Part Time Employee in Konoha

Chapter 220: Tsunade's whereabouts

I have finally joined the Root!

Upon hearing Akihara Kagura's approval, Uchiha Sasuke's face relaxed, feeling he had finally found the correct path to revenge.

"Remember, never reveal your identity."

Akihara Kagura glanced back at Uchiha Sasuke and continued, "In the future, you might need to separate from Uzumaki Naruto and others to carry out the top-secret missions of Root…"

"I understand!"

Uchiha Sasuke quickly bowed his head.

Although his days in Team 7 were warm, this was not what Uchiha Sasuke wanted; his heart longed to break away from the comfortable environment of Team 7.

Despite…

The warmth was indeed hard to part with.

"I'm leaving first."

Akihara Kagura's figure disappeared into the darkness.

"Yes."

Uchiha Sasuke watched as Akihara Kagura's silhouette vanished.

"This is it…"

After seeing Akihara Kagura leave, Uchiha Sasuke still clenched his fist, unable to hide his excitement: "This is it… Itachi, I will surpass your past, step by step, until I kill you!"

Now, he could follow in the footsteps of Uchiha Itachi, surpass the past Uchiha Itachi, and become stronger than him, then kill him to avenge his clan!

The hope of revenge…

Finally appeared in his life.

Uchiha Sasuke remembered his teammates from Team 7, recalled Akihara Kagura's instructions, and smashed his fist into the ground: "Sorry, Naruto, we are no longer from the same world…"

Land of Fire.

In a small town.

Uzumaki Naruto was still unaware of Uchiha Sasuke's experiences.

At this time, Uzumaki Naruto and Jiraiya were still searching for Tsunade's whereabouts, diligently learning the new ninja technique, Rasengan, taught by Jiraiya.

For Jiraiya, compared to teaching Akihara Kagura, teaching Uzumaki Naruto was much less of a hassle. A single technique could keep Naruto busy for a long time, as his progress was slow, unlike Akihara Kagura, who could master techniques with just a brief introduction.

Under Jiraiya's guidance, Uzumaki Naruto was still learning Rasengan in the most standard way, working hard to manipulate a rubber ball to master the trick of using Rasengan.

"He's really diligent!"

Jiraiya held an ice pop, peeled one off, and handed it to Uzumaki Naruto, smiling and speaking: "But make sure to rest too…"

"Thanks, Pervy Sage."

"He sure is persistent…"

Admiration flashed in Jiraiya's eyes.

Among many disciples, Uzumaki Naruto might be the slowest, but he was the most diligent, never relaxing in his efforts to become stronger.

While biting the ice pop, Uzumaki Naruto curiously asked, "Pervy Sage, did you also make him learn ninja techniques like this when you were outside with Kagura?"

"That guy…"

Jiraiya rolled his eyes, reflecting on his time teaching Akihara Kagura: "Seemed to learn just by looking once…"

Akihara Kagura learned very quickly.

No matter how complex the technique, Akihara Kagura never needed a second lesson from Jiraiya and could even incorporate chakra nature transformations, truly a unique genius in the ninja world.

"So strong…"

Uzumaki Naruto's eyes widened.

"That guy's talent makes one envious…"

Jiraiya shook his head, hoping Uzumaki Naruto would take Akihara Kagura as a role model and continued, "And Kagura trained even harder than you…"

"I'm going to train right now!"

Uzumaki Naruto quickly finished his ice pop and picked up the rubber ball.

"Tsunade… she's coming soon, right?"

Jiraiya, still chewing on his ice pop, pondered the whereabouts of his target: "There's a famous casino here, she surely won't miss coming here…"

Just as Jiraiya expected.

At noon, two women entered the small town.

One woman had light golden hair tied into a long ponytail at the back of her head, her skin was very pale, and she had a voluptuous figure, with a blue-purple mark on her forehead, wearing a green robe, looking quite young and beautiful.

