The Adventurous Gamer Ninja - Daichi Hekima
Chapter 368 – Rescue Mission: Targets Located

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or the Gamer. Please support the official release.

With Tobirama, Jiraiya and Danzo.

The veteran Leaf ninjas were quickly but carefully searching the large expanse. They split in three directions but Danzo was still under Tobirama Senju's careful senses.

It was 11:30 at night when they began their search and it was over two hours later that they made a discovery.

Danzo was familiar with Orochimaru's concealment techniques, so he knew what to look for. Around 1:52 am he found an irregularity in the area he was investigating and quickly contacted the others. "I may have something. A slope in the earth's contour with a suspicious mound that might be concealing an entrance."

"Stay right there." Came the reanimated Second Hokage's order.

A second later Tobirama appeared near him.

Danzo pointed toward a patch of disturbed soil that looked unremarkable but now, to trained eyes, suggested recent modifications. "There," he said softly. "I'm certain this terrain has undergone some modifications."

The second Hokage took a knee and placed two fingers on the ground. Several seconds later a frown appeared on his face. "No signs of life… But I sense barriers placed a few hundred meters away from here."

The Second Hokage immediately weaved seals and placed his hands on the ground. 'Earth style - Primitive World Recognition jutsu.'

Danzo watched as his former teacher got to work. 'Unless I'm mistaken, the seals he made were for the Primitive World recognition jutsu. A jutsu developed by the First Tsuchikage. I wonder what it does?'

Meanwhile in the Hidden Leaf village, Hiruzen was up in his office meditating. At least that's what it would look like to others. In reality he was keeping an eye on the situation through his reanimation connection with the Second Hokage. The Third immediately recognized the Jutsu his predecessor used and recalled the details.

'If I remember right, this technique can accurately identify the structure of earth for kilometers and modify them according to the user if need be. The downside is that it's ineffective against organic substances. That technique won't work in a forested area since it's useless against wood and plants but in that type of rocky lifeless terrain, it's perfect. A jutsu developed by the First Tsuchikage and used in the creation of the Hidden Stone village.'

Hiruzen focused and soon found that Tobirama stopped using the technique.

The Second Hokage opened his eyes and stood up just as Jiraiya appeared near them.

"Did you find anything?" The Toad sage asked with slight impatience ringing in his tone.

"Danzo is right. There are several concealment barriers around this area. And approximately 600 meters beyond that is a hidden subterranean structure. It goes several dozen meters underground." Tobirama replied as he looked ahead.

"Orochimaru had to have created this hideout for months now. With those barriers I guess it's no wonder no one found this place." The white haired Sannin sighed at the resourcefulness of his former teammate. "Did you find them? Are they here?"

Tobirama looked at the man and shook his head. "I couldn't sense any chakra presence or movements nearby or inside that location. The whole structure is empty."

"Should we go in?" Danzo asked the Hokage.

"No." Tobirama shook his head. "If we recklessly break the barriers or trigger any seals and Orochimaru finds out, it would endanger Tsunade or her student's life. We need to wait till we find out what's happening with the other team."

Jiraiya clenched his teeth in anger. "Damn it."

"But we can't stop now. We should investigate the area and try to track Orochimaru as quickly as we can." Danzo spoke as he glanced at the Sannin with an impassive gaze.

"Easier said than done." Jiraiya murmured and just before he could say anything else new sets of memories came to him. They were from his shadow clone that was travelling with Daichi and Kakashi.

Tobirama sensed a spike in the white haired ninja's chakra and immediately knew the man's shadow clone had been dispelled. He then saw a big grin appear on Jiraiya's face.

"You're the man Daichi! Looks like there's still hope for us." Jiraiya smiled as he looked at the Second Hokage. "Daichi found Orochimaru's base. There are barriers. We couldn't sense any life but we're certain Tsunade is there."

Danzo frowned as he looked at the white haired man. "If there are no signs of any chakra then how can you-"

"Trust me. Tsunade and Shizune are there. I can just feel it." He looked at Tobirama and spoke in a serious tone. "We need to go there now."

The Second Hokage looked at Jiraiya and nodded. He placed a teleportation seal on a nearby rock and then placed his hands on the shoulders of the other two.

A moment later all of them vanished. – Time. 2:00 am.

