Orochimaru fully understood what it meant to lift a stone only to drop it on one's own foot. Originally, he had intended to go to Konoha to boast and taunt the old man, but his hands were sealed, rendering all his ninjutsu useless. Even after returning and changing into a new body, high-level ninjutsu remained inaccessible. Unfortunately, most medical ninjutsu fall into this high-level category—no, more accurately, medical research ninjutsu.
Beseeching former comrades for help was beneath him; Orochimaru couldn't bring himself to do it. Thankfully, there was something called "a roundabout solution."
The summer heat was intense. The summer wind along the street carried an extra hint of …certain indulgences. Geographically, it wasn't far from the Land of Fire's Konoha; a few days' journey for ordinary people, or a day's travel for a shinobi to go back and forth. The mention of the extra "fragrance" referred to the particularly thriving gambling and vice industry in this street. And one of his targets was about to appear here.
"The Legendary Sucker."
Even if the incident in Konoha had not drawn her back, she would still come to investigate what had happened. Once in the Land of Fire, not visiting Tanzaku Quarters was simply not in the Legendary Sucker's nature. Orochimaru intended to lie in wait. Ah, no—wait for the sheep.
He planned to have the Legendary Sucker heal his hands, and perhaps even teach him Creation Rebirth. If Kita learned this technique, perhaps she wouldn't die so soon. According to his theory, she could survive a little longer.
Sake in hand, Orochimaru found it less sweet than red wine. Half-naked, soaking in the open-air hot spring, with a wooden tray floating in the water, paired with good food and fine drinks. Since he was lying in wait, he might as well enjoy himself a little. The hot spring also aided his injuries; though he felt no pain, it was very comfortable. Sharing the hot spring was his competent subordinate and apprentice, Kabuto Yakushi, a talent Orochimaru had spotted years ago and had found satisfactory through long use.
"Orochimaru-sama, are you sure waiting for her here is wise? What if she doesn't pass by?" Kabuto adjusted his glasses, leaning against the rocks. He had relaxed after years of experience soaking in hot springs with Orochimaru and even naturally accepted the food and drink Orochimaru offered.
"Why would she not come when there are so many gambling houses here?" Orochimaru responded rhetorically. Kabuto considered it—normally, intelligence-gathering isn't done openly. A typical ninja would gather information near Konoha, the epicenter of events. Though not far, news rarely reached this street. But Orochimaru's thought process was his own mystery.
"What kind of person is this legendary princess?" Kabuto asked, genuinely curious. Orochimaru thought for a moment, recalling he had never met Tsunade in Kabuto's presence.
"You haven't met her?"
"No. Jiraiya-sama has."
"Don't mention that idiot, he's disgusting," Orochimaru said, as though recalling an extremely unpleasant memory. Then he continued, "Tsunade has a very famous title."
"Of course, she and you are both among the Legendary Sannin. Naturally, very famous."
"No, the more famous one is another title."
"What?" Kabuto asked, astonished.
"The Legendary Sucker."
Kabuto froze.
Indeed, he didn't understand the mental wiring of the Legendary Sannin—neither Orochimaru nor the Legendary Sucker.
"To gamblers, Tsunade is like an angel. She loses every bet and enters every casino. That's Tsunade. If she didn't come to Tanzaku Quarters, then it must be a fake."
"…Seems you know your former comrade well," Kabuto remarked.
"Half and half. Women aren't predictable, but I'm certain she would come here," Orochimaru said calmly. Kabuto gave up on that question and chose another about women.
"One thing bothers me," he said.
"What?" Orochimaru put down his sake, elbows resting on the spring rocks, body fully relaxed. Kabuto noticed the relaxed posture and pressed on.
"I thought someone like you wouldn't go to such lengths for Kita-sama. Even with your hands injured, it shouldn't affect you if you don't use medical research techniques, right?"
Unexpectedly, Kabuto questioned the mission; yet it was also predictable he would. Orochimaru didn't answer immediately. Instead, he asked, "What kind of person do you think Kita is?"
"Eh? Me?"
"Who else?" Orochimaru replied sarcastically. Kabuto blushed, thinking, then organized his words.
"I don't know her well, but from observation, she's really strong… and somewhat gentle, I suppose."
"Strong and gentle… yes, that will do," Orochimaru replied ambiguously. Kabuto took a sip of sake and asked calmly, "Then in your eyes, what kind of person is Kita-sama?"
"Someone I save who benefits me."
