Chapter 92. An encounter in Land of Sound

Jiraiya initiated the conversation.

"Orochimaru, did you establish Otogakure?"

Orochimaru chuckled lightly. "It's more of a cooperative relationship. I'm here now. You're not here to reminisce about the old times, are you?"

Seeing Orochimaru after several years felt peculiar to Jiraiya. Orochimaru appeared to be an entirely different person, not as easily approachable as before.

"Did Danzo order the kidnapping of the baby in the village?" Jiraiya inquired with a deep tone.

Orochimaru, nonchalant, replied, "What's the point of discussing that now? Whether it's true or not, does it really matter?"

Orochimaru didn't provide a direct answer, maintaining an indifferent attitude. Jiraiya, with seriousness in his voice, emphasized, "This is crucial."

Observing Jiraiya's unwavering gaze, Orochimaru finally uttered a single word after a pause, "Yes."

Jiraiya seemed somewhat relieved and questioned with a hint of bewilderment, "Why not explain it to the old man?"

Orochimaru chuckled, "Why should I explain? I am Danzo's accomplice. That's not a concern for me."

Jiraiya sighed, expressing his frustration. "Why does it have to be this way?"

Orochimaru's countenance turned cold, and in a hoarse voice, he asked,

"Why couldn't he choose me to be the Fourth Hokage? Why did he have to pick Minato!"

This issue had always been a sore point for Orochimaru. When Jiraiya brought it up, Orochimaru couldn't hide his displeasure.

"The old man had his reasons back then," Jiraiya quickly defended the Third Hokage, sensing Orochimaru's anger.

Orochimaru snorted and appeared to calm down. "What's the use of discussing it now? If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

With that, he stood up, ready to leave.

"Wait a minute," Jiraiya interjected.

"The old man mentioned, 'It doesn't matter whether you come back or not,'" Jiraiya revealed.

Orochimaru remained silent, paused for a moment, and then walked toward the gate without turning his head.

"The old man has aged a lot recently," Jiraiya added.

Orochimaru stopped, turned his back to Jiraiya, and spoke, "My recent experiment requires some precious medicinal materials—deer heart grass, red sand vine, and..."

Orochimaru listed several rare medicinal materials, coincidentally, some of which were specialties of the Konoha ninja clan.

Though not sold to the outside world, they could still be obtained with the influence of the Hokage.

Jiraiya, feeling a sense of accomplishment, assured Orochimaru, "Don't worry, Orochimaru, I'll find a way to get them for you!"

Excitedly, Jiraiya suddenly remembered something. "Orochimaru, please wait."

Orochimaru didn't turn around. "What else is there?"

Jiraiya bit his finger.

With a bang, a red toad appeared on the ground.

"I'll leave this communication frog with you for now. I'll let you know when everything is ready."

"Up to you."

Without looking back, Orochimaru left with a faint smile on his lips.

...

Known for being a renowned tourist destination, the land is adorned with numerous hot springs.

Most ordinary and boiling springs have been transformed into hot spring hotels, and fountains and geysers dot the landscape, enhancing the country's appeal as a haven for leisure travel and relaxation.

As Natsuki enters the town, they are surprised to find fewer tourists than expected.

Contrary to the rumors, the atmosphere is subdued, with only a few people around, and an air of melancholy hangs in the air.

Occasionally, ninjas rush past them. Upon inquiry, he discovers that an evil sect has emerged in the Yugakure, spreading its influence far and wide.

This malevolent group, aiming to please their sinister deity, recklessly takes lives.

Yugakure, originally dedicated to pacifism, became a target due to its abundant natural resources.

Many ninjas from the village fell under the influence of the cult, turning into their minions.

In response, Yugakure sought aid from the neighboring Sound Ninja Village, which dispatched Uchiha members to assist.

Natsuki suddenly wondered if this could be the hometown of Hidan.

With the rise of the Otogakure, they directly sought assistance from them.

Upon examining the map, Natsuki expressed confusion about how Pain received the commission from the Yugakure.

To reach the Amegakure from the Yugakure, one would either have to cross most of the Land of Fire or pass through the Land of Rice Fields, the Land of Iron, the Takigakure, Kusagakure, and finally, reach the Amegakure.

It seemed unlikely that Pain received it during this journey.

In the distance, cries could be heard. They advanced and discovered a man hanging from a tree in an unusual manner.

The body was lifeless and covered in blood, forming a small pool on the ground.

A triangular circle pattern was also present nearby.

A woman wailed on the ground beside her husband's hanging body. The tall trees made it impossible for her, an ordinary person, to lower the body.

Natsuki's expression darkened, and he signaled Kimimaro beside him.

Kimimaro nodded, used a shuriken to cut the hanging rope, jumped down, and caught the falling body.

There were sounds of fighting in the distance, accompanied by rising smoke.

Natsuki swiftly turned his head and instructed, "Don't move around here; I'll go over and take a look."

In the woods,

"How dare you disrespect Jashin-sama!"

"Hey!" Hidan leaped out of a fireball with a fierce demeanor.

Yaoya frowned; had he actually passed through the fireball directly?

Despite burning wounds on his body, Hidan swung his scythe violently.

Yaoya skillfully used his sword to block the attack, but the scythe's size and spikes caused a small cut on his arm.

Seizing the moment when Hidan's weapon bounced up, Yaoya swiftly slit Hidan's throat with a knife.

Hidan's body suddenly stiffened, and he collapsed to the ground.

Yaoya frowned, wondering if it could be resolved so easily.

Indeed, there was a noise behind him. He turned his head to find Hidan, with a massive gap in his neck, standing up.

"Oh... it hurts so much!" Hidan's leaking throat produced incomprehensible words.

Yaoya was shocked; how was Hidan not dead? What kind of technique was this?

Remaining on guard, he couldn't comprehend how Hidan had survived.

Hidan shouted wildly, "I'll give you God's sanction!" He stepped on his own blood, swiftly drawing a circle and triangle.

In response, Yaoya hurled five shurikens.

"Do do do do do..."

The continuous sound of shurikens piercing flesh echoed through the air.

"Ah...ah...ah..."

Hidan called out, yet he remained within the circle on the ground.

Wearing a sinister expression, he declared, "Punish you!" His hand moved towards the sickle, preparing to put it into his mouth.

A swift figure dashed past, carrying a gleaming sword light.

Hidan barely managed to position the sickle upright in front of him, uttering, "Choke..."

The sickle and his neck were severed instantly.

Hidan's head soared high before plummeting to the ground.

A familiar figure materialized in front of Yaoya.

"Natsuki-sama!!" His face lit up with joy. He hadn't seen the deputy chief for several years since following Itachi and the others out.

He slapped Yaoya on the head, causing him to stagger.

"Why didn't you interrupt him!?" He said with frustration.