Tsunade suddenly lifted her head, her voice sharp and decisive, carrying the unquestionable authority of the Hokage.
"Immediately summon Jiraiya, Kakashi, Asuma, Gai… every jōnin currently in the village! Now!"
The order was relayed at once.
Within moments, figures appeared one after another in the Hokage's office and along the hallway outside.
Jiraiya's expression was grave.
Kakashi's visible eye narrowed thoughtfully.
Asuma lit a cigarette, the faint glow reflecting the tension in the room.
The air felt heavy, compressed.
Tsunade looked at the assembled elites, took a deep breath to suppress her anger, and spoke in a low, steady voice:
"The situation is urgent. I'll keep this short. Orochimaru and the 'Demon Child' Karin have appeared."
"They're inside the Land of Fire, leading several hundred abnormal and powerful lunatics. They're advancing toward Konoha."
"Their objective is unclear—but it is not benevolent. We must intercept and crush them at the fastest possible speed. Especially…"
Her gaze hardened.
"…capture or eliminate Orochimaru and Karin."
The moment her words fell, subtle changes crossed the faces of the gathered jōnin.
Orochimaru—one of the Legendary Sannin.
An S-rank missing-nin with unfathomable strength and grotesque forbidden techniques.
Karin—the so-called Demon Child.
Though young, the annihilation of Kusagakure shown in the Heavenly Screen remained fresh in memory. Brutal methods. Uncanny abilities.
Now those two were together.
And leading hundreds of fanatics.
Just hearing the mission parameters made one's scalp prickle.
Is the Fifth overestimating us?
The thought likely flashed through more than a few minds.
Interception would be extremely high risk.
Tsunade seemed to read their hesitation instantly.
She crossed her arms, her presence overwhelming.
"This time, Jiraiya and I will personally lead the team."
Like a stabilizing anchor, the statement immediately dispersed much of the pressure.
The Fifth Hokage—Tsunade of the Sannin. Peerless medical ninja. Unmatched monstrous strength.
Jiraiya—the Toad Sage. A living legend.
With both of them at the front, confidence surged back into the room.
"Yes!" The response was unified and powerful.
Battle intent replaced uncertainty.
Tsunade nodded sharply.
"Kakashi, Asuma, Gai… prepare immediately. Full combat readiness. Supplies and tools. Assemble at the village gate in fifteen minutes. This operation must be swift and decisive."
"Understood!"
They vanished in flickers of movement, already mobilizing chūnin support and gathering equipment.
Konoha's upper ranks shifted into motion like a well-oiled machine.
A killing aura quietly spread through the village.
Jiraiya stood silent for a moment.
The usual frivolity had disappeared entirely from his face.
When he spoke, his voice was steady—but heavy.
"This time… I'll stop him."
"No matter how many reasons he has. No matter what he's chasing. If he truly intends to trample the village… to harm innocents…"
He paused.
"Even if I have to kill him."
Tsunade looked at the pain and resolve in her old friend's eyes.
She didn't offer comfort.
She simply nodded.
She knew how difficult that decision was.
At that moment, an aged yet composed voice sounded from outside their temporary staging tent.
"Then… take me with you. This time, I have made my resolve."
The tent flap lifted.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped inside, dressed in plain clothes, a pipe in hand.
Compared to the once-dominant Third Hokage, he looked noticeably older.
Lines of exhaustion and lingering guilt marked his face.
His back no longer stood as straight.
Tsunade and Jiraiya both frowned upon seeing him.
Concern. Disagreement. Complicated emotions.
"Old man, you—" Jiraiya began.
Hiruzen raised a hand, silencing him.
His gaze moved from Tsunade to Jiraiya. He exhaled smoke slowly.
"Orochimaru reaching this point… I bear responsibility that cannot be evaded."
"Some mistakes must be faced. Corrected—personally."
He paused.
"And I may understand him better than anyone."
His voice was aged, but the authority within it was undeniable.
"Let this former Hokage contribute one final effort."
Since the revelations of the Heavenly Screen had cast old events into harsh new light, Hiruzen had endured silent torment.
His reputation questioned.
His later years scrutinized.
For a man who had devoted his life to the village, that burden cut deeper than any blade.
He refused to fade away as a symbol of aging regret.
For a Kage, such an ending was too pale.
If he must end—
Let it be like those before him.
In battle.
Protecting the village.
Correcting past mistakes.
Not rotting quietly beneath doubt.
Jiraiya met his teacher's eyes.
Pain. Determination. And something like relief.
He swallowed his protest.
This was not something he could dissuade.
He turned to Tsunade.
The decision rested with the Fifth Hokage.
Tsunade held Hiruzen's gaze for a long time.
Those eyes were no longer sharp—
But they were steady.
She understood.
The resolve of an old-generation shinobi.
The pride of a former Kage.
At last, she inhaled deeply and nodded slowly.
"Old man… if your resolve is firm—"
"Orochimaru… will be yours."
It was trust.
It was recognition.
And it was the faint rehearsal of farewell.
The confrontation drawing near would not simply be a clash of forces.
It would be:
Teacher against student.
Past against consequence.
And the weight of unfinished choices finally brought to reckoning.
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