I’m Not Naruto, But I Got a Better Bloodline

"Someone's here… Why would a dump like this be attracting so many people? And none of them seem ordinary."

Even though she hadn't sensed much detail, Tsunade trusted her instincts.

Still, she didn't move. Partly because she had confidence in her own abilities—and partly because she was curious to see what was going on.

"You must be Tsunade-sama, one of the Legendary Three of Konoha."

Not long after, two people entered through the side door. One of them immediately dropped to his knees in a formal dogeza, bowing low to the ground.

"We have a request. Please—we beg you to accept it."

"Who are you people?"

Tsunade had, in fact, already recognized the two men as shinobi from Kumogakure—especially the one standing behind them: the Fourth Raikage himself.

Still, she was puzzled.

What were these two doing here to find her?

"And… it seems there's someone else, too?"

Tsunade's gaze subtly shifted toward the outside, while Amai, still kneeling on the ground, continued speaking.

"I am Amai, a shinobi of Kumogakure. My comrade has been severely wounded, and only your legendary medical ninjutsu can save him. I beg you—please save my comrade."

"Tch, tch… who would've thought a medical-nin from Kumogakure would end up begging a Konoha medic."

But just as Amai finished his plea, a hoarse voice came from the other side entrance.

"If I recall correctly, Kumogakure once tried to steal the Byakugan. And now, you're asking Konoha for help?"

At the sound of that voice, Tsunade raised an eyebrow—she knew it far too well.

The previously silent Fourth Raikage also turned his head, eyes locking on the figure approaching.

"Orochimaru?"

"Yo. Didn't expect to run into the Fourth Raikage here..."

The two men stared each other down in silence, each seemingly surprised to encounter the other in a place like this.

...

"Hey, hey, hey—this is it! We made it, no mistake!"

Just then, another voice rang out from the main entrance.

At the sound of it, the expressions of all three inside—including Tsunade—turned strange.

[Creak—]

As the main door swung open, three white-haired figures came into view.

And the moment the oldest of the white-haired trio saw Tsunade, he broke into a grin.

"See? I told you we'd find her, right?"

But before he could finish, his eyes landed on the other two groups already inside.

"Wait, what the…"

For a long moment, the entire tavern fell into silence as the three groups stared at one another.

Even Tsunade was momentarily stunned.

She certainly hadn't expected tonight to turn into this much of a spectacle.

"Orochimaru?"

No one knew how long the silence had lasted before Jiraiya suddenly shouted out loud.

"You're actually here?!"

Orochimaru stared silently at Jiraiya, a deep frustration weighing on him.

He just couldn't understand—why was Jiraiya like a damn fly?

Why did he always show up at the most inconvenient times and places?

This trip to find Tsunade with Kimimaro had been a spur-of-the-moment decision, nothing more than a ploy to buy time from Danzo. He hadn't told a soul.

So why—why did he still end up running into this guy?!

"Fourth Raikage?"

Kakashi immediately became alert at the sight of Orochimaru.

He still couldn't forget the feeling from years ago when Orochimaru defected—how a single glance had left his entire body paralyzed.

But he wasn't the same as he was back then. And with Jiraiya present, he didn't need to worry too much.

Besides… there was someone else here—someone clearly just as dangerous.

'Wait… why is that guy kneeling on the ground?'

Kitagawa Gen's mind was buzzing. He had expected to run into Orochimaru—after all, both his 'radar' and system had warned him.

But he hadn't expected to bump into the Fourth Raikage too.

'They just stole the secret technique of Sugi Village, were punished by the Nokizaru Group, and now they've come to ask Tsunade to save someone?'

Still, he was an 'intel source' after all, so it didn't take him long to figure it out. Kakashi, standing nearby, lowered his voice and spoke.

"Be careful. These people are from Kumogakure. Even the Fourth Raikage is here—it's likely they've come to ask something of Tsunade-sama."

"Hmph!"

The Fourth Raikage let out a cold snort, but inwardly he was just as bewildered.

Everything in front of him was utter chaos.

'Jiraiya, Kakashi, some brat, Orochimaru… and Tsunade?'

What, did the folks from Konoha come here for a class reunion?

No, wait—wasn't Orochimaru a defector?

