While Kimimaro was being broken down by Takemi, the battle between Jiraiya and Orochimaru was also in full swing.
It's just that these two were too familiar with each other, and they didn't need much probing. They started going all out from the get-go.
Ninja Art: Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!
Facing Jiraiya's continuous attacks, Orochimaru extended his hand without hesitation, and in an instant, countless poisonous snakes tore towards Jiraiya.
"Why are you still researching such disgusting things every day?"
Jiraiya felt his scalp tingle at the sight of these poisonous snakes, but while he cursed, his hands didn't stop.
Ninja Art: Needle Jizo!
His white hair began to lengthen under the effect of Chakra, and it also became incredibly sharp.
Those poisonous snakes were pierced by his sharp, steel-needle-like hair as soon as they got close.
At the same time, he threw out several kunai, and while the kunai flew towards Orochimaru, he completed the hand seals again.
"Ninja Art: Shuriken Shadow Clone!"
"Tch."
Looking at the dense kunai, Orochimaru snorted softly. He leaped up to avoid these kunai, but Jiraiya seized the opportunity.
Ninja Art: Wild Lion's Mane Technique!
His hair suddenly elongated, wrapping straight towards Orochimaru's feet. Orochimaru couldn't help but sneer at this.
"Aren't you using these disgusting things all the time too?"
As he spoke, he raised one hand, and a sharp Chakra circulated around him.
Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!
Wind blades danced wildly, instantly shredding Jiraiya's extended hair.
In this situation, even Jiraiya could only reluctantly stop the Wild Lion's Mane Technique.
"Your technique hasn't changed much over the years."
Although Orochimaru was extremely annoyed by Jiraiya constantly bothering him, he still couldn't help but mockingly comment a few words when facing him.
He said, "Still so easy to guess, you haven't made any progress at all."
"Hmph, at least I wouldn't join some evil organization!" Jiraiya retorted accordingly.
"Come back with me, Orochimaru, don't continue to make mistakes!"
"Organization?"
However, Orochimaru didn't reply immediately, but looked at Jiraiya with a strange expression.
He was actually a little surprised that Jiraiya had investigated to this extent.
The Akatsuki Organization's actions were very low-key and secretive, and the missions they carried out were those in the black market and war missions, leaving very few traces.
Especially, they consistently advocated leaving no survivors.
'Did he return to Konoha before because he investigated this organization?'
Orochimaru raised his eyebrows, but quickly dismissed this idea.
He knew Jiraiya's personality too well. He wouldn't go back because of such a small matter, unless...
"He really found something that made him realize he might not be able to go deeper with his own strength, so he returned to Konoha?"
Although he still felt something was off, based on his understanding of Jiraiya, he believed his direction wasn't wrong.
After all, there was Itachi in the Akatsuki Organization, even if he felt this Uchiha was somewhat strange.
"And Jiraiya's information is a bit outdated, completely unaware that I have already left the Akatsuki, so..."
Orochimaru had a plan in mind.
To avoid Jiraiya from bothering him again later, he decided to make things difficult for the Akatsuki.
"Oh, you actually know about this?"
Licking his lips, Orochimaru actively started implementing his plan.
"It seems your investigation is quite deep, I just don't know how far you've investigated."
"I know that many people in that organization are like you."
Seeing Orochimaru take the initiative to speak, Jiraiya's eyes lit up, but he still put on an expression of extreme heartache.
"You are all rogue ninja, and there are even scums like Itachi who killed their entire clan!"
"I also know that you might be serving Kirigakure now, but how much pain has that village brought to Konoha, have you forgotten?"
"Don't keep making mistakes, Orochimaru, come back to Konoha with me!"
Kirigakure?
Orochimaru was puzzled. How did this matter get dragged into Kirigakure?
What were the Akatsuki guys doing in Kirigakure?
However, he had been to Kirigakure, and even witnessed the Kaguya clan's riot, which was ultimately annihilated by Kirigakure.
It was during that time that he met Kimimaro and witnessed his talent and loneliness, which is why he brought Kimimaro back.
Since that's the case...
Orochimaru tilted his head. Although he didn't know what the Akatsuki guys were doing, he knew that the situation in Kirigakure seemed unstable.
That Fourth Mizukage had truly angered the public, and a civil war in Kirigakure was on the verge of breaking out.
This also seemed to give him an opportunity to continue setting bait.
"You're really not afraid of death to investigate so deeply." Orochimaru sneered.
He said mockingly, "In that organization, there are quite a few people that even I would find difficult to deal with."
"So what, can they face a Ninja Village?"
Jiraiya, while collecting and processing the information, also said very seriously.
"Stop while you're ahead, Orochimaru."
"Ninja Village?"
Orochimaru shook his head and spoke calmly, "Don't apply your values to this world, it's too ignorant and childish. Many villages won't dislike us, they even need us. Are you truly unaware of this or just pretending to be foolish?"
Jiraiya didn't speak. Of course he knew the significance of the Ninja organizations in the Ninja World.
After all, there were many things they were needed for. He had heard that Iwagakure particularly liked to hire some Ninja organizations to do certain things.
"So you are doing the same in Kirigakure?"
After a moment of silence, Jiraiya cautiously asked the question he was most concerned about.
"That's right."
Orochimaru nodded. Saying so was to divert Jiraiya's attention. He was waiting for Jiraiya to ask this.
"Kirigakure is not peaceful, and the less peaceful it is, the more suitable it is for us. Besides, the Mizukage gives a lot of money."
With that sentence, Orochimaru felt satisfied.
Even if the words weren't completely explicit, this ambiguity was the best.
Jiraiya was also happy. He finally got relatively clear information.
The Akatsuki was indeed in Kirigakure, and most likely hired by the Mizukage.
Plan successful!
The thought popped into the minds of the two almost simultaneously.
"Alright, that's enough talk."
However, at this moment, Orochimaru spoke again, deciding to add fuel to the fire.
He quietly completed the hand seals and pressed one hand on the ground, and black curses immediately appeared on the ground.
Accompanied by a puff of smoke, Manda instantly appeared. He leaped up onto Manda's head, once again looking down at Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya, you shouldn't have investigated so deeply. There's no other way. To prevent you from continuing to cause me trouble, and at the same time to prevent you from dying at the hands of others..."
"I'll reluctantly send you on your way, and that kid you brought. Only after everything is over can I go to Kirigakure and meet up with them!"
As he spoke, Manda, controlled by Orochimaru, wildly swept towards Jiraiya.
Jiraiya immediately formed hand seals to summon Gamabunta, but just then, both of them suddenly froze.
The next moment, countless white bone spikes suddenly emerged from the ground beneath their feet.
(End of Chapter)
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