I'm not great at chapters like these with a lot of back and forth dialogue and discussion yet so please bear with me
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15 minutes before the aqusition of the bell
Hiruko, Orochimaru, and Tsunade sat in a circle conversating about how they would take the bells from Hiruzen.
"Okay, if we're going to do this, we need to know each other's strengths." Hiruko said, though he already had an idea, it would be better to be safe than sorry.
Orochimaru in his characteristically hoarse voice: "I'm proficient in all three basic jutsu, with the transformation jutsu being my strong suit and clones being second. I've even tested both against Nakamura Sensei, and he seemed none the wiser, though I can't rule out that he just didn't call it out.
Tsunade was the next to speak up. "Well, my strength lies in my chakra-enhanced strikes and the finger gun technique I exchanged for my chakra-enhanced strength with Hiruko. I am also proficient in medical ninjutsu, though I doubt it'll be of much help in this battle, and I also know some basic seals, though my proficiency with seals is inferior to Hiruko's." Tsunade said honestly, though she didn't like Orochimaru that much—he had a sort of off-putting aura—she trusted Hiruko, so if he told her to share her strengths, she'd do it happily.
Hiruko, who was next up, carefully pondered what to share and what not to. "Well, I'm proficient in Kenjutsu, Taijutsu, Sealing, and my Kekei Genkai gravity release. Gravity release allows me to increase, decrease, push, and pull gravity. Though the amount of force I can cause is low, roughly three times the normal amount. Also recently I've learned how to affect my own body using gravity release to a certain extent," Hiruko said plainly, taking the chance to hide his Kilo-Kilo fruit abilities under the Press-Press fruit.
Orochimaru, who sat across from Hiruko, sat in deep thought trying to formulate a plan; eventually, after a few moments, he spoke up.
"Tsunade, Hiruko If you don't mind me asking, what seals are you proficient in?"
Tsunade, staying quiet, looked toward Hiruko; she knew he was way better at seals than her, even being able to layer effects on a couple.
Hiruko, seeing Tsunade had no intention to talk, sighed, "I'm proficient in the Finger Drain seal, the chakra disruption seal, the body disruption seal, and the buried breath seal. I also can layer some of these seals for delayed effects or without the need for continuous touch, though this diminishes some effects." Hiruko said,
Orochimaru, hearing this, smiled slyly and said, "I've got a plan," as he licked his lips.
Seeing Hiruko's and Tsunade's attention on him, Orochimaru continued, "We already know most of what we do will be seen through by Hiruzen Sensei, so first we need to plant a seed." Orochimaru said,
Tsunade, hearing this, became confused. "A seed?" She asked.
At this, Orochimaru simply nodded. "We need to plant the seed that we're inexperienced, that we're talented, but due to him being such a strong and amazing shinobi, it's not enough to fool him.
We need him to think we're children who don't understand the full depth of the world." Orochimaru said, his smile getting larger and larger.
Tsunade, getting the chills from that smile, tentatively asked, "And how do we do that?"
"Well, first we plant that seed, so I'll first attack him with three clones, though I'll add just enough faults in them that Hiruzen sensei will immediately see through them and think that my Jutsu are good but not good enough to fool a master like him.
I'll then have them engage him but get destroyed quickly; this will further cause him to think we're still inexperienced. Hell, they'll then try and bait us—"
"But how do you know that?" Tsunade asked, cutting Orochimaru off.
But before Orochimaru could explain himself, Hiruko spoke up.
"He will, I'm sure of it." He said simply,
"That doesn't—" Tsunade tried to say, but Hiruko cut her off and said,
"Orochimaru continued." Tsunade, hearing this, pouted but kept quiet while Orochimaru offered a small smile.
'Is he mocking me?' Tsunade thought angrily at Orochimaru's smile.
However, Orochimaru, either oblivious or uncaring, continued, "Tsunade, you'll then come out and use your strength to crack the ground in a small area, neither too big nor too small." Orochimaru said,
"Why?" Tsunade couldn't help but ask again confused.
"Because that's where Hiruko will come in, or more likely his clone. Hiruko will make a clone and apply the transformation jutsu to become rubble.
