Snake and Slug

Hirakawa Town in the Land of Fire had been turned into a transportation hub by the Yasunori Trading Company. It was the closest to the Rain Country, and both Sunagakure and Iwagakure would send people to Hirakawa Town, though they came quietly in disguise and generally did not let Konoha’s Ninja notice them.

The Yasunori Trading Company had specifically set up a place here for displaying and trying out the Medical Machine. They had hired many Samurai Guards and wandering ninja, while Mechanical Guards equipped with heavy weaponry were stationed in secret, enough to handle most troublemakers.

However, almost no one would cause trouble. The Yasunori Trading Company’s enemies had basically all been dealt with, and it was unlikely for powerful Rogue ninja to appear within the Land of Fire.

If someone specifically intended to destroy the Medical Machine, though, there was no way to guard against it completely.

Under the protection of the Kaminari Kaede Squad and Anbu members hidden in the shadows, Kimura soon arrived in Hirakawa District. After being briefed on the situation, she personally tested the Medical Machine’s functions and inflicted several common wounds and poisoning symptoms on herself.

Most Medical-nin were like this. Unless they tried it themselves, it was difficult for them to trust or assess the Medical Machine’s effectiveness and value. Chiyo of Sunagakure had been the same.

After determining the Medical Machine’s effectiveness, Kimura asked the Yasunori Trading Company staff several questions. However, they did not answer a single question involving confidential matters, because they did not know either. Throughout the entire Yasunori Trading Company, aside from Yasunori Sakai, who was directly controlled by Android 18, everyone else was merely a laborer.

After failing to get any answers, Kimura directly ordered four Medical Machines, the largest order placed by any faction since the Yasunori Trading Company began selling them externally.

Even the Land of Fire Daimyo Manor had purchased only three.

Of the four members of the Kaminari Kaede Squad, only Captain Kaminari and Yuhi Kurenai remained calm. This was the first time Sarutobi Asuma and Kinoshita Hikaru had seen a transaction involving such an enormous sum of money.

They worked themselves to the bone on missions that paid only a little over a hundred thousand ryo, which then had to be split among four people. Now that they saw a single machine cost three hundred million ryo, Sarutobi Asuma and Kinoshita Hikaru immediately kept far away from the Medical Machines, afraid they would be held responsible if one broke.

After Kimura and the others signed the contract, they took the delivered storage scrolls and prepared to leave. Carrying equipment worth 1.2 billion ryo, Kimura stood up and prepared to return to Konoha.

Just as they were about to leave, Konan, dressed in a Black Cloud Cloak, walked in alone.

Yuhi Kurenai and the others immediately noticed Konan and secretly drew their weapons in guard.

They could not be blamed for being so vigilant. Konan had left too deep an impression on them. Her Ninjutsu that ignored physical attacks and her strength to deal with Root members in a short time both showed that this Ninja was troublesome.

However, Konan merely glanced at Kimura and the others before ignoring them. After the previous mission ended, Konan did not want to have anything to do with Konoha. At least before the plan began, Akatsuki needed to accumulate strength in secret.

"Let’s go. We can report this matter to Hokage-sama after we return," Kaminari Kaede suggested. Kimura immediately nodded in agreement, and the group quickly left Hirakawa Town.

The Yasunori Trading Company’s business remained booming. Once news of the Medical Machines spread, practically every Ninja Village wanted to buy one. Training Medical-nin was simply too difficult. Even the Grass Ninja, one of the stronger forces among the Small countries, had only a few decent Medical-nin in their village.

Among the Five Great Ninja Villages, only Konoha possessed a complete medical system.

After trying the Medical Machine, Konan also chose to sign a trade contract on the spot and paid the full amount. However, she would need to wait some time for the Medical Machine. The last available stock had all been purchased by Konoha, but the Yasunori Trading Company promised it would deliver one to Amegakure as soon as the next batch was ready.

Most of the first batch of Medical Machines was supplied to the various Ninja Villages, with only a small portion supplied to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind to maintain good relations.

While treating patients, the Medical Machine recorded Ninja body data. The Yasunori Trading Company had also emphasized in the instruction manual that patient files should ideally be created before treatment.

That way, before long, Android 18 would have collected the bodily data of Ninja from every major Ninja Village, especially those with Kekkei Genkai and those from Ninjutsu clans.

As long as they fell ill and received treatment from a Medical Machine, their bodily data would be read and transmitted to Android 18. Given enough time, once Android 18 collected the bodily data of ninety percent of the Ninja in the Ninja World, she would be little different from a god.

After the Medical Machines were upgraded, they could even carry out nano-infiltration, forming Nano Chips inside injured patients and more.

However, this was merely Hyuga Mirai’s idea. Using such a method to control all Ninja was still somewhat unrealistic. Setting everything else aside, Bio-nanite materials were extremely precious.

Hot Spring Country

After leaving the village, Tsunade had indeed spent some time searching for a way to remove the Curse Mark. However, Orochimaru had only researched this Sage Curse Mark recently, and Natural Energy had not been widely passed down in the Ninja World. The Three Great Sage Locations remained the most proficient in Natural Energy.

After finding no hope, Tsunade gradually gave up, though she would still occasionally study ways to break it herself.

