The message-carrying summoning beast, a large-faced cat signed together with Tayuya, obediently licked its paws and waited after delivering a scroll to Furen.
After reading the scroll, Furen's eyes flashed with understanding. The information Tayuya had sent was exactly as he had expected—it concerned Orochimaru's whereabouts.
Ever since the Third Hokage used the Reaper Death Seal to seal away part of Orochimaru's body, Orochimaru had lost the ability to form hand seals, and thus most of his mobility as well. After numerous unsuccessful attempts to break the seal, Orochimaru turned his attention to Tsunade, one of the Sannin, who was known for her unparalleled medical ninjutsu.
If there was anyone in the world who could heal the damage caused by the Reaper Death Seal, it would be Tsunade. Normally, Orochimaru wouldn't have involved the Sound Four in such a matter, but due to his current condition, he had no choice but to bring them along.
However, Kimimaro didn't accompany them due to his own health issues, leaving only Tayuya, Jirōbō, Kidōmaru, and Sakon/Ukon to follow Orochimaru.
"Let's see where Naruto and Jiraiya are now," Furen muttered. He activated the sliver of his spirit that he had left hidden within Naruto when they left the village.
"They're still in Tanzaku Town…" Furen whispered. At that moment, Jiraiya and Naruto had already found Tsunade and Shizune in Tanzaku Town, though the confrontation between the three legendary Sannin had not yet begun.
"I need to find Tsunade soon."
Tsunade's importance to Furen couldn't be understated. Based on the conversation he had with the reanimated First Hokage, only Tsunade could lead him to the large scroll that the First had left behind. That scroll contained a map to one of the Three Great Sage Regions: the Slug Forest.
Once Furen reached the Slug Forest, he could unlock the Sage Mode scroll he had from the Wet Bone Forest and begin learning the same Sage Techniques as the First Hokage.
Mastering Sage Mode from the Wet Bone Forest would dramatically increase Furen's power. He would even be able to perform the First Hokage's strongest technique, Sage Art: Wood Release—True Several Thousand Hands. Not to mention the powerful life-regenerating abilities that came with Sage Mode, which Furen coveted greatly.
Tayuya's scroll indicated that they had reached the forest outside Tanzaku Town and were waiting for the right moment to approach Tsunade.
"By the way, I promised Tayuya that I'd help her sign a contract with the Monkey King Enma," Furen recalled. He bit his finger, formed the necessary hand seals, and slammed his hand on the ground to summon Enma.
A massive humanoid monkey, Enma, appeared before him.
"Furen boy, where are we?" Enma asked, glancing around curiously at the water-rich surroundings of the Land of Waterfalls.
Without wasting time, Furen pointed to the large-faced cat sitting nearby, the message-carrying summoning beast. "I've got a spy inside Orochimaru's ranks, a girl who uses summoning techniques. I want you to infiltrate their group and assist her in dealing with Orochimaru if needed."
Enma's brow furrowed. "Furen boy, are you asking me to become one of Orochimaru's summoning beasts?"
"Yes, that way, I'll be able to get information as soon as possible," Furen nodded. "Orochimaru's power is too dangerous and complex. If we want to take him down and avenge the Third Hokage, the best strategy is to dismantle his organization from within."
Hearing the mention of avenging the Third Hokage, Enma clenched his fists in anger. It was clear that he still held a deep grudge against Orochimaru for Sarutobi Hiruzen's death.
After a moment of thought, Enma finally nodded in agreement. He handed Furen a summoning scroll that could summon him.
"For Sarutobi's sake, I'll agree to this and become your spy's summoning beast."
After Enma agreed, Furen gave the scroll to the large-faced cat, along with a matching scroll he wrote out for Tayuya. With a puff of smoke, both Enma and the large-faced cat disappeared, their mission underway.
Furen then turned to wake Fū, who was still fast asleep.
"Fū, wake up."
"Hm? What's up, Furen-kun~?" Fū asked, rubbing her eyes as she sat up.
"How would you like to make some new friends?" Furen asked with a grin.
Fū's eyes lit up immediately. "Really? Yes, yes! Where are we going?"
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T/N:
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