Seeing Gen's expression, Jiraiya could only laugh in exasperation. "Forget it. I can't be bothered arguing with a kid like you. But I think we're getting closer to Orochimaru."
"You think her missing husband… was taken by Orochimaru?"
"If nothing goes wrong, that's probably it."
Jiraiya's expression turned serious. He pulled out a notebook and flipped it open.
"Several people have gone missing near this town already. And apparently, it's not unusual for strangers to show up here and buy large quantities of food and water…"
"That implies a sizable group. And a lot of trouble."
Gen naturally picked up the line of thought.
"So he really is nearby… but the real challenge is figuring out how to find them."
"Which is where my investigation comes in."
Jiraiya grinned slyly and glanced back at his notebook.
"Didn't that waitress say it happened a month ago?"
"And those supply purchases—they also seem to follow a monthly pattern."
"So, if everything lines up, we should be seeing some activity soon. That's why I already deployed little toads at surveillance points all around the area."
"Once there's any movement, I'll take immediate action."
"Kid, you've got a lot to learn from me—hehe."
Watching Jiraiya's smug expression, Gen could only shrug.
This was just how Jiraiya was. He might come off like a clown, but he always did things thoroughly.
He taught Naruto with that same earnestness. He gathered intel on Akatsuki the same way. He really was someone reliable.
"Well, since everything's in place, why don't you just hang around the streets for now? See if you run into anyone interesting."
But just then, Jiraiya suddenly stood up—eyes locked on a woman walking past outside—and let out a goofy, almost perverted chuckle.
"I need to further my intel gathering. We should split up for now and not get in each other's way."
"..."
Kitagawa Gen felt he'd misjudged the situation too soon—this guy was downright outrageous!
But just then, he suddenly sensed a strange presence surging nearby. It felt eerily similar to what he'd experienced when he first encountered Hinata.
He turned his head calmly. Off in the distance, amid the crowd, he seemed to spot a white-haired boy.
"…What the hell?"
Gen scratched his face, a strange look on his face.
"Am I turning into some kind of radar?"
...
In a forest in the Land of Hot Water, Jūgo looked up at a bird flying through the sky, then turned to Kimimaro with a smile.
"Kimimaro, Jirōbō and the others have nearly finished gathering all the supplies."
"By the way, how's your health?"
"Don't worry."
Kimimaro's voice remained as calm as ever, even when speaking to his closest friend.
"I told you—I'll be your cage. I'll always be by your side."
"Of course."
Jūgo smiled faintly. Due to his condition, he had a dual personality. Most of the time, he remained stable, but once provoked, he would become violently unstable.
It was only because of Kimimaro that he had been able to suppress his violent urges. And it was because of Kimimaro that he had come under Orochimaru's command.
Though Orochimaru had conducted research on his condition and provided medication to suppress it, Jūgo still preferred to stay by Kimimaro's side.
Only when he was with Kimimaro could he feel any semblance of peace.
"By the way… are those two still tailing us?"
Suddenly, Kimimaro lowered his voice and quietly asked Jūgo.
Jūgo possessed the ability to communicate with animals—an incredibly discreet and efficient skill when it came to reconnaissance and relaying information.
Back when they were still shopping in the town, they'd noticed they were being followed. According to the animals, the tail consisted of a white-haired middle-aged man…
…and a teenager who seemed about the same age as them. Based on appearances alone, both were clearly shinobi.
"They're still on our trail."
Jūgo subtly lifted his gaze to glance at the birds in the sky, then gave a small nod.
"Probably just some rogue ninja or bandits hoping for a quick score. The Land of Hot Water is always crawling with those types."
The chaos in the Land of Hot Water was far greater than most people imagined. What it had in abundance were fugitives and outlaws. Orochimaru didn't mind attracting their attention.
After all, it was free material delivered straight to his doorstep—why say no?
"Then that's fine."
Kimimaro nodded. Orochimaru had told him to bring back anyone interesting, which had been a somewhat difficult task.
But now, this unexpected delivery would save them a lot of trouble.
The two continued onward, and before long, they returned to the underground laboratory—where Orochimaru was preparing for a new round of experiments.
"Back already?"
Orochimaru didn't seem particularly surprised to see them. He asked casually, not even looking up.
"Didn't find any promising new material?"
"We did, Orochimaru-sama."