Having overcome her hemophobia through anger, Tsunade seemed to have regained some of the heroic spirit she had possessed during her days as one of the Sannin.

But whenever she passed a casino or an Izakaya, Tsunade would still lick her lips and be unable to resist going in for a look. Although Shizune constantly tried to persuade her otherwise, it rarely worked.

"Tsunade-sama, where are we going today?"

Shizune asked indignantly. From the moment she finished breakfast, she had made up her mind: if Tsunade-sama mentioned gathering information at casinos or Izakaya again, she absolutely would not provide any money. Not a single ryo.

"Let’s soak in a hot spring, Shizune. Since we’ve come to the Hot Spring Country, we have to enjoy the local specialty hot springs."

Tsunade’s eyes lit up as she spoke to Shizune.

After leaving Konoha, she felt as though she had escaped a suffocating cage. Although the Curse Mark on her neck still troubled her at times, it was at least far better than staying in Konoha.

The battlefield in the Hot Spring Country had also gradually calmed down. Because of the Medical Machines, Kumo-nin had shifted their attention away from the war against Konoha. A major reason was that Konoha had proven extremely tenacious. Unless Kumo-nin committed their full strength, they could not gain any advantage over Konoha at all.

If they did not want to mutually destroy each other, signing a new Peace Accord was the best choice, though Fourth Raikage A was extremely unwilling.

"Hot springs?"

Hearing that it was not a casino or an Izakaya, Shizune sighed in relief. But at the thought of a comfortable hot spring, longing rose in her heart as well.

"Then let’s go, Tsunade-sama." After picking up Tonton, Shizune spoke somewhat impatiently. They had been running around everywhere these days, and it was rare to have a chance to relax in a hot spring.

Tsunade then pointed in the direction of the most famous hot spring street and loudly declared, "Then let’s set off."

The two women and one pig moved quickly. After checking out, they headed straight toward the most famous hot spring sanctuary in the Hot Spring Country.

The reason this country was named after hot springs was because it possessed many natural underground springs. People from many other countries came to the Hot Spring Country specifically to soak in its natural hot springs.

Just as they were about to reach the hot spring street, Tsunade suddenly encountered another old acquaintance in the forest.

"Hehe, it’s been a long time, Tsunade. There’s no need to show killing intent the moment you see an old friend, is there?"

Orochimaru’s laugh was as hoarse as ever. He had not expected that he would run into an old friend merely by coming out to find a few Kekkei Genkai subordinates.

"Orochimaru, a man who betrayed Konoha has no right to call himself my friend."

Tsunade frowned slightly. After glancing at the young girl beside Orochimaru and Shizune beside herself, she knew this was not the time to fight.

"Tsunade, your actions do not look like those of someone who deeply loves that village."

Orochimaru continued, "Today is not suitable for fighting. If you have nothing else, then I’ll take my leave first."

"Heh, Orochimaru, where did you kidnap this child from? Are you planning to take her back for Human Experimentation?" Tsunade glanced at the still-young Guren and asked with a sneer.

"Don’t mock Orochimaru-sama, you woman!!"

After saying that, Guren had wanted to continue arguing with Tsunade, but Orochimaru raised a hand to stop her.

"Say no more, Guren, or this will become troublesome." Orochimaru knew that Tsunade’s hemophobia had now been cured, while he was only a Clone Body. Though he had inherited all of the original body’s Ninjutsu, his Chakra reserves were the Clone Body’s only weakness.

Orochimaru’s original body had been searching everywhere for Kekkei Genkai because he wanted to use Clone Bodies to test out the most perfect vessel for reincarnation before carrying out the transfer.

Just as Orochimaru was preparing to leave, Tsunade called out again.

"Hey, Orochimaru. It’s rare for us to run into each other. Let’s have a drink together."

"Tsunade-sama!?"

Shizune turned around in stunned disbelief. Since they were not going to fight, why were they not heading to the hot springs?

Sure enough, she wants to drink again halfway through. Tsunade-sama, I absolutely won’t pay for you this time.

Orochimaru did not refuse Tsunade. Although he had defected from Konoha, he still retained some feelings for a companion of ten years, aside from Jiraiya, who had always caused him trouble.

The group arrived at an Izakaya that was open for business. Guren was deeply displeased with Tsunade for having spoken disrespectfully to Orochimaru-sama, but with Orochimaru-sama present, she could not say anything too harsh. She could only glare at Tsunade to show her dissatisfaction.

Naturally, Tsunade would not argue with a child. She did not take Guren seriously at all. Shizune beside her was quite displeased by the way Guren looked at Tsunade-sama, so she glared back just as angrily.

After ordering some wine and dishes, Tsunade poured herself a cup first, then drained it in one gulp.

It had been almost thirty hours since she last drank.

Orochimaru drank a few cups with Tsunade as well, but his mind was not on drinking. Seeing that Tsunade seemed to be growing increasingly enthusiastic about alcohol, Orochimaru finally could not help speaking.

"Tsunade, you didn’t call me here merely to drink, did you? Do you want to ask about something…?"

Orochimaru set down his wine cup. With a faint smile, he pointed to the Curse Mark of three black tomoe on Tsunade’s neck and slowly said,

"If it’s information about that Curse Mark, I can reveal a little. Hehe, I was the one who researched this."