If one does not know death, how can one attain eternal life?

Tsunade glanced in the direction Jiraiya had flown off to, then looked down at her own fist, her expression a mix of bewilderment and uncertainty. In her shame and anger, she had not held back that punch, just as she hadn’t during the incident at the hot spring town years ago. Yet, clearly, it had no effect this time; it felt as if she had struck a piece of tough, resilient cowhide. Furthermore, she hadn’t expected Jiraiya to successfully land a sneak attack. Even if she had been lost in memories and momentarily distracted, such a thing should not have happened.

For a moment, Tsunade’s feelings were complex. After a few years, it wasn't just Orochimaru; Jiraiya had also changed significantly. While she had been immersed in the past, her old companions had left her behind. This was only natural, and Tsunade had a vague, subconscious premonition of it, but now that it was confirmed before her eyes, she found she was unwilling to accept it.

"Do you want to continue wasting your talent, continuing to drown in the shadows of Nawaki and Dan's deaths?"

Suddenly, the words Orochimaru had spoken that day surfaced in her mind, sending a fresh jolt through her heart.

"Tsk..."

As an outsider, Orochimaru watched with cold detachment, naturally understanding how Jiraiya had pulled it off. "Concealing your presence, launching a surprise attack... is this what you enter Sage Mode for?"

"Hahaha..."

Jiraiya leaped out from the forest, meeting Tsunade’s gloomy gaze with a dry laugh. "It’s been a while; I got a bit too excited."

Usually, entering Sage Mode required the assistance of the two Great Toad Sages, Shima and Fukasaku, but they certainly wouldn't indulge him in such nonsense. Of course, he wasn't the type to take advantage of Tsunade by abusing his powers—really. He had only seen her looking dejected and intended to cheer her up. But now, it seemed he had botched it.

Jiraiya dared not look at Tsunade again. He swept his gaze over the group, lingering for a brief moment on the red hair of Aoi and Karin, before finally landing on Orochimaru. "Orochimaru, what you did in the Grass Village has been exposed. The Old Man wants an explanation from you."

"I have nothing to say about that matter." Orochimaru waved his hand, signaling Shisui, Kakashi, and the others, who were watching the spectacle, to leave first. Only then did he look at Jiraiya. "Although the Land of Whirlpools was destroyed, the Uzumaki clan is still an ally of the village. I was merely fulfilling our alliance."

"That may be the logic, but it doesn't fit your character." Jiraiya looked at Orochimaru, his eyes flickering with suspicion. "You wouldn't happen to have designs on the Uzumaki clan's healing constitution, would you? Let me be clear: Konoha is not the Grass Village."

"Heh... if that were the case, I wouldn't have made such a public display of it." Orochimaru glanced at Karin and her mother, smiling. "Wouldn't it have been better to just imprison them in an underground laboratory?"

Aoi held Karin close, her body trembling slightly. Orochimaru’s tone had been remarkably frank, but she also saw that he held all the cards.

Before Jiraiya could say anything more, Orochimaru smiled again and added, "If you're worried, why don't you look after them yourself? Naruto also carries the blood of the Uzumaki."

Jiraiya frowned. This was indeed a good idea for the safety of Karin and her mother, but on the other hand, Naruto's safety was of paramount importance, and these two were, after all, not native to Konoha.

"If anything happens, I will take responsibility." Orochimaru gave his assurance in a crisp, efficient manner. Having lived for so many years, he was a good judge of character and had keen insights into human nature and desire. He knew that in Aoi's heart, her daughter Karin was the most important thing in the world; as long as he held her safety in his hands, he had no fear of her having ulterior motives.

At this point, Orochimaru glanced at Jiraiya again. "I guarantee she won't have any other thoughts regarding Naruto, and you had best be the same—considering your age, you're an elder to Aoi."

Jiraiya was slightly stunned, only then realizing the implication behind Orochimaru's words, and he suddenly felt like he was sitting on pins and needles. He widened his eyes, indignant and flustered. "Who would have thoughts like that? Orochimaru, are you questioning my character?"

Two cold laughs were his only response, leaving Jiraiya feeling quite awkward.

"I'll leave Aoi and Karin in your care for now." After that laugh, Orochimaru vanished on the spot, leaving Jiraiya and Tsunade to stare at each other. They had been neatly arranged: one as a therapist, the other as a landlord.

...

After arriving at the underground laboratory, Orochimaru retrieved the core of the Third Kazekage's human puppet from a scroll and waved his hand to undo the Five-Element Seal upon it. Almost instantly, the Third Kazekage manifested. He looked at the hand Orochimaru had plunged into his chest, his stern brows furrowing slightly, and he willed the metal spheres to hover in the air.

The dim, yellow light of the hanging lamps intertwined with the pale blue glow of the spirit, bringing a touch of vitality to the otherwise gloomy laboratory. The Third Kazekage looked at Orochimaru and asked in a deep voice, "What do you want me to do?"

At this moment, he could easily break free from the shackles of the human puppet core and follow the call of the spirit to the Pure Land, but he made no attempt to do so. Orochimaru was not a benevolent soul, and he would certainly have left behind countermeasures.

"How composed. Truly worthy of the Third Kazekage." Orochimaru sighed with admiration, but instead of making his request directly, he performed an Impure World Reincarnation right in front of the Third Kazekage. Of course, it was only a semi-finished product.

Even so, the effect was significant. The Third Kazekage’s face darkened visibly; he knew full well this was a threat—even if you reach the Pure Land, I have the means to summon you back.

"No need for that. I harbor no malice toward you, Kazekage-dono. I do this only so that our later communication may proceed smoothly." Orochimaru smiled slightly, acting as if he didn't notice the iron sand rising from the floor.

"What do you want me to do?" After a moment of silence, the Third Kazekage spoke slowly.

"It is simple. I will split off a portion of my chakra and soul body. You will take it to the Pure Land. In exchange, I will not target your spirit again." Orochimaru wore a smile, but his words were enough to make even the well-traveled Kazekage feel he was dealing with a madman.

The Third Kazekage stared at Orochimaru, his voice heavy. "What are you trying to do?"

"Heh... though it has nothing to do with you, it seems you will refuse if I don't explain." Orochimaru licked his lips. "It is simple: I seek eternal life. And to achieve this goal, I need that piece of my soul to go and die in my stead."

"Madman!" the Third Kazekage spat out.

Orochimaru laughed. "Then, Kazekage-dono, do you intend to help this madman, or not?"

After a long silence, the Third Kazekage finally spoke. "I am not certain if I can do it."

"Do not worry about that. You certainly can." Orochimaru's tone was extremely firm, even though this was merely an attempt during a window of opportunity, and he himself had little confidence.

But what if, by some miracle, it actually worked?