And Tsunade hadn't returned to Konoha in ages either. What the hell was going on?

The Fourth Raikage couldn't make sense of it, but he wasn't in the mood to speak. He decided to just observe for now and see what would unfold.

"Orochimaru! I was just looking for you!"

Jiraiya felt the situation was complicated, but now that he'd found Tsunade—and even run into Orochimaru—he saw it as a fortunate turn.

"You—"

"Shut up."

Orochimaru cut him off before he could finish.

He was certain Jiraiya was about to say something like "Come back to Konoha with me."

And he had no interest in hearing it.

"Why is it that you're always so naive—and every time, it's downright infuriating."

"No matter what you say, there are things I have to do!"

Jiraiya didn't bother with explanations. He simply stared at Orochimaru with unwavering seriousness.

After all, Danzo's investigation had led straight to Orochimaru—and Orochimaru was connected to that mysterious organization. Running into him now was perfect timing.

"Then let's see if you actually have what it takes..."

Orochimaru's eyes locked onto him like a serpent sizing up its prey. A moment later, he raised his hand without warning.

Countless venomous snakes shot out from his sleeve, fangs bared as they lunged toward Jiraiya. But as if expecting this, Jiraiya's hair instantly surged forward and wrapped around his body.

The snakes crashed into the shield of hair—and in that same instant, Jiraiya switched hand seals. His hair sharpened like a barrage of blades and shot toward Orochimaru.

With a swift sidestep, Orochimaru grabbed Kimimaro and dashed out of the room. The moment he saw Jiraiya, he knew a fight was inevitable—this cramped tavern wasn't the place for it.

"You all wait here. I'll deal with Orochimaru—and keep an eye on those others!"

Jiraiya called out a quick reminder, then bolted after Orochimaru.

Within seconds, the air outside the tavern filled with explosions and chaos.

"What's going on?!"

"What happened?!"

Residents nearby started shouting in panic. Moments later, footsteps echoed from all directions.

"Get out of here, now!"

"Trouble's coming! Everyone, run!"

Even without looking, Kitagawa Gen and the others knew the entire street had descended into chaos. A battle between shinobi was far too dangerous for civilians.

Even the tavern owner, who moments ago had been demanding payment, dropped everything and ran out into the street with the fleeing crowd.

"Tsunade-sama..."

Kakashi turned anxiously toward Tsunade, who still seemed a bit dazed.

"You're not planning to step in?"

"Step in?"

Tsunade seemed to have sobered up quite a bit. She glanced at Kakashi, then looked out toward the street, and finally shook her head.

"This is between them. I won't—and don't want to—get involved."

"But Orochimaru—"

"I said—this is their fight."

Tsunade shook her head again, clearly unwilling to entertain Kakashi's concern.

After all, Orochimaru hadn't launched the Konoha Crush plan yet. He hadn't killed Sarutobi Hiruzen. He hadn't even used Edo Tensei to provoke her.

Tsunade didn't hold any goodwill toward Orochimaru, but their relationship hadn't yet deteriorated to the point of drawing blades the moment they met.

And with Jiraiya having already jumped in to stir things up, there was even less reason for Tsunade to get involved.

"But Orochimaru showing up like this… could it be...?"

Tsunade's expression shifted slightly. She still remembered that white-haired brat following behind Orochimaru.

The kid looked fine on the surface, but as a medical ninja, Tsunade had noticed something immediately off.

"Erratic heartbeat, physical weakness... but chakra unnaturally strong. Sustained by drugs, just barely keeping him alive?"

She shook her head. Yet another one coming to her for treatment.

Her gaze turned toward Kakashi.

"So then, what about you two? Why are you here?"

"Tsunade-sama, we're here to ask you to come back."

Kakashi spoke in a low voice, and Kitagawa Gen nodded beside him.

"That's right, Tsunade-sama. Mainly because every time Kakashi-sensei goes on a mission, he ends up stuck in the hospital for ten or fifteen days. The Hokage is really dissatisfied with Konoha's medical system, so…"

"…"

Kakashi suddenly froze, glancing helplessly at Kitagawa Gen—

Luckily, the Fourth Raikage interrupted.

"I don't care what you people want. But I got here first. And I don't plan to take up much of her time."

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