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Kakashi's Team. (8:30 pm)
Kakashi, Daichi and the rest were halfway through their journey back to the village when Daichi got the memories of his shadow clone from the Fire Capital. Immediately afterwards a new quest appeared in his view.
[Quest created - Infiltrate and Locate.]
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[Time is running out for Tsunade Senju and Shizune Kato. Infiltrate the Land of Stone and locate Orochimaru's laboratory all the while escaping senses of the ninjas of the Hidden stone village.]
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[Conditions:]
Find the location of Orochimaru's hideout.
Do not let the Hidden stone ninjas sense your presence or identify you.
Complete this quest at least 2 hours before the 'Rescue Tsunade Senju' quest timer runs out.
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[Rewards:]
12350 Exp.
Intelligence stat - 7 points.
Sense Stat - 10 points.
Luck - 4 points.
Increase in reputation to people who know your deeds.
Increased chances of rescuing Tsunade Senju and Shizune Kato
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[Failure:]
Failure to complete the Quest 'Rescue Tsunade Senju'.
Increased hostility between Hidden Stone village and Hidden Leaf Village.
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[This quest is automatically accepted.]
The Gamer ninja swiftly went through every line and closed the quest box. 'Searching the whole country for a hidden base by myself while avoiding patrol squads and to find it within such a short time frame… That's going to be an almost impossible task… Almost. In this case, the process of elimination would be best to narrow down my field of search. Hmm… My clone can use that disguise to avoid any troubles.'
The Genin let out an internal sigh as he then reviewed the conversation he had with the prince.
'Damn that guy. Even knowing the seriousness of the situation, he's willing to take a gamble with their lives. If nothing is done then Lady Tsunade will die and it could lead to an instability between the ninja villages and could even start a war. He knew that and still he's choosing to keep more information to himself. All that just to test what I'm going to do.'
Daichi quietly sighed as he thought about the matter from another perspective.
'I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. He's the prince of a large nation. And with that kind of ambition, I should have expected him to take such huge risks. From his perspective no matter how talented I am, I'm still just a child and one of Genin rank. He's willing to roll the dice and see if I can change the outcome of an event of such magnitude.'
Daichi clenched his fist as he jumped forward to another branch. 'He didn't give me all the info he had but still he did give me a starting point. I suppose I'll have to make do with that. First I need to shift our attention to the Stone country.'
"Sensei, did you find anything about where Orochimaru could be?" Daichi turned to his teacher and asked.
Kakashi was silent for a few moments before he replied. "Nothing solid. There were multiple scents leading from the battlefield in several directions. But I think there's a good chance they're all there to waste our time. He covered his tracks well."
Daichi turned his head and looked ahead with a silent gaze as he heard that answer. At that time Asuma spoke as if trying to cheer the boy. "Daichi, don't worry. We have the best tracking teams in the world. I'm sure dad's going to assign additional teams to this matter. If they're in Fire country we'll find them soon."
"That's just it. I don't think they're in this country anymore." Daichi gave a short reply that drew attention from everyone.
"What makes you say that?" Kakashi asked him.
"Old man Kensei and I would have shogi matches every once in a while and sometimes we would discuss several strategies on how to track your opponents over long distances, infiltrate enemy territory, hide from enemies of superior numbers and like…"
Everyone paid attention to Daichi as they made their way forward.
"I remember him once telling me that sometimes the best place to hide would be right under the enemy's nose. The Sannin in their early days, before they became renowned, pulled such a tactic once to escape a country with their cargo. It was a dangerous situation for them and dozens of squads were looking for them but they found a small place to hide near the enemy village. After about a week when the patrol squads believed the 3 had left the country and began to loosen their net, that's when they made their move. Tsunade, Jiraiya and Orochimaru were able to escape without the enemy being none the wiser."
"Then according to what you said, wouldn't Orochimaru use the same tactic here? Isn't there such a possibility?" Guy asked the boy trying to understand his thoughts.
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Daichi shook his head. "That possibility is very small. Orochimaru isn't stupid. He would have anticipated our moves and what strategies and techniques we'd use to find him. He knows he can't use the tactics the third taught him. So unless I'm mistaken he's going to do the opposite."
"The opposite? What do you mean?" Anko asked.
"Orochimaru took Tsunade sensei and Shizune to another country and he's waiting it out all the while we're wasting time running around in our own backyard. By the time we're done with our search it'll be a few days and at that time we'd have to expand our search to outside our borders. I'd wager that during this time Orochimaru would pick a weak spot in our defenses and infiltrate into the country and hide again. And at that time there's a good chance Tsunade and Shizune won't be with him… At least not alive…" The uneasiness in Daichi's voice at the end was not lost on Kakashi or the others.
Genma turned his head and glanced at Kakashi. "What do you think?"
The one eyed Jonin was silent for several seconds as he thought about what Daichi said. A few moments later he spoke. "His theory has merit. Right now I'm sure the other nations have already noticed our situation and unusual activity. Even if we know that Orochimaru is in another country, if we recklessly cross borders and enter a foreign nation then it'll be seen as an invasion and an act of war."
"And if we sent a small force to infiltrate the country, our chances of finding and rescuing them in time would be slim to none." Genma realizes and says with a serious tone.
"But even if that's true we can't just stop our search here." Asuma spoke.
"No. We can't." Daichi answered. Then Jonins turned to the boy as he spoke.
