A New Snake In The Shinobi World

Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannin, was Orochimaru's legitimate wife in Konoha.

The two weren't just bound by the title of husband and wife; their relationship had been real and tangible.

Back when Orochimaru defected from the village, Tsunade had been ready to leave Konoha and follow him.

But Konoha was home to her younger brother, Nawaki.

It was Orochimaru himself who convinced her to stay, though doing so created a deep rift between Tsunade and the Third Hokage.

Even Jiraiya, known for his forgiving and easygoing nature, was helpless when it came to the tension that arose from this situation.

Disheartened and estranged, Tsunade drifted into a state of depression. Her daily life in Konoha became increasingly bleak and decadent.

The Third Hokage had wanted to help her, but Tsunade's emotional state left her unable to resume her former role. The once-close bond between master and disciple had slowly eroded.

Now, with war raging once again, Tsunade found herself unable to contact Orochimaru. This only deepened her anxiety and frustration.

In the medical tent, surrounded by wounded soldiers and the sight of Konoha ninjas busily tending to them, Tsunade clenched her fists.

She had grown weary of war, her exhaustion stretching all the way back to the Second Shinobi World War.

If given a choice, she wouldn't have come to this battlefield at all.

Fighting every day, what was it all for? Was it just a matter of pride? Land? Resources?

To her, none of it was worth the endless suffering.

Walking slowly toward the outskirts of the camp, Tsunade sat under a large tree and leaned back against its trunk. As her gaze drifted upward to the bright moon hanging in the night sky, her thoughts returned to a familiar figure.

"What are you doing right now?" she murmured softly to herself, a bitter smile tugging at her lips.

"It's been so long since I've seen you…."

The two of them had grown up together, served Konoha together, and were even married. Yet, due to the twists of fate and the choices they made, they couldn't see each other.

What could be more infuriating than that?

Every time she had managed to contact Orochimaru over the years, she had brought up the question of when they could meet again. Yet his answers were always vague.

"Soon," he would say. "Don't rush."

She knew he was just brushing her off, but there was nothing she could do. She understood he had his own plans and goals to achieve.

Sighing deeply, Tsunade leaned her head back against the tree.

"What's wrong? Something troubling you?"

A low, hoarse voice suddenly cut through the silence, startling her. She instinctively began to answer but stopped herself mid-sentence.

"Not really—wait! Who's there?"

Tsunade shot to her feet, her voice sharp with suspicion as she turned toward the sound.

From the shadows, a figure emerged—a man whose build and appearance seemed oddly familiar.

He was dressed in a Konoha uniform, complete with a green flak jacket, bandaged arms, and shin guards.

A Konoha ninja?

Tsunade frowned, ready to demand why this man had been eavesdropping on her, but then she caught sight of his golden, slit-pupil eyes.

That, combined with the familiarity of his voice…

"O…" she began, her tone faltering as realization dawned.

Before she could finish, the man raised a finger to his lips. "Shh… keep your voice down."

It was him.

Her heart leaped, but her instincts told her to stay calm. Glancing toward the camp where patrolling Konoha ninjas were stationed, she swallowed her excitement and lowered her voice.

"Hey, you—you bastard… What are you doing here?"

Orochimaru smirked faintly. "I came to see you."

"This is the Konoha camp, it's heavily guarded! How did you even get in here?"

"Getting into Konoha's camp unnoticed? With my knowledge of the village, it's not exactly difficult," Orochimaru replied casually. "Enough questions. Let's find a quieter place to talk."

Tsunade sighed but nodded. "Fine, follow me."

Without waiting for a response, she turned and began walking toward the edge of the camp.

"Tsunade-sama, are you heading out?" one of the guards called out as she passed.

"Yeah, just stepping out for some fresh air," she said casually, her tone leaving no room for questioning.

The guard glanced briefly at Orochimaru but said nothing. After all, Tsunade's authority was unquestionable, even among Konoha's most seasoned soldiers.

Once they were clear of the camp, Tsunade led Orochimaru to a small lake nearby. The moonlight reflected off its surface, casting a serene glow over the quiet surroundings.

After dismissing the two Konoha ninjas patrolling the area, Tsunade finally turned to Orochimaru, her composure crumbling. Unable to contain herself any longer, she threw her arms around him and buried her face in his chest.

"You bastard… You finally came to see me," she said, her voice trembling.

Orochimaru hesitated for a moment before wrapping his arms around her waist. The faintest hint of a smile touched his lips as he asked softly, "How have you been?"

"Not good," she admitted, a trace of resentment in her tone.

If they had a child, she thought bitterly, Orochimaru would surely have been labeled a negligent husband and father.

Orochimaru chuckled lightly and patted her back in an attempt to comfort her. "I didn't want it to be this way… Just a little longer, and everything will be over."

"Mm." Tsunade didn't press him further. For now, she just wanted to hold him and feel his warmth.

By the lake, under the quiet moonlight, the two embraced, cherishing this rare reunion.

---Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Meanwhile, the chaos of the ongoing war continued to ripple across the ninja world.

Of the five great nations, four were already embroiled in bitter conflict. Yet one country remained untouched by the chaos.

Far to the east, across the sea from the Land of Fire, lay a cluster of islands.

This was the Land of Water, home to Kirigakure, the Village Hidden in the Mist, one of the five great ninja villages.

In the Mizukage's office, a black-haired middle-aged man dressed in ceremonial robes studied a scroll with a thoughtful expression.

Kneeling before him was a younger man with dark blue hair, wearing small, charm-like earrings on both ears. This was Ao, a jōnin of Kirigakure.

"Is the information reliable?" the Mizukage asked, his voice calm but firm.

Ao nodded respectfully. "Absolutely, Mizukage-sama. Suna, Kumo, and Iwa are all locked in fierce conflict with Konoha, and the intensity is escalating daily. It's safe to say this war is already bloodier than the last two."

"Hmm…" The Mizukage's expression remained contemplative. "It seems this is an opportunity for us to rise."

"An opportunity?" Ao looked up, startled. "Mizukage-sama, are you planning to attack Konoha…?"

As someone deeply involved in Kirigakure's affairs, Ao understood the Mizukage's ambitions. However, the Land of Water had been mired in internal strife for years. Political infighting had left the nation in turmoil, with its citizens struggling to survive.

To attack Konoha under such circumstances seemed reckless.

The Mizukage turned to look out the window, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You've guessed correctly. In the past two wars, our internal troubles and geographical isolation kept us from participating. But now… With the elites we've trained, it's time to make our move."

"Go and summon Yagura," he ordered.

"Yes, Mizukage-sama," Ao responded, bowing deeply before departing.

***

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