Darkwings13: (´∀｀•) A big thank you note to BlackLady777 for providing me great information on Orochimaru and Tsunade's complimentary stats from the databook and for pointing out a very important chapter on Orochimaru's perspective on life when he speaks to Itachi. I won't reveal anything yet at this point regarding this info, but it will be crucial for later chapters. So thank you again BlackLady, and to all who's reading, I love hearing from you and won't bite if you pm me lol.
The one with the hood smiled slightly. "Even though you do want to kill us, you're trembling from what you've just done. There is hesitation in your eyes."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and pointed. "Strike." Manda reared its head back and struck the ground, piercing downward at a tremendous speed. From the dust and rocks flying, the swordsman leaped out and readied his sword. The substitution clone with the broken neck turned into a log and Orochimaru said icily,"I didn't kill anyone yet. The only hesitation you can see in my eyes, is my uncertainty in how I want you to die."
Tsunade swallowed and said hesitantly, "Oro... Orochimaru?"
From his sleeve, he took out two green colored pill and a black one. "Tsunade."
"We're going with that plan?" Her eyes were wide. "But you'll-"
"I'll be fine. Just go, Jiraiya can't wait any longer," he said curtly. She bit her lips and reluctantly took the two green pills from his hand.
"That's not a food pill," commented the Hyuga, his eyes strained on it.
Orochimaru swallowed the black pill and said, "It's something my father made. Be afraid... or be proud for making me use it." He raised his hand. "Many Shadow Snake Hands." Twenty white snakes burst out from his sleeves and struck the spots where they had been standing at with blinding speed. Where they struck, the rocks became speckled with droplets of purple poison as the three jumped out of the way.
"That was weak. Your aim was off," said the swordsman, adjusting his mask.
"That was to make room, actually." His eyes gleamed and he bit his thumbs. "Come forth, Gate of the First! Rashomon!" The ground shook and a gigantic gate with a menacing demonic face appeared, seemingly grinning with anticipation as he summoned it. The revolving chains swung loudly and Tsunade and Jiraiya leaped up to stand on the roof. It was a fearsome presence as it continued grinning down on them while it towered over the trees.
"That's... a technique of the First," said the Hyuga, his eyes wide at the gigantic gate of legend.
"Looks like you got your hands on some really good techniques from being friends with the princess of the village," murmured the swordsman.
Tsunade put a hand on her hip and said in disdain, "The amount of people who can use this can be counted on one hand. Unlike Orochimaru, you losers don't have the talent to use it even if you got your hands on the Seal of Scrolls."
Orochimaru glanced up at them. "Everything is set up. Jiraiya, Tsunade, next phase."
Tsunade bit on her thumb at the same time Jiraiya did. "Katsuyu! Come!"
"Let's do this, Bunta!" shouted Jiraiya, slamming his hand into the ground with her. Smoke erupted from the ground and soon, his toad and Tsunade's slug appeared.
"This fight starts for real now," said Orochimaru as he slowly disappeared down into the ground.
"You're not going anywhere."
The one in the hood threw five shurikens covered in poison at him and he smirked as they struck him, sending splashes of blood to the ground. His shoulders shook in silent laughter as he licked away of drop of blood that trailed from the cut on his cheek. "You call this poison?" he whispered as he disappeared.
"Katsuyu! I need acid!" she shouted at the man size slug beside her.
"Bunta, give me water!" commanded Jiraiya. Her blue and white slug let out a stream of powerful slug acid and his toad mixed in his water, turning it into a deadly jet of liquid. He grinned as he took in a big breath and performed four hand seals. "Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!"
Tsunade watched as his fire vaporized the liquid into a deadly acidic mist. The surrounding trees and rocks were liquefying under its intensity and she watched as the three ran towards them, trying to finish them off quickly. "Not a chance." She pulled on a chain and the roof opened up to reveal the many kunais that served as launchers underneath. "Eat steel!" A barrage of raining kunai launched at them at high velocity. There was so many, it even partially blocked out the light of the sun.
