Chapter 319: Orochimaru Gets Blasted Away Again
The vast expanse of the primordial forest stretched endlessly.
In a clearing within the woods, the Konoha group was taking a rest.
"Want to practice for a bit?" Sasuke asked, glancing at his cousin Marissa.
"Sure." Marissa eagerly clenched her fists, ready for action.
Thus, the two cousins began their usual sparring session in front of everyone.
Ten minutes later.
"ORA ORA ORA~"
With Marissa's battle cry, her towering stand, Star Platinum, materialised behind her, unleashing a flurry of punches towards Sasuke's Susanoo.
Under the fierce assault...
Boom, boom, boom.
Susanoo staggered backwards, forcing Sasuke to retreat several meters before he could steady himself, his expression one of shock.
His Susanoo couldn't withstand Marissa's onslaught. Her power was growing rapidly, stronger every day.
This sight left the onlookers in awe.
"That thing behind Marissa, it's called a stand, right? I heard it's the Sixth Hokage's kekkei genkai, possessing incredible power," Shizune remarked, staring at Star Platinum with wide eyes.
"Yes, the Sixth Hokage also has a similar specter appear behind him, but it's much taller and more muscular. And their names are different. Marissa's stand is called Star Platinum, while the Sixth Hokage's is called... The World?" Anko confirmed, just as curious as Shizune.
Dan had displayed the power of his stand on the battlefield multiple times. Initially thought to be some secret technique, it wasn't until Marissa frequently used her stand and Dan personally confirmed it that people realised it was a heritable kekkei genkai.
As they discussed with interest, Tsunade, arms crossed, let out a cold snort:
"Marissa's Star Platinum will surpass The World one day and crush Uchiha Dan along with his stand. Just you wait."
As Marissa's godmother and taijutsu instructor, Tsunade knew far more about stands than anyone else due to her close relationship with Marissa.
She even knew Star Platinum's biggest secret—Za Warudo.
Tsunade finally unravelled a long-standing mystery. Dan had used the time-stop ability to snatch her crystal necklace in the rain, which explained why she couldn't resist.
Tsunade couldn't help but wonder if that scoundrel had used time-stop to do other things to her over the years.
Fortunately, Marissa learned that even Dan's Za Warudo could only stop time for a maximum of ten seconds. Such a short duration wouldn't allow him to do anything untoward.
Back to the matter at hand, though.
While the power to stop time was immensely strong, knowing its existence would prompt clever ninjas to devise countermeasures.
Therefore, when Tsunade learned of Marissa's ability, she sternly warned her goddaughter to never casually reveal this power to others and to keep it deeply hidden.
Marissa nodded seriously and kept it in mind.
Currently, the only people in the entire ninja world aware of Za Warudo's existence were Dan, Marissa, and Tsunade.
Meanwhile, recognising the power of stands, Tsunade also accepted a fact:
Looking across the entire ninja world, the only one who might defeat Uchiha Dan in the future would be Marissa.
After all, Star Platinum and The World were the same type of stand.
However, the person most interested in stands had to be Orochimaru.
"A kekkei genkai like stands seems even more unique than the Sharingan. I have a feeling it's a power completely different from chakra," Orochimaru remarked, his eyes fixed on Marissa with a gleam of interest.
At that moment, the muscular young woman, standing at six feet tall, held more allure for him than even Uchiha Sasuke.
"Hey," Tsunade glanced at the heavily shackled Orochimaru and sneered, "you're a prisoner now. Instead of concerning yourself with these things, you should worry about your own future."
Orochimaru just shook his head and smiled serenely:
"Tsunade, you should know me well. No matter the circumstances, my interest in the knowledge of ninjutsu never changes."
Orochimaru spoke with a genuine expression, resembling a dedicated ninjutsu scholar.
His former dream was to learn every ninjutsu in the world, thereby mastering all knowledge.
The more mysterious the forbidden technique, the more it piqued Orochimaru's curiosity.
Thus.
When he saw Marisa displaying her Stand ability, he couldn't help but be fascinated by Star Platinum, his eyes fixated on it.
"What a pity," Orochimaru suddenly said with a regretful expression.
"Pity for what?" Tsunade frowned and asked.
Orochimaru didn't keep her in suspense and explained his thoughts:
"Since this bloodline limit can be passed down to descendants, Uchiha Danzo should have more children. Two are far from enough; two hundred might be more suitable.
Otherwise, it would be a pity if such power were lost in the future.
Take your grandfather's Wood Release, for instance. Without further research on Hashirama cells, it might have been lost by now."
Hearing Orochimaru's nonsense, Tsunade couldn't help but roll her eyes.
Having two hundred children? That would be impossible for Samui!
To bring up Wood Release, it was Orochimaru who conducted human experiments in Konoha, harming countless people in his pursuit of Hashirama cells.
Thus.
Tsunade sarcastically retorted:
"You're quite the worrywart. Why don't you tell Uchiha Danzo your ideas in person when we get to Konoha and see how he reacts."
Orochimaru, however, seemed oblivious to Tsunade's sarcasm and responded earnestly:
"I believe the Sixth Hokage will consider my suggestion. Besides, don't you have any thoughts of participating, Tsunade?"
"What do you mean?"
Tsunade was taken aback, not understanding.
This time, Orochimaru was puzzled. He looked at Tsunade in confusion and asked:
"The rumour outside says you have a close relationship with Uchiha Danzo. That should be true, right?
If you combine with him, the genes of both of you could produce the most outstanding, powerful descendants, creating more Stand ninjas.
So I think, if Uchiha Danzo agrees, you should consider having children while you still can..."
Before he finished speaking.
"Bastard!"
