Chapter 191

Why do men prefer innocent girls when they're young, but gravitate towards mature women with experience as they get older?

It's because, after being with many inexperienced girls, innocence becomes less important. What becomes more significant is the enjoyment of the experience itself.

The biggest difference between a married woman and a younger girl lies in how they respond. With a married woman, there's no need for extra instructions; a few gestures are enough to communicate what's needed, and she understands.

When you stand, she knows to kneel; when you kneel, she knows to lean forward; when you lie down, she knows how to position herself over you. This level of understanding and seamless interaction is something that a less experienced girl may not be able to provide.

Orochimaru and Tsunade had been together for a while, and it was clear that Tsunade had grown more daring under Orochimaru's influence.

She loved him deeply, perhaps more than she would ever admit, and it showed in the way she indulged his whims. So even though they were out in the wilderness, the thought of being caught didn't deter her. They were both highly skilled ninjas; being discovered was unlikely.

And with the variety of new things they'd already tried, what was one more unusual location? Tsunade's mind raced with these thoughts, and soon, any hesitations melted away.

Before long, they found a secluded spot and began their private rendezvous.

While Orochimaru and Tsunade were otherwise engaged, Konoha was hosting some unexpected visitors.

A group of dark-skinned, muscular shinobi dressed in white uniforms, each with a Cloud Village forehead protector and armed with unique swords, walked confidently through the gates of Konoha.

Their leader was imposing, and next to him was a shorter man who scanned the surroundings with keen eyes.

"So, this is Konoha? Not bad at all," the smaller man commented.

"It's definitely more pleasant than home," another added.

"But no matter how nice it is, it's still not our village," someone muttered.

"Enough chatter. We're here on business," the leader barked.

"Understood," the others replied, falling silent.

As they stepped through the main gate, the Konoha guards immediately took notice and approached.

"Are you guests from the Cloud Village?" one guard asked, voice steady but cautious.

"Yes. Take us to your Hokage," the leader commanded.

"Right this way, please," the guard responded, ushering them in.

The history between Konoha and Kumo was fraught with tension. They had clashed heavily during the First Shinobi War, but that battle had eventually led to an uneasy alliance.

More recently, Kumo had assisted Konoha against Iwagakure, which had strengthened their alliance. This time, they were here to discuss the ongoing war effort and solidify their cooperation.

As the Cloud ninjas made their way through Konoha's bustling streets, Konoha's own shinobi looked on with curiosity, some with suspicion.

"Is that really a Cloud ninja?" one muttered under their breath.

"I can't believe they're here, walking around Konoha like it's nothing," another said, voice tight with barely suppressed anger.

"Hey, what are you thinking of doing?" his friend asked warily.

"They killed my father in the war. What do you think I want to do?" the first ninja spat, clenching his fists.

"Don't be an idiot. We're allies now. If you do anything, you'll spark another war."

"Damn it... I hate this!" the first ninja said, but the fire in his eyes dimmed as the reality of their situation set in.

Conversations like this were happening all over Konoha. The wounds from the war were still fresh, and resentment ran deep. Many families had lost loved ones to the Cloud's forces, just as the Cloud had lost people to Konoha. It wasn't the kind of hatred that could be erased overnight.

Yet, most of the Konoha shinobi knew better than to act on these feelings. Attacking the Cloud ninjas would be seen as an act of aggression, one that could easily rekindle the war. They had no choice but to swallow their anger and watch.

"Cloud ninjas?" Orochimaru muttered that evening as he and Tsunade returned to the village, overhearing snippets of conversation from the passing crowd.

It was clear that Kumo had come to Konoha to discuss war strategies. Orochimaru's eyes glinted, a trace of intrigue crossing his face as he pieced together the implications.

"What's wrong?" Tsunade asked, noticing his expression.

"Nothing," Orochimaru replied, his lips curving into a sly smile. "I just remembered something... amusing."

"Amusing?" Tsunade echoed, raising an eyebrow.

"The dress I ordered a while back should be ready soon," he said, smoothly changing the subject.

"You...!" Tsunade flushed, half-exasperated but not letting go of his arm.

It was true—Orochimaru had become more brazen over time, and Tsunade had found herself going along with it more often than not. Before they had become a couple, such bold comments would have made her angry, but now? Now, she simply accepted them, responding with a mix of embarrassment and affection.

A few days later, in the late afternoon...

In one of Konoha's guest residences, several Cloud ninjas gathered, their faces serious as they planned.

Each was geared up and ready, with a rough map spread out on the table before them.

"Ryosuke, did you confirm everything?" the leader asked.

"Yes. At nine o'clock tonight, Konoha's barrier will drop briefly for about thirty seconds. That's our window. After we grab the target, we'll make our way over the wall and escape from here," Ryosuke replied, pointing to a specific corner on the map.

The leader nodded. "You're sure about this?"

"I've been watching for days. It's consistent, must be when the Barrier Corps changes shifts," Ryosuke confirmed.

"Good. The girl's chakra is distinct, and with her red hair, she's unmistakable. Tonight, we make our move."

The rest of the team acknowledged the order and dispersed to make their final preparations. The plan was meticulous, clearly not the work of amateurs. They had come prepared.

But what they didn't realize was that, at that very moment, a man was sitting comfortably on his couch, watching everything unfold on a set of monitors. He held a cup of tea, observing their every move with keen interest, as if he were watching a game.

"Just as expected. It's exactly like I remembered," Orochimaru murmured to himself, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips.