to stand and fight alongside Naruto.]
["Not as childish as Tsunade-sama" @Senju Tsunade:
So that's the secret, old hag!
Your monstrous strength comes from the Strength of a Hundred Seal, huh?]
[Senju Tsunade:
Hmph! So what if you know?
Didn't you already give it to me last time?]
["Not as childish as Tsunade-sama":
That was my mistake.
I hadn't thoroughly studied the rewards I received—
If I had just used the Ox Talisman, even with your Hundred Seal,
who knows who'd have won!]
[Orochimaru:
If the Ox Talisman's powers are truly as described,
then Tsunade, you might really not be able to beat her.]
As a true scientist, Orochimaru was intensely curious.
Ever since Terumi Mei had obtained the Twelve Talismans, Orochimaru had been dying to get his hands on them.
He was even considering:
Since each of the talismans was named after an animal—
Did that mean their power originated from those twelve creatures?
If he could study those animals in depth…
Wouldn't he also be able to replicate the talisman abilities?
In fact—
Orochimaru was also thinking:
If he could also obtain Tsunade's Operation-Operation Fruit, that would be the perfect combination.
Just imagining it made him so excited that he could no longer hold back.
He immediately tagged Tsunade in the chat.
[Orochimaru @Senju Tsunade:
The Twelve Talismans are incredibly powerful.
But if you help me, we might be able to replicate their abilities ourselves.
Didn't you say you wanted the Dog Talisman's power?]
Orochimaru had hit the nail on the head.
He knew that if he baited Tsunade with the Dog Talisman's ability (eternal youth and immortality), she'd be interested for sure.
[Senju Tsunade @Orochimaru:
You're not trying to fool me again, are you?
Like with that Impure World Reincarnation stunt from the previous vision?]
[Orochimaru:
This time, I'm serious.
Haven't you noticed?
The Twelve Talismans are named after animals—what if their power comes from those exact animals?]
[Uchiha Madara:
Hah! You snake actually make a decent point.
But let's take the Dog Talisman for example—
I've never heard of a dog that grants immortality.]
[Orochimaru:
No conclusions without proper research.]
[Senju Tsunade:
Even if what you say is plausible—
you're a rogue ninja.
Why would I ever collaborate with you?]
[Orochimaru:
All I've ever sought is immortality.
The reason I left Konoha was because they blocked my path.
But you're the future Hokage, right?
If you support my experiments, not only will I not betray the village again—
I'll help protect it with you.]
[Senju Tsunade:
We're both Sannin.
If you truly stayed and protected Konoha, that would be great.
But how exactly do you want me to help?]
[Orochimaru:
Simple—
Once you obtain the Operation-Operation Fruit, don't eat it yet.
Let me study it first.
Its powers are crucial for my research into the talismans.]
[Senju Tsunade:
You think I'm stupid?
If you gain the fruit's powers, why would you still need me?]
And truth be told—
Tsunade didn't doubt that Orochimaru might be able to reverse-engineer a way to acquire the fruit's powers.
Because—
He was Orochimaru.
[Orochimaru:
As expected of you, Tsunade—always cautious.
Alright, how about this—
While I do the research, you use the fruit's power to assist me.]
[Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen @Senju Tsunade:
I'm ashamed to say this,
but I strongly advise you not to agree.
You don't know what his "experiments" really target…
@Yamato]
Although the Third Hokage didn't spell it out—
By tagging Yamato, everyone who'd seen the previous scroll images understood.
[Orochimaru @Senju Tsunade:
My current research focus is those 12 animals.
So rest assured.
I also promise that any results I achieve will be shared with you and Konoha.]
Orochimaru wasn't trying to trick her—he was serious.
Because based on everything revealed in the scroll so far—
If we're talking about immortality—
Then Uchiha Madara secretly living for decades didn't count.
That kind of "immortality" wasn't what Orochimaru wanted.
Only beings like Ōtsutsuki Kaguya and the Sage of Six Paths had true immortality.
And even they—
One relied on people from Konoha.
The other was defeated by Konoha.
So why should Orochimaru fight against Konoha?
That would be suicide.
[Senju Tsunade @Orochimaru:
If what you said is all true—
then I'm not against cooperating.]
[Chiyo-baasama @Senju Tsunade:
Konoha and Hidden Sand Village have always been allies.
Orochimaru killed our Kazekage—
As the Fifth Hokage, do you really intend to work with him?]
[Senju Tsunade @Chiyo:
That's between you and Orochimaru—don't drag Konoha into it.
Besides, wasn't your village's own Sasori of the Red Sand
a future member of the Akatsuki who invades and nearly destroys Konoha?]
Chiyo-baasama fell silent.
Because—
If we're being honest…
Konoha could easily hold Hidden Sand Village accountable.
After all—
Ever since the chat group appeared,
Chiyo-baasama had repeatedly tried to lure Sasori back to the village.
Wasn't that the same as Tsunade agreeing to work with Orochimaru?
The scroll continued:
[Three years later, when Jiraiya brought Naruto back to the village, Konoha had already returned to full strength—and its alliance with Hidden Sand Village was stronger than ever.]
[At that time, Hidden Sand Village suddenly requested aid—
Their Kazekage, Gaara, had been kidnapped by the Akatsuki.]
[Upon hearing the news, Tsunade immediately dispatched Kakashi to assist Hidden Sand Village.]
The chat group exploded in discussion.
Especially the members from Hidden Sand Village.
[Chiyo-baasama @All Akatsuki Members:
How dare you try to kidnap Gaara?!]
[Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki @Chiyo-baasama:
It's not exactly shocking—
we already saw in the earlier scrolls that the Akatsuki's goal
is to capture all the Tailed Beasts.
And they succeeded in many cases.
Didn't they specifically mention the One-Tail from your village too?]
[Senju Tsunade @Chiyo-baasama:
Lady Chiyo,
as you saw, our two villages remain close allies.
We'll absolutely help.
Now that we know Akatsuki is targeting Gaara,
Konoha will not stand idly by.]
[All of Hidden Sand Village @Gaara:
We were wrong about you in the past.
You are our future and our hope.
Don't worry—
we will protect you.
We won't let Akatsuki take you away!]
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Sagamaster789