The cracked ground will help him blend in so that Hiruzen-sensei won't immediately see through our plot. Hiruko can then apply his dual seal—"
Tsunade, raising her hand, intervened. "But what if Hiruzen isn't in the area?"
However, Hiruko spoke up again. "Let me worry about that." He said with a small smirk.
"Okay, but then how do we stop Him from removing your seal?" Tsunade asked.
"I'll also worry about that my real body will use my Gravity Release to push Hiruzen toward you and allow my clone to place the seal.
As long as you can distract him for a minute, giving me enough time to get there, I'll then cause a distraction to stop him from removing it and respond to any unforeseen circumstances with my Gravity Release.
I'll probably use the chakra drain seal to mask the disruption seal, which will give us an extra moment to take the bell if need be." Hiruko said confidently.
Then, turning to Orochimaru, he said, "But that means it'll be on you to grab the bell, but I'm sure you already know that since the only person who throughout your whole plan is unaccounted for is you." Hiruko said with a smile.
Orochimaru, returning his smile, nodded slightly and said, "Yes, that's exactly my plan."
"And how do you plan to do that?" Tsunade posed; it felt as if Hiruko and Orochimaru were on another wavelength that she couldn't understand.
But Orochimaru, instead of answering, simply smiled and said, "Hiruko, You said you have a breathing-related seal. Am I to believe that it allows one to breathe in specific places without air, particularly underground?"
Hiruko, realization dawning on him, smiled. "Yes, the seal allows one, at the cost of chakra, to extract air from soil and filtered air pockets while underground for one hour."
"Good, all I need is that seal placed on me and for you and Tsunade to keep Hiruzen sensei in one spot, and those bells are ours," Orochimaru said as his tongue wiped over his lips.
Hiruko, understanding the gist of Orochimaru's plan, turned to Tsunade.
"Hey Tsunade, Go ahead, we'll catch up. I have to put the seal on Orochimaru." Hiruko said, a smirk on his face.
Tsunade, knowing what Hiruko meant, quickly left, not needing to be told twice; a small smile appeared on her face while leaving.
Orochimaru, seeing this, simply frowned in confusion. "Wha—"
Hiruko, still smiling, came next to Orochimaru and whispered in his ear, "It requires the recipient to be shirtless."
At this, Orochimaru's brain puffed in smoke, his face becoming extremely red.
Hiruko, seeing this, burst out laughing. "I didn't know you could get flustered like that, Orochimaru. Relax, I'm just joking; the seal can be applied to the arm."
Hiruko, seeing Orochimaru's red face, simply thought he was embarrassed and said.
"If it makes you feel better, Tsunade was tricked too. When Mito made the joke to the both of us, I just thought it would be fun to play it on you."
Orochimaru quickly regained his composure and simply muttered, "I mean, I don't mind."
Hiruko, not hearing what Orochimaru said, asked, "Huh? What's that, Orochimaru?"
"Oh, nothing, Hiruko." Orochimaru said quickly.
Hiruko simply shrugged, took Orochimaru's arm, and applied the seal; both then stood up and disappeared to join Tsunade and initiate the plan.
—
"And that's how we beat you, old man," Tsunade said pridefully, sipping a juice box.
She was currently sitting with Hiruko, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya, to her left in that order.
Across from them sat Hiruzen, who was listening to the three's plan to get the bells.
They were currently sitting in a curry restaurant booth close to the Hokage building, waiting for their food.
"Though I'll admit if not for Hiruko's kekkei genkai keeping you in place several times, we would have been screwed." Tsunade said, Honestly, she was actually surprised Hiuko didn't go into chakra exhaustion.
Though she didn't fully understand it, it wasn't hard to see a Kekkei Genkai that strong had to be a bit of a chakra drain.
Hiruzen was also thinking the same thing but decided to let it go for right now.
Jiraiya, on the other hand, sat pouting. 'I did absolutely nothing while they pulled off a world-class-level plan and got the bell while I sat tied to a log post. I need to get stronger.'
Jiraiya thought, clenching his fist, thinking about how he was able to do nothing during the battle; if not for Hiruzen placing an earthen dome around him, he might've even gotten hurt just from sitting.
He needed to, no matter what, get stronger.