Chapter 113: The Value of the Sannin

The appearance of Aoba Kamikawa brought a sudden silence to the battlefield. Even Jiraiya halted, watching Aoba warily.

Jiraiya had always harbored doubts and suspicions about Aoba, viewing him as a dangerous figure. Now, it seemed his instincts were correct. Aoba appeared to have longstanding connections with Orochimaru.

Moreover, the death of the Third Hokage was intricately linked to Aoba. What infuriated Jiraiya the most was that Aoba never even bothered to hide this.

Yet, there was nothing Jiraiya could do about it.

Aoba's presence here also meant that Jiraiya's movements had been under his surveillance all along. Jiraiya felt as though he'd been used.

With Tsunade's presence beside Aoba, Jiraiya grew even more cautious. Kakashi's character had changed drastically after only brief contact with Aoba, and now Aoba was approaching Tsunade. Jiraiya feared what might become of her.

Orochimaru acknowledged Aoba's presence graciously.

"Aoba-kun, this is a rare occasion. You're actually seeking a deal with me."

"I'm no Sage of the Six Paths; there are things I can't do. I know you've completed your research on the Impure World Reincarnation. I need you to summon two people. And I believe you've already prepared the means to summon them."

Orochimaru glanced at Tsunade, immediately understanding whom Aoba wanted him to summon.

"As compensation, I will…" Aoba began, but Orochimaru cut him off.

"I decline this deal."

Aoba was genuinely stunned. Orochimaru's refusal threw his plan off course for the first time.

"Why? I have exactly what you need. I believe you won't want to refuse."

Not only was Aoba surprised, but Tsunade also took a step forward, ready to act if necessary.

However, Orochimaru let out one of his signature, serpentine smiles and spoke in his usual unhurried tone.

"I know what you want, Tsunade. Originally, this bargain was for your healing. But now, I have a new idea. Kabuto."

Kabuto looked at Orochimaru in surprise, then pulled out a scroll and extracted some materials. He made hand signs and performed the jutsu.

"Impure World Reincarnation."

Two coffins rose from the ground and opened. Tsunade's expression immediately crumbled.

Aoba looked at Orochimaru with a complicated expression, hardly able to believe what he had done.

Yes, Orochimaru had done something genuinely kind. This was… unexpected.

From his debut, Orochimaru had always been portrayed as a cold, sinister, even mad character. He showed no emotions toward anything outside his plans.

Yet, his attitude toward Jiraiya and Tsunade was noticeably different.

Now, he had even freely summoned Dan Katō and Nawaki. This was beyond Aoba's understanding.

"It seems you think of me as someone without feelings, Aoba-kun."

At that moment, Nawaki and Dan also noticed the unusual atmosphere. They realized they had been summoned by a forbidden jutsu but weren't particularly concerned. Instead, they were more focused on the tension between Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru.

The air between the three comrades was thick with unresolved emotions.

"Dan!!" Tsunade rushed forward and embraced Dan Katō tightly. Aoba glanced over at Jiraiya, only to find his face expressionless.

Aoba felt a bit disappointed he didn't get to witness a reaction.

Just as he had heard in various stories, Dan Katō was indeed a very gentle and handsome man.

Even as a reincarnated body, he still exuded a unique aura. Nawaki, appearing as a young boy, was even more emotional than Tsunade upon seeing her.

The three of them held each other tightly, leaving Jiraiya and Orochimaru, who had been on the brink of fighting, in silence. No one spoke; no one wanted to break this moment.

Jiraiya and Orochimaru also understood Aoba's purpose. He intended to help Tsunade overcome her mental block and cure her hemophobia in this way.

Hemophobia was a psychological issue rooted in regret. Most early regrets, especially those formed in childhood, are never fully healed.

But fortunately, this was the shinobi world—a place where the boundaries of life and death could be defied.

The deaths of Nawaki and Dan were wounds Tsunade could never truly move past. For her, the cruelest part was that she never got to say goodbye to them.

"Dan, Nawaki, don't leave me. Don't leave me."

Konoha's shinobi would never have imagined that the mighty Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannin, would have such a vulnerable side.

But to Aoba, this was the true source of Tsunade's strength.

Upon closer examination, one would see that each of the Sannin's stories was given a great deal of attention, and their growth curves were all distinct.

For Jiraiya, his path as a shinobi was guided by the prophecy of the Great Toad Sage. Most of his life was dedicated to finding and guiding the "Child of Prophecy."

It could be said that Jiraiya lived his life for the prophecy.

Orochimaru, on the other hand, represented the opposite extreme. He discarded most of his humanity, channeling all his desires into his pursuit of immortality.

Orochimaru lived purely for himself.

Tsunade was the closest to universal values among the three. She had her romantic, familial, and friendly bonds. She upheld her responsibilities and duties.

All three Sannin had the potential to change the shinobi world. Yet, ultimately, at least at this point in time, Tsunade was the only one who did.

The medical system she established in Konoha was critical to their victory in the Third Shinobi War and solidified Konoha's dominance.

This was the reason why Aoba cared little about whether Jiraiya or Orochimaru returned, but was determined to bring Tsunade back.

No matter how many jutsu Jiraiya mastered or forbidden techniques Orochimaru uncovered, in Aoba's mind, on a larger scale, Tsunade's value far surpassed them both.

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Currently on Chapter 154: The Box of Ultimate Bliss