Chapter 24: Chapter 23 – Two Sannins

Orochimaru didn't try to stop the two ANBUs in their retreat, much to Jiraiya's amazement.

“I would never have thought that you would come accompanied, Jiraiya,” Orochimaru calmly said.

"Actually, neither do I," Jiraiya replied.

He ran a hand through his hair.

"So you were planning on seeing me?"

“Of course, Orochimaru whispered in a calm voice. “After all, you're the best in Konoha when it comes to finding people. And you probably know a lot about me…”

Jiraiya lowered his head sadly.

“That black coat with red clouds that you're wearing…” Jiraiya murmured. “Is it your organization's attire?”

He raised his head.

“Akatsuki, right?”

Startled at first, Orochimaru's face suddenly took on an expression of great satisfaction.

“You are well informed, Jiraiya. I expected no less from you... Like a failure, you evolve by observing those who succeed... But that at least gives you the merit of being a good informant.”

Jiraiya frowned.

“That's why I expected you to be the only one able to find me.”

“So you’re still underestimating the village.”

The two ANBUs were retreating at full speed.

“And you, you overestimate my magnanimity…” Orochimaru said.

“Juken!”

Kakashi and the other ANBU were ejected several meters. Jiraiya turned around, worried.
Orochimaru stretched his neck in a totally unnatural way. His head hurtling straight at Jiraiya, ready to bite. The latter, just seeing the attack coming, managed to ward it off by protecting himself with his hair.

“You really thought I would let an asset like Neji retreat so easily?” Orochimaru quipped. What a pity, that these two ANBUs got in the way. That attack was originally meant for you.”

Everything was planned in advance. Orochimaru knows me well. He knows that I would be able to track down a Hyuga. He wanted to finish me off right away, without giving me time to let the village know anything… Jiraiya thought.

“Orochimaru, why did you bring me here? You could have found a better way to make this masquerade go unnoticed…”

“It wasn't my only objective…”

Jiraiya frowned.

“And this kid, who has just knocked out two powerful ANBU…” Jiraiya whispered. “That attack is not ordinary, even for a Hyuga…”

“You noticed it,” Orochimaru said. “But Neji is not an ordinary boy, even for a Hyuga…”

Kakashi tried to get up, but he couldn't. His whole body seemed totally numb. He turned to the other ANBU, whose condition didn't seem much better.

"Tenzo... " he whispered. “Use the Mokuton and get us out of here…”

But his comrade’s head had hit a rock in his fall. He was unconscious.

Orochimaru suddenly burst out laughing as he stared at the two ANBUs. It was a cold, terrifying, ruthless laugh.

“In addition to being weakened, they can no longer muster their Chakra,” Orochimaru sneered.

So all they have left is Taijutsu, Jiraiya thought. But weakened and against a Hyuga, Taijutsu is a waste of time...

He bit his thumb, making it bleed.

I have to get this over with as soon as possible...

“Kuchiyose No Jutsu!”

Appearing in an impressive explosion of smoke, the great Gamabunta faced a gigantic snake. Orochimaru, seeing Jiraiya acting, also summoned the fearsome Manda.

"Manda and Orochimaru ," Gamabunta whispered. “It's been a while…”

He took a puff on his pipe.

“You're planning a special meeting, Jiraiya?”

Don’t be a fool! Jiraiya replied. “Don't make stupid jokes when I call you in such a situation... It's time to settle an old feud…”

Orochimaru, on Manda's head, sneered.

“We will beat Orochimaru... Now.” Jiraiya said.

With a flick of its tail, Manda uprooted several trees. Gamabunta blew some smoke in Manda's face…

In Konoha, Mikoto walked with a firm step in the Hyuga district. She saw a few individuals around, who stared at her suspiciously, though not looking directly at her. She could even swear that she saw veins activate on some of the clan members' faces, ready to fight.

Her step quickened. She didn't want to hang out too long in such a hostile environment. She quickly arrived at the entrance of Hiashi Hyuga's residence. She knocked on the door firmly, and an individual came to open it.

But it wasn't Hiashi, his wife, his daughter, or any other member of the clan.

