"Orochimaru! I didn't expect you to be here too!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi grabbed Jiraiya, then saw Orochimaru in the science section.
"You're also secretly looking at… adult material…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought Orochimaru was also looking at adult material.
He immediately walked over angrily.
When he saw Orochimaru looking at science books, half his anger dissipated.
"Oh, so you're looking at science books… Sigh… Let's go, Orochimaru, it's about to start."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked helplessly at his most outstanding disciple.
"No…"
Orochimaru pouted slightly and shook his head, gesturing to that row of science books.
"You want me to buy all of them?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened; he hadn't brought much money with him on this outing.
Orochimaru nodded gently.
"My little Orochimaru~ Teacher really doesn't have that much money, you know you're the most sensible."
Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed Orochimaru's head and said helplessly.
"Sigh…"
Orochimaru sighed, a hint of regret in his melancholic eyes.
These books contained precious knowledge that Konoha didn't have.
Although some of these books were recorded...
But for the young Orochimaru, these could satisfy his desire for science and keep him learning for years.
If he missed out, given the relationship between Iwagakure and Konoha, the chances of coming to Iwagakure again in the future would likely be slim.
"Little Sarutobi, if your disciple wants them, just let him have them. Where's the bookstore owner? How much are these books? I'll buy them for him."
Mu slowly walked over with his hands behind his back.
Orochimaru suddenly widened his eyes, looking at Mu, his small snake pupils trembling slightly.
He didn't understand why the Tsuchikage would help him.
Mu calmly met Orochimaru's gaze.
Actually, he valued Orochimaru's scientific talent more.
If Orochimaru intended to defect to Iwagakure in the future, he could gain an excellent scientist.
Anyway, it was just a few books.
He had been making a fortune in his Tsuchikage position these past few years.
If he could gain Orochimaru's allegiance through a few books, this investment would be very worthwhile.
"In our village, some are interested in Ninjutsu, some in Taijutsu, but rarely anyone is interested in science. It's rare and valuable that you have an interest in science."
"Our Iwagakure Village has always prioritized scientific research. If you have any questions, you are welcome to inquire at Iwagakure."
Mu slowly said, looking at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru was a bit excited; he wasn't just interested in Ninjutsu, but also in science.
"Why aren't you thanking the Tsuchikage senior, Orochimaru."
At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still grinning foolishly.
He was still happy that someone was paying, completely unaware that Mu was subtly trying to poach his disciple.
He just thought Mu was showing him goodwill, which was why he bought these books for his disciple.
"Thank you, Lord Tsuchikage."
Orochimaru bowed deeply to Mu in gratitude.
Immediately after, the bookstore owner rushed over and declared, "It is a great honor for Lord Tsuchikage to grace my humble shop! Everything is free!"
Mu didn't take advantage; he just waved his hand slightly.
"Mmm, I'll give you the money. Just charge it to Kakuzu. I'll have him transfer the money to you when I get back."
Mu directly threw the bill onto Kakuzu.
Immediately after, a clamor arose.
Tsunade slowly emerged from the casino.
"Tsunade!!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi saw Tsunade come out of the casino, and his anger was reignited.
But Tsunade didn't care at all.
"Teacher, you're finally here."
"Oh, by the way, old man, I owe two million. The casino saw I was underage and told me to bring my guardian, so I was just about to find you."
"Go in and pay for me."
Tsunade said with a carefree smile.
"What!? Two million!?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's world crashed when he heard that.
"Senior, look…"
Then Hiruzen Sarutobi looked pitifully at Mu, hoping that for Mu's sake, the two million would be waived.
But Mu was playing dumb at this moment.
"Wow, this ground is really… ground-like."
Mu looked at the ground beneath his feet, selectively ignoring Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze.
"Tsunade, when we get back, I'm telling Lady Mito about this!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi glared fiercely at Tsunade; if it weren't for Tsunade's background, he would really teach her a harsh lesson.
"Nah nah, go ahead and tell her."
Tsunade didn't care, with her hands behind her back.
Ultimately, Hiruzen Sarutobi issued an IOU in the name of the Hokage, stating that he would repay the money after returning to Konoha.
The casino owner, seeing it was a Kage's promise, said nothing.
The wedding began.
The wedding scene was exceptionally lively.
There was a table for the Kage, a table for the Daimyo, a table for the elders, and a table for the children...
During the wedding, Hōzuki Gengetsu's mind turned, feeling it wasn't lively enough and wanting to liven up the atmosphere.
So Hōzuki Gengetsu took an apple dangling from a string and came onto the stage with a smile.
"The two newlyweds, eat one apple together, only using your mouths, not your hands, and you must eat it together for it to count!"
Hōzuki Gengetsu held the apple dangling from a string, suspending it between the two people.
Ōnoki and the bride were still clueless, foolishly trying to eat it.
But at the crucial moment, Hōzuki Gengetsu pulled the string!
Ōnoki and the bride instantly kissed.
Whoosh!
In an instant, the scene became incredibly lively!
Ōnoki was secretly pleased, subtly giving Hōzuki Gengetsu a thumbs-up.
Hōzuki Gengetsu certainly knew how to create a lively atmosphere.
On the other side, Kakuzu was counting money, all the money given as gifts.
Although this job wasn't Kakuzu's responsibility,
Kakuzu, under the guise of being meticulous, forcefully took over the task, counting the money over and over, even performing an epic lung-full sniff of the cash.
During the toast segment, Ōnoki toasted each guest one by one.
Suddenly, Ōnoki seemed to realize something.
He turned his head and saw the Tsuchikage rock statue in the distance.
It was the rock statue of his grandfather, Ishikawa.
"Grandpa, I'm married."
Ōnoki gently raised his wine glass towards the distant Ishikawa rock statue.
Afterward, everyone started to feast.
However, Mu had already eaten his fill. When he was bored, he looked over at the children's table.
At the children's table were Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Tsunade, Dodai, Chiyo, Ebizo, and others.
Jiraiya was the only show-off at that table.
Seeing the beautiful Chiyo, he couldn't help but go up and strike up a conversation.
"Hi~ Are you from Hidden Sand Village?"
"Wow! Sister, you're so beautiful, even more beautiful than the beauties in Konoha!"
"Sister Chiyo, you're the most beautiful Sunagakure girl I've ever seen."
Mu, who was eavesdropping, instantly couldn't hold back when he heard Jiraiya's words: "Pfft-hahaha…"
The other Kage looked at Mu in confusion.
Mu quickly regained his poker face, wiping his mouth.
He really wanted to see Jiraiya's expression when he was forty and saw Chiyo then…
"Sister Chiyo, do you have a girlfriend?"
Jiraiya, confident in his charm, kept trying to talk to Chiyo.
"Your name is Jiraiya, right? You seem quite interesting…"
Chiyo, on the other hand, looked at Jiraiya with a faint smile.
She and Jiraiya had too great a age difference, so there wouldn't be any romantic feelings; she was just looking at Jiraiya with the intention of teasing a child.