Chapter 284: Naruto: Uchiha Yan is a Devil!

"It's very important. It concerns the entire shinobi world, so I have to go.

This mission will take a long time, and for a while, I won't be able to stay by your side. Take care of yourself, okay, Naruto?"

"But....."

Just moments ago, Naruto had been disgusted by Jiraiya's smell. Now, he rushed forward and hugged him tightly.

He couldn't bear to see Jiraiya leave, especially since Jiraiya was often away on long missions and rarely came back.

Patting Naruto's head, Jiraiya laughed:

"Silly kid, Grandpa Jiraiya will come back to see you as soon as he can. You can always go to the Hokage office to find Grandma Tsunade. She'll know where I am. Or you can go find Yan."

Are you kidding me?

Naruto, who had been teary-eyed just moments ago, immediately let go of Jiraiya's hand.

"No way! I don't want to see that guy at all!!!"

Every time Naruto thought about the punishments he'd endured and the endless stacks of worksheets, he felt like screaming.

He was doing everything he could to avoid Yan. Why would he go looking for him?

Ugh, how could someone be so cruel? Punishing kids by making them do homework? Doesn't he know how hard that is?

And all those extra worksheets? Is he trying to kill me?

"Hahaha..."

Yan had clearly left a lasting impression on Naruto. Jiraiya laughed heartily:

"So after Grandpa leaves, you better behave at school. No more causing trouble or pulling pranks, okay? If Yan catches you, the consequences..."

"..."

Just the thought of Yan smiling while pinning him to the desk and forcing a pen into his hand made Naruto shiver.

That guy is scarier than a demon.

The cooperation between the two villages was quickly settled.

Jiraiya was Konohagakure's representative, but it was still unclear who Kumogakure Village would send to join the investigation.

Once everything was ready, Jiraiya left the village with a team of Anbu, setting out to track down the Akatsuki.

After handling some tasks, Yan also prepared to leave the village to search for Orochimaru.

"You can really find Orochimaru?"

Tsunade was skeptical. Among the Sannin, Orochimaru was the best at hiding.

If he didn't want to be found, even Jiraiya couldn't track him down.

When Orochimaru defected and became a rogue ninja, Jiraiya spent years searching for him and never even caught a glimpse of him.

"Is it really that hard?"

"..."

It's a good thing Jiraiya had already left the village. If he heard this, he'd probably spit blood.

Not hard?

If it's not hard, then what have I been doing all these years running around outside?

Just collecting material for my books and having fun?

"If it were before, it would've been difficult. But ever since he came to the village and crossed paths with me, it's gotten a lot easier. It'll take some effort, but I'll find him eventually."

If Yan weren't so serious, Tsunade would've thought he was bragging.

"I've finished all the paperwork in the office. If you need anything, just have Shizune go get it. If there's nothing else, I'll head back and prepare."

Yan had come to the Hokage office to say goodbye to Tsunade.

Even with some special methods, creating a suitable eye would take some time.

Yan didn't want to be seen as a liar by Kakashi, so it was better to settle this matter sooner rather than later.

Seeing Yan about to leave, Tsunade hesitated for a moment:

"Yan, do you think Orochimaru..."

"What?"

Yan stopped and turned to look at Tsunade, who seemed to be holding back.

"Never mind, it's nothing. Go ahead, and come back soon."

Tsunade shook her head, pushing aside the small thought in her mind.

"Are you wondering if Orochimaru could turn back and return to the village?"

Tsunade didn't say it outright, but if it was something that made her hesitate, it had to be important.

Especially when it involved Orochimaru.

There was only one possibility: Tsunade wanted to see if Orochimaru could be brought back.

Despite all the terrible things Orochimaru had done, he had also contributed a lot to the village. Plus, his strength and abilities were undeniable.

Bringing him back would undoubtedly boost the village's power.

As for the villagers' opinions...

Let's be real. If Tsunade agreed and issued an explanation, as long as Orochimaru genuinely chose to return, most villagers wouldn't continue to oppose him.

Just look at the original story.

Orochimaru not only returned to Konohagakure but even almost became a "snake princess," and hardly anyone opposed him.

"Yes."

Tsunade couldn't quite describe how she felt. When it came to dealing with Orochimaru, her emotions were conflicted.

On one hand, she wanted to strangle him. On the other, she hoped he could turn over a new leaf.

What? You say Orochimaru is a rogue ninja?

Is that label really so important?

It can be changed, no problem.

For most rogue ninjas, even if they turned over a new leaf, no one would care.

But for someone like Orochimaru? The village could accept him.

"I'll try. I can't guarantee he'll be willing to come back, but there's no harm in trying."

Yan could easily see through Tsunade's little thoughts.

But he didn't make any promises, even though he was almost certain—no, absolutely certain—he could bring Orochimaru back.

Still, saying it outright would ruin the fun.

"You're right. There's no way to guarantee it. Just give it a try, and don't set your expectations too high."

If Orochimaru were so easy to convince, he wouldn't have defected in the first place.

Even if there was a suspicion that he took the fall for Danzo.

Of course, that was just Tsunade's personal opinion.

As for Yan's thoughts... unless Orochimaru really wanted to die, he'd come back.

Orochimaru fears death more than humiliation.

Someone with such a fatal weakness is easy to control.

If it were Jiraiya, Yan wouldn't be able to influence him.

But Orochimaru? Easy to handle, especially after he's suffered a bit. Yan was confident he'd make the right choice.

He wouldn't gamble with his own life.

"Got it. Wait for my news."

Since Tsunade has this idea, it's worth trying to persuade him.

Who knows? Maybe Orochimaru will cooperate without needing force.

After packing up at home, Yan left the village. He didn't bring anyone with him, traveling light and alone.

Once outside the village, Yan didn't waste time wandering around. He headed straight for the troubled Land of Rivers.

This poor village, after having its cult cleared out, ended up in a coup.

The already unstable power structure completely fell apart.

The people in power probably never expected that hiring Konohagakure to clean up the cult would make things even more chaotic.

Before, the situation was messy, but at least there was a balance of power—no one could overpower the others.

It was like a triangle. When one side collapsed, a chain reaction followed.

But none of this concerned Yan. He was here to find Orochimaru, not to help the Land of Rivers with its internal conflicts.

In a hidden underground base within the Land of Rivers, Orochimaru was busy conducting experiments.

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