“Minato?” Mikoto wondered.

“Come in, Mikoto,” he whispered softly.

Manda tried to wrap itself around Gamabunta, but the big toad threatened the snake with its sword, holding Manda at bay.

“Do you know what they say?” Orochimaru questioned.

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Jiraiya spat a powerful jet of fire at the same time as Gamabunta sent a torrent of oil. A big part of the forest was turned to ash by the combined attack.

This fight is between two monsters, Kakashi thought, feeling the heat from where he was.

The young man was faking his death.

It's the second time I've been fooled today... And this attack, it was way too strong! Even someone like Hiashi would have trouble generating such force... Where does Neji get such a chakra from?

Out of the corner of his eye, Kakashi saw Neji watching the fight between the sannins in the distance.

“I know that you are still alive,” Neji suddenly said, without even turning his head. “Your chakra flow gives you away.”

Kakashi clenched his fists, disgusted to be so vulnerable and helpless in front of a kid barely ten years old.

“I'm not going to kill you. Just watch you. Lord Orochimaru won't forgive me if I kill a possessor of the Sharingan... As for the other guy, he has a powerful chakra; I've never seen that before. Lord Orochimaru will no doubt want to study him too.”

Gamabunta saw Manda's tail digging into the ground. He tried to catch it.

“They say... that the snake beats the toad!” Orochimaru continued.

A trap? Jiraiya wondered. Behind the Gamabunta, the gigantic snake's head was sticking out of the ground, its mouth was so open that it looked like it could swallow the toad in one bite.

“Doton, Swamp Of The Underworld.”

The ground beneath Manda turned to mud, immobilizing it.

Minato, followed by Mikoto, went to the living room of the house. They found Hiashi there, sitting on an armchair.

“Mikoto,” he whispered.

“Hiashi.”

She stood facing Hiashi. Minato sat down on another chair, a little apart. With a look, he made Mikoto understand that it was better to sit down.

“I informed Hiashi of the recent events.”
“Ah… Very good.”

“How are you feeling, Mikoto?” Minato wondered.

“I’m fine, thank you," she replied with a forced smile, staring at Minato.

There was a brief silence.

"Very well," he said, standing up.

"What? Leaving already? Mikoto wondered.

“I have a meeting that starts in a few seconds.”

Mikoto lowered her head.

“I think you have a lot to say to each other…” Minato added.

Mikoto suddenly stood up.

“I'm not sure,” she said angrily. “Looks like Hiashi isn’t in a talkative mood.”

She headed for the door.

“Hold on.”

It wasn't Minato's request.

Mikoto stopped. Minato walked past her and opened the door.

“Don't forget both of you… We are the Jiraiya team. The only team, in the history of Konoha…”

He turned around, his eyes sparkling.

“... to have succeeded in seizing the two bells from their sensei!”

Mikoto couldn't hold back a smile, remembering Jiraiya tied up, while they shared a good meal in the open air in front of him.

Her gaze was lost in Minato's cloak. Suddenly, she saw him put his hand behind her back, close his fist and extend his thumb up.

"Thank you, Minato..."

She smiled, as Minato disappeared.

“Sit down,” Hiashi said in a low voice.

Mikoto, surprised at first, timidly turned around and sat down.

Minato appeared in his office and sat down, surrounded by the usual members of the Konoha council.

“As you know,” Hiruzen began, “we have just experienced a tragic event which, I fear, will not be without consequences.”

Everyone remained silent.

“That's why I gathered you all here... But that's not the only reason... An ANBU, who is not looking for Sasuke’s assailant, told me of a last-minute event. This information remains confidential. Nobody knows, except me and some members of the Uchiha clan, which includes Itachi, the ANBU in question…”

Minato frowned. Danzo, whom Hiruzen's first words seemed to have exasperated, suddenly became more attentive. As for Koharu and Homura, they curiously looked at each other.

Hiruzen didn't seem to dare to reveal the truth in this place as if he was afraid it would make it official. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

“Hinata Hyuga, daughter of Hiashi Hyuga, has been kidnapped…

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