The Hyuga made a sound of disgust as he forced them away with bursts of chakra from his fists. Beside him, the swordsman swung at the weapons. "This mist is eating away at us." He ducked as the giant slug spat another fistful of acid in his direction while the white hair boy shot out many mini fireballs their way. Every few seconds, the purple snake and his summoner would pop up to strike at them before disappearing back underground.
"Smart kid," noted the one in the hood as they jumped back from the range of the launchers. "He made his teammates go up there to be out of reach from this mist and us. They have a good vantage point to strike at us as well."
The white-eyed boy looked and pointed as he dodged another handful of acid. "Hey! Behind you!"
Manda popped up from the ground and hissed menacingly, its fangs ripped at thin air as the one in the hood dodged and retaliated with a handful of poison-laced senbons. But the snake was fast as it quickly dived back underground. Before they knew it, Orochimaru leaped up from the ground and lashed out his tongue to catch the Hyuga. But the move was ducked and Orochimaru pulled it back into his mouth in irritation. They traded a few blows back and forth but he knew he was outmatched as they fought. His taijutsu was nowhere as good as the Gentle Fist style and he grimaced as the Hyuga landed one strike on his chest, sending him several steps backward.
"Hey! Behind you!" shouted Jiraiya as the swordsman came up beside Orochimaru.
Tsunade watched with baited breath as he elegantly twisted to the side to make the injury less serious. But blood spilled heavily as it cut into his back and he retaliated by sending snakes out from his sleeves to force the swordsman back. As the snakes drew back into his sleeves, he examined the pool of blood around his feet with a nonchalant expression. "Not bad." He leaped up to the roof of the Rashomon gate while Manda dove back underground to avoid the acidic mist. Tsunade swallowed and eyed the blood dripping down his white yukata.
"Now then." Sitting down, he calmly reached into his sleeve and chewed on a Blood Replenishing pill as he dangled his legs over the edge. "I suppose it's been long enough. I want to tell you that the mist wasn't used solely as a way to damage you over time. It also hid the fact that I was bleeding all over the place."
"What?" The one in the hood lifted up his head, his purple eyes wide. "This is... I can't move."
"A poison that stems from my own blood when I swallowed that black pill," Orochimaru said calmly, watching his blood roll down the tiles of the roof. "It evaporates and paralyzes all who breathe it in." He cocked his head to the side. "Now, we'll just watch your flesh melt off your very bones. It's the most painful way I could think of to kill you three and negate your talents before you can fully use them."
"Someone must have told you about us and our abilities with sensing, poison and kenjutsu," said the swordsman, falling to his knees and shaking. "So those pills you gave your teammates... was to help them stand against your own blood."
"Correct," answered Orochimaru. "It holds back any type of poison already entered into the system for one hour and prevents every other poison from taking hold. A special creation of my father." He tilted his head and said in curiosity, "We've never tested this plan on someone yet. I wonder how long it will take to see you melt." He eyed the bloody bone peeking through the back of their hands and smirked. "Not very long, I suppose. Katsuyu's acid is still incredibly strong, even if it's been diluted."
Jiraiya winced and clutched at his green hand. "Orochimaru, I don't want to kill anyone. Just take their scroll. They can't come after us now that they're paralyzed." His friend didn't answer and he raised his voice. "Orochimaru! Stop this!"
His golden eyes glanced over for a brief moment before he raised a pale white hand. His white snakes lashed out and bound his friend tightly, binding him around the eyes and mouth.
"Hey!" Gamabunta shouted in protest. "What are you doing to him?!"
"Shut up, toad," hissed Manda. Orochimaru sat there calmly as Manda popped up from the ground and slithered up the gate at an immense speed to coil around him protectively. "Even you should be able to see that we are the one giving orders here. Your summoner wouldn't even be standing if it wasn't for that pill Orochimaru gave him." Manda's green eyes glittered. "Which lasts only one hour. If he doesn't get an antidote or another pill, he'll die."