The answer was instant, with no thought involved. Kabuto fell silent for a moment, adjusting his glasses. "Ah… Orochimaru-sama, you are truly cunning."
Orochimaru said nothing, lazily leaning back in the spring, closing his eyes, letting the water's heat envelop him. Pure comfort.
He pondered: what kind of existence is Kita that he would go to such lengths to save her? If she lived, she would benefit him. But the cost now exceeded any recoverable value. Using Edo Tensei in exchange for Creation Rebirth and the Hundred Techniques was a bit disproportionate. Even offering White Zetsu as a sacrifice was unusual for him, yet the deal was still worth it. But why save someone whose death is a relief to them… or something not entirely human?
He covered his face with a hot towel, the warmth reminding him of days long past in Konoha.
"Perhaps… it's to repay her unintentional help preserving my experimental field…"
Kabuto paused, observing Orochimaru under the towel, confirming again that he didn't understand the Legendary Sannin's thought process.
An enemy like Kaguya Ōtsutsuki he had never faced, yet Kita fought with all her strength against beings even the Sage of Six Paths required allies to seal. Kabuto wondered if he could face death calmly if that day ever came. Though he had no true allegiance, he couldn't answer the question.
Kabuto couldn't understand.
"Is that so… Orochimaru-sama, you are also a gentle person."
Smash!
The sake cup flew forward. Kabuto caught it just in time.
"Before I kill you, get lost."
"Y-Yes, yes! Orochimaru-sama, it's about time… hot springs are good for your injuries, but staying too long could worsen them~"
…
Orochimaru intended to use Edo Tensei to force Tsunade to heal his hands, and simultaneously teach him Creation Rebirth. Fortunately, Tsunade wavered. Unfortunately, her small companion remained resolute. Orochimaru gave the over-fifty, still-beautiful former comrade a week to consider.
A week later, Tsunade came alone. Orochimaru felt this plan might succeed.
"Before that, one thing: when you heal my hands and give me Creation Rebirth and the Hundred Techniques Seal, what are your intentions?"
Rescuing Kita was not Orochimaru's style. Even to compromise this much, he knew he couldn't. After careful thought, he gave a serious answer.
"I have no interest in lies. I'll tell you: once I get what I want, this time… I will destroy Konoha!"
Kabuto silently sighed. He still couldn't understand Orochimaru's mind—just as the Legendary Sucker's mind was unknowable.
A battle erupted. Tsunade refused. Even if she wished to see her long-dead loved ones and brother once, dishonesty turned what could have been averted into chaos.
Orochimaru could have said simply: I will save a non-human, let you meet your loved ones, provide the sacrifice myself, and you give me Creation Rebirth.
Just that sentence, and Tsunade wouldn't cry. Orochimaru would not face a third Legendary Sannin alone. The third Sannin came with a small companion—the interesting Nine-Tails' youth.
Stubborn Orochimaru ruined negotiations again. Lifting the stone only to smash his own foot—again. Facing two Legendary Sannin, he would not die, but be seriously wounded. Tsunade's monstrous strength made even Kabuto wince; Orochimaru took the full force, surviving only thanks to White Zetsu-reinforced vessels. He was barely able to stand without Kabuto's support.
"Failure," Kabuto tried to console him, seeing Orochimaru's face filled with disappointment. He had wanted to comment "You should have told her the truth," but decided against it.
"Expected," Orochimaru muttered.
He had lied, thinking Tsunade would heal him.
Kabuto thought silently.
"Ah, whatever. Let's think of another method. That one should be back soon—the medicine's almost gone," Orochimaru said, freeing himself and heading to the base entrance. Kabuto shrugged. "Orochimaru-sama, your injuries aren't healed. Leave Kita-sama's medicine to me."
"No need," Orochimaru replied simply, raising his head and frowning.
"Hmm? She's back?"
At that moment, hurried footsteps approached from within the base. A red-haired girl, Sharin, gasped, tears glinting in her eyes.
"Orochimaru-sama! You're finally back! North-nee… ugh… North-nee…"
"So soon?" Orochimaru's eyes widened in shock. Kabuto quickened his pace, asking, "Sharin, when did it start?"
"Three hours ago, Orochimaru-sama. Please save North-nee!"
He said nothing, only quickening his pace.
No method—even the Hundred Techniques Seal and Creation Rebirth—could save her now. They could only delay death. Orochimaru felt a twinge of regret. He should have taken Creation Rebirth immediately; he should have just stolen it.
…
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