Tsunade felt Orochimaru's steady embrace, his arm firm around her back and his hand resting naturally at her waist. The warmth of his presence slowly dissolved the anxiety and frustration that had been weighing on her heart.
Forget it… there will be another chance next time.
Still, Tsunade made up her mind—if the opportunity arose again, she would definitely tell Orochimaru how she truly felt. What annoyed her most was that despite being frighteningly intelligent and flawless in almost every other aspect, Orochimaru was unbearably slow when it came to emotions. Unable to vent her frustration properly, she leaned forward and bit his shoulder hard.
"Would you like to set aside some time to go to the casino this afternoon?" she asked suddenly.
Orochimaru reached up and gently patted Tsunade on the head.
"You said that, not me."
Tsunade's expression instantly brightened. Smiling happily, she grabbed Orochimaru's hand.
Who would refuse a chance to win money?
As long as Orochimaru was with her, it didn't matter how much she lost—he would always win it back!
"It's getting late," Orochimaru said calmly. "Let's go buy some supplies first. What would you like for lunch, Tsunade?"
He pulled her outside as they began discussing ingredients and possible dishes.
"I want chicken braised in soy sauce!" Tsunade answered immediately, without the slightest hesitation.
"Alright," Orochimaru replied. "But first, we need to stop by Nara Pharmacy."
He remembered the herbs he had ordered earlier. Due to the ongoing conflicts among smaller nations and the growing tension as the major ninja villages prepared for war, medicinal herbs had become an extremely important strategic resource.
Although White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company had long ago established its own medicinal plant gardens to avoid being controlled by traders, within Konoha, Orochimaru still needed to acquire certain herbs through the Nara Clan—the undisputed leaders of the herbal trade.
Nara Pharmacy
Nara Matsuka leaned lazily against the counter, holding a book as she let out a long yawn. She had already achieved financial independence; helping out at the pharmacy was merely one of her hobbies. Her other passion was hosting Konoha Every Day.
"Sister Matsuka, you're as relaxed as ever," Orochimaru remarked as she entered the shop, looking at the woman who seemed to have perfected the art of doing nothing.
"What's wrong with living comfortably?" Matsuka replied lazily. "You're so busy that even watching you exhausts me."
She took out a parchment, placed it on the counter, and waved cheerfully at Tsunade.
"Tsunade, it's been a long time."
"Matsuka-nee," Tsunade greeted with a smile.
Her gaze drifted to the book in Matsuka's hand, and her expression stiffened slightly.
Isn't that a banned book…?
Matsuka leaned forward casually and said, "Orochimaru, when are you going to find time to eat at a barbecue restaurant? You really should learn how to balance work and rest. Oh, right—when are you coming on Konoha Every Day with me? If you show up, I'm guaranteed to be the host!"
"That depends on whether I have time," Orochimaru replied vaguely.
She took the parchment from the counter and immediately turned to leave, her steps noticeably faster, as if afraid Matsuka might physically drag her into more work.
That experience had been more than enough for one lifetime.
"Orochimaru, wait for me!" Tsunade hurried after her, confused by Orochimaru's sudden pace. Matsuka didn't seem difficult to deal with at all.
Orochimaru's Residence
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the living room as Nawaki ran back and forth. He stopped in front of the kitchen door and shouted loudly.
"Orochimaru-unnie, are you ready yet?"
"Not yet, Nawaki. Don't cause trouble," Orochimaru's voice came from the kitchen.
"Okay, I understand!" Nawaki replied seriously, nodding before running back to the living room.
In another room, Uchiha Hikari sat quietly on her soft bed, holding a book titled What Is a Ninja? Her room was filled with adorable decorations and plush toys.
She actually preferred Orochimaru's simple, orderly room.
Too noisy…
Hikari activated her Sharingan briefly and glanced toward the living room, noticing a stranger she had never met before. She hesitated, unsure whether she should go out and greet them.
In the end, she chose to remain inside her room.
That child earlier… that was a Sharingan, wasn't it?
Uzumaki Mito sensed Hikari's curious gaze clearly.
"Grandma, why are you and Nawaki here today?" Tsunade asked as she looked at Nawaki, who had just run back again. At the moment, the last person she wanted to see was her troublesome little brother.
"Nawaki insisted on coming," Uzumaki Mito replied gently, smiling as she observed Tsunade's expression.
"When I grow older, I won't be able to come as often," she continued calmly. "As my body weakens with age, my ability to suppress the Nine-Tails will also decline."