A dark slug shaped shadow loomed over them and Orochimaru slowly glanced over. "Tsunade, don't interfere."
"Mistress?" asked Katsuyu, seeking direction.
Tsunade held her back and said quietly, "Orochimaru... I hated them for what they've done to Berry and Jiraiya. I know they were trying to kill us too. But to see them die in such a painful way, doesn't sit right with me."
"They killed at least ten other people. Sakumo Hatake told me," he replied emotionlessly, watching the three cry out in pain as their skin bled and turned raw from the acid eating away at them. "Let me remind you that we saw them kill on the very first day, hime. Spare your pity for those who actually deserve it."
She bent down and said, "I don't care about them, especially if they really did kill ten other people. But Jiraiya is right. If you do this, you're changing yourself for the worst." When he continued to ignore her, she said loudly, "Orochimaru! Stop this! I understand that we're ninjas. We have to kill sooner or later. I know that and I know these are bad guys." She reached out and grabbed the bloody sleeve of his outfit. "But this is senseless torture! You're not a bad person. I know you have a heart-"
"Do you know... how terrified I was... as I ran to get here?" His eyes grew steely. "I lacked the power to protect my parents. All I could do was cry and hate how unfair this world is. Now that I do have the power, I'm going to use it. Those who hurt me and the ones I care about will pay with more than their lives." He cocked his head and laughed lowly. "I'm not going to cry, I am going to laugh, Tsunade Senju. I'm going to bury all of my pain and show the world that I'm not going to let it hurt my anymore. They will suffer, and I will enjoy!" Manda snapped at her, making her jump back. Orochimaru turned back to the scene below and said, "That's your first warning."
"Mistress!" Katsuyu's cheeks bulged with acid. "Do that again, Manda, and I will have to fight you."
"Heh." The purple snake laughed. "You're being cute, Katsuyu."
"Stop!" Tsunade placed herself in front of her slug and said lowly, "Don't worry, Katsuyu. I can handle this." She readied a fist. "I'll stop you myself if I have to, Orochimaru." She didn't bat an eye as he struck at the spot beside her with his snake hand technique.
"Second warning. The third time, and it will be serious," Orochimaru said flatly.
"You'll never hurt me," she said firmly. "I'm more important to you than those three's suffering. Or am I wrong?" A single tear slipped down her cheek. "Maybe you really never cared."
"I..." He lowered his head, letting his long black hair hide his face. "Someone... must be the snake and make hard choices so that others won't have to make them. I would gladly become a bad person in your eyes if it means I can protect you." His hands tightened into fists. "I'm doing this, no matter what you or Jiraiya say."
She walked back to his side and bent down to his level. "This is not protecting anyone! This is inhumane!" She swiped at her necklace, breaking the string and taking it back from him. "I gave this to you so you can keep me close. But if keeping me close means you're going to turn into something like this, then I'd rather lose you!"
He gazed at the necklace she was holding for a brief moment before looking away. "Then so be it."
"Orochimaru!" she screamed. "I'm not letting you do this! Katsu-"
He coughed out a mouthful of blood and pressed his free hand to his chest. "Manda." The snake hissed and reared its head at the slug, readying an offensive stance with its fangs bared.
Her heart pounded as she saw how purple his lips were. "What's happening to you?"
"Side effect of the pill," he rasped.
"I thought you said you're just going to lose blood with this plan..." she said in shock. "Are you dying?"
"If I told you, would you have let me used that pill?" Blood rolled up his throat and he opened his mouth to let it spill out. When she reached out for him, he pushed her hand away. "I chose to do this... for you. I'm not backing down, even if you hate me for it." His eyes grew hard as he watched the three claw at their hands and faces being eaten away by the acid.
