Chapter 183

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, searching for something more.

Mikoto tilted her head, puzzled. "Say anything? Not really. He gave me a few instructions when I arrived and then left shortly after. Why?"

Akihara's brows furrowed in surprise. Left the house? That wasn't what he expected. The idea of a high-ranking Jonin, one of the legendary Sannin no less, casually allowing someone into his home without worry seemed… unusual. Elite shinobi households were often filled with secrets worth guarding.

But upon reflection, Akihara reasoned that Orochimaru issuing such a mission likely meant he wasn't concerned about anyone prying into his personal space. Perhaps this nonchalance was deliberate, or maybe it hinted at something deeper an almost dismissive level of confidence.

"This complicates things," Akihara muttered, rubbing his temple.

"What's the matter, Father?" Mikoto asked, noting his troubled expression.

"Nothing," he replied, waving off her concern. "Go get some rest."

Mikoto nodded, still somewhat confused but obeyed her father's request.

The Uchiha were in a precarious position within Konoha, caught between maintaining their clan's pride and seeking strategic alliances to ease their standing. If aligning with influential figures could shift their circumstances, then so be it. Orochimaru, as a student of the Third Hokage and someone who didn't outright shun the Uchiha, was a potential ally worth considering.

"Perhaps Mikoto is the key to bridging that gap," Akihara muttered to himself. "I should consult with the clan leader on this."

---

Meanwhile, in the quiet of Orochimaru's backyard, a specially designed chair sat beneath the open night sky. Reclining in it, Orochimaru gazed up at the moon, deep in thought.

Ocular power… he mused. This moon held more than just poetic significance; it was the prison of Kaguya Otsutsuki and home to the descendants of Hamura Otsutsuki. Rumor had it that there was a powerful Tenseigan hidden up there as well.

The Tenseigan… The idea of obtaining it intrigued him. But for now, it was just a distant ambition. Reaching the moon wasn't feasible at this stage not without developing a way to open a portal or some other means of transport.

Thinking about ocular power brought him back to Uchiha Mikoto. Perhaps it was time to arrange a way to collect a blood sample for testing.

But how to approach this? he pondered, when a familiar voice broke his concentration.

"Orochimaru, what's on your mind?"

He turned to see Tsunade standing under the eaves, dressed in a netted nightgown, tying the sash around her waist.

"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 girl who came to clean the house?"

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

Tsunade's eyes twinkled with mischief.

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.