Chapter 84: Crush, Withdraw, Sell Out, Flee 

"If I don't make you remember my fists today, then I will admit that I'm just a big pushover," Tsunade snarled, clenching her fists. Even the ominous marks of her Yin Seal couldn't mask her demon-like expression.

In her life, there were two things she hated most: the first was being teased by Jiraiya about her flat chest as a child; the second was growing up and being teased by Jiraiya for exactly the opposite reason.

Orochimaru had grown up alongside Tsunade and Jiraiya, witnessing Jiraiya's evolution from mocking Tsunade for being flat to getting scolded by her for saying she'd become too large. He'd watched Tsunade go from not knowing how to use her monstrous strength to mastering it, and seen Jiraiya go from simply getting lumps on his head to being beaten into the hospital.

What was even more ridiculous was that after Jiraiya got hurt and ended up in the hospital, it was Tsunade who had to treat him. And as a silent witness to all of this, Orochimaru had never commented on her chest—until now, for the first time.

Whether it would be the last time or not, Orochimaru couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy for Jiraiya as he looked at Tsunade's devilish expression.

This sympathy just appeared out of nowhere, but oddly enough, he also understood why Jiraiya always teased Tsunade. Tsunade's personality was really amusing; she was fun when they were kids, and she was still fun now as an adult.

Every time Jiraiya teased her, his expression didn't show any fear of getting hit because he knew Tsunade wouldn't go too far. Orochimaru, on the other hand, didn't mind—after all, even if she went all out, she couldn't kill him.

Orochimaru licked his lips with a raspy but oddly delighted voice. 

"It's been a long time, Tsunade. I haven't seen that expression in over a decade. Even the old man would be terrified of it."

"Huh?" Tsunade scowled. 

"Begging for mercy now? Isn't it a little late to try and get close to me? I'm telling you, Orochimaru, you're dead today. Even if the old man came back to life, he couldn't stop me from pounding you."

Tsunade clenched her fists tightly, unleashing the chakra from her Yin Seal with no restraint, charging at Orochimaru like a raging beast.

It was hunting time.

Tsunade's unleashed power was terrifying, powerful enough to break through Susano'o—let alone Orochimaru. Orochimaru had been enjoying himself while talking, but once she started chasing him, it wasn't so enjoyable. Tsunade was right about one thing: Orochimaru would remember her punches.

At least Tsunade wouldn't have to admit she was a sitting duck.

After the fifth time he tried to escape using the Earth Clone Technique failed, Orochimaru finally gave up. Tsunade struck him hard, leaving him with a concussion, his brain shattered, his body in pieces, blood and tissue scattered everywhere.

In the distance, Chief Toad smoked quietly, leaning against his short blade, looking up at the sky. 

"Ah, the sky is so blue."

"Can't argue with that," Jiraiya agreed.

Shizune laughed awkwardly, sneaking a glance at Tsunade in the distance before looking up at the sky in silence. 

"The sky really does look nice."

Naruto scratched the back of his head, with a look on his face that was either awe or envy. 

"Am I the only one who thinks Granny Tsunade is amazing?"

All three, including the toad, turned to look at Naruto.

"Uh…" Naruto's hand froze mid-scratch, and he chuckled awkwardly. 

"The sky sure is nice."

The toad, Yamato, and Jiraiya nodded in satisfaction.

After dealing with Orochimaru, Tsunade jumped back onto the top of the Toad Boss's head. The strange markings on her face slowly faded back to her forehead, forming a diamond-shaped mark. Its color looked a bit dimmer than before.

"Granny Tsunade!" Naruto shouted excitedly, "Where's that bastard Orochimaru? Did you finish him off?"

"That guy's not so easy to kill," Tsunade replied, flexing her fist, feeling a bit tired from the long fight. "He's already run away."

Naruto paused, instinctively looking down. Among the rubble below, only bits of flesh and stone remained—Orochimaru's figure had completely vanished.

Seeing this, Naruto quickly turned his head to look the other way, only to find that Yakushi Kabuto, who had fainted and fallen into the ground, was also gone. All that was left was a broken pair of glasses on the ground.

Naruto was shocked. "Even he managed to escape?"

"Reverse summoning jutsu," Jiraiya explained. "Since that old man's seal blocked Orochimaru's hands, he couldn't summon it himself directly, so he stalled for time, waiting for Ryuchi Cave to pick up the signal. The timing worked out."

Both Jiraiya and Tsunade could perform that move.

Jiraiya was especially skilled with summoning jutsu, knowing techniques like delayed summoning, reverse summoning seals, and timed reverse summoning. Usually, he'd set the time and let Mount Myoboku summon him as needed. In emergencies, he could summon the two great sages from Mount Myoboku first and then have them perform reverse summoning.

The whole process takes less than ten seconds.

As for Tsunade, she usually summoned the Slug Sage first, who would then return to Shikkotsu Forest and use a special transfer technique to move her there. Ryuchi Cave's reverse summoning technique was similar to Mount Myoboku's, though it might require a price—like a sacrifice. But Orochimaru didn't care about that.

"That guy! He really slips away like an eel," Naruto cursed angrily.

"More like a snake," Tsunade remarked, looking over at the slug and Manda in the distance.

Yes, Manda was still there.

From the start of the fight, he hadn't moved at all. Since the Slug Sage wouldn't attack him if he stayed put, he was able to watch Orochimaru get beaten up without much worry—a VIP-level treatment. He had no interest in leaving early.

But now that Orochimaru had fled, the show was over, and Manda figured it was about time to head back. Noticing Manda getting ready to release the summoning, Tsunade spoke up, "Manda, go back and tell Orochimaru that our business isn't over yet. Next time he shows up in front of me, I'll make sure it's a memory he'll never forget."

Manda thought about it and figured it wasn't a bad idea, so he nodded. 

"Next time you beat him up, you can summon Slug Sage again. I promise I won't interfere."

Getting to take advantage of the offerings, slack off, and watch Orochimaru get beaten—there was nothing more satisfying than this. There was no worry about whether Orochimaru would summon him either. As long as Tsunade summoned Lord Slug, Orochimaru would have to summon him too.

Otherwise, he'd be facing both Tsunade and the slug, which could also heal her. Unless Orochimaru had lost his mind, he wouldn't try to take on both.

After thinking it over, Tsunade decided she had nothing to lose. She nodded.

"Alright."

*Poof*

Manda released the summoning jutsu.

The slug saw this and turned to Tsunade.

"Tsunade-sama, no civilians around were hurt. May I leave now?"

"Thank you." Tsunade nodded.

"No problem! And please, Tsunade-sama, don't carry everything on your shoulders alone." The slug was delighted, its two feelers happily swaying from side to side.

Tsunade's heart warmed. "Don't worry."

*Poof*

The slug's summoning jutsu also ended, leaving only the Toad alone, silently smoking his pipe. He looked up at the four people standing on his head, wondering if he should make his exit soon.

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