Chapter 28: Tsunade and Orochimaru
Chapter 28: Tsunade and Orochimaru
Time had passed, and some insignificant details had faded from Yui's memory. He knew that the Fifth Hokage of Konoha Village was Tsunade, and Jiraiya would take Naruto Uzumaki to find her. However, he couldn't recall the specifics of when and where this took place or how long the journey took. After all, the original work only briefly mentioned it.
In reality, what played out in a single scene in the story might take many days to unfold.
The name "Short Book Street" sounded vaguely familiar to Yui Xuan Yue, but he couldn't quite place it.
The lively loan sharks repeatedly assured him that their company's VIP client, the legendary big spender, could be found on Short Book Street.
Yui Xuan Yue nodded, asked for clear directions, and then turned to leave.
The loan sharks breathed a sigh of relief, but their relief was short-lived. Suddenly, a raging fire engulfed the inner room.
"No!!!!"
The flames devoured everything in their path.
Gamblers, their faces filled with panic, fled the burning casino. Yui Xuan Yue, who had just exited, turned to look back at the casino, now spewing black smoke.
Only the dead could truly keep secrets.
He had known this since he was very young.
To ensure that none of his information was leaked, it was only natural for Yui Xuan Yue to silence the loan sharks.
After all, they weren't good people.
Not every gambler was like Tsunade, with exceptional medical skills to ensure they could repay their debts, or powerful enough to escape debt collectors and protect themselves from harm.
Most gamblers would be bled dry by these loan sharks, leading to the ruin of their families.
In Yui Xuan Yue's opinion, getting rid of these scoundrels and confiscating their ill-gotten gains was more than reasonable.
Although his Impure World Reincarnation body didn't need to eat, drink, or relieve itself, and he couldn't savor the taste of fine food and drink, he still had to plan for the future.
Money would be essential later on.
Especially now that he was alone.
"Then, let's head to Short Book Street."
After confirming the location with a few more passersby, Yui Xuan Yue donned a black cloak and set off swiftly.
"Seven! Seven! Seven! Lady Tsunade, we've hit the jackpot!!!"
On Short Book Street, amidst the delighted screams of Shizune, the clinking sound of coins pouring out of the slot machine in front of them continued.
"Again?"
Unlike Shizune's excitement, Tsunade frowned.
She knew exactly what this meant.
It had happened once before when the Third Hokage had died.
Back then, she had chosen to ignore it and continue living her life.
She thought it was all in the past.
But now, a new problem had emerged.
Tsunade stood up, her mood souring.
"Shizune, let's go!"
"Huh? Are we leaving now? Lady Tsunade, we still have 50 million ryo in debt that we haven't repaid."
Shizune was reluctant to leave, wanting to take advantage of their winning streak a little longer.
But seeing her mistress turn and leave without a second glance, she had no choice but to follow, clutching the winnings she had just earned.
Although they didn't dawdle, someone was faster.
Boom!
A section of the ancient wall on Short Book Street collapsed, sending dust and debris flying.
Tsunade and Shizune, who happened to be passing by, paused and turned to look.
Through the thick smoke, they saw a giant snake crashing into the wall. Its cold, merciless eyes fixed on the two of them.
Tsunade halted, her bright brown eyes ignoring the giant snake as she focused on the two figures standing on its head, one of whom she recognized all too well.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The two figures on the snake leaped down, landing in the alley and facing Tsunade and Shizune.
In the tense atmosphere, Shizune's feet, Ton-Ton, instinctively prepared for battle.
Only Tsunade and Orochimaru, the two people directly involved, did nothing and simply stared at each other in silence for a long while.
Finally, Tsunade spoke expressionlessly, "It's been a long time, Orochimaru."
Orochimaru smiled. "I've finally found you, Tsunade."
Tsunade snorted, "Why are you looking for me now? Don't tell me you want to catch up or that you want me to help you die?"
Orochimaru shook his head. "Actually, I do need your help with something."
Upon hearing this, Tsunade seriously examined Orochimaru.
"Your heartbeat is erratic, your face is flushed with a high fever, and you seem perpetually exhausted. And those hands..."
As a medical expert, Tsunade quickly noticed the issues with Orochimaru's body.
"You must have already realized it." Orochimaru noticed Tsunade's gaze and looked at his bandaged arms. "I need you to treat my arms."
Tsunade crossed her arms and refused without hesitation, "Find someone else. I no longer treat patients."
After contracting hemophobia, Shizune had been the one treating patients for the most part, and Tsunade herself hadn't practiced medicine in a long time.
Not to mention that the patient in question was Orochimaru.
Even though Tsunade had distanced herself from Konoha, it didn't mean that she had completely severed her emotional ties with the village.
Upon hearing this, Kabuto, who was standing next to Orochimaru, took the initiative to speak to Tsunade, "That won't do. You should know how severe such an injury is. No one can heal Lord Orochimaru's arms except you, Tsunade, the legendary medical ninja and one of the Sannin of Konoha."
Tsunade glanced at Kabuto and suddenly said, "Orochimaru, your arms are not just injured, there's also a trace of a unique curse mark on them. What have you done?"
"It's nothing." Orochimaru calmly stated the truth. "I received this injury when I killed the Third Hokage."
In an instant!
Shizune's expression changed.
Tsunade's eyebrows furrowed involuntarily, and she clenched her fists. "You bastard! You actually..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Orochimaru interrupted with a mocking laugh.
"There's no need to make such a scary face."
Orochimaru looked nonchalant.
"All things that take form will eventually perish. People are no exception."
"You, of all people, Tsunade, should understand this. After all, the two people dearest to you died in your arms, and you were powerless to stop it."
"I have to say, that was a truly tragic way to die."
Whoosh!
A subject should die along with their ruler.
Hearing Orochimaru deliberately mocking Tsunade's scars, Shizune could no longer hold back and immediately chose to take action.
Kabuto stepped forward to block her.
The two of them exchanged only a few moves before Tsunade called for a stop.
Unexpectedly, instead of flying into a rage, she smiled, as if she had seen through something, and said, "Orochimaru, you've always been such an annoying person."
As her words fell, Orochimaru's body tensed up, and he looked alert.
It was precisely because he knew Tsunade's character so well that he understood that something was amiss with her current behavior.
And indeed.
One moment, Tsunade was smiling and saying, "You should know my character, don't play games with me."
And the next, she suddenly exploded with rage.
BOOM!
She threw a punch behind her, and as the thick wall crumbled and collapsed, Tsunade lifted her head, her smile replaced by coldness and murderous intent as she spoke to Orochimaru word by word, "Be careful, or I'll kill you right now, Orochimaru!"
(End of Chapter)
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