CHAPTER 201: CHAPTER 201: EXCHANGE!

Tsunade stared directly at Uchiha Haru and spoke deliberately, word by word, "Go ahead."

But Haru simply met her gaze calmly, saying nothing.

A flicker of frustration crossed Tsunade’s face. "You haven’t done anything."

If that was truly the case, then even though she knew she couldn’t defeat Haru, she would have to pursue justice on her own.

She had come to the Hidden Mist Village three years ago based on a promise Haru had made.

This matter couldn’t just be left unresolved.

"Of course not," Haru replied slowly, "I did get some useful information during my trip to Konoha."

He had indeed learned something from Kakashi, but it was mostly speculation, lacking concrete proof.

Still... since he, Uchiha Haru, had made a promise to Tsunade, how could he break it?

"But some things become real only when you see them with your own eyes."

"You saw it with your own eyes?" Tsunade was confused.

Her lover, Dan Katō, and her brother, Nawaki Senju, had been dead for so long. How could she possibly see them again? Was it some illusion?

She was intimately familiar with Haru’s illusions.

After considering it carefully, she thought perhaps this really was the only way.

Otherwise, she really wouldn’t be able to figure it out.

Just as Tsunade was about to enter the illusion crafted by Haru, he suddenly stepped closer and took her hand.

Instinctively, she tried to pull away.

Yet when Haru’s hand grasped hers, no repulsion came over her. It almost felt... possible?

What was happening?

Her mind tangled in confusion.

But soon the shift in the surrounding environment brought her back to reality.

She realized why Haru had drawn so close: he intended to perform the Flying Thunder God Technique.

But... why hold her hand?

She distinctly remembered it wasn’t necessary before.

Together they arrived in a dark, damp cave, heavy with a faint fishy odor.

Inside, a figure stood waiting.

Long, straight black hair, an unnaturally pale face, and snake-like eyes filled with malice...

Orochimaru.

Tsunade snapped out of her momentary trance and frowned sharply.

Although both were former disciples of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, their paths had long diverged.

Their bond once had been a sacred life-and-death partnership.

But all that was erased when Orochimaru defected from Konoha.

Now only hatred remained between them.

Though Tsunade had left Konoha, she could never forgive her former village’s enemies.

Her resentment targeted Sarutobi Hiruzen, whom she suspected of conspiring in the deaths of Dan Katō and Nawaki Senju, not the village itself.

Konoha—the place she had grown up—still held a deep place in her heart.

The enemy of Konoha was her enemy, and she could not simply turn a blind eye.

But Orochimaru’s reaction was even more extreme.

He wasn’t afraid of Tsunade alone—her presence didn’t faze him.

His true terror was directed at Uchiha Haru standing beside her.

Recently, Haru had become Orochimaru’s living nightmare.

His first instinct upon seeing Haru was to flee, a fear even greater than a mouse facing a cat.

And now, the one he feared most had found his secret refuge and brought company.

What was Haru planning?

"Uchiha Haru, I have clearly prepared what I promised you and intend to deliver everything, so what are you doing?!" Orochimaru hissed, retreating violently.

Though he knew it was futile.

Haru’s Flying Thunder God Technique was sealed onto his body.

No matter where Orochimaru fled, even to the ends of the earth, Haru could instantly teleport to him with a mere thought.

Throughout this time, Orochimaru had desperately tried to purge the Flying Thunder God mark.

But to no avail.

Changing his body did not erase it.

As long as the mark remained, escape from Haru’s pursuit was impossible.

His frantic retreat and creating distance was nothing more than a subconscious attempt at self-comfort.

When Tsunade suddenly charged toward Orochimaru, Haru stopped her, grabbing her arm firmly.

"You can’t attack him now," he warned.

"Orochimaru is still very useful."

"What are you doing?" Tsunade demanded, struggling against his grip.

Tsunade was slightly displeased, but Uchiha Haru’s grip on her hand was like an iron clamp—no matter how she struggled, she couldn’t break free.

She had no choice but to give in.

