Orochimaru didn't know he was already on Shen Mo's radar. He was watching Tsunade. "Lord Orochimaru," a faint voice came from beside him. "R
Orochimaru didn't know he was already on Shen Mo's radar.
He was watching Tsunade.
"Lord Orochimaru," a faint voice came from beside him. "Recent intel suggests some conflict between Tsunade and the Third Hokage lately."
"Sounds unlike Tsunade," Orochimaru said, a playful smile curling his lips.
He knew Tsunade well.
Even from a distance, he could see her changes.
Her face showed slight disappointment, but her demeanor held no trace of weakness.
Just a hint of dejection.
"There's another piece of intel worth noting," the faint voice continued. "Tsunade brought a mysterious man back to Konoha. They were seen together on the streets, possibly on a date. I couldn't find any details about him—origin, name, identity, address, nothing."
"Oh?"
Orochimaru, slightly surprised, turned to his subordinate.
It was Kabuto Yakushi, disguised.
Kabuto's knack for intelligence and investigation was unquestionable.
Most might dismiss it as Tsunade's friend or new boyfriend.
But Kabuto knew better.
Given Tsunade's strength and status, a man so close to her couldn't be that simple—especially one with no traceable background. She was the Princess of Konoha, one of the Sannin, and a top candidate for the Fifth Hokage.
"Konoha's been busy lately," Kabuto said, using a secret technique to whisper directly into Orochimaru's ear. "I haven't uncovered specifics, but I've noticed deliberate attempts to hide certain actions."
"Interesting."
Orochimaru's smile widened, drawing glances from passersby.
"I was wondering why Tsunade changed so much. Even a Sannin is still a woman, after all. No matter the wounds, love can heal them."
He thought he'd cracked the truth.
"So, should we adjust our plans?" Kabuto asked, though he could read the meaning in Orochimaru's smile.
A smile of control.
As expected.
"We need more information to decide," Orochimaru said simply, heading toward Tsunade.
He seemed eager to reconnect with an old friend.
Kabuto thought meeting Tsunade now wasn't wise—it risked alerting Konoha to Orochimaru's return. But seeing his confidence, Kabuto said nothing more.
Meanwhile…
Tsunade returned home.
Though tidied, the house was empty. Shizune was still out recovering Tsunade's gambling debts. Thinking of recent events, Tsunade felt a surge of irritation.
Today's Konoha was far from the village she once knew or wanted to shape.
Shen Mo's appearance…
Made everything more complicated.
"Shen Mo…"
Tsunade murmured his name, worry creasing her brow.
"Is that his name?" a raspy voice suddenly spoke from behind.
"—!?"
Tsunade spun around.
Before her stood a man in gray-white clothes, long hair cascading naturally.
"Orochimaru!"
Tsunade's voice carried disbelief.
"Long time no see, Tsunade," Orochimaru said, stepping closer, his chilling aura and snake-like eyes pulling her back to memories from over a decade ago.
Orochimaru… hadn't changed much.
"You dare return to Konoha now?" Tsunade's gaze was complex. "I've heard about your deeds—experimenting on villagers… That doesn't sound like you."
The old Orochimaru had been popular in the village.
Someone who protected comrades.
"People change," Orochimaru said, stopping in the shadow of a wall. "Even if we do nothing, time changes everything."
One in shadow, one in light.
A clear divide.
"You didn't come just for me," Tsunade said, her brow furrowing.
Orochimaru's presence felt unsettling, her Holy Light stirring faintly.
"I heard you returned to Konoha with a man, so I came to catch up and see if you've finally found a new life," Orochimaru said, his narrow eyes squinting. He continued, almost to himself, "I wonder if Dan Kato would be happy for you."
Tsunade's chest heaved rapidly.
Her fists clenched.
But in just a few seconds, her tense lips curled into a cold smirk.
"If you're here to provoke me, you'd better be ready for the consequences."
"Still the same as ever," Orochimaru said. "I thought a new romance might soften you…" He trailed off, sensing her killing intent.
Fighting here would be unwise.
Orochimaru smiled slightly. "Actually, I came back to Konoha not just to see the man who brought you back, but to share good news."
"…"
Tsunade stayed silent, her eyes saying: Speak and get out.
"Over the years, I've continued my research," Orochimaru said, watching her expression, his raspy voice slow. "The human body holds immense power yet is so fragile. I sought the secrets of life and death. And I succeeded… in developing a forbidden jutsu to revive the dead."
At those final words…
He watched her closely.
But Tsunade's reaction wasn't what he expected.
No shock, no sudden longing.
Just… an indescribable oddity.
Why?
Orochimaru felt like he'd prepared a scare, only for her to be unfazed, even mocking him.
"That's what you came to say?" Tsunade's feeling was indeed a bit strange.
In less than half a month, two people had claimed they could revive the dead.
Having witnessed Rin's miraculous revival firsthand…
Tsunade no longer felt the overwhelming shock she once would have.