By this point, Kimimaro had reverted to a respectful demeanor. He gave a slight bow before speaking with his head lowered.
"Two shinobi followed us here. We'll be 'welcoming' them shortly."
"Hmm. Since they've come, we might as well make them stay."
Orochimaru nodded, then followed up with a question.
"Any idea if they're rogue ninja or from a village?"
"Orochimaru-sama, according to the birds, there were no forehead protectors indicating village affiliation."
Kimimaro glanced at Jūgo, who then bowed his head and added: "One of them—white hair—was wearing something with the character 'Oil' on it."
"…"
The moment those words left his mouth, the casual indifference vanished from Orochimaru's face. As if he had suddenly sensed something repulsive… his expression visibly darkened.
...
"It seems this really is one of Orochimaru's underground laboratories."
Deep in the forest, Jiraiya crouched atop a dense tangle of branches, eyes fixed on the distant clearing ahead.
Then, turning to glance at Kitagawa Gen beside him, he spoke with a grin.
"See? We found it smoothly enough—don't make that face."
"Heh."
Gen gave a dry laugh, his expression bleak. When Jiraiya had the right intel, he was unmatched—but when his intel was lacking, disaster was always just around the corner.
Just like when he'd impulsively charged into the Land of Rain. Once he heard Gen's warning, he immediately followed, and no amount of persuasion could make him reconsider.
To be fair, their tailing skills were solid. Most people wouldn't have even noticed their presence.
But unfortunately, among the people they were following was a certain orange-haired individual.
'If I'm not mistaken, that guy is Jūgo—and he can communicate with animals.'
Gen knew right away—they'd been exposed. The problem was, he had no idea how to explain it.
After thinking it over, he could only speak up.
"Anyway, I just feel like this is going too smoothly. We should've been more cautious. Maybe it would've been better to send a toad to follow them instead."
"Tch. You clearly don't understand Orochimaru."
Jiraiya shook his head, sounding a little annoyed.
"Snakes and toads are natural enemies. If I used a toad to tail him, Orochimaru would've noticed instantly."
No wonder the mission name was Bro, Stab Me Twice. You two really are stabbing each other in the ribs.
"Alright, enough of that."
Jiraiya didn't want to dwell on it anymore. Turning to face forward, he continued.
"Since we've found it, let's wait for the right moment to sneak in and—hmm?!"
Before he could finish, his expression suddenly shifted—he had sensed a surge of powerful chakra.
Looking up, he saw the earth in the distance had shattered into a sea of fine sand, rushing toward them like an incoming tide!
"A mudslide of this magnitude…"
Jiraiya's eyes widened at the sight, and he couldn't help cursing Gen inwardly for jinxing them. He instantly snapped into combat mode.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
[Boom!]
With a roar of chakra, a towering wall of earth rose up in front of them!
"I was wondering why I smelled something so foul. Turns out it was you, Jiraiya."
At that moment, a raspy voice drifted down from above the wall.
Looking up, they saw Orochimaru standing high above them in a pale yellow top, gazing down with cold eyes.
His long hair danced in the wind, but there was nothing friendly in his gaze.
Truth be told, Jiraiya had been getting on his nerves for a long time now. Ever since he left Konohagakure, this guy had been on his tail nonstop.
Always ranting about bonds, saying things like 'I'll bring you back to Konoha'—he was beyond sick of it.
He'd heard recently that Jiraiya had returned to the village and thought he might finally get some peace. Yet here he was again!
"So you really were here."
The moment Jiraiya laid eyes on Orochimaru, his expression grew solemn.
Even though he was still wondering how they'd been discovered, now wasn't the time. He had to change tactics.
"Orochimaru, come back to Konoha with me."
"…"
Orochimaru had just been thinking how irritating this was, and now Jiraiya came out with that line again. It was both frustrating and laughable.
"You're still just as naive as ever. Konoha is no longer the village we once knew. It's already rotted away. Why would I ever return to such a hopeless place?"
"Even a decaying tree can sprout fresh buds—and those buds can breathe new life into the whole tree."
Jiraiya's eyes didn't waver as he locked gazes with Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru, this time… I will bring you back!"
"Oh?"
Orochimaru sighed softly—then struck without hesitation.
"Then let's see if you've got what it takes."
In the blink of an eye, countless venomous snakes erupted from all directions, lunging ferociously at Jiraiya and Kitagawa Gen.
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