Orochimaru remained silent at first, though one brow arched ever so slightly at Tsunade's words. Inwardly, he found her stance almost laughably naïve.
Shanks' reply came cold and unflinching, his voice stripped of warmth. "The Uzumaki and Konoha are no longer allies. That bond ended the moment Konoha abandoned my clan. From that day forward, whatever partnership we once shared was broken completely. And it didn't stop there. Time and again, after I escaped with my clan members, assassins were sent after us. Tell me, does that sound like the hand of an ally?"
The words struck heavy, and Tsunade faltered. Her lips parted, disbelief flashing across her face. "What are you saying? That can't be true. You must be misinformed, deceived by someone twisting events. Konoha would never harm the Uzumaki. We are allies—we've always been allies."
Shanks let out a sharp, derisive hmph. His eyes shifted briefly toward the pale figure standing beside her. "If you doubt me, why not ask your comrade here? About two years ago, he led a group of suicidal squad sent for no purpose but to take my life. If not for my strength and quick judgment, I would not be standing here. Even my strength would not have been enough against the suicidal charges of shinobi bound with explosives, eager to die if it meant dragging me into death with them. Faced with such madness, I had no choice but to retreat."
The accusation dropped like a stone between them.
Tsunade's head snapped toward Orochimaru, her hand seizing the front of his collar in an instant. Her voice trembled with restrained fury. "Tell me, Orochimaru. Is what he says true?"
Orochimaru showed no sign of discomfort despite Tsunade's fist clutching his collar. His golden eyes held their usual calm detachment as he spoke in that low, deliberate tone.
"I acted under Danzo's orders," he admitted without hesitation. "The mission was simple—assassinate Shanks Uzumaki and extract information about the whereabouts of other surviving Uzumaki. That was all. Nothing more, nothing less."
He paused, his expression unreadable. "Whether the Hokage was aware of this mission… I cannot say."
Tsunade's face darkened with fury. Her fist clenched, and before words could escape her lips, she struck him squarely. The blow landed with explosive force, driving Orochimaru back several steps across the wet ground. He caught himself with a hiss of breath but did not retaliate, did not so much as lift a hand in response. His silence spoke volumes.
Shanks, however, had no more patience for their drama. Having said all he wished to say, he turned away from them, resuming his stride toward the caravan where his siblings waited. His posture was rigid, his intention clear—this conversation was over.
"Wait," Tsunade called after him, her voice echoing sharply across the battered field. "Even if you were attacked, those shinobi were likely from Root. They don't answer to the Hokage. They move in shadows, under their own chain of command. Think of them as… the Hawk faction."
She took a step forward, her tone softening but urgent. "Root is controlled entirely by Danzo. Give me time. I'll speak with the Hokage personally—we will get you an explanation."
Shanks did not stop. His footsteps carried him further away, his figure already beginning to blur into the distance. Still, his voice drifted back to them, cold and final.
"Danzo is a member of Konoha… and I am an Uzumaki, an outsider. That is all that matters."
With that, his presence vanished from their sight, leaving the three Sannin standing in heavy silence amidst the ruins of the battlefield.
Tsunade exhaled through clenched teeth, her fists tightening at her sides. "Damn it," she muttered bitterly, casting a final glare toward Orochimaru before turning on her heel and walking away.
Jiraiya lingered a moment longer, his shoulders heavy with frustration. His gaze slid to Orochimaru, but words failed him. A weary sigh escaped instead. Though he and Tsunade both knew Orochimaru had often cooperated with Danzo in the past, carrying out missions steeped in shadows, this… this was different. This was a betrayal not just of duty, but of trust. Unable to reconcile the thoughts in his mind, Jiraiya followed after Tsunade in silence.
Orochimaru alone remained. He straightened his cloak, his face composed, betraying no emotion. For a brief moment, his lips curved into the faintest smile, one laced with amusement. "It seems I will need to inform Sensei of all that transpired here," he murmured to himself. "This will no doubt become quite the headache for him." With that, he strode off, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever.
…
Many kilometres away, far from the ruined battlefield, Shanks at last came upon his siblings. They had been waiting anxiously for his return, their eyes scanning the horizon until his figure finally appeared. Relief washed over them instantly, mingling with pride. Their elder brother had done what few thought possible—he had stood against Hanzo and emerged victorious.
Shanks' first words were not of triumph but of concern. "Are you all all right?" he asked, his sharp gaze sweeping over each of them.
Erza stepped forward, her voice steady. "Yes. I've already treated their poison. They just need a few hours of rest, and they'll be fine."
Shanks gave a small nod, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly at her reassurance. His eyes lingered on his brothers and sisters—no longer the helpless children of five years ago. They had grown through hardship, forged in constant struggle. Now, they were powerful Shinobi who could stand their ground even against a formidable opponent like Hanzo.
Even if only for a short time, they had managed to resist a ninja feared throughout the shinobi world. And to Shanks, that was no small feat.
Shanks' eyes softened as he looked over his siblings, their faces marked by fatigue yet lit with determination. "I am proud of you all," he said, his voice carrying both warmth and gravity. "To see how much you've grown fills me with happiness. Today's battle has proven your strength—not just to me, but to the world. From this day forward, your reputations will only rise higher."
His tone hardened, warning of the road ahead. "But understand this: we are no longer hidden. We stand at the center of this world now, exposed for all to see. Many will seek you out, some extending the hand of friendship… while others will work in the shadows to strike us down. Our enemies will not wish to see us grow stronger, and their targeting will only increase. You must all be ready."
The Uzumaki siblings nodded as one. There was no fear in their eyes, only acceptance. They were not children to be sheltered anymore—they knew full well the truth of his words.
Shanks continued, his voice calm but resolute. "I have already warned Hanzo's Ame shinobi. They will not trouble you again. And as for Hanzo himself, he will not be a threat for some time. The wound I gave him runs deep, and with his mask broken, his own poison may turn against him. Even if he survives, he will need many months to recover—if he can recover at all. So complete your mission with peace of mind."
He let the silence hang for a moment before adding, "I must return to the valley. The aunts are there, and someone must remain behind to ensure their safety."
Once again, his siblings nodded, their trust in him unwavering. Shanks inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment, then formed the seals with practiced ease. In the next instant, his figure vanished, pulled away by the ripple of reverse summoning, leaving his siblings to carry forward the mission.
----
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