Elsewhere...
The team was led by the Third Hokage, and included Jiraiya, Karin, and a female ninja from the Hyuga clan, named Jiko Hyuga.
The Third Hokage, trusting Sakura, had brought Karin along at Sakura's urging. Karin, of course, was more than willing to comply with Sakura's request. However, for safety, a female Hyuga ninja had also been included.
The four were advancing through the forest, following Karin's directions. Karin, however, soon began to pant heavily. Having never undergone formal ninja training, her stamina was lacking.
"Jiraiya, carry Karin," the Third Hokage ordered, noticing Karin's labored breathing.
The Third still greatly valued Karin; having Jiraiya carry her would also put his mind at ease.
"Ah, alright. Karin, was it? Come on," Jiraiya said, walking towards Karin with a sigh.
Karin, seeing Jiraiya approach, fearfully shrank back.
"What's wrong, Karin?" the Third Hokage asked, noticing her fear. "Jiraiya is very strong. We don't know if there are enemies lying in ambush, and he can protect you."
"Um..." Karin was still a little afraid of Jiraiya. "Hokage-sama, I..."
"I'll carry her," Jiko, the Hyuga ninja, said gently. "There are no enemies ahead; I've already scouted the area. Let Karin rest for a bit. I'll lead the way."
"Um... Alright, be careful. Jiraiya, you take the lead and be on guard," the Third Hokage instructed.
The Third Hokage probably understood why Karin was afraid of Jiraiya. He was well aware of his disciple's... tendencies.
And so, Jiraiya took the lead, Jiko reported on enemy movements from the middle, and the Third Hokage brought up the rear, continuing their pursuit.
Suddenly, Jiko spoke, "Wait a moment. The enemy has split into three."
"Three? Are they clones?" Jiraiya asked.
"All three have identical chakra signatures. They must be clones, but each one is carrying a wooden barrel, and the chakra inside the barrels is also identical. I can't tell which one is the real Sasuke," Jiko reported, her Byakugan activated, the veins around her eyes bulging as she carefully observed.
"It seems the enemy was well-prepared," the Third Hokage mused. "Now we have no choice but to split into three groups. Jiko, hand Karin over to Jiraiya. You track one. If it's a fake, retreat immediately."
Jiraiya and the Third Hokage did have tracking methods, but with the Byakugan available, they saw no need to expend the effort.
"Wait... Hokage-sama," Karin, who was on Jiko's back, spoke up. "The one in this direction is the real one..."
Karin raised her hand and pointed northwest.
Jiraiya looked at Karin in surprise. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," Karin confirmed after closing her eyes and sensing for a moment.
Jiraiya glanced at Karin, a little astonished by her powerful sensory abilities. The only person Jiraiya knew with such strong perception was Mito-sama. No wonder the old man insisted on bringing her along. They were both from the Uzumaki clan, so how could that kid be so different...?
The Third Hokage didn't know what Jiraiya was thinking; he had already taken the lead. Jiraiya and Jiko quickly followed.
Kabuto was currently sprinting with Sasuke on his back. His feelings were incredibly complex. Ever since meeting Sasuke, Kabuto had been monitoring him.
Sasuke's dinner with Sakura, Sakura's visit to Sasuke's house, and then the plan to snatch Sasuke.
Kabuto was very grateful that Kimimaro had volunteered for this mission. What had seemed like a sure thing had been jeopardized by Haruno Sakura, causing Sasuke's resolve to waver.
Moreover, Kabuto was very interested in the method of revival Sakura had mentioned. Edo Tensei was the first step, but what was the second...?
And how did a Konoha genin obtain this information...? She seemed to know a lot about Orochimaru. It appeared Haruno Sakura held quite a few secrets. He needed to get in touch with her...
Kabuto didn't intend to tell Orochimaru about this. He had his own goals.
He even considered not handing Sasuke over to Orochimaru. From Sakura's words, he deduced that, in addition to Edo Tensei, the Sharingan was needed for revival...
However, Kabuto didn't know Orochimaru's Living Corpse Reincarnation. The only existing Sharingan belonged to Sasuke and Uchiha Itachi. Kabuto couldn't afford to provoke Itachi.
Therefore, Kabuto was conflicted. He wanted to hand Sasuke over to Orochimaru, but he also wanted to leave Sasuke in Konoha. If he gave Sasuke to Orochimaru, Sakura's so-called revival method would likely be out of reach. Leaving Sasuke in Konoha would allow Kabuto to gradually extract information.
But in the end, Kabuto was still Orochimaru's subordinate, so he was currently doing his best for Orochimaru, leaving the rest to fate.
"Kabuto is just ahead. Jiko, you and Karin hide," The Third Hokage said. They were close enough to Kabuto that he could sense him himself, so he had Jiko and Karin move to a safe location.
"Let's go, Jiraiya," the Third Hokage said to Jiraiya.
When Kabuto saw the two figures suddenly appear before him, he was shocked. It was the Hokage and one of the Sannin, Jiraiya. It seemed the mission was a failure. But at the same time, a sense of relief washed over him.
"Put Sasuke down," Jiraiya said, blocking Kabuto's path.
"Haha, don't be so tense. I'm honored to have the Hokage-sama and Jiraiya-sama come personally..." Kabuto said, placing the barrel containing Sasuke on the ground, a smile on his face.
"Cut the crap. A spy who has been hiding in Konoha for seven years, Orochimaru's subordinate, surrender now," the Third Hokage said, throwing shuriken at Kabuto.
"Where is Orochimaru?" Jiraiya asked as Kabuto dodged. He formed hand seals.
"Ninja Art: Lion's Mane Binding Technique!"
Kabuto was instantly ensnared by Jiraiya's hair.
"Don't make any sudden moves. Tell us where Orochimaru is, or you'll be cut to pieces," Jiraiya said, his eyes cold as he looked at Kabuto.
"Aren't you trying to get Sasuke back? He's right here," Kabuto said, still smiling.
"You can't escape. Once we take you back to Konoha, you'll talk," Jiraiya said, preparing to seal Kabuto's chakra.
"Hm, if you have a way to make a corpse talk, then I don't mind telling you the information," Kabuto said, still smiling. Then, his head slumped, and he went limp.
Jiraiya and the Third Hokage were shocked. They rushed forward to check, finding that Kabuto's heart had stopped.
"This isn't right," Jiraiya said, frowning.
"Never mind him for now. Take the body back to Konoha and hand it over to Inoichi," the Third Hokage said, examining the barrel containing Sasuke.
"Third Hokage-sama, Jiraiya-sama, are you alright?" Jiko and Karin suddenly appeared beside them.
"Yes, we're fine. Why did you come here?" the Third Hokage asked.
"Karin said she could no longer sense the enemy's chakra, so I brought her here," Jiko replied. "Has the enemy been eliminated, Third Hokage-sama?"
"He's dead, over there," the Third Hokage said, pointing to Kabuto's corpse.
"Old man, this isn't the enemy. We've been tricked," Jiraiya said, still examining the body. He finally found the problem at the neck.
"It's not Kabuto?" the Third Hokage asked in surprise.
"No, it's not. This should be a ninjutsu that temporarily controls a corpse. But why would he use a substitute to escort Sasuke? " Jiraiya pondered. "What is his goal?"
Jiraiya couldn't understand Kabuto's actions in returning Sasuke to them...
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