One of the Legendary Sannin, Tsunade.

Also known as "the legendary sucker".

Due to Tsunade's significant contributions to the ninja world's squad configurations, which changed the dynamics, she was highly respected by medical ninjas from various ninja villages, allowing her unrestricted travel in the ninja world.

Also, because of her poor gambling skills, often losing disastrously and accumulating gambling debts, she was chased for debts everywhere, forcing her not to stay in one place for too long.

The woman following Tsunade was her disciple Shizune.

Shizune was a clan member of Tsunade's former lover, Dan Kato, and possessed extraordinary medical talent, making her Tsunade's disciple, always traveling with Tsunade in the ninja world.

"Please don't take on new gambling debts, Lady Tsunade."

Shizune, somewhat anxiously, persuaded her teacher on the side: "We already owe too much, and many places have banned us from entering…"

"It's fine, didn't I win once?"

Tsunade chuckled lightly, very pleased: "At the last town, I won big, remember?"

"But you lost it quickly again…"

Shizune sighed with a headache.

However…

That one win…

They then received a message.

A big incident occurred in the Konoha Village; the Sand Village and Mist Village colluded with Shimura Danzo and Orochimaru to incite a riot during the Chunin Exams, resulting in the death of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Let's gamble first."

Tsunade planned to visit the nearby casino.

However, this time, Tsunade's luck in gambling was unusually good, winning big right from the first dice game.

"Big."

Tsunade casually chose.

"You won."

The dealer opened the dice cup.

"Are you kidding?"

"Isn't this the legendary sucker?"

A group of gamblers, who had hoped to profit from the legendary sucker's appearance at the casino, despairingly covered their heads, incredulously staring at the dice!

"Am I this lucky?"

Tsunade became curious herself.

However, after playing a few more rounds, Tsunade's luck seemed eerily good, continuously winning, which delighted Shizune.

Tsunade's brow furrowed.

Regardless…

The results were the same.

Even with a betting tool with only a one in thirty-six chance of winning, Tsunade still won.

Despite her exceptionally good luck today, Tsunade's heart slowly harbored a bad premonition, feeling that some extremely terrible misfortune might soon occur near her.

"Shizune, let's go!"

Tsunade immediately instructed Shizune to pack up, planning to leave immediately.

Elsewhere.

Two people were also in this small town.

Orochimaru and Yakushi Kabuto had been hiding in the town, waiting for Tsunade's arrival. As an old friend of Tsunade, Orochimaru knew her well.

Orochimaru stayed in the inn, conducting his little experiments, while Kabuto occasionally went out to gather information, though the relationship between the two seemed subtly off.

Kabuto gathered information quickly, and within half an hour of Tsunade's arrival in the town, he found her whereabouts.

"I've found Lady Tsunade's whereabouts."

Kabuto sat in his room, glanced at the shadow under the light: "But, Lord Orochimaru seems to have lost trust in me."

Hearing Kabuto's words, the figure of Shisui emerged from the shadow; he was originally sent by Akihara Kagura to monitor Orochimaru and protect Kabuto.

"It's okay to be straightforward."

Shisui's body was half-hidden in the shadow and half appeared in the room.

Akihara Kagura's voice came out of Shisui's body: "Just tell him outright that you are sent by me to monitor him, everything from the past is under my behind-the-scenes manipulation, whether it's saving him from the hands of Sasori of the Red Sand, or his lingering injuries from Uchiha Itachi's genjutsu…"

"Is this really okay?"

Kabuto adjusted his glasses, a worried look on his face: "I'm concerned Lord Orochimaru might not be able to handle this blow…"

"Trust me, Lord Orochimaru is very strong mentally."

Akihara Kagura's voice was sincere, as if he knew Orochimaru very well: "Let Orochimaru know that some things can't be fought against, it's better to silently endure... I will soon send another spy to monitor Lord Orochimaru."

"Okay, I understand."

