Tianyuancheng had four towers, each positioned at the southeast, southwest, northeast, and northwest.
On the southern city tower, soldiers who once guarded this location had already descended. Six people now stood in the narrow corridor.
If Shisui and Black Hawk had been present, they could have recognized three of them as Heiya Ichiji, Hisanobu, and Saito, who had escaped from the gambling den earlier.
Right now, these three stood together with two other ninja-like figures whose hands were wrapped in bandages, all behind a samurai wearing armor from the General's Mansion.
This samurai was tall and powerfully built, with a strong facial structure. A long scar on his right forehead gave his entire face a fierce, sharp look.
The six looked down from their high vantage point atop the tower toward Heiya Gambling House.
BOOM... BOOM!
Although they were far away, they still clearly heard the tremendous sound.
Then, a towering tree sprouted upward from the gambling house. Before they even had time to express shock, flames erupted skyward from the building.
Gigantic orange flames burned like a second sun, instantly melting away half of the gambling house. The firestorm then surged forward toward the barrier, scorching and thinning it slightly.
Heiya Ichiji couldn't help but wipe cold sweat from his brow. He couldn't help but feel lucky he'd gotten out early. If he were still inside now, he might have perished without a trace.
At this moment, the young ninja on the left blurted out in shock, "Who is inside? This isn't a jutsu any ordinary ninja could possibly use!"
Saito responded, "It could be the Shadow Guard Team—those are definitely the ones who set up the barrier. They're likely waiting for Danzo's arrival before striking."
After some consideration, Hisanobu added, "Originally there were two strange men in the private room upstairs. I don't know whether they remained behind!"
He then described their appearances and characteristics.
Although Ao and the others failed to detect any clues, Tsunade was recognized.
The young ninja grinned, "That Nobleman has to be none other than the Legendary Sannin—Princess Tsunade. Black-haired maid, pink piglet... And she keeps losing at gambling again and again. It can only be her."
The older ninja nodded affirmatively, "Maketu is right. Unless one of the Legendary Sannin intervened, how could Konoha ensure Danzo's capture?"
Heiya Ichiji asked anxiously, "Doesn't that mean Danzo is in danger?"
But the older ninja shook his head, "Danzo isn't that simple. The result remains unknown. Without being personally involved, it's hard to predict the actual situation accurately."
Everyone nodded after hearing those words.
Staring at his ruined gambling den, Heiya Ichiji groaned bitterly, "How long are they planning to fight? Half of it has already been destroyed, yet they still won't stop!"
Maketu said eagerly, "I hope they keep fighting harder! Let them both exhaust themselves, and then we'll take everyone down together!"
Suddenly, the samurai standing before them five spoke up, "The battle will end soon! Honji, Maketu, Hisanobu, Saito, come with me!"
The four replied in unison, "Yes, Lord Musashi!"
...
Ao and Tsunade stood firm, locked eyes with Orochimaru and Danzo, prepared for anything.
In their opinion, the two would eventually reach an agreement, though neither had made a move yet.
Watching the two argue opposite them, Ao remarked, "Sis, wanna guess what they're talking about?"
Tsunade shot him a glare. "Don't play dumb. You know Orochimaru—how could you not recognize me?"
Aozora chuckled. "You're afraid to confirm, aren't you? You look barely seventeen or eighteen. How could you possibly be from the same generation as Orochimaru?"
Though Tsunade knew Aozora was just buttering her up, she still felt a flicker of pleasure.
However, she didn't show it on her face and instead calmly asked, "Orochimaru is negotiating terms with Danzo, right?"
Aozora nodded. "That's how it looks. Do you think they'll reach an agreement?"
Tsunade answered, "If we don't interfere, there's a strong chance they will."
Aozora shot back, "And if we interfere? They're definitely calling it off!"
After he finished speaking, Tsunade and Aozora exchanged glances. Both of their eyes carried a hint of helplessness.
The only reason they hadn't acted yet was because both secretly held onto the same foolish hope—that Orochimaru and Danzo's talks would fall apart.
And it was called foolish hope precisely because it was practically impossible to achieve.
Suddenly, Aozora's eyes lit up. "How about we make a bet?"
Tsunade frowned. "What kind of bet? You still have time for this now?"
Aozora said, "Let's bet on the result of Orochimaru and Danzo's negotiation. I bet they'll fail!"
Tsunade frowned again. "What do you mean?"
Aozora said, "I heard you have a nickname."
Realizing immediately what he meant, Tsunade sighed exasperatedly, "This is absurd!"
Seeing Orochimaru approaching Danzo, Aozora urged anxiously at Tsunade, "Come on! Make your bet! Bet that their talks will succeed! I'm betting one hundred million Ryo!"
Tsunade shook her head. "Never thought I'd actually meet someone who wants to hand money over willingly. Fine then, let's bet. I believe they'll reach an agreement. As for what I'm putting on the line..."
She suddenly fell silent. She had just realized how broke she actually was.
"Quick!" urged Aozora.
Without really knowing why, Tsunade blurted out, "My stake is that I can teach you a Ninjutsu technique!"
Halfway through speaking, she already felt regret creeping in. However, after a moment's consideration—and realizing that it was essentially impossible—she continued anyway.
Hearing that, Aozora nodded and said, "Deal! The bet stands!"
Then, curiously, he turned his gaze back toward Orochimaru and Danzo.
He wanted to see how Tsunade's destiny-altering weapon worked!
He wasn't the least bit worried about losing—it was Fage making the bet with Tsunade, not Aozora!
Besides, the gambling house owed him nearly one hundred million Ryo. If things got desperate, he could always pass that debt off to Tsunade!
Far away, after much contemplation, Danzo coldly asked, "[Are you certain you want this Sharingan Secret Jutsu?]"
Licking his lips in excitement, Orochimaru hissed, "Oh yes… I'm *thrilled*."
Danzo's eyes revealed dangerous intent as he questioned, "Don't you want to reconsider and ask for something else?"
Orochimaru shook his head. His snake-like pupils stared fixedly at Danzo, just like a serpent locking eyes onto its prey.
After a long silence, Danzo sighed dismally. "[Fine.]"
Then he said, "[Come here. I'll tell you the Secret Jutsu.]"
Thoughtfully, Orochimaru's lips curled into an eerie smile as he began walking forward.
He stopped at twenty meters from Danzo.
"I think this is close enough," Orochimaru stated.
"You dare not trust me?" Danzo feigned disappointment as he sighed, then slowly explained, "[This Sharingan secret jutsu is named Izanagi. It's the ultimate Dojutsu technique of the Sharingan. If used well, it can reverse life and death—even destiny itself.]"
However, the only flaw of this Secret Jutsu is that it consumes a Three Tomoe Sharingan each time it's activated. Watch closely as I demonstrate its power."
As Danzo spoke, the cursed seal on his right arm had already vanished completely. In an instant, his right arm swelled once more, transforming into a true colossal wooden limb.
Countless branches erupted wildly from this massive wooden structure, spreading outward in all directions. In a flash, they pierced through Orochimaru and surged toward Aozora and the others.
This time around, Aozora faced Danzo's suicidal technique with far greater composure.
A blazing Yakton fireball erupted forth, carving out a clear space and halting the endless wooden tendrils in their tracks.
Just as Aozora began to relax slightly, a strange sound suddenly came from behind.
He quickly turned around, spotting a shadow emerging behind Shizune and Shisui.
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