A short while ago - With Kakashi's team.

Daichi activated his headset and spoke in a low steady tone. "Kakashi Sensei, Lord Jiraiya. I've got something. I think I found Orochimaru's hidden base here?"

"What!? Are you sure Daichi?" Immediately came the question from Jiraiya on the other end.

"Yeah. I'm pretty sure. You two need to get here, quickly." Daichi replied as he moved to an area covered by rocks, which helped him hide his presence more.

A brief static crackle, then Kakashi's voice came. "What did you find?"

"I've found signs of a hidden barrier. And based on the details on the map, the place I'm at is perfect to create a hidden lab. The terrain looks normal from above but I'm certain there's an underground complex here."

"Understood. Report your position and make sure to hide yourself. We'll be there soon." Kakashi spoke and Daichi quickly gave the other two his coordinates.

It took merely 20 minutes for Kakashi and Jiraiya to reach Daichi's position.

"How did you even find this place so quickly?" Jiraiya asked as he observed the large area in front of him.

"I have been analyzing the map and terrain of this area, ever since I came up with my theory. If I was going to build a hidden lab or a safehouse, this would be one of the three most likely locations. This is the first place I investigated. Lucky for us I made the right guess." Daichi replied with a calm tone. He knew such a question would be asked of him so he had already prepared an excuse. He didn't care just how much of it they would buy.

Kakashi was also nearby observing the area for any anomalies but he couldn't spot any for a while until he came across a sealing tag carefully hidden behind a small rock. 'That seal. Unless I'm mistaken, that's a barrier protection seal.'

Kakashi crouched, pressing a gloved hand to the ground. He closed his visible eye, focusing. "There's chakra flowing beneath the earth. It's subtle, but I can feel it."

The Jiraiya clone nodded, arms folded within his cloak. "Orochimaru's style. He always was fond of burrowing underground."

"But I still can't sense any life force." Kakashi sighed. He stretched his senses to find something but ultimately failed.

"They're here." Jiraiya suddenly spoke up. Kakashi turned to look at the man. "I can't sense them but… It's a feeling. I just feel it in my gut."

Daichi looked at the Sannin with a curious gaze. 'It must be his instincts honed from years of experience.'

[Reputation increases with Jiraiya]

The Toad Sannin turned to the Genin with a big smile on his face. "I can't believe we found them and it's all thanks to you."

"We still need to confirm it." Daichi nodded and spoke. "You should bring them here."

Jiraiya nodded and a moment later vanished in a puff of smoke.

Kakashi recalled what Orochimaru wanted with Lady Tsunade and was internally worried. He looked at his student and gave a quick warning. "I know we're closer than ever to finding them but this is the stage where mistakes can happen. No matter what happens, no matter what you find, you need to keep a level head. Our mission is to rescue Lady Tsunade and her student and get them to safety. Not a battle with Orochimaru. Do you understand?"

Daichi gazed at his teacher and silently nodded. They only had to wait a few more seconds before three people teleported near them.

As soon as they appeared, Tobirama immediately stepped forward and looked at the Genin. "You found this location?"

"Yes sir. I believe they're here." Daichi replied without hesitation.

Tobirama immediately weaved the seals for Primitive World Recognition jutsu and got to work. He sensed every inch of the earth beneath him in all directions for a kilometer. 'Several different types of barriers… That's a hidden base but its structure is different from the other one.'

Tobirama concentrated on the barriers placed around the area and used his chakra in sensory mode as subtly as possible. He was careful not to trigger any of the seals Orochimaru placed.

Soon several minutes later his eyes widened. 'That's… Tsunade.'

He immediately made a mental connection with the Third Hokage. 'Hiruzen. I found Tsunade. Her chakra is weak but I'd recognize it anywhere.'

'At last… Wait, what about her student? Have you sensed any other chakra signatures?' Hiruzen felt relief coursing through his veins but then immediately asked.

'Aside from Tsunade I sense 4 other life forces. One of them is an exceptionally powerful chakra. Based on the malevolence I can sense from it, I'm certain it's Orochimaru. Three others have been stationed in key areas where they could observe the perimeter without easily being detected. I'm guessing that's Orochimaru's men. The fourth one is near Tsunade. Weak chakra. Feels like chakra exhaustion. I'm guessing that's Tsunade's student, Shizune.'