After nodding, Kabuto took responsibility for his oversight: "Sorry, Kagura, this was my neglect, arousing his suspicion…"

It wasn't Kabuto's fault.

As long as Akihara Kagura did not harm Kabuto or Yakushi Nono, Orochimaru would eventually discover their tricks and flaws.

However…

Kabuto did not think it was Akihara Kagura's fault.

"It's not your fault…"

Akihara Kagura's voice still came from Shisui's body, continuing self-assuredly: "If anyone is to blame, it's still Lord Orochimaru; life requires some confusion to be happy, caring too much about the truth makes Lord Orochimaru seem rather petty, the mastermind behind everything is me, blaming you would be unreasonable…"

"Don't worry."

"Now Lord Orochimaru can't resist."

"And I've already talked with Orochimaru, past grievances are to be written off, this time let's be clear and let these matters pass!"

"Shisui will be responsible for monitoring Lord Orochimaru, ensuring your safety, don't worry, nor blame yourself, I will soon clear away all of Orochimaru's trusted people, arranging a new spy right beside Lord Orochimaru."

After saying this, Akihara Kagura's voice disappeared, and the body of Shisui slowly sank back into the shadows.

"..."

Kabuto watched as Shisui's body sank into the shadows, his gaze somewhat strange, slightly doubting whether Orochimaru could really write off all past grievances…

And yet…

Didn't you say to write off all grievances?

Why then are spies still needed beside Orochimaru at this time?

"Let's do as Kagura said."

Kabuto sighed internally.

Now that he had just found out about Tsunade's presence in the town, it was a good excuse to have a serious talk with Orochimaru.

In Orochimaru's room.

Kabuto gently pushed open the door, only to see Orochimaru's head not lifting as he softly reported: "Lord Orochimaru, Lady Tsunade's whereabouts have been spotted, she's currently in the casino in town…"

"Hehehehe, she's still the same as always…"

Orochimaru was leisurely looking at his scroll, seemingly unconcerned, even bringing up Kabuto and Akihara Kagura's affairs: "Kabuto, by the way, do you still want to kill Kagura-kun?"

"..."

"I'm pondering a question…"

Orochimaru raised his head, squinting at Kabuto, continuing with a light laugh: "Kagura-kun has colluded with many from the Akatsuki organization wanting to assassinate me, luckily it was you who let me escape the dangerous situation, has he not punished you?"

Orochimaru's fingers gently closed the scroll, his voice gradually becoming colder: "You wanted to use me to eliminate Kagura-kun, even when Kagura-kun colluded with Sasori to kill me, you saved me, he must already know about this, but why hasn't he killed you?"

"Because…"

Kabuto adjusted his glasses, speaking softly: "I was originally sent by Kagura to monitor you, Lord Orochimaru, to prevent you from leaking Kagura's information…"

"So…"

Orochimaru's fingers pressed on the scroll, his gaze sharp as a snake's, unnerving to look at: "At the time Sasori was hunting me…"

"It was my plan."

Kabuto still adjusted his glasses, hiding his gaze behind the lenses: "I contacted Sasori of the Red Sand to hunt you down… even the injuries you sustained from Uchiha Itachi's genjutsu that prevented healing were tampered with by me."

Kabuto considered for a moment, deciding to be more honest with Orochimaru: "I've dealt with others injured by Uchiha Itachi's genjutsu, normally the injuries would heal within a month, I strived to make your recovery take three months…"

"You guys really are like a family from an orphanage…"

Orochimaru's lips even revealed a hint of a smile, as if praising Kabuto's actions!

The next moment!

Orochimaru suddenly swept all the items on the table to the floor!

"Please calm down, Lord Orochimaru."

Kabuto, unbothered, continued speaking: "Because you've always coveted Kagura's body, originally I advised Kagura to kill you, Lord Orochimaru…"

"But…"

"Kagura thought you still had great value, so I had to remain hidden at your side, using lies to prevent you from taking rash actions."