"Orochimaru..." She wiped at her eyes and cried. "I don't hate you. I'm hurting for you!" She shook her head wildly. "You're human! You're not a monster! Don't do this!"
"I'm hurting you?" he asked questioningly. What did it mean to be human anyway? He had once asked that question when he saw his parents corpses. They were both so beautiful, talented and intelligent... but in that dark and icy room, all he could see was a human being reduced to nothing more than bones, rotting flesh and dried blood. From then on, he wasn't sure what human even meant anymore. Once you strip down to the core, wasn't the true essence of being human... just a bunch of bones and flesh knit together and held together with a beating heart. To protect that fragile existence, it was natural to go all out and do whatever it takes to protect yourself wasn't it? Morality would not save you. This was reality and the truth of the world... right? He made a sound as she hugged him.
"Please stop," she said, crying into his neck. "Look at what's happening to you... You'd have never considered fighting me before this."
A sad expression crossed his face. "They aren't after the scroll, Tsunade. From what Sakumo told me, it looks like they're recruiting. They push people to the death and those aren't strong enough dies. I want to send a message to the person who sent them, that I will not tolerate this." He coughed once more and rasped, "They will come after us once we emerge from this exam victorious. I wanted to kill them in the most gruesome way possible to make that person fear coming after us." He closed his eyes and whispered, "I'm just trying to protect us."
"But they don't know it's us. There have to be more participants who would pass this-"
"No." He pushed her away and said, "I lied to you and Jiraiya. I obtained the heaven scroll on the second day I was here. The days I left you two, I went out to burn the scrolls from the other teams. Danzo said if too many passes this stage, he'd make it even harder so I wanted to plan ahead. Only six will pass this stage now, and that includes the three of us. Whoever sent them... will know."
Tsunade felt her throat constrict from what she was hearing. She drew back and said, "What did you say? You lied to me?"
"It was for your sake and peace of mind," he replied quietly. His head shot to the side as she punched him in the face. A purple bruise marred his white skin and he touched it gingerly.
"How could you?!" She grabbed onto his shirt and shrieked, "Do you know how dangerous that was! I should have broken both of your legs and stuck you in that tree with us!" She punched him again when she saw him smiled. "IT'S NOT FUNNY!"
"I knew you'd stop me for that reason," he said, feeling warm inside, despite thinking that she might have just cracked his teeth from her punches. He coughed and sprayed out another mouthful of blood.
Tsunade stood up and said quietly, "You've done enough, Orochimaru. It's my turn." She drew out three kunai and looked down. "I'll break your face if you won't let me."
"What-"
"There is no curing them now. I'm going to kill them in a more merciful way. Whoever sent them will still see the degree of burns they've suffered before they die, and will know not to come after us." When he looked reluctant, she said, "They're nearly half dead from the pain. Enough is enough." He sat there in thoughtful silence before nodding. Before she could throw however, he beat her to it. "Orochimaru!" she shouted as he hit them all in the forehead with his own kunais and killed them instantly.
"I'd rather not see your hands stained with blood yet, hime," he said, looking up at her. "You will have to kill one day, but I'd rather see you do it because you have to defend your life. You'll sleep easier."
She put a hand to her mouth and choked. Even now, he was thinking ahead for her. "Orochimaru..."
"I am the snake, remember? I should be the one doing this kind of things," he said with a ghost of a smile. His eyes then grew wistful. "And you will probably hate me one day for it."
She hugged him tightly and shook her head. "Never," she said, pressing her face into his shoulder. "You became one for my sake.
"You've always been strange," he muttered. "Perhaps I've always been one. Haven't you thought of that?"
"We're still kids. Shut up and sound stupid for once," she grumbled into his shirt, hugging him even tighter. She knew that he might be right. For the first time, she could see how twisted he perhaps really was. What he said to her, was half truth and half lie. Even if his intentions was to protect them, she had seen the small glimmer in his eyes that showed that he had enjoyed watching those three suffer. Nonetheless, she could also see the care and affection he had for her, and she refused to confront the darkness he had in his heart. It was easier to believe that he would change for the better then think about the possibility that he might fall completely into darkness.
