Naruto never imagined that Reanimation Jutsu a technique meant for war and control could somehow become a way to heal a person's heart.
It seemed every jutsu in the ninja world had its own unexpected purpose.
Below the ridge, Tsunade had lowered her head onto Dan's shoulder, her body trembling as quiet sobs escaped her lips. The sight drew a soft sigh from Jiraiya.
Beside him, Orochimaru glanced over, his golden snake-like eyes half-lidded. "Still not over her, are you?"
Jiraiya crossed his arms with exaggerated confidence. "Hmph! I'm Jiraiya the Gallant! Giving up isn't in my vocabulary."
Orochimaru's expression didn't change. "Idiot."
"What was that? You slimy snake! You want me to knock some sense into that pale face of yours?" Jiraiya bristled, his white hair standing on end as he started barking at Orochimaru like an angry lion-dog.
But Orochimaru ignored him completely, his gaze fixed on the scene below.
Kabuto adjusted his glasses quietly, observing all of them.
Strange, he thought. Lord Orochimaru is a wanted S-rank criminal, and not long ago he tried to destroy the Leaf. So why isn't Jiraiya attacking him?
A lifetime of espionage had taught Kabuto to distrust such things as friendship and loyalty.
He only believed in one thing himself.
No… wait. His gaze flickered toward Naruto. That's it. The boy's strength. He's the reason everyone's calm. No one dares move against Orochimaru because Naruto is here, suppressing everything with sheer presence.
Kabuto pushed up his glasses again, a glint of realization in his eyes. Power. In the end, that's all that matters. That's the only thing in this world that's truly reliable.
He quietly took a few steps back, lowering his presence. I'll just stay invisible and keep my head down. Let the big names talk.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru's hoarse voice broke the silence. "If I let them keep reminiscing, they'll probably talk for three days and nights. I suppose I'll have to be the bad guy this time."
He cast a sideways glance at Naruto. Seeing no objection, Orochimaru leapt down, followed by Kabuto and Kimimaro.
"Tsunade," he called as he landed lightly on the ground. "I think it's time to end the reunion."
Tsunade wiped her tears and looked up. Her golden eyes softened as she took in Orochimaru's familiar pale face.
"Lord Orochimaru," Dan greeted politely, bowing slightly. Back when he died, Orochimaru had not yet defected from the Leaf.
"Master Orochimaru! You're amazing!" Nawaki exclaimed with awe, his young face shining. "You actually brought me back! This jutsu is incredible!"
Back in his academy days, Orochimaru had been his teacher the one he admired most.
Orochimaru chuckled softly. "This technique wasn't mine originally. It was created by the Second Hokage. I merely perfected it."
Nawaki blinked, startled. "Granduncle Tobirama made this? Of course he did. He loved creating secret techniques especially ones aimed at the Uchiha clan."
Even Orochimaru couldn't help a thin smile at that remark.
"Now then," he continued, forming a hand sign before either of the reanimated souls could react, "you two should rest for now. I have business to discuss with Tsunade."
Both Dan and Nawaki's eyes gently closed as two coffins rose from the ground, sealing them before sinking back into the earth.
Orochimaru turned toward Tsunade. "I've shown you my sincerity. Now it's your turn to fulfill your end of the deal."
Perhaps because she had finally seen her loved ones again, Tsunade's expression softened. The tension she'd carried for years seemed to melt away, leaving her looking years younger.
So, Reanimation Jutsu could also grant peace to the living it truly was a technique that could fulfill dreams.
"Come here," Tsunade said, beckoning to Kimimaro.
At Orochimaru's nod, Kimimaro stepped forward obediently.
Tsunade's palms began to glow with a deep emerald light as she placed her hands near his chest, probing his internal condition.
After several minutes, her brows furrowed, and she reached the same conclusion Naruto had earlier.
"This boy's life force is nearly spent. His body's riddled with bacteria. We'll need to purify him first, then restore his vitality," she said firmly.
Orochimaru gave a rare nod. "I'll leave him to you, Tsunade. Thank you."
Tsunade shook her head slightly. "It's not gratitude. Just an equivalent exchange."
"Hey, Tsunade!" Jiraiya called, leaping down after them.
She turned, one brow raised. "What is this, then? A reunion of the Three Legendary Sannin?"
Her lips curved into a faint, self-mocking smile as she looked between Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
Jiraiya scratched his head and grinned. "If you put it that way, then why don't we make it official? How about a drink, for old times' sake?"
At his words, both Tsunade and Orochimaru went silent.
When had the three of them last sat together? Drank together? Laughed together?
It had been so long, they could barely remember.
Orochimaru's mouth opened, ready to refuse. Emotions like nostalgia only distracted from his pursuit of truth. But before he could speak, Naruto stepped forward.
"Actually, I'm starving," he said cheerfully. "Let's all get something to eat."
Orochimaru's protest died on his tongue. He exhaled quietly. Fine, he thought. Just this once.
Tsunade finally turned her eyes toward Naruto. "And who might you be?"
"Lady Tsunade! I'm Naruto Uzumaki!" he said with a bright, honest smile.
"Uzumaki… Naruto." Recognition flickered in her eyes. "So you're the Fourth Hokage's son."
His identity was no longer a secret anywhere in the shinobi world. Even Tsunade, wandering far from the village, had heard of him. She studied his face for a long moment. Kushina's boy, she thought. Mito Grandma would have been proud.
Naruto turned to Kimimaro. "Oh, by the way, if Lady Tsunade's going to perform surgery on you, it's best if you stop eating now."
Kimimaro nodded obediently.
Tsunade's eyebrow arched. "You know medical ninjutsu?"
Orochimaru's lips curved faintly. "Naruto's talent is… remarkable. While you were reuniting with Dan and Nawaki, he already diagnosed Kimimaro himself. His analysis matched yours perfectly."
Tsunade blinked in surprise. "You mean, his assessment was identical to mine?"
Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "I wouldn't say I'm a medical ninja. I've only been studying for about a month. I just… have my own ways of figuring things out."
Shizune nearly dropped her tools. "A month? You can already perform internal diagnostics after only a month?"
Tsunade looked at Naruto with a half-smile. "You're not an ordinary kid, that's for sure. Fine then you'll assist me during Kimimaro's operation. Let's see what you can do."
Naruto grinned. "Gladly! I'd love to learn from you, Lady Tsunade."
Later that evening, in a quiet tavern in Tanzaku Town, the three Sannin finally sat together again.
The wooden table was worn smooth from years of use, the faint smell of sake filling the air.
Jiraiya raised his cup first. The clear liquor shimmered under the light. "Didn't think we'd ever share a drink again," he said with a wistful grin.
He downed it in one gulp, his eyes settling on Orochimaru's pale, unreadable face. "So tell me, old friend won't you come back?"
Tsunade's fingers stilled on her cup. She didn't look up, but her heart tightened.
Orochimaru's serpent eyes showed no emotion at all.
For a moment, the years of friendship, betrayal, and grief hung between them three legends, three broken paths, brought together once more by fate.
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