Ch-38 What! Orochimaru?

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...

After Haku, the hunter-nin of Kirigakure, took away Zabuza's body, Kakashi approached everyone and said, "You should leave here immediately for Tazuna's house."

"But what about Jugram?" Naruto's voice wavered with concern, his eyes searching Kakashi's face for reassurance. "Are we just going to abandon him?"

"Of course not. We're not abandoning Jugram. However, after using the Sharingan, I face severe consequences, which jeopardizes your safety. Therefore, you should also leave with Tazuna. I'll go find Jugram and bring him back," said Kakashi.

Upon hearing Kakashi's words, Naruto and Sakura felt worried for Jugram. Observing their concern, Sasuke moved forward and said, "What are you all waiting for? Let's go to this bridge builder's house."

Naruto's expression was a mix of confusion and concern as he pointed directly at Sasuke. "Hey, Sasuke," he began, his voice tinged with urgency, "you're part of the 'Sternritter,' and he's your leader, isn't he? He's in danger, so why aren't you worried about him?"

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, his tone dripping with disdain and an underlying sense of confidence. "Fool," he began, his voice cutting through the tension, "as you said, I am indeed a member of the 'Sternritter,' and he is our leader. I am thoroughly acquainted with his capabilities, having sparred with him day in and day out. To date, I haven't even so much as scratched his clothes, let alone posed a threat to him."

"Well, would you look at that?" Jugram's voice interjected, light-hearted and teasing. "Sasuke's praising me. I'm overwhelmed."

"Hmph, I'm not praising you," Sasuke retorted, a hint of embarrassment in his tone. "I'm just stating the fact."

"Hahaha," Jugram laughed.

Kakashi, wearing a serious expression, asked, "What about the enemies?"

"Killed," Jugram replied calmly in one word.

Kakashi nodded in relief, but as soon as his mind registered the relief, he fainted and fell to the ground.

Sakura approached Kakashi, looking at him with concern. "It seems this is the consequence of using the Sharingan," she observed.

"Hmm," Jugram nodded, then addressed everyone. "Sasuke and Naruto, you both will carry Kakashi-San with you. We will leave for Tazuna's house," he ordered.

Both Naruto and Sasuke could only comply with Jugram's orders, as Kakashi's fainting meant Jugram automatically assumed leadership.

Afterwards, everyone departed for Tazuna's house, arriving after a few hours of travel. Upon reaching the house, they allowed Kakashi to rest.

----

And finally, after a few hours of rest, Kakashi regained consciousness, his eyelids fluttering open as awareness returned.

"Finally, you've regained consciousness. Are you alright, or do we need to find a doctor?" asked Sakura with concern.

"No, I'm fine. I just need to rest for a few days, and I'll be okay," said Kakashi. Hearing this, everyone felt relieved.

Kakashi then inquired, "Where is Jugram?"

Sakura replied, "He's tired after the battle, so he's resting."

Kakashi nodded and said, "Please go and call for Jugram. I have a few important things to ask."

Naruto nodded and said, "I'll go and call for Jugram." With that, Naruto left the room. Within 5 minutes, he returned with Jugram.

As soon as Jugram entered the room, everyone's focus shifted to him.

"Whoa, why are you all looking at me like that?" Jugram questioned, noticing the attention directed towards him.

The first to speak was Kakashi, addressing Jugram, "I called you here to ask, did you find out who those enemies of yours were?"

Jugram replied, "I wouldn't call them my enemies because I don't recall ever crossing paths with Orochimaru."

Upon hearing Orochimaru's name, Kakashi was completely shocked. With a jolt, he sat upright from his lying position. "You mean those ninjas who attacked you were working for Orochimaru?"

"Calm down, you're injured. And yes, I believe they work for Orochimaru," replied Jugram.

"How?" asked Kakashi.

Jugram explained, "From their curse seal marks."

"The presence of Orochimaru is concerning," said Kakashi, his expression pensive.

"Did you discover their motive? What exactly did they want from you?" Kakashi inquired urgency in his voice.

"I wouldn't say they wanted something from me; rather, it seemed like they were testing my strength. Or to be more precise, they wanted to capture or kill me at any cost," Jugram explained.

"What do you think the reason might be?" Kakashi pressed on.

"I don't know. One thing is certain: I've never crossed paths with Orochimaru, so he shouldn't hold any vendetta against me. Perhaps the reason for his attack could be because I entered Konoha. Who knows," Jugram speculated.

Kakashi nodded, understanding that Jugram was not lying. "I need to inform the Hokage about this immediately, and maybe we have to abandon this mission."

"That's up to you; you are the leader. But I don't think we can leave for a long time because of your injuries. It would be foolish to leave the Land of Waves until you're healed," said Jugram, his expression calm.

"Yes, that's true, but I need to inform the Hokage. However, I can't do that right now. I need to recover first, at least enough to send the message," said Kakashi.

Jugram nodded and then asked, "By the way, Kakashi-San, I have a question for you."

"What's the question?" Kakashi inquired.

Jugram continued, "They told me the whole process of you fighting with Zabuza and him being killed by the Hunter-nin of Kirigakure, and then taken away by the Hunter-nin. But from what I've heard, Hunter-nin of Kirigakure destroy the body of the traitor as soon as they kill them. Secondly, his death by a needle seems suspicious. Of course, if the needle was coated in poison, then that's a different matter, but I don't think that was the case. Am I correct?"

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