Mito had already made plans to have Hiruzen Sarutobi construct a Spiral Tower next to the Hokage Building. Inside it, she intended to establish a sealing technique using the Uzumaki Clan's crest as the core formula, strengthening the suppression effect.
This way, she could hold on a bit longer without worrying about the Nine-Tails escaping when her sealing power weakened.
Of course, another reason she came was to see the Uchiha girl Orochimaru and Tsunade had brought back to Konoha.
"Nawaki attends the Ninja Academy," Tsunade said seriously. "You should take his training more seriously."
Her only sanctuary had been invaded by that little devil, and it truly irritated her.
"There's still plenty of time," Mito replied calmly. "Why rush?"
She could see Tsunade's thoughts clearly. Her affection for Orochimaru was written all over her face, yet the pure-hearted Orochimaru—who devoted all her energy to research and teaching—remained completely oblivious.
As for Tsunade liking Orochimaru, Mito had no particular objections. As an old woman with one foot in the grave, she had no intention of interfering in young people's love lives.
Besides, Orochimaru was outstanding in every sense—skilled in all household chores, capable of cooking exquisite meals, powerful as a ninja, flexible rather than rigid, unconstrained by strict rules, possessing a unique worldview, and even mastering Uzumaki sealing techniques at a shocking speed.
Orochimaru could be described as the perfect partner for Tsunade.
Her only flaw was being a woman—but compared to her many strengths, that hardly mattered.
However…
There was another issue.
There was also Tsunade's love rival living in Orochimaru's house.
This troubled Mito greatly. Whether in appearance or personality, Hyuga Mio completely outclassed Tsunade.
Mito couldn't help worrying that her granddaughter might lose.
Although it felt improper to think this way, Hyuga Mio lived with Orochimaru, spent time with her every day, and clearly harbored feelings for her. If something happened between them, it would be entirely natural.
"Xiao Gang," Mito muttered meaningfully, glancing at Tsunade.
"Grandma, what's wrong? Is something wrong with your eyes?" Tsunade asked, concerned.
"Grandma, are you okay?" Nawaki added anxiously.
Mito was so angry she couldn't speak.
She wanted nothing more than to grab Tsunade by the ear and drag her into the kitchen to help. Even if she couldn't do anything useful, couldn't she at least try?
How could someone like this ever win another person's heart?
Are you really my granddaughter?
Suppressing her frustration, Mito rubbed her eyes.
"My eyes were just a little uncomfortable. I'm fine now."
At that moment, Hyuga Mio entered the living room carrying a tray with a teapot and teacups, gracefully pouring tea for Mito and Tsunade as if she were the mistress of the house.
"Thank you," Mito said politely, accepting the cup with both hands.
Seeing Tsunade remain completely unresponsive, Mito sighed inwardly.
Why did she have to take after Hashirama of all people?
Couldn't she learn something from her grand uncle?
As an elderly woman, Mito found it difficult to interfere in young people's romantic affairs—but Tsunade was simply too clueless.
If Orochimaru was slow to understand emotions and treated Tsunade like a child, then Tsunade herself was hopelessly dense.
She didn't even know how to fight for the person she liked.
Couldn't she see that Hyuga Mio was openly asserting her presence?
React!
Do something!
The Nine-Tails sealed within Mito felt something was very wrong. The emotional fluctuations of the woman who sealed it were far too intense today.
From years of experience, it knew that in situations like this, the best course of action was to remain silent and wait for the woman to die—only then would it be free.
After all, tailed beasts never truly died. They would eventually be reborn somewhere.
Even it didn't know exactly where.
Orochimaru, busy preparing lunch in the kitchen, was completely unaware that a full-blown palace drama had already unfolded in Mito's mind—and ironically, the protagonists themselves had no intention of following the script.
Lunch passed pleasantly. Uchiha Hikari ate slowly, feeling shy in front of so many unfamiliar faces.
Why does this child resemble Uchiha Madara so much? Mito wondered, recalling the moment she first saw Hikari. Madara had died many years ago, but the resemblance was uncanny.
Could she be his descendant?
It was entirely possible.
Far away, in the Mountain Graveyard, Uchiha Madara suddenly sneezed several times, a strange sense of unease washing over him.
That old woman… it can't be…
Hidden in the shadows, Black Zetsu watched anxiously. If Madara were to die, he had to awaken the Rinnegan first. After all these years, the plan to revive his mother was still stuck at the very first crucial step.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)