Naruto: Reborn as Orochimaru

Chapter 183: The Moon

As the saying goes, if there's a misunderstanding between lovers, sometimes all it takes is time together to set things right.

Not that Orochimaru had truly misunderstood Tsunade; he wasn't the type to dwell on such things. But Tsunade's insistence on making amends and spending the evening with him was not something he'd turn down.

Having rested well the night before and taken a day to unwind, Orochimaru felt refreshed, both mentally and physically. The idea of spending a night with Tsunade was a welcome one, especially after the long months of battle and strategizing.

However, when they entered the house, they noticed the light in the living room was still on.

"Lord Orochimaru, Lady Tsunade!"

A young girl with jet-black hair, dressed in a simple white T-shirt, stood and greeted them respectfully.

Orochimaru couldn't help but chuckle internally at the scene. This is what life should be like, he thought. Sharing the company of a formidable partner like Tsunade, while having a diligent young kunoichi like Mikoto handle the mundane tasks, it was a stark contrast to the bloodshed and chaos of the battlefield.

With a slight smile, he reached into his pocket and handed Mikoto ten thousand ryo.

"Here's your commission."

"Thank you, Lord Orochimaru!" Mikoto bowed deeply, accepting the payment.

"Make sure to lock up on your way out," Orochimaru said.

"Yes, sir!"

With that, Mikoto departed, and the house quieted as Orochimaru and Tsunade shifted into a more personal mode.

That night, Tsunade seemed different—more eager, more affectionate. Whether it was guilt for the earlier misunderstanding or simply her playful nature coming through, Orochimaru noticed her warmth and attentiveness.

---

Back at the Uchiha compound, Uchiha Akihara, Mikoto's father, was waiting for her return. When she walked through the door, he looked at her with an expectant expression.

"Mikoto, how did the mission go?" he asked.

Mikoto blinked, momentarily taken aback. "It was just a simple D-rank mission, Father. Of course, it was completed successfully."

"Did Lord Orochimaru say anything to you?" Akihara pressed,

"Just letting my thoughts wander," he replied smoothly.

Tsunade finished securing her robe and walked over, settling herself comfortably in his lap and looping her arms around his neck. "Hey, you're not still annoyed with me, are you? I already said I'd keep my distance from Dan."

Orochimaru's expression softened slightly as she spoke. Despite the confident persona she projected, her willingness to apologize so openly reminded him of her sincerity. Tsunade was not one to waste time on empty words or false pretenses. She meant what she said.

In Tsunade's mind, there was no comparison. Orochimaru was unmatched. Kato Dan? He barely registered as a consideration.

Orochimaru found himself appreciating how different this Tsunade was. Without the grief of losing her brother, she was vibrant, cheerful, and full of life. Though she still mourned those lost in war, she hadn't fallen into the spiral of bitterness and despair that he knew from another time.

With a calm, slightly raspy voice, Orochimaru replied, "You're overthinking it. And besides, do you really think I'm that petty?"

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Well, no, you're definitely not the petty type... But if you weren't angry, then what were you thinking about so hard?" She paused, a teasing glint in her eye. "Wait… were you thinking about that little girl who came to clean the house?"

Orochimaru blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "What are you implying?"

Tsunade's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Come on, Orochimaru. She's cute, sure, but she's still a kid…"

Orochimaru felt a rare moment of speechlessness at her playful accusation. Finally, he managed, "Do I really seem like that kind of man to you?"

Tsunade leaned in, her grin widening. "Not exactly, but sometimes your preferences can surprise me. Why else would you have me… use this?" she said, pointing to herself in a way that left no room for misinterpretation.

Orochimaru stared at her, momentarily taken aback.

***

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