Chapter 129: Feelings

Jiraiya's heart was filled with disbelief.

Can my chakra really increase by 60% at this point?

The effect of this potion was at least five times more potent than the previous one. He remembered how much chakra he had when he used the first potion. Back then, he had significantly less chakra than he did now. A 60% boost wasn't just a simple increase, it was exponential.

As this realization sank in, Jiraiya found himself glancing at the darker potion still in his hand.

If the light green potion was this powerful... what would the dark green one do?

But he couldn't worry about that just yet. Right now, mastering Sage Mode was his top priority.

With that thought, Jiraiya washed up, got dressed, and returned to his small, secluded tent.

After making a few preparations, he placed his hands together, gathering his chakra.

Twenty minutes later, two small toads appeared on his shoulders, one perched on the left, the other on the right.

"Little Jiraiya, why'd you summon us so late? We were just about to doze off…"

"Yeah, what gives? Couldn't this wait until morning?"

Jiraiya ignored their complaints, grinning. "This isn't the time for that! Don't you see?"

"Huh? Wait... Have you finally done it?" the toad on the left asked, its eyes widening.

"Yeah, you were still struggling last time. What's changed?" the other one chimed in.

"It's a long story," Jiraiya said, unable to suppress his excitement. "I'll explain everything once we get back to Mount Myōboku."

With that, the two small toads exchanged a glance, nodded, and vanished in a puff of white smoke.

A moment later, Jiraiya himself disappeared from his tent.

---

Meanwhile, Orochimaru was completely unaware of Jiraiya's progress. He had no idea how much Jiraiya's chakra had increased.

To Orochimaru, this wasn't really a big deal.

For most shinobi, doubling their chakra would feel like an incredible leap in power. But for those with special constitutions or massive chakra reserves, such an increase was relatively insignificant.

Take Naruto, for example. His chakra reserves were said to be a hundred times greater than Kakashi's.

Even without factoring in the chakra used to suppress the Nine-Tails, Naruto still had about four times more chakra than Kakashi.

In other words, even if Naruto lost 96% of his chakra, he'd still have more than enough to outclass Kakashi in that department.

So, when Orochimaru thought about numbers like "doubling" or "tripling" chakra levels, they didn't mean much to him.

He had also theorized that while genetic enhancements could boost an individual's chakra or physical abilities, there were limits. A person's genes were still largely determined by their lineage. An average ninja's genes, even after enhancement, would still belong to an ordinary person.

All that enhancement did was raise the baseline.

But when compared to individuals who were born with extraordinary bloodlines or innate abilities like those with "Kaguya's" genes, there was still no comparison.

---

That night, conversations continued into the late hours, and after chatting with Tsunade, Orochimaru began forming a plan.

"I'll have to find time to revisit Ryūchi Cave."

After all, Senjutsu was one of the few techniques that could harm members of the Ōtsutsuki clan.

"The sooner I master it, the better."

"Orochimaru, thank you!" Tsunade said, looking at the two potions in her hands. She was genuinely grateful. She understood better than anyone how valuable they were.

"You're welcome," Orochimaru replied.

"How should I repay you?" Tsunade asked with a playful smile.

Orochimaru's face remained neutral. "Pledge yourself to me," he said smoothly.

"Huh?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow, eyeing him suspiciously. "When did you start saying things like that? Are you sure you're not Jiraiya in disguise?" she teased, scanning him from head to toe.

In her mind, Orochimaru never joked about these things.

"People change," Orochimaru replied, a sly grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. He raised a pale finger and gently lifted her chin. "There are many things I didn't understand before... but that doesn't mean I don't understand them now. Isn't that right, Tsunade?"

Tsunade's cheeks flushed slightly. She was caught off guard by his boldness and stumbled over her words. "Y-yeah, but… not here, not in this camp…"

"Oh?" Orochimaru smirked, raising an eyebrow. "It seems you've thought this through, haven't you?"

"Well... obviously," Tsunade muttered, trying to sound nonchalant. "We've known each other since we were kids. Isn't it natural?"

Orochimaru's smile widened. "Good. I hope you won't back down when the time comes."

Tsunade tried to remain confident, but her voice wavered slightly. "I won't…"

Deep down, she had long considered herself Orochimaru's partner. She'd been prepared for this. As a kunoichi, she knew how fleeting life could be, especially in times of war. It wasn't unreasonable to want someone by her side, someone she trusted.

And who better than Orochimaru, who had been her emotional anchor since childhood?

But despite her resolve, she knew that taking that next step would make her nervous. She couldn't deny that.

Her feelings were conflicted.

Orochimaru, seeing Tsunade's attempt at bravado, felt a surge of emotion as well. There was a growing connection between them, one that had become harder to ignore. If it weren't for the fact that they were still on the frontlines, where a mission could come at any moment, he might have acted on his feelings right then.

Tsunade, feeling his intense gaze, blushed even more. Quickly, she found an excuse to retreat to her tent.

Orochimaru chuckled lightly, ready to follow, but before he could take a step, a swarm of insects appeared in front of him.

"A mission?"

The bugs arranged themselves into words.

Seeing the message, Orochimaru's brow furrowed. "I see."

After the insects dispersed, Orochimaru glanced over at the nearby patrol ninjas. He approached them.

"Heading out late, Lord Orochimaru?" one of them asked.

"Yes, just taking a walk. If a mission comes in while I'm away, inform Tsunade."

"Understood, Lord Orochimaru!"

Orochimaru nodded, hands in his pockets, and casually strolled out of the camp.

---

The night was dark, but the moonlight provided enough illumination.

He didn't rush, walking at a relaxed pace.

After who knows how long, Orochimaru arrived at a thatched hut in the wilderness.

Suddenly, a shadow darted from the darkness, aiming a punch at the back of his head.

Orochimaru didn't even turn around. With a slight twist of his body, he effortlessly dodged the attack.

"A strike at this speed won't work on me," he said calmly.

Without hesitation, he kicked toward his attacker's abdomen.

"Bang!"

The figure exploded into a swarm of buzzing insects.

"An insect clone?"

Before he could react further, countless bugs swarmed up his legs, crawling rapidly over his body, wrapping around him in a dense black mass.

"Secret Technique: Parasitic Destruction Insects!"

A cloaked figure, wearing sunglasses, emerged from the shadows beside the hut.

"Even you, Lord Orochimaru, cannot escape my insects... or can you?"

"You're not the only one who knows how to use clones, Aburame Ryoma."