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When Kazuki mentioned he was going to find Orochimaru, Tsunade didn't hold much hope.
Because Orochimaru was just too good at hiding!
Let alone bringing him back, convincing him to turn over a new leaf and shed his status as a rogue ninja seemed impossible.
Tsunade wanted Orochimaru to return, but she knew how difficult it would be to make him repent.
Yet, before Kazuki had even been gone for a few days, he had already brought Orochimaru back.
"I understand. You may leave."
"Yes."
After delivering his report, the Anbu ninja obediently withdrew.
Tsunade slumped back into her chair, rubbing her face with a bitter smile.
"That kid actually brought Orochimaru back… How did he even manage it?"
Shizune blinked and reminded her:
"Hokage-sama, hasn't Kazuki always delivered on what he said?"
"…True."
Unable to sit still, Tsunade stood and walked to the window, gazing down at the streets below.
Soon, Kazuki would arrive here with Orochimaru in tow.
Even though the Anbu had already confirmed it, Tsunade still felt uneasy and disbelieving.
She needed to see it with her own eyes—Orochimaru walking into the Hokage's office building.
"You really are something else."
Before long, Kazuki and Orochimaru appeared on the street.
Kazuki walked ahead, with Orochimaru trailing behind him.
Kazuki seemed to be saying something, and Orochimaru nodded expressionlessly.
"What a shame Jiraiya isn't here. He'd be overjoyed to know Orochimaru's back."
Outside the Hokage's office building, Kazuki turned to Orochimaru and said:
"I'm serious. Fix your attitude—stop looking so gloomy. All you're doing is turning over a new leaf, not being skinned alive. Look at that face of yours."
"..."
You've been saying this the entire way here!!
The ENTIRE way!!!
Orochimaru desperately wanted to find a way to sew Kazuki's mouth shut—but he didn't dare.
Such thoughts could only remain in his head.
Otherwise, Kazuki would undoubtedly make him regret it, silencing him in the most literal sense.
"We're here."
"Lord Advisor!"
The guards outside the Hokage's office saluted Kazuki but eyed Orochimaru with suspicion.
Kazuki waved them off, signaling them to relax, then led Orochimaru inside and straight up to the Hokage's office on the second floor.
"I didn't think I'd ever see you walk in here again."
The moment Orochimaru stepped inside, Tsunade greeted him with a teasing remark.
"The world is unpredictable. Who knows what tomorrow holds?"
Orochimaru smirked faintly, visibly more at ease.
Being around Tsunade was far more comfortable than being alone with Kazuki—at least she wouldn't casually threaten him.
"Here, this is his written confession. Have Shizune polish it up before making it public. As for him… let's just keep him under surveillance outside prison. He's too dangerous to lock up—who knows what he'd pull? Better to have him where I can keep an eye on him."
"A… confession?"
Are you two serious?
Tsunade stared blankly at the scroll in her hands, then at Orochimaru in disbelief.
This guy wrote a confession?!
"..."
Orochimaru could feel the sheer humiliation burning into him. He deliberately kept his gaze fixed on the ceiling, avoiding Tsunade's eyes.
"Cough—!!"
After skimming the contents, Tsunade choked back a laugh. Her initial disbelief had now morphed into something far more amused.
Did you really write this, Orochimaru?
"..."
Orochimaru's smirk faded entirely.
Beside Tsunade, Shizune lowered her head slightly.
It wasn't hard to guess—she was trying not to laugh.
Because Orochimaru's confession sounded… familiar.
Having seen Kazuki force Naruto to write one before, she recognized the style immediately.
Did Kazuki literally dictate this to him?
"Set up a lab for him. Doesn't need to be new—just use some of the equipment we confiscated from Root. Let him make do with that for now. First priority is fixing Kakashi's eye. Once the lab's ready, have Kakashi go see him."
"I'm heading out."
With a casual wave, Kazuki left the office.
As for Orochimaru? Tsunade would handle it. Besides, Orochimaru wasn't foolish enough to cause trouble now.
Not unless he had a death wish—or wanted to relive the agony of having his soul torn apart again.
With Kazuki gone, the atmosphere in the office lightened considerably.
Tsunade studied Orochimaru, torn between amusement and exasperation.
Orochimaru exhaled, finally relaxing.
"I never thought I'd return to Konoha like this."
"Neither did I."
Tsunade arched a brow.
"How did he even find you? When he left, he swore he could track you down and bring you back. I didn't believe him—you're a master at hiding. Most people wouldn't stand a chance. Even if Sensei or Jiraiya tried, I doubt they could've convinced you."
Orochimaru chuckled dryly.
"I was in the middle of an experiment when he just… showed up. Fast, too. By the time my sensors alerted me, he'd already kicked the door in. Then he walked up, told me to cooperate, and dangled some… interesting research materials as incentive. The most absurd part? Forcing me to write a confession I never imagined I'd stoop to."
"Pfft—!!"
It was clear Orochimaru still harbored resentment over the confession—but there was nothing he could do about it.
This time, Tsunade couldn't hold back. She burst out laughing.
Shizune's shoulders trembled slightly as she fought her own laughter. Neither could imagine how Kazuki had forced Orochimaru to write it—the scene must have been priceless.
"Where's my lab?"
Orochimaru had no interest in reminiscing with Tsunade.
The manner of his return was humiliating enough. Rather than stand there being scrutinized, he'd rather get to work.
"The lab will take a few days. I'll arrange lodging for you first, then issue the official announcement along with your confession. At the very least, we need the villagers to accept your return. Kazuki was right—with Danzō dead, we can pin a lot on him. But…"
Tsunade's expression hardened.
"Orochimaru, I won't dig up the past. But if any of it happens again—I may not be able to stop you, but do you really want Kazuki hunting you down?"
"Having your soul shredded isn't a pleasant experience, Tsunade."
Orochimaru didn't offer any promises.
But that single sentence was more binding than any vow—because he truly feared that pain.
And more than anything, he feared death.
As long as those weaknesses remained, Kazuki had him completely under control.
Until Orochimaru could resist him, he wouldn't dare cause trouble in Konoha.
Being manipulated was one thing.
What truly unsettled Orochimaru was how effortlessly Kazuki had found him. That alone was enough to keep him in line.
"I'll arrange your quarters first. The old man should be back soon—I'm sure he'll have plenty to say to you."
Orochimaru shrugged.
He had long since seen through the Third Hokage.
And he felt no guilt.
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