Whether it was through her understanding of his thoughts or habits, Tsunade knew Orochimaru better than anyone and she understood what was on his mind. That''s why she made this decision.


    For her, it was better to confront the issue directly than to let it fester in worry. The uncertainty was far more exhausting than simply dealing with the situation head-on.


    Orochimaru, for his part, also understood Tsunade. Her actions, while unexpected, didn''tpletely surprise him.


    What did pique his curiosity, however, was the connection between Mikoto and Fugaku.


    Both were descendants of the Uchiha n''s core members. Their union seemed inevitable, a match dictated by destiny. Yet Orochimaru had unknowingly altered that path.


    ording to Mikoto, Fugaku was now in love with someone named Uchiha Keiko, a revtion Orochimaru had not anticipated.


    ---


    The next morning, Orochimaru nced at the petite figure lying under the quilt beside him. Mikoto''s face was flushed with embarrassment, her gaze downcast.


    "Even though it''s your first time, your body is far too weak," Orochimaru remarked calmly."H-Hum… I''m sorry, Orochimaru-sama," Mikoto stammered, her voice trembling.


    "There''s no need to apologize," Orochimaru said, flipping his wrist. Three small vials of a liquid appeared in his hand. "Take these. One vial per month, used in sequence from light to dark."


    "Th-This… what is it?" Mikoto asked hesitantly.


    "You''ll find out once you use it," Orochimaru replied curtly. He didn''t bother exining further. After one use, she would understand its effects well enough.


    "But remember," he added, his tone serious, "this is for your use only. Do not share it with your family, not even your parents."


    "Yes… I understand." Mikoto nodded obediently.


    While Orochimaru felt no guilt for what had happened, Mikoto did. As her initial fervor subsided, she found herself reflecting on her actions, unsure of how things had escted to this point.


    But Orochimaru''s demeanor and actions quickly suppressed her lingering doubts.


    She looked at the three vials resting on the quilt and felt as though her emotions were spiraling out of control.


    Orochimaru paid her no further mind. He got dressed and stepped out of the room, only to find Tsunade already sitting in the living room.


    It was rare for Orochimaru to be caught off guard, but seeing her there made him pause briefly.


    "Orochimaru … How did you feel about yesterday?" she asked with a yful smile, sitting casually on the sofa in her coat.


    "You…" Orochimaru sighed in exasperation. "What made you decide to do something like this?"


    While he wasn''t entirely shocked, it still left him with questions.


    Even in his previous life, something like this would have been unimaginable. Tsunade wasn''t the type of woman to indulge in reckless or senseless behavior. No matter how much he tried to influence her, she wasn''t someone who would easily agree to such a thing.


    When he questioned her further, Tsunade seemed ready to respond but ultimately evaded his inquiries. Frustrated, Orochimaru decided to drop the matter altogether.


    Mikoto, meanwhile, left the house quickly and didn''t return for some time. It was evident that she didn''t know how to face either Orochimaru or Tsunade.


    Orochimaru didn''t care much about her absence. The next few days passed peacefully.


    ---


    A weekter.


    That evening, Orochimaru received an urgent summons from the Hokage''s ANBU.


    When he arrived at the Hokage''s office, he was met with Hiruzen''s somber expression.


    "They''re threatening to besiege Konoha if you don''t hand me over?" Orochimaru asked after hearing the news, his tone calm but curious.


    "Yes," Hiruzen confirmed, his fingers interlocked on the desk as he stared intently at his former student. "They''ve learned about your research and the development of scientific ninja tools. They''re afraid of your abilities." ??????ê?


    Orochimaru frowned slightly, deep in thought. His mind raced as he processed the information. After a moment, his lips curled into a faint smile.


    "So, what''s the decision?" he asked, his voice sharp and direct. "Or rather… sensei, what have you decided?"


    Hiruzen let out a long sigh, guilt shing in his eyes.


    "Orochimaru… you are my most talented student. But this matter concerns the lives of tens of thousands of people in the vige. I''m asking you to…"


    "To sacrifice myself for the vige?" Orochimaru interrupted, a trace of mockery in his smile. "My life for the lives of tens of thousands. Heh… it seems my life is worth quite a lot."


    "Your sensei doesn''t want this either…" Hiruzen began, his voice faltering.


    "Enough, sensei. There''s no need to exin," Orochimaru said, cutting him off once again. "I understand your predicament. After all, what is one lifepared to the lives of an entire vige of shinobi?"


    "Orochimaru…" Hiruzen''s voice wavered, his guilt deepening as he saw the calmness in his student''s expression.


    "So," Orochimaru continued, his toneced with sarcasm, "what''s the n? Hand me over alive? Or kill me first and present my corpse to the other nations?"


    His words left Hiruzen speechless. After a long silence, the Third Hokage took a deep breath, tears welling in his eyes.


    "Orochimaru… I''m sorry. I truly am…"


    ---


    Late at night, under the dim lights of Konoha''s streets, a figure with long hair cast a shadow that stretched far ahead.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    The shadow moved slowly, eventually swallowed by the darkness.


    Orochimaru walked aimlessly, his mind heavy. A strange sense of destion settled in his heart.


    He had overestimated Hiruzen.


    In the end, Konoha couldn''t withstand the pressure from the three great ninja viges. They had chosen to hand him over.


    Was this betrayal any different from the fate of Pakura, who was sacrificed by the Sand Vige? Or the tragedy of Hizashi Hyuga, who was forced to die to preserve the n''s interests?


    Perhaps it was even a mix of both.


    Orochimaru let out a bitterugh. If a shinobi couldn''t trust their own vige, no matter how much they contributed, they were always at risk of being cast aside.


    Only now did he fully understand why he had never felt a true sense of belonging to Konoha.


    Once someone became Hokage, their decisions were governed by the vige''s interests. Personal rtionships became secondary.


    Hiruzen''s choice had made that painfully clear. Even Orochimaru, his prized student, was expendable if it meant saving the vige.


    At least, Orochimaru thought, Hiruzen had the decency to inform him directly. He wasn''t going to meet the same end as Pakura, dying without understanding why.


    But… would he really die?


    No.


    He wouldn''t die. He wouldn''t allow it.


    In fact, he would live even better than before.


    It was a good thing he had no children, fewer attachments meant fewer vulnerabilities.


    The only thing that gave him pause was Tsunade. Leaving her behind…


    "Huh? Tsunade?"


    ***


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