He placed a hand on her back and held her against him. "Hime... take another pill and give one to Jiraiya and let's get out of here. Close to the tower, look for Sakumo Hatake. Augh..." His face scrunched up in pain. "Manda, eat two and then go back home to Ryuchi Cave."
"You promised me three," Manda hissed.
He turned his head. "Fine. Eat two and a half. I'll feed you with something else to make up for the missing portion." As the big snake went to feed, he let Jiraiya go free by calling his snakes back into his sleeves. He looked over to see Jiraiya angrily yelling something at him and he smiled behind his long locks of hair.
Tsunade caught him in her arms as Rashomon disappeared from him passing out. Her slug landed heavily beside her and she said, "You can leave now, Katsuyu. I'm fine."
"Hey! I'm not done talking to you! Don't you dare faint on me!" Jiraiya shouted angrily, landing beside his toad.
"It's over, Jiraiya. Leave it."
He pointed at the torso of the swordsman, the only thing that was left of the three. "Hell, what other choice do I have but to leave it!"
"He did it for us!" Tsunade shouted. "You and I both know that if he hadn't shown up in time, they'd have killed us. So shut up or I'll pound your face into the ground."
"So I'm supposed to shut up and just let him kill-"
"Yes." Her eyes were hard as she said that. "They had to die, Jiraiya. All I can agree on, is that they didn't have to die in such a painful way." When he opened his mouth, she cut in. "You overheard our conversation right? You know it's the truth. So please, drop it." She stood up with her friend in her arms, his head resting against her shoulder. He was still bleeding from the back and she could feel it running down her arms and clothes. "Let's just go..." She looked behind her shoulder at the remains of the tree and thought of Berry. Squeezing her eyes shut, she said thickly, "It hurts too much to stay here any longer."
Dusk...
"They're here." Sakumo gestured for his two teammates who were sitting by a campfire and the three released the barrier to let the newcomers come in.
"Sakumo." Tsunade adjusted her teammate in her arms and warily looked over to the other two as she and Jiraiya jumped down from a tree. A girl with a cute brown bob cut blinked back at her with wide chocolate brown eyes. Her outfit consisted of a blue Chinese style dress with sweeping purple flowers on the right and a large scroll was strapped behind her back. The dress was slit open for movement and she wore pink leggings underneath. Beside her was a jockey looking boy with a black bandana holding back shoulder length blonde hair. Under his long coat, he wore loose blue pants and a form-fitting red shirt. She quite frankly thought that it was rather dumb to wear a heavy tan coat under such hot and humid conditions.
"This is Momo and Juro," Sakumo said politely, coming over to help. His brows furrowed as he helped her lay Orochimaru down on the thick grass. "How did you get away?"
"They're dead," Jiraiya said, still bitter over what happened. "We didn't run from them."
Sakumo's eyes went wide in surprise. "You three managed to kill them?"
Tsunade looked over at him. "Orochimaru mentioned that someone tipped him off. Must be you, right?" When he nodded, she said appreciatively, "Thank you. We might have died without your help."
"It's actually more like making things square and fair," Sakumo replied politely. He then waved to the girl. "My friend knows some basic medical ninjutsu. Momo, can you help with this?"
"O-oh! Of course!" She ran over and kneeled down. "How much blood did he lose?"
"You don't need to worry about that part," said Tsunade. "He's taken a Blood Replenishing Pill. But if you can help seal up the wounds, that would be much appreciated. Something in that blade that cut him is preventing them from closing and it's eating through my bandages."
The girl smiled brightly and nodded. "No problem." She gently sat him up and pulled down the fabric of his blood stained yukata. "The back right?" Her hand began to glow green. "This will take a few- Ahhh!"
