Chapter 178: Ambushes

The trio of Sannin were able to make it halfway to the capital in merely a day, with them deciding to take a rest as the Sun set.

Tsunade created a decent size hut for them to reside in for the night, though before they could even get a proper rest, the trio found themselves surrounded by bandits.

"Well, look at what we've found here." The leader said with a smirk on his face as he saw the three.

The trio could hardly hold their laughter as the bandits did their best to look intimidating around them.

"Okay, Jiraiya. You can take care of these scrubs. I'm about to go to bed." Tsunade said as she yawned and entered the hut.

"Don't take too long, Tsunade may end up getting pissed at you if you do." Orochimaru said with a smirk as he also entered.

The bandits suddenly felt a chill go down all there spines, with Jiraiya turning towards them all.

"Is there any way that I can convince you guys to leave peacefully? I really would hate to hurt you but I hate pissing Tsuna off even more." Jiraiya said in a kind tone.

"Tsk. Do you think we are a joke bastard!! After we're done with you and the other freak, we'll have fun with the blonde whore!" The man said while licking his lips with a cruel smile.

However, before the man could even think, he suddenly found his body sinking into the ground, with him unable to gain any proper footing.

He looked around to see all of his subordinates in similar predicaments, with them quickly going into the ground and drowing from the mud.

The last thing he could see was the white-haired man staring at him coldly, the kind and amicable smile no longer upon his face as he gazed at him and spoke.

"Let this Jutsu send you to the Underworld faster for daring to disrespect her. I hope you can just find peace in your next life."

That would be the final this that Yaroi would ever hear, as he would never see the light of the world again.

Jiraiya merely sighed as he solidified the ground, with him heading towards the hut with his two friends.

'I can't believe I let my emotions get the best of me. I guess Sensei was right when he said that it would always be my biggest weakness.' Jiraiya thought as he entered to join his two friends, though his thoughts remained on how he reacted to the man disrespecting Tsunade.

"About time. I was thinking that they had gotten the jump on you." Orochimaru said with a smirk when he saw Jiraiya enter, though he grew slightly concerned at seeing Jiraiya seemingly distraught.

"I'll be fine." Jiraiya said decisively as he lay on his bed made from Tsunade.

However, neither noticed that Tsunade had not fallen asleep on her bed, with her eyes still being open as if thinking of something.

The Moon had begun to shine brightly in the night sky as the three Sannin finally went into the deep embrace of rest.

~

The elite squad led by Sakumo travelled quite the distance in merely a day, with them finding themselves at the last place that the Swordsmen of the Mist were reported being.

Sakumo looked at the area and begun to weave hand signs, after which he summoned a hound.

"Aido, can you trace any scents from this area?" Sakumo asked.

The old dog sniffed the air, for a second before suddenly going alert, something that everyone in the group picked up on.

"The scent seems to have never left the area." Aido said grimly, causing everyone to grow defensive.

And before any of the group could do anything, they found the environment suddenly filled with a thick barrage of mist.

"Prepare yourselves. Our mission is to eliminate these fiends once and for all." Sakumo said as his blade begun to crackle with lightning, signalling the beginning of an immense battle.

[AN: Hey, my Great-Granny is sick. I'll have to rotate that and College so chapters may be a little late.]