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"My swords!"
Caught off guard while dodging the Great Moving Earth Core, Gamatatsu saw his two giant ninja swords suddenly flying out of his hands as if they had a mind of their own, slashing towards Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya, watch out!" Gamatatsu shouted in warning.
Jiraiya looked up, seeing the two giant swords, much larger than himself, reflecting in his pupils.
"Magnet Release..."
Slice! Slice! The massive swords pierced several meters into the ground like cutting through butter.
Barely dodging, Jiraiya attempted to move past them, but the giant swords, humming, swiftly rose and slashed at him again like dragons.
It wasn't until Gamatatsu managed to press down on his weapons that Jiraiya, now unobstructed, could continue searching for Gensou. However, he found that Gensou had vanished within the maze-like terrain of the Great Moving Earth Core.
Gensou's goal was never to defeat Jiraiya, but to obtain the Spirit Transformation Technique.
Throughout the encounter, his actual clashes with Jiraiya were minimal, preserving his strength to hold off everyone.
Just like now.
Not giving Jiraiya a chance to engage, Gensou specifically hindered Gamabunta and the others, who would need considerable time to break through his obstructions.
But time was the most critical factor now.
"Time is running out. If you don't decide soon, Tsunade will be in grave danger. Actually, she already is."
Gensou's voice echoed clearly in everyone's ears.
"Let me show you the live situation."
"Water Release: Reflecting Mirror!"
As his words fell, a giant water mirror formed in the air.
Jiraiya and the others looked up, seeing Tsunade's current situation displayed on the mirror's surface.
Before acting, Gensou had sent a shadow clone to hide near Tsunade and Orochimaru's meeting place to relay real-time information.
They could see Tsunade, trembling and powerless, a far cry from her usual strong and heroic self.
Her state was due to Kabuto deliberately splashing blood on her.
"Who would have thought that the most famous medical ninja in the world would be afraid of blood?"
With a mocking smile, Kabuto attacked Tsunade relentlessly while she struggled to defend herself, looking extremely vulnerable.
If Orochimaru didn't need Tsunade to heal his arms, she might have fallen here.
"Fight back, Granny Tsunade!"
Naruto, unable to believe the same kunoichi who had easily KO'd him now seemed so fragile, clenched his fists, shouting encouragement.
"Tsunade..." Jiraiya fell silent.
"Tsunade-sama!!" Shizune was filled with anxiety.
Knowing full well that this was Tsunade's hemophobia at its worst, she looked at Kabuto with killing intent, desperate to reach Tsunade.
"Hand over the Spirit Transformation Technique, and I'll let you go."
Seeing the timing was right, Gensou appeared in front of Shizune, issuing his final ultimatum.
"Between the Spirit Transformation Technique and Tsunade-sama's life, you know which is more important."
"You bastard!!" Naruto glared at Gensou with fury.
Despite his anger, he didn't rush in recklessly as usual.
Even Naruto understood the dire situation.
Seeing Naruto's reaction, Jiraiya sighed, no longer refusing.
Shizune, witnessing her master in distress, didn't hesitate.
"Here!"
With a "bang," white smoke rose, and Shizune summoned an ancient scroll, tossing it to Gensou.
Gensou caught it, examining the aged appearance, feeling reassured.
In such a short time, Shizune wouldn't have had the chance to forge a convincing fake.
Indeed. Gensou quickly perused the scroll. With his deep knowledge of ninjutsu, he confirmed it was the Spirit Transformation Technique.
"Can we leave now?" Shizune asked urgently.
Gensou nodded, ceasing his jutsu, and stepped aside, gesturing invitingly:
"Please."
Jiraiya gave Gensou a long look.
Choosing not to engage further, he quickly instructed the toad brothers.
Soon, the toad trio, carrying Jiraiya, Shizune, and Naruto, leaped rapidly towards Tsunade.
Watching their retreating figures, Gensou smiled:
"Thanks, Orochimaru."
He truly owed Orochimaru. Without his threat to Tsunade's life, Shizune wouldn't have handed over the Spirit Transformation Technique.
As for coercion or enticement, Tsunade had refused even the condition to revive her lover and brother. Other offers were out of the question.
Moreover, Tsunade, with her fierce nature, would rather choose mutual destruction than allow herself to be used to threaten Shizune.
The success was due to Orochimaru's timely intervention and the fact that Tsunade and Shizune were in separate locations.
After genuinely thanking the selfless Orochimaru, Gensou lost interest in watching the reunion of the Legendary Sannin or finding out if Tsunade overcame her hemophobia or if Naruto mastered the Rasengan in a new way.
With everything ready, it was time to return and complete his goal.
"I'm tired of this Edo Tensei body."
A breeze passed by.
Gensou vanished.
The once lively battlefield fell silent.
...
Valley of the End.
Located in the northeast of the Land of Fire, geographically close to the Land of Hot Water.
After leaving Tanzaku Town and distancing himself from the escalating battle of the Sannin, Gensou headed to the Valley of the End as fast as possible.
The Forbidden Technique: Eternal Sleep Breath provided great concealment but only in the burial site.
Taking it out would expose it.
To be safe, Gensou had left his body buried in the Valley of the End as it had been for decades.
Without any delays, traveling day and night, Gensou quickly returned to the Valley of the End.
The two grand statues, unchanged by decades of wind and rain, still faced each other.
Everything seemed the same as when he had left.
Except for the few hidden "rats."
"Leaf shinobi? They found this place."
Noticing the hidden watchers retreating to report, Gensou's eyes chilled, ready to eliminate them.
Suddenly, an unexpected change occurred before him.
Raising an eyebrow, Gensou paused, curious.
Until the change concluded,
Gensou eyed the newcomer boldly, smirking:
"Interesting."
(End of Chapter)