The unreasonable Orochimaru left the two of them at a loss. In the end, Tsunade and Jiraiya could only leave the Kage building while grumbling, and found a random inn to stay in.
Late at night.
The two of them successively slipped away under the surveillance of the Sound Anbu, and headed towards the location of the Divine Tree according to their original plan.
These two were both incredibly bold individuals. How could they possibly give up their reconnaissance mission just because of a single warning from Orochimaru.
Of course, they also knew the area around the Divine Tree was full of dangers, so they weren't foolish enough to risk themselves directly. However, while their methods might fool ordinary ninja, unfortunately, the force guarding the Divine Tree was the strongest in the Shinobi World.
Tsunade used a sensing small slug to crawl over and observe the Divine Tree up close, even attempting to control the slug to climb to the top of the tree.
Jiraiya employed Sage Mode, intending to probe the details of the Divine Tree from a distance.
But the moment Sage Mode was activated, the terrifying phenomenon the Divine Tree presented to his sage perception made him break out in a cold sweat.
"Such terrifying natural energy. It can even distort a sage's perception."
Jiraiya's face turned pale, filled with awe towards the distant Divine Tree.
But before he could push his perception to the top of the Divine Tree, Tsunade announced that her sensing slug had been killed, and Jiraiya suddenly realized that a powerful individual had sensed his perception and was now charging towards their location at full speed.
"We've been discovered, run."
Jiraiya urgently warned and decisively fled.
Unfortunately, among their pursuers were flying ninja. It wasn't long before Tsunade was the first to be caught up with.
"Almighty Push."
The Deva Path Pain raised his hand and unleashed a powerful force of attraction. Tsunade's entire body began to fly backwards uncontrollably.
Seeing escape was hopeless, Tsunade decisively turned around to fight back.
But before her could land on the clay bird, a Shinra Tensei from the Deva Path struck Tsunade squarely.
Whoosh.
Tsunade grunted, then shot out like a cannonball. Fortunately, Jiraiya turned back to rescue her at the critical moment, grabbing hold of her just in time. Their bodies uncontrollably smashed through several large trees before barely managing to dissipate the formidable force.
"Jiraiya. Are you okay."
Having a cushion to share the damage, Tsunade wasn't badly injured. Jiraiya, currently in Sage Mode, had extremely high resistance to impact and managed to withstand the collision without major issue.
"Who dares to spy on the Divine Tree." The Deva Path looked down from above and asked.
However, when he clearly saw the figures on the ground, a look of surprise couldn't help but appear on his face.
"You are. Nagato."
With his heightened senses in Sage Mode, Jiraiya also clearly saw the Deva Path's face.
"Katsu."
A loud shout suddenly came through the night. The spot where Jiraiya and Tsunade were located abruptly erupted in a violent explosion.
Boom.
Deidara had used the cover of night to sneakily launch a dark hand.
Unfortunately, such a sneak attack obviously couldn't defeat the two battle hardened Konoha Sannin.
Sensing the danger, Tsunade and Jiraiya decisively used the Body Flicker Technique to escape the blast range.
But before the two could relax, lightning, water bullets, and explosive tags poured towards their location. As they desperately dodged, a deadly scorpion tail stabbed straight towards Tsunade's heart from her blind spot.
"Lion's Mane Barrage."
White hair transformed into long snakes that bit down on the scorpion tail, saving Tsunade. Another portion of the hair precisely caught the scythe swung by Hidan. With a single move in Sage Mode, Jiraiya quietly resolved threats from two sides. Such strength caused the Akatsuki members to show looks of astonishment.
The snake like white hair suddenly exerted force, throwing Hidan away. Tsunade and Jiraiya immediately realized they were surrounded.
The Akatsuki members stared at the two with mocking looks, their bloodthirsty gazes as if they were looking at two delicious prey.
"Nagato, don't you recognize me? And Konan."
Seeing that the people surrounding them were all exceptionally powerful, Jiraiya hurriedly shouted towards the Deva Path.
The Akatsuki members' movements noticeably paused for a moment, their gazes involuntarily turning towards the Deva Path.
"Teacher Jiraiya, this is not a place you should be." The Deva Path spoke with a cold expression.
"A. A misunderstanding. We came to Otogakure to find our little brother Ryun. Seeing the Divine Tree outside the village piercing the sky, we were just too curious and couldn't help but come take a look."
Jiraiya quickly explained.
"If that's the case, then you should leave. Do not presumptuously come here seeking death again." Konan spoke coldly at this time.
"Those who spy on the Divine Tree must die. This is the Dragon God's order. Letting them go isn't really appropriate, is it." Kakuzu's icy voice suddenly rang out, seeming rather unreasonable.
"Exactly. They came here with malicious intent late at night. People like that couldn't possibly be friends of the Dragon God boss. We can't let them leave easily. They should be sacrificed to Lord Jashin."
Hidan's eyes were full of bloodthirsty killing intent.
"Give me face."
The Deva Path's voice clearly reached everyone's ears.
After tonight, he and Konan would be even with Jiraiya.
"Tch."
The Akatsuki members all fell silent upon hearing this. Hidan curled his lip in displeasure but didn't say anything more.
"Hurry up and leave."
Konan couldn't help but shout sharply, her expression and attitude both very cold.
"Thank you. We'll leave now."
Jiraiya expressed his thanks, immediately grabbed Tsunade's wrist, and decisively ran.
"Finally, two capable fighters show up, and we just let them run away. The night is long, so boring." Deidara couldn't help but complain.
"That white haired guy is quite skilled. If he weren't there, I could have killed that woman in the chaos." Sasori of the Red Sand said with some regret.
The Deva Path and Konan did not respond. They silently watched Jiraiya's fleeing figure without a word.
"If I heard correctly, Nagato called that white haired man 'teacher'. Those two are quite strong, probably not unknown figures, right." Kisame asked curiously with a laugh.
"The other two of Konoha's Sannin."
After dropping this sentence, the Deva Path decisively turned and left. Konan followed behind without a word.
"So they are the other two on par with Lord Orochimaru. No wonder they dared to come here to investigate the Divine Tree." Kisame was somewhat surprised.
"The other two Konoha Sannin. What a pity, such good opponents." Deidara seemed very regretful.
"Want someone to experience your lousy art again? That flashy nonsense isn't as substantial as Brother Sasori's eternal art." Hidan took the chance to mess with Deidara's head.
"Get lost. A blood stained, stinking cultist isn't worthy of discussing art with me." Deidara retorted calmly.
"Hmph. A pitiful brat without spiritual faith."
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