Leaning close, Haru whispered in her ear, "If you want to uncover the truth behind Dan Katō and your brother Nawaki’s deaths, you cannot lay a hand on Orochimaru."

With that, he released her hand.

He trusted that Tsunade would make the right choice.

And indeed, she did.

Frowning, she punched Haru lightly, glanced at Orochimaru not far away, and fought against the urge to attack.

Orochimaru could kill again at any moment, but for now, the truth about Dan Katō and Nawaki mattered more.

"Have you prepared what I asked for?" Haru asked, looking at Orochimaru.

Back in Konoha, Orochimaru had attacked Kimimaro, Chōjūrō, and Uzumaki Karin in the Forest of Death.

Unexpectedly, he had been thwarted by Haru’s contingency plan.

To make amends, Orochimaru had promised to pay a heavy price.

After the Chūnin Exams, Haru hadn’t pursued that debt—there was no need.

With the Flying Thunder God Technique marked on Orochimaru’s body, escape was impossible.

No matter how far he ran, Haru could appear instantly.

Moreover, Orochimaru was intelligent enough to understand the cost of breaking his promise.

Now, it seemed true.

Although Orochimaru had not come to demand anything yet, he had already prepared the promised items.

"Yes," Orochimaru replied with a fearful expression.

God only knew how much he dreaded Haru.

Since leaving Konoha, he had made money in the Hidden Sand Village, still disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, and similarly in the Sound Village—but it wasn’t enough.

In the end, he emptied all his savings to fill the debt.

"Good," Haru nodded approvingly.

Orochimaru was skilled at handling business, no doubt.

"I came this time to ask for your help."

Haru stated his purpose plainly.

Though polite in phrasing—"please"—the tone left no room for refusal.

"Ask for my help?" Orochimaru looked skeptical.

He couldn’t understand why someone as powerful as Haru would need him.

Or was this a trap?

"Yes," Haru met his gaze steadily.

"Tsunade, you know..."

"You were beside her when her brother Nawaki died. I want you to recall every detail from that time—don’t miss a single thing."

Tsunade’s heart stirred at Haru’s words.

Indeed, Orochimaru had witnessed Nawaki’s death.

If anything suspicious happened, it was impossible for someone as cunning as Orochimaru not to have noticed.

She hadn’t thought of this before, since when Nawaki died, Orochimaru called it an accident.

Grief-stricken, she had ignored any doubts.

Now, with Haru’s reminder, she suddenly awakened.

Tsunade’s urgency burst forth as she shouted, "Orochimaru! What do you know? Tell me now!"

She desperately needed answers.

Mentioning Nawaki’s death caused even the usually cold and ruthless Orochimaru to show a flicker of emotion.

He was the kind to feel little for anyone—he could kill comrades and teachers alike.

But Nawaki was an exception.

He genuinely liked the boy.

His death on a mission alongside him was a deep wound, filling him with guilt.

Even now, memories of Nawaki stirred strong feelings inside him.

Orochimaru looked from Tsunade to Haru, understanding why Haru had suddenly come to him.

It was about Nawaki.

"I have said it before: Nawaki died in an accident," Orochimaru stated flatly.

Even if he had doubts, why would he reveal them to Haru and Tsunade?

One was his enemy; the other had once been an ally but now would kill him on sight.

Why speak at all?

Tsunade’s face hardened at Orochimaru’s dismissive tone.

Just as she opened her mouth to scold him, Haru interrupted quietly beside her, "Orochimaru, what do you want in exchange for telling me the truth?"

Surprised, Orochimaru looked at Haru.

He hadn’t expected such bluntness.

Without some benefit, he wouldn’t share anything.

If forced by power, he’d remain silent out of pride.

Though he valued his life, he wouldn’t sacrifice his dignity.

Besides, Haru wasn’t likely to kill him.

Orochimaru was the only one who knew the full story of Nawaki’s death.

If he died, the secret would vanish forever.

Trying to pry the truth from his lips? Fine.

"Let’s see what you have to offer.

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