"Orochimaru would no doubt have some bases built in this country to keep our attention here. No doubt decoys. But it would still force us to spend our manpower here."
"Are you basing this on the multiple scent trap he used?" Kakashi asked Daichi. The Genin nodded his head. "Yeah. His goal is to buy himself as much time as he can while evading us. What better way than to send us on a wild goose chase in our own country while he's safe and secure in another."
"Do you have a theory as to where he could be hiding?" Kakashi asked as he looked at the Genin.
Daichi was silent for several moments before he replied. "I have an idea but I need to speak to Lord Hokage before I say anything."
Kakashi nodded and the group silently increased their pace as they got nearer and nearer to the Leaf village.
Asuma and Guy were impressed with the Genin. 'He has an incredible mind. Coupled with his talents and skills…No wonder dad values him so much… ' The former twelve ninja guardian thought as he looked at the boy.
The rest of the Jonins were also silently trying to deduce where the snake sannin could be hiding.
—-
Orochimaru's Lab. (9:00 pm)
The Snake Sannin grinned as he looked at the vitals and examined Tsunade's state. 'Excellent. The turbulence in Tsunade's blood has subsided. Her vitals and body functions are slowly stabilizing.'
The morally compromised scientist took a sample of the blonde Sannin's blood and examined it again. The results showed that there were several changes within that blood sample from the one examined earlier.
'Her blood composition has changed significantly. There are several markers in her Genes that are showing similarity to Hashirama's blood. There is a great possibility of her awakening his heightened regenerative abilities along with wood style power if she survives.'
As he examined the blood Orochimaru's mind wandered to the mission he assigned Guren. 'She should have Daichi in sight or must have captured him by now. Either way she should be done with the mission in the next 24 hours at the latest.'
While Orochimaru was examining the new blood sample Shizune was beside her sleeping master, quietly looking after her. She sat on the nearby chair as she held Tsunade's hand.
'Please survive. I don't know what I'd do if you don't. There are so many people depending on you. I know the Hokage and Daichi are doing everything they can to find us. We'll escape from here. So please don't die.'
The young medic was tired but she soldiered on for her master. She looked around the room and knew that behind the only door stood two of Orochimaru's guards. Shizune knew her situation was dire but she still held out hope for both of them.
Several minutes later, just when Shizune thought her teacher was safe, Tsunade's vitals started spiking again. Shizune was startled and the commotion drew Orochimaru's attention as well.
"What's happening to her?" Shizune asked the man as he made his way over to them.
Before Orochimaru could say anything Tsunade's body suddenly started to convulse and the next second blood splattered from Tsunade's right shoulder and from her left foot and palm. Wood-like structures covered in blood were protruding from her body.
"Lady Tsunade!" Shizune screamed and quickly used her medical ninjutsu.
"It seems she's entering the second stage of her metamorphosis." Orochimaru spoke as he looked at the new development with a calm gaze.
Shizune heard the man and understood what was happening. 'In the first stage her cells, DNA and blood composition changed. Now the serum is altering her muscles and tissues. But these wood protrusions… Can she survive?'
As Shizune frantically tried to save her teacher, Orochimaru's eyes were fixed on the small wooden thorn-like structure sticking out of Tsunade's body. 'This kind of violent reaction even after I modified the serum… It means…'
A sinister grin slowly formed on the man's face. 'Yes. Hashirama's blood is integrating with her body on an even deeper level than I had anticipated. If she successfully survives this stage then the value of her blood would be far greater than I thought.'
At this moment the mark on Tsunade's forehead glowed and the Strength of the hundred seal technique automatically activated. The seal quickly spread throughout her body as if it was protecting her.
Orochimaru looked at the reaction the seal had and studied it. "How fascinating. She built a defense mechanism into that seal to help her in such dire circumstances huh. Her seal must have activated now that her body is beginning to undergo such a large transformation. Truly magnificent. In any other situation it would have helped her regain her strength. But in this case, her seal will only cause her more agonizing pain."
Shizune looked at Orochimaru with gritted teeth when she heard that. 'He's right. Right now her body is fighting against the serum and since the seal in her forehead is created from her chakra it would fight back against the First Hokage's blood.'
Shizune noticed how the wooden thorns on Tsunade's body fell off to the ground and the wounds healed. But several moments later a new wound appeared with a wooden protrusion sticking out.
'Her seal would heal the injuries but the serum is altering her muscles and bones. Her body's in a state of constantly being torn apart and being healed.'
Tears fell down Shizune's face as she looked at her sleeping teacher. 'I can't even imagine the pain she's in right now… ' There was discomfort on Tsunade's face but she never woke up.
Shizune turned her head and looked at the Snake Sannin with anger and hatred. "I'll never forgive you for this."
Orochimaru merely scoffed at the young woman's furious gaze. "Hmph. You should concentrate on your teacher if you want her to survive the night. As for your forgiveness… I never wanted it in the first place."
He turned his attention back to the blonde woman lying unconscious and he clenched his fists. 'I just need the data and samples of the merged stable cells from her. Then I'll be able to move forward with my plans. Just three or four more days at most. Then I'll put an end to your misery Tsunade. I'll make sure it'll end quickly for you and your student. It's the least I could do for an old friend.'
Orochimaru went back to his spot on the other side of the laboratory. 'Once sensei is done searching all over the Fire country he'll have no choice but to move to the neighboring nations. It will cause friction with those stubborn fools of a kages and I'll use that opportunity to slip back in. Then the next stage of my plans will begin.'
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