Orochimaru's eyes snapped open and he gripped her wrist tightly. "Who are you?"
"Orochimaru stop! You're hurting her!" Jiraiya pulled his friend's hand away while she ran and hid behind Juro fearfully.
His golden eyes glanced over to see Sakumo and he visibly relaxed. "Hmph. So we made it then."
"Never mind that," said Sakumo worriedly. "Stay still and let Momo heal that wound on your back."
Orochimaru shook his head and stood up heavily. "No thank you. It's bandaged well enough and I can last the short distance to the Tower." When he made to protest, Orochimaru said firmly, "I'm not going to trust an amateur medical ninja with my body. That's the end of that." Just from the way she molded her chakra, he could sense that she was still very new to it.
The blond hair boy with the bandanna snapped at him. "How dare you insult Momo like that! For someone who's bleeding out of their bandages, you should be begging her to-" He froze when those glowing golden eyes turned on him. The killing intent in them was... almost crushing.
"I don't beg. Secondly, I could wring your neck even if I am bleeding through my bandages," he said darkly. "But I'm not going to since I owe your teammate. Count yourself lucky and learn to keep that tongue of yours in check."
Sakumo crossed his arms and said warily, "So now what, Orochimaru? Why did you come to us if you didn't need our barrier? I doubt you came here just to spite my teammates."
Tsunade came to his side and looked at him questioningly. "Orochi?"
Orochimaru said tiredly, "I wanted you to know that those three are dead. I left a piece of them back there as a warning to the one who sent them out here. It's as we both suspected. They didn't want the scroll. They were looking for strong opponents for another reason. Most likely recruitment."
Sakumo furrowed his brows and said, "You came to let me know... so that my team can sleep easier and not fear being targeted after we pass this stage." He couldn't help but smile. "You actually feared us giving up on the exam if we thought we'd be tracked down."
"You're being overly positive about my intentions," Orochimaru said wryly. "If only my team passed, the three of us would end up fighting each other. I don't want that so I'd much rather have your team pass with us so we can face you in whatever challenge they have planned for us next." He winced as his back flared up in pain. "We shall take our leave now. Let's go, Tsunade, Jiraiya." The two supported him and they left without another word.
After an hour or so had passed, Jiraiya spoke up. "You know you're an asshole, right?"
"And I don't quite care," he said with a stony face, dragging his feet along the forest floor.
"You wouldn't be such an ass if you don't always act like you're right," Jiraiya continued.
"I am always right," Orochimaru replied.
"See! You're acting like an ass again," grumbled Jiraiya.
Orochimaru let out a sigh so full of exasperation that it made him sound like he's aged fifty years. "If it's not related to asking me for more of my pills to hold back that poison in your hand, then shut it. I don't have patience when I'm feeling like half of my internal organs got crushed by a sledgehammer."
Jiraiya came to a stop with a solemn expression. "How do you feel after killing someone for the first time?"
Orochimaru closed his eyes and muttered, "Why ask a question you know the answer to, Jiraiya?"
Jiraiya adjusted Orochimaru's arm that was draped across his shoulder. He could see Tsunade looking over at him but he continued. "Because I want to hear it from your mouth."
"I feel nothing," he answered. He could see how displeased Jiraiya was and he narrowed his eyes. "I feel nothing because I don't regret, Jiraiya. I made the best choice to protect us. Just because it's a ruthless move, doesn't mean it's wrong. Stop needlessly torturing yourself."
Jiraiya said sadly, "Is this how we'll grow up to be? Killing people without feeling any remorse because it's for the sake of the village or because we want to protect those we love? They're the same as us... they also have friends, family, and dreams-"
"No." He cut in coldly. "They're not the same as us. They're weak and so their goals are forfeit. That is how this world works."
"That's not fair."
Orochimaru said bitterly, "The world stopped being fair right when I was four. Grow up, idiot." He pulled his arm away from him and Tsunade helped braced more of his weight.