Tsunade roared, veins bulging on her forehead, and she punched Orochimaru in the face.
Boom!
Orochimaru was sent flying over a hundred meters, crashing through several large trees before landing on the ground, buried in a pile of branches.
Everyone was stunned by the sudden turn of events.
Even Sasuke and Marisa paused their fight, looking over in shock.
"Quick, check if the prisoner is still alive."
Kakashi, shocked, rushed over with others, pulling the disfigured Orochimaru from the branches.
Luckily, he was still breathing.
Phew~
Kakashi sighed in relief, wiping the sweat from his forehead. He then pointed at the barely conscious Orochimaru and coldly ordered the Anbu:
"Gag him. Do not let him say another word until we reach Konoha!"
He feared Orochimaru might say something else that would get him killed by Tsunade.
On the other side.
"Tsunade-sama, please calm down."
Shizune, Anko, and Karin surrounded Tsunade, massaging her shoulders and legs and carefully comforting her.
They had heard what Orochimaru said and had no sympathy for him; he deserved the beating.
"Godmother, what did Orochimaru say to you? Did he make you angry?"
Marisa walked over, frowning and clenching her fists, ready to avenge Tsunade.
Unexpectedly.
"Ahem, let's drop the matter."
Tsunade averted her eyes, coughing twice.
"Oh."
Marisa scratched her head, puzzled, but decided not to press the issue under her godmother's orders.
For the rest of the journey.
Kakashi personally guarded Orochimaru, keeping a safe distance from Tsunade to prevent further incidents.
A day later.
The group safely returned to Konoha.
"I'm exhausted! Let's go to the hot springs and then have a big meal."
Tsunade waved her hand, leading her three disciples and her goddaughter Marisa to the Konoha hot spring baths.
Seeing Tsunade leave, Kakashi finally relaxed. He then prepared to take Orochimaru to the Hokage Tower to see the Sixth Hokage.
Before leaving.
He told Naruto that if the Hokage allowed it, he would inform him of the Fourth Hokage's resurrection as soon as possible and arrange a temporary residence for Naruto and Konan.
"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei."
Naruto bowed to Kakashi and then politely declined, "Thank you, but we won't trouble you with accommodations. We'll find a place to stay on our own."
"Alright then."
Kakashi nodded and quickly led the Anbu members away.
In the end, only Naruto, Konan, and Sasuke were left at the scene.
"Do you... still have something on your mind, Sasuke-kun?"
Seeing Sasuke staring at him seriously, Naruto paused for a couple of seconds before asking.
"I want to fight you again. Are you really not interested?"
Sasuke's eyes burned with determination, still eager for a rematch with Naruto.
As expected, Naruto awkwardly refused him again.
"Fine."
Sasuke shook his head and coldly left a parting comment, "I'm usually at Uchiha's Training Ground Three. If you change your mind, you can find me there anytime."
With that, he turned around and left swiftly, like a gust of wind.
"Such a competitive guy."
Konan watched Sasuke's retreating figure and then turned to Naruto with a meaningful look, "Naruto, you and Uchiha Sasuke might become good friends someday."
"Uh."
Naruto was stunned for a moment, then laughed, "Konan-sensei, don't joke. We'll be leaving Konoha soon."
I hope so.
Konan thought to herself.
The two then walked side by side down the streets of Konoha, searching for a hotel to stay in for the night.
It didn't take long for the villagers to recognise them.
"Look, isn't that Naruto Uzumaki? And the woman beside him, she looks like the Angel of Akatsuki, who had a bounty of one billion!"
"How can such a scoundrel have the nerve to show his face in Konoha, strolling around as if he owns the place? Is he mocking us?"
Many Konoha villagers and ninjas glared at Naruto with hostility, having no goodwill towards someone they viewed as a terrorist.
Facing the villagers' malice, Naruto slowed his pace, lowered his head, and stared silently at the ground, looking dejected.
At that moment, he felt like he was back in his childhood when people pointed at him and called him the demon fox boy who brought disaster to the village.
It seemed that nothing had changed after all these years.
Naruto Uzumaki would never truly belong to Konoha.
Suddenly, he felt a cold sensation in his hand.
It was Konan. She had taken his hand, intertwining her fingers with his.
"Konan-sensei..."
Naruto looked up, stunned at Konan. Her slightly cold fingers brought a warmth that felt like a flame in his heart.
It gave him the strength to face the situation.
"Naruto, don't mind those people. Just be yourself. I'll always be by your side."
Konan said softly, looking at the young man before her.
"Mm!"
Naruto nodded heavily, his face breaking into a bright smile as all his gloom vanished.
Amidst the villagers' strange looks, the two walked hand in hand, relying on each other, through the streets of Konoha.
To Naruto's surprise, after facing the villagers' initial hostility, some people in the crowd began to speak up for him.
"Haven't you seen the programs on Konoha TV? Naruto Uzumaki has changed. He even sacrificed his life to revive the villagers killed by Uchiha Madara. That's why the Sixth Hokage forgave him and brought him back to life."
"And don't forget, Naruto is the son of a hero. His father, the Fourth Hokage, made great sacrifices for Konoha. Yet, Naruto was mistreated by the Third Hokage and the higher-ups, and the villagers were misled to show him no love or warmth."
"In fact, Konoha owes Naruto. It led him astray. Now that he's reformed, shouldn't we be more forgiving?"
Konoha TV's influence proved significant.
Under the Sixth Hokage's directive, the high-intensity efforts to clear Naruto's name gradually reversed his image in many villagers' minds.
As more people spoke up for Naruto, the atmosphere among the crowd began to change.
At that moment.
A tall Konoha ninja with a scar on his face stepped out of the crowd and blocked Naruto's path.
(End of Chapter)