Orochimaru, watching the battle unfold from the sidelines, felt a surge of complex emotions.
Kotoe, who had been gravely injured and wavering between consciousness and unconsciousness, slowly awakened. The pain radiating from her abdomen caused her brows to knit together as she struggled to stand.
"You're awake," Orochimaru said, glancing at her before turning his attention back to Ye Zi's side of the fight.
Kotoe nodded, also noticing the scene unfolding around Ye Zi. It seemed as though Ye Zi held the advantage, with his blade piercing Jiraiya's chest.
Shifting her gaze away, she looked down at her own abdominal wound and took two small bottles of herbal medicine from her tool pouch. She handed one to Orochimaru and opened the other, pouring the contents into her palm and applying it to her injury.
The medicine couldn't effectively heal such a severe wound, but it offered some relief and pain suppression.
Once the ointment was applied, the pain became more tolerable.
Kotoe wanted desperately to help Ye Zi, but in her current condition, she feared she'd only be a hindrance. All she could do was stand by and watch.
Orochimaru also applied the medicine to his own injuries, feeling a marginal improvement.
The Sage Mode dissipated.
"It ends here," Ye Zi said coldly, withdrawing his blade with a sudden pull.
The motion caused a secondary injury as the blade exited, forcing Jiraiya to groan in pain. Unable to maintain his balance, he collapsed to one knee, his uninjured hand supporting him on the ground. Blood dripped from his mouth, pooling beneath him.
Ye Zi flipped the blade in his hand and prepared to deliver a finishing strike to Jiraiya. At that moment, Tsunade's eyes trembled violently. She let out an enraged shout and moved around Jiraiya to attack Ye Zi.
Simultaneously, Shima, still on Jiraiya's shoulder, let out a sharp cry and leaped toward Ye Zi.
Ye Zi's cold, dark eyes took in both Tsunade's and Shima's movements. In a flash, he struck Shima with the hilt of his blade, sending her flying with a scream.
Fukasaku jumped into the air, trying to catch Shima, but was also thrown back by the force.
After knocking Shima aside, Ye Zi stepped back, evading Tsunade's straight punch.
Her punch missed, leaving Tsunade leaning forward in an overextended position, as though she might fall toward Ye Zi.
Seizing the opportunity, Ye Zi stepped in and thrust his blade forward. With a sickening squelch, Blood pierced through Tsunade's chest and emerged from her back, dripping with blood.
"Ah…"
Tsunade's body shuddered violently. Without the Strength of a Hundred Seal, the wound rapidly sapped her strength. Her raised arm fell limp as her body slumped forward, leaning against Ye Zi's shoulder.
Were it not for the bloodied blade protruding from her back, it might have looked like an intimate embrace between lovers.
"Tsunade!"
Jiraiya, his face pale, struggled to lift his head. Seeing the blood-soaked blade jutting from Tsunade's back, his eyes widened in fury. He tried to rush toward Ye Zi but found his body unresponsive.
Move!
He roared inwardly, consumed by frustration and helplessness.
Ye Zi glanced slightly at Tsunade's hair before shifting his gaze back to Jiraiya, whose face was twisted with anger. Ye Zi's expression remained indifferent. He could see Jiraiya's hands and arms trembling, seemingly paralyzed for the moment.
At that moment, Tsunade, her chin resting on Ye Zi's shoulder, slowly raised her hand. She aimed for his face, or perhaps his neck, but her impaired vision and weakened state caused her hand to falter.
Ye Zi remained silent, watching her hand inch closer without making any move to stop it.
This battle, he knew, would end in life or death. Either they would die, or he would.
And now, the outcome seemed clear.
This was the brutality of battle.
"Jiraiya… run."
The strong and resolute woman now spoke in a frail and powerless voice. Aware of her inevitable demise, she urged Jiraiya to escape.
The hand reaching toward Ye Zi's neck was filled with the will to twist it, but she no longer had the strength to achieve her goal.
Dan… I'm sorry I couldn't avenge you. Now, I'll come join you.
Hearing Tsunade's words, Jiraiya had no intention of fleeing. He let out a low growl as his body finally moved, stretching out his hand to force Ye Zi back.
Seeing Jiraiya's action, Ye Zi's gaze turned cold. He grabbed Tsunade by the neck with one hand, using her as a shield, and advanced toward Jiraiya. The blade protruding from her back was now aimed directly at Jiraiya as Ye Zi moved forward.
"Let's die together," Ye Zi thought coldly.
The blood-stained blade rushed toward him, and Jiraiya felt a pang of bitterness.
Is this really the end?
At least, he consoled himself, he had passed on everything he knew to Minato.
As he thought of Minato, an image of his golden-haired student flashed in his mind. That vibrant figure, with hair dancing in the wind, was as brilliant as ever, it was such a reassuring presence.
The image was so vivid that it seemed to manifest in reality.
A white short-sleeved coat with blazing red flame patterns along the hem, and bold red letters on the back spelling "Fourth Hokage." The blue headband strap tied into a bow blended into the golden hair.
Heh…
For a moment, Jiraiya couldn't distinguish illusion from reality, assuming it was just a vision born of his mind.
But…
This figure wasn't an illusion. It was real.
Without warning, the figure appeared, stepping between Ye Zi and Jiraiya.
Time seemed to freeze in that moment.
In the distance, Orochimaru and Kotoe's expressions shifted slightly upon witnessing the scene. Reinforcements? And not just anyone...!
Ye Zi's pupils contracted as he stared at the person who had suddenly appeared. For this individual to arrive at such a critical moment, what perfect timing.
That person was none other than Minato Namikaze, who had used the Flying Thunder God Technique to arrive just in time. Minato glanced quickly at Ye Zi, his eyes narrowing sharply, before placing one hand on Tsunade and the other on Jiraiya.
In the next instant, all three vanished without a trace.
It was an odd sensation. Ye Zi still held the hilt of his blade and could feel that the blade was indeed embedded in Tsunade's body. But the moment Minato disappeared with Tsunade and Jiraiya, that sensation vanished as if it had never been there.
One second, his hand was firmly gripping her neck; the next, there was nothing.
The space before Ye Zi was empty. Even Tsunade, who had been pierced by Chijin, was gone. He stepped forward several paces instinctively, then stopped.
"Flying Thunder God Technique."
Ye Zi's face turned cold. To think someone would appear at the most critical moment and rescue Tsunade and Jiraiya. But where were they now?
The thought crossed his mind as he scanned the surroundings. When his gaze shifted to the right, he froze. He saw Tsunade and Jiraiya, now joined by two additional individuals.
"If this fight continues, there's no chance of victory. I must retreat immediately."
Seeing the two newcomers, Ye Zi's expression changed drastically. Gritting his teeth slightly, he made the swift and correct decision to withdraw.
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Currently on Chapter 449 - The Stubborn Tsuchikage Retreats