Chapter 132 : Orochimaru Might Kill Tsunade
The next day, the time agreed upon by Tsunade and Orochimaru finally arrived.
Tsunade made her way alone to the rear hill behind Bamboo Street, yet hesitation still clouded her heart.
All along the way, she kept mulling over her decision.
Before long, she reached the rear mountains and saw Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi already waiting.
When the two spotted her approaching, Orochimaru chuckled. "I told you, she wouldn’t be able to resist this temptation. Those two people are too important to her."
Even so, Kabuto remained wary. He couldn’t help but wonder: What will we do if she refuses us again?
Tsunade came to stand before Orochimaru and Kabuto.
She stared intently at Orochimaru. "Even if I heal your arms, you’ll still go on to attack Konoha, won’t you?"
Orochimaru studied his old friend for a moment. He didn’t lie. After a pause, he gave a small nod. "Yes."
Tsunade frowned deeply, but as images of Nawaki and Dan flashed through her mind, she found herself unable to let go of the opportunity Orochimaru was offering.
Just as she was on the verge of agreeing, Riku’s words from the night before suddenly echoed in her mind.
Why does that kid’s face keep popping up at times like this...?
Her mind, once clouded with indecision, began to clear. She remembered what Riku had said—so direct, so painfully honest.
And then, for the first time, she truly listened.
Let the dead rest in peace.
Would Nawaki or Dan even want me to bring them back like this?
She clenched her fists.
No—they wouldn’t. They would want her to live her life and protect what mattered now.
To Tsunade, Konoha was more than a village. It was her home. The legacy of her grandfather, the First Hokage, and her great-uncle, the Second. She had responsibilities—not only to their memory but to the living.
And that brat... there’s no way he’d want me to make such a selfish decision.
Recalling Riku’s frustrated, earnest expression, Tsunade lifted her head.
"Orochimaru," she said, firm and resolute, "I won’t heal your arms."
Orochimaru’s confidence faltered for a moment. He had been sure she’d give in.
Kabuto’s expression darkened.
Orochimaru stared in silence, then gave a low, disappointed chuckle. "Really? Then I guess I’ll have to resort to more... persuasive methods."
With that, Kabuto lunged toward Tsunade.
But Tsunade had already made up her mind. She didn’t hesitate. Her fist tightened and lashed out at Kabuto.
Kabuto leapt back instinctively.
Tsunade’s punch slammed into the earth.
BOOM—
The ground exploded beneath her fist, sending a shockwave through the surrounding terrain. The ground within a dozen meters was utterly shattered.
Her raw power was immense—and this was without activating her Strength of a Hundred Seal.
Had she used it, the resulting destruction would’ve been even greater—enough to rival an A-rank ninjutsu.
Possibly worse.
Kabuto yanked Orochimaru out of harm’s way, both of them leaping onto a nearby rooftop.
Kabuto looked down at the crater below, cold sweat on his back. "That strength... One hit and I’d be dead."
Orochimaru, however, remained composed. His voice rasped with something close to admiration. "After all these years, she’s still this powerful..."
"But with your skills and the right strategy, you should be able to handle her. I trust you."
The "strategy" he referred to was, of course, exploiting Tsunade’s hemophobia.
Kabuto muttered bitterly, "Easy for you to say. I’m the one who has to fight her."
After witnessing her power firsthand, Kabuto was beginning to question whether their tactics would be effective at all.
The difference in strength was simply too great.
But Tsunade wasn’t about to let Orochimaru get away. Her fists still clenched, she launched herself toward them again.
Seeing this, the two fled deeper into the grasslands behind the hill.
—
Meanwhile, back in town, Riku sat quietly in Tsunade’s room, sipping tea.
"So in the end, she still made that choice. Why put herself through it?"
He sighed. He had thought he’d made everything clear to her.
He knew how to perform Impure World Reincarnation. If she wanted to see her brother and her lover, he could have made that happen.
Even after coming this far, even after all the risks he’d taken to speak to her plainly—she still hadn’t changed her mind.
Maybe I’m just not cut out for this.
Talk no Jutsu, huh? He thought he was good at it. Thought he could persuade people with logic, with sincerity.
But maybe he had overestimated himself.
What Riku didn’t know, however, was that Tsunade’s rejection of Orochimaru hadn’t come from doubt—but from faith in him.
She feared the consequences of Riku using such a forbidden technique.
She didn’t want him to be burdened with accusations of soul manipulation or sacrilege.
Someone like Riku, with his talent and potential, had a bright future ahead. She wouldn’t risk staining that for her own grief.
—
As Riku sat there, lost in thought, the door creaked open.
Shizune stepped in—and immediately froze when she saw him seated so casually, drinking tea.
She blinked, stunned.
Fortunately, she already knew Tsunade had become somewhat close to Riku recently, so after the initial surprise, she recovered quickly.
"Riku," she asked, "Where’s Lady Tsunade?"
Riku took another calm sip of tea. "She probably went to meet with Orochimaru."
Shizune’s eyes widened.
Just then, Jiraiya entered behind her.
"What? She went to meet with Orochimaru?" His voice was sharp.
He stepped forward, his gaze locking onto Riku.
Riku nodded. "Yeah. After we drank together last night, she drugged me. I just woke up."
Jiraiya’s face shifted from surprise to realization.
"Damn it... she drugged me too. So she really went through with it..."
He clenched his fists. "Riku, we have to stop her. Orochimaru could kill her in her current state!"
Jiraiya knew Orochimaru too well.
If he had dared to kill the Third Hokage, there was no guarantee he’d spare Tsunade out of sentiment.
But Riku remained composed.
He rose slowly and said, "Maybe it’s better to let her make the decision on her own. If she really chooses to heal Orochimaru, what could we do to stop it?"
"This is her choice. Even if we stop her once, could we stop her again? The people Orochimaru promised to resurrect are incredibly important to her."
Jiraiya frowned. Riku’s words made sense—but it didn’t ease the gnawing worry in his chest.
He knew Orochimaru. Knew what the man was capable of. That serpent had long since cast aside friendship and loyalty. He’d killed their teacher. He wouldn’t hesitate to kill Tsunade.
"Her decision is one thing," Jiraiya said grimly, "but we can discuss that after we make sure she’s still alive."
Riku nodded. None of this surprised him.
And so, the three of them—Jiraiya, Shizune, and Riku—rushed toward the rear mountains to find Tsunade.
Riku stayed close behind but wasn’t panicked.
He already knew what was going to happen next.
As they ran, Jiraiya glanced at Riku. "What exactly did you say to her yesterday?"
---------------------
Join my Patreon and get access to 50+ early Chapters before anyone else! 🔥
https://www.patreon.com/UK21
Your Support is Truly Appreciated
--------