'They're both alive. Thank god. Lord Tobirama, what assistance do you need from me?'

'Tsunade's chakra... It feels unstable. I need you to prepare a medical facility beneath the tower. And have the best medic nins on standby. She'll need treatment.'

'Yes. I'll have everything arranged by the time you arrive.' Now that they found Tsunade's location, Hiruzen had no doubt that she'll be saved. He had that much trust in his predecessor.

Soon he stopped his jutsu and stood up. He turned to look at the Genin and gave him a nod. "Well done."

To Daichi a new system message appeared.

[Reputation massively increases with Tobirama Senju]

The Second Hokage then looked at the others and spoke. "I found them. Orochimaru is there along with Tsunade, her student and three of his guards."

[Reputation slightly increases with Danzo Shimura]

[Reputation increases with Jiraiya]

[Reputation increases with Kakashi]

Daichi kept a calm face even as he saw the rep increase notifications. He marveled at the second Hokage's sensing technique. 'To probe into such a protected area and still find them. And that too without letting Orochimaru know… His sensory skills are really impressive.'

Daichi exhaled slowly, relief and anxiety mingling. They had found what they came for. Tsunade and Shizune were close, at last. 'The Infiltrate and Locate quest is completed without any problems. But now comes the real challenge. We would need a solid plan to get through these barriers undetected, breach that hideout, deal with Orochimaru's traps and ensure sensei and Shizune's safety. That won't be easy.'

At that moment Jiraiya looked at Tobirama and asked a question that's been weighing on his mind. "Lord Second. How is Tsunade? Can you sense anything amiss?"

The Second Hokage signed and crossed his arms. "Her chakra is weak and erratic. I'm afraid I don't know much more than that."

Jiraiya's face tightened. "Weak?" He bit the inside of his cheek. "That bastard. He's really doing it. We need to hurry. If Orochimaru's really experimenting on her, every second counts." The Toad sage was anxious as he knew how ruthless his former teammate could be.

At that moment Kakashi spoke. "I understand your concern Master Jiraiya. But we need a plan to get inside without alerting anyone. If Orochimaru realizes we're coming he might just decide to cut his losses."

"I know Kakashi. It's just…" The white haired Sannin sighed. They were so close. He knew he couldn't do anything now to mess up their rescue when they were this close.

"We need to create an extraction plan. But for that, we need to carefully study all the barriers and traps he's placed around here." Tobirama gave the order and soon all of them were moving in different directions, studying the layout of the defenses the Snake Sannin put in place.

Meanwhile: Inside Orochimaru's lab.

Inside Orochimaru's subterranean laboratory, events took a darker turn. The lab was covered in seals and in the center, Tsunade lay strapped to a cold metal table, unconscious. Her breathing was shallow. Shizune stood nearby, tears pricking her eyes as she watched helplessly.

Orochimaru observed them from behind a desk of instruments and potions. His serpentine eyes glinted. He had injected Tsunade with a special serum derived from genetic fragments he believed could awaken Wood Style-like abilities. It was a violent, invasive process. Her body had resisted, and now she hovered in a coma, her life balanced on the edge of a blade.

"Hmph," Orochimaru murmured, leaning closer. "She could die at any time or stay like this and never wake up. And even if she does, it will take a long time… Hmm… Perhaps I miscalculated the dosage." He showed no regret, only clinical curiosity.

Shizune's voice cracked, "You monster! How could you do this to her? She was your friend. Your teammate."

"Like I said before. I have long outgrown those silly attachments." Orochimaru turned his eyes to her, a mocking smile on his lips. "I've done what is necessary to achieve my goals. You should be honored to witness a step in the evolution of ninja arts."

Shizune trembled, fear and anger gnawing at her heart. She pulled futilely at her restraints. Orochimaru turned away, more interested in a set of scrolls he had laid out on a stone table.

While the Lead ninjas were investigating the weaknesses of the defenses above ground, Orochimaru was engrossed in his experiments below, while Shizune hovered at Tsunade's side in despair.

Author's Note:

Regarding the Primitive World Recognition jutsu.

Yes I came up with it and its functions. I just wanted to add a bit of lore to the naruto world. We rarely got to see what the other villages were like.

369 – Rescue Mission: The Bait.

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