Chapter 129: I've Always Known
Crystal-clear snowflakes drifted slowly down as two small figures silently walked out of Konoha…
"Master, are you really just going to watch them mess around like this?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes were full of worry. Two children walking straight into a Sand ninja trap—this was practically certain death! Tobirama Senju gently shook his head. "This is the kind of thing you can't stop."
Just like his older brother's choice, Li Jiexuan had made his own!
Tobirama Senju let out a soft sigh and quietly turned his head away…
Two days later, Li Jiexuan and Orochimaru had already reached the border of the Land of Wind. The moment they drew near, Li Jiexuan's bounty posters were plastered all over the streets and alleys.
"Jiexuan-kun…" Orochimaru's eyes were red.
"No need to say anything. Let's talk after we rescue your parents." Li Jiexuan opened the map. Dead End Canyon looked like a long, narrow knife wound carved into the earth. Time was tight—there was nothing to hesitate over…
They rushed nonstop. When Li Jiexuan finally stood before the treacherous canyon, it felt as though countless voices were urging him not to go in. Still, he stepped forward without hesitation…
After advancing several hundred meters, the canyon entrance was suddenly blocked by nearly a hundred Sand ninjas. At that moment, Orochimaru suddenly began crying as he walked toward them.
"I'm sorry, Jiexuan-kun. I lied to you. If there's a next life, I'll repay you for this."
Orochimaru cried as he retreated into the Sand ninjas, yet there was no trace of surprise on Li Jiexuan's face.
"You thought that by hiding in Konoha forever, we Sand ninjas wouldn't be able to find you?" Hundreds of Sand ninjas surrounded Li Jiexuan layer upon layer.
Li Jiexuan shrugged indifferently. "I've never hidden. Reto came knocking on my door to die."
"Still acting tough when death is staring you in the face!" The Sand ninja leader first flared with anger, then quickly twisted into a cruel grin. "Didn't expect this, did you? How does it feel to be betrayed by your own people?"
Hearing that, Li Jiexuan suddenly broke into a wide grin. "Actually, I've always known you used Orochimaru's parents to force him to deceive me."
"You knew?" Orochimaru stared at him in disbelief.
"Yes. I knew from the moment you begged me." Li Jiexuan shook his head with a smile. "Because you didn't ask me to save your parents—you asked me to come to this canyon."
On top of that, as the newly appointed ANBU commander, Hiruzen had directly told Li Jiexuan the truth: if he wanted to save Orochimaru's parents, Li Jiexuan would have to trade one life for two.
That was exactly why they were unwilling to help Orochimaru…
"If that's the case, then why did you still come?"
At those words, even Li Jiexuan laughed at himself. "Yeah—why? Maybe because I wanted to try."
"Try?"
Li Jiexuan nodded with a smile, his gaze seeming to return to that night when he stood atop the head of the Senju Buddha, quietly looking down at the man known as the God of Shinobi…
I want to try the choice he made.
"Of course, more importantly…"
Li Jiexuan grinned ferociously. "I never planned on dying here!"
"Dragon Sage Mode, Eight Gates—Gate of View, open!"
Li Jiexuan drew the Kusanagi Sword, deathly pale lightning coiling around it. "I want to see just how strong I really am now—after obtaining the Nine-Tails' chakra and the First Hokage's cells! As for you Sand ninjas, you'll be my whetstone!"
"Stop being so arrogant, you murderer!"
Suddenly, a beautiful woman leapt out—her face delicate, her figure so striking it was impossible to look away.
"A murderer? Could this woman be Hetian's wife?" Li Jiexuan scratched his head in confusion. "A guy like Hetian could actually have a wife?"
But at that very moment, the beautiful woman roared out an invocation:
"Summoning Jutsu—Chikamatsu's Ten Puppets!"
"What?!"
Li Jiexuan's eyes went wide in shock. "This is Granny Chiyo?!"
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