She looked over at Jiraiya and said quietly, "I lost my grandfather and granduncle in a war that they were forced to fight in. The world really isn't fair."
"We don't have to continue that," Jiraiya protested. "We can make it better!"
Orochimaru said in distaste, "You've never lost someone precious to you. You will never understand our pain." His lips pressed tightly together as he added, "At the root of it all, this world is flawed. To survive, you must be strong both in body and mind, and do whatever it takes to protect yourself. That is the truth."
"Becoming a monster is not the truth to this world." Jiraiya put his hands on his hips and glared at them firmly. "You can protect yourself while still being human."
There it was again... The same words and same conviction. Why must Jiraiya and Tsunade question him so, about this truth of being monster or human, to face this world that they lived in. He said angrily, "I don't believe it."
"I'll change this unfair world so that you will believe. If I can't, my future kid or student or whatever will continue to try to change the world and make it so that we don't have to kill each other. Instead, we can understand each other and talk it out," Jiraiya shot back.
"You're an idiot," Orochimaru said, turning his head away from him.
"I'll change it so that people like you won't have to become a snake and make such hard decisions anymore."
Tsunade watched as Orochimaru paused from those words. The wind gently tugged at his long black hair and she saw his golden eyes grew slightly moist as he remained silent.
As they pushed open the door to the tall red tower, all three stared in shock at who was inside to greet them. "Sensei?!" Jiraiya jumped back in shock and rubbed at his eyes.
"You three!" Hiruzen ran towards them and his hands trembled as they hesitated before the three kids. "What... happened?" He saw the red cut line across Tsunade's neck, Jiraiya discoloured hand, and last but not least, Orochimaru's purple lips, sheet white face and bloody yukata. He knew he was Hokage, and should be the very last person to cry. But he couldn't help it as he bent down and reached out to hug them. "It doesn't matter. I'm so glad you three are safe."
Jiraiya grinned. "We got the scrolls too! We passed, Sensei!"
Tsunade beamed. "Are you crying, sensei?"
"You three are my precious students," he said, pressing them into his broad chest. "Of course I'd cry if I saw you like this. But... at the same time, I'm so proud of you." He pulled back and said, "Every bruise, drop of blood and injury you've sustained, came from choosing a difficult path in life. The path to become a ninja of this village. The fact that you're here, with eyes still full of determination, means that you have found your conviction."
Jiraiya nodded eagerly. "I want to become a ninja so that I can have the power to find peace for this world." He then added, "And find hot girls."
Sarutobi smiled slightly. "I'd expect no less from you, Jiraiya."
"I want to become a ninja to learn medical ninjutsu so that I can take care of my friends," Tsunade said firmly. She shook her head vigorously. "As long as I'm with them, I'll never allow them to die on the battlefield like my grandpa and granduncle." She looked over at Orochimaru and his bloody outfit, her brows creased with worry at how stubbornly he had refused treatment. "You would trust me with your body, right?"
Orochimaru quirked an eyebrow, remembering the words he had said earlier about Sakumo's teammate and his lips curved. "I'd like to see how good of a medic ninja you are first." When she pouted, he added, "Don't mope, hime. I'd still let you treat me even if you weren't up to my standards. I'd just prepare emergency contacts beforehand." He touched his cheeks. "You could start with my face first."
Tsunade smiled at him. "I still think you're pretty."
He blushed and he looked away awkwardly. No girl had really called him pretty before...
"Lord First and Second would be so proud to see you right now," murmured Sarutobi, rubbing her on the head. In the course of one week, she had matured immensely. He then turned towards his favorite student. "And you, Orochimaru?"
Orochimaru paused in thought before looking over at his two friends. "I want to become a ninja... to learn every technique that is out there so that I-" His heart stopped and he found himself unable to take another breath. His vision grew hazy once more and he saw them cry out for him as he dropped to his knees. He clutched at his throat and coughed out more blood.
"Orochimaru! What's wrong!" Tsunade cried, dropping down beside him, reaching out for him helplessly. "The effect of that black pill is over now right? It's been hours!"
"Stand back you two." Sarutobi pulled down the bloody yukata and metal mesh underneath to reveal five red marks on his pale chest, outlining a hand print. "This is... you three faced a Hyuga?" He grinded on his teeth. "His Chakra circulatory system is damaged and his internal organs are failing. We have to get him to a hospital immediately."
Orochimaru shook his head and bowed over, struggling to open his mouth alittle wider. Raising one hand, he made a hand seal and they watched as the Earth scroll he swallowed slowly begin to reappear. But this time, it looked like he was struggling intensively with regurgitating it back up. He swallowed it back down and panted, "My chakra... it's going out of control. I can't use my technique properly."
"It's fine! Spit it out at the hospital when you're better!" Jiraiya shouted.
"We can't leave this forest with the scrolls. We'll fail." Orochimaru took in another shaky breath and opened his mouth once more, struggling to expel the scroll out. Sweat poured down his forehead as the scroll was halfway out. Beside him, Jiraiya and Tsunade shouted encouragingly at him and gripped his hand tightly on each side.
"Orochimaru you can do this! I believe in you!" Tsunade opened up his hand and put her necklace into it. "You're going to become future Hokage and me and Jiraiya are going to be by your side! You can do this!"
Her words gave him the strength he needed to keep fighting. His hand tightened over her necklace and he nodded. With one final push, he spat it out along with a handful of blood. "The other scroll... in my sleeve." He closed his eyes and let the darkness take over.
Darkwings13:
Big and lots of huggles for all those who have favorited this story. Yay, I've now reached another milestone at 22 favorites. (*^.^*) I'm very grateful and I thank you all for reading this and considering it good enough to be put into your favorites. I will continue to do my best. But anyways, huggles and open list name for the newest eleven people who have favorited. *HUGGLES* Minamisawa Ranmaru, glenbob, KoreanJezuz, Watari96, KingofHeartless'09, littlebeachhut, vavoysh, Chiuhaen, iron aegis, Eryn Michaels, YokaiAngel and janeway74656kat.
To the past ten favorites, I still give you huggles and hope you've enjoyed reading as always. *HUGGLES*
-Ahem... *whispers* Please check out the Sannin poll on my profile page let me know who your favorite sannin is. This is important for the futureeeeeeee.
- In Naruto ep 37, Anko says that even though 78 ppl entered the second part of the exam, she expected less than 10 to pass. From that, it can be assumed that the success rate of the second stage had always been dismally low. Naruto's class was the first in five years to have 21 people pass.
-I based that black pill on Orochimaru's true form, where his blood is so poisonous that even Sasuke succumbed to it and was paralyzed. I wanted him to be fond of what his father had created and make the effect permanent years down the line.
-It amuses me that alot of Orochimaru's techniques came from Tsunade's family. Rashomon was always one of my favorite technique as well.
(^-^*)ノ Yes, this is how Orochimaru became acquainted with Root JigokuShoujosRevenge. Teehee, I think all of Orochimaru's plans sorta backfires. Danzo is just going to be even more pleased by his ruthlessness and will want him even more.
(*ﾟ∀ﾟ*) Oh hello again sagar hussain. Thank you and it's also awesome for you to continue reading my story friend.
Last but not least, ileangie23! I teared up abit too when I wrote about Berry's death. :'( I actually based it off Tarepanda. That thing is actually my favorite animal character. Anywho, yea... Tsunade's just caught a glimpse of Orochimaru's dark side for sure. Good thing she sorta always beats his face out of it. ;D Adding onto the Yin and Yang part and their complimentary skills, Orochimaru is a master at poison and Tsu can produce antidotes to any poison ever known (*ﾉ∀`*) Pretty sure he's the reason she got so much practice and became so good at it.