At the Jonin meeting, Dan supported Tsunade's proposal, which led to their initial introduction.
This scene was vividly familiar to Orochimaru. After all, Tsunade was his partner now, so he couldn't help but be more attentive.
But… that was only in his memory.
Now that he was with Tsunade, why would Dan still feel the need to get involved?
What's the reasoning here?
Was Dan really that idealistic, or was there something else behind his actions?
Orochimaru found himself doubting. True, adding medical ninjas to each team could increase survival rates and mission success, but right now, most Konoha shinobi weren't ready to accept such a change.
As a Jonin, Dan should have the foresight to understand that. Almost every Jonin in the room was voicing opposition, and Dan's lone support wouldn't change anything. Why take such a stand?
Orochimaru glanced at Tsunade, who seemed genuinely surprised by Dan's support. It was clear she hadn't expected anyone to speak up in her favor.
Seeing this, the Third Hokage let out a slight sigh and shook his head.
"Tsunade, Dan, please take your seats," he said, gesturing for them to sit. "Any new proposal that affects team dynamics must be put to a Jonin vote."
With so many voices against it, even as Hokage, he couldn't force it through alone. After a bit more discussion, the proposal was set aside for now.
The meeting continued, but Orochimaru couldn't help the small smirk that crept onto his face.
"This Dan… certainly an interesting one."
As time passed, the meeting wrapped up quickly. The Third Hokage gathered information on the various issues faced in the ongoing war and appeared to make some internal decisions.
Before leaving, he pulled Orochimaru and Tsunade aside.
"You've both worked hard recently. Once the front lines settle down, take some time off and return to Konoha for a well-deserved break."
"Yes, Sensei!" Tsunade replied promptly.
The Hokage glanced at her, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "By the way, Tsunade, your chakra reserves seem different lately. Is this because of something Orochimaru's been working on?"
At this, Tsunade cast a quick, uncertain look at Orochimaru before straightening up. "Could I report on that to you in a few days, Sensei?"
The Third Hokage chuckled. "Always keeping things to yourself, huh? Alright, do as you like." He turned to go but paused with a final piece of advice. "Just don't take too long…"
"Don't take too long?" Tsunade echoed, clearly confused by his words.
But as the Hokage walked away, she looked over at Orochimaru and suddenly realized what he meant, her cheeks flushing a deep red all the way down to her neck.
As an adult with some experience, she quickly understood the Third Hokage's subtle hint.
---
Later that night, under the light of the moon on a deserted mountaintop, Orochimaru and Tsunade sat together in a quiet clearing beside a large boulder.
As they gazed up at the massive moon, Tsunade finally voiced the question that had been weighing on her mind.
"Orochimaru, have you been studying my grandfather's cells?"
This question had been buried inside her for a long time, waiting for the right moment. Now that they were finally alone, she could ask it directly.
"No, I've actually been studying your genes," Orochimaru replied after a brief pause, deciding to keep his secrets under wraps.
While he could potentially reveal his work and mitigate any fallout, doing so might be seen as betraying Danzo's trust. And while he didn't particularly care for Danzo, there were still reasons to keep their alliance intact for the time being.
"My genes?" Tsunade looked surprised. "Is there really anything worth studying about them?"
"Yes," Orochimaru replied smoothly. "As the granddaughter of the First Hokage, you carry the genes of the 'Sage Body.' I was simply helping you unlock your potential."
"Is that… really possible?" Tsunade murmured in amazement.
Though she was a medical ninja, her knowledge of genetics didn't match Orochimaru's. And given her relationship with him, she had no reason to doubt his words.
"Of course. It's not just you, either. I've also helped members of the Uchiha Clan awaken their Sharingan…"
Orochimaru briefly explained the method he'd used to assist the Uchiha with awakening their bloodline limit.
Tsunade hadn't been involved in that project, so this was news to her. She looked at him in stunned silence as he described how he'd managed to create a serum capable of awakening sixty pairs of Sharingan with only a few blood samples.
"Oh my… but wait, I don't remember ever giving you a blood sample."
"Perhaps you've forgotten," Orochimaru said with a slight smile. "I kept a strand of your hair from when we were kids."
"My hair?"
Tsunade looked a bit embarrassed, but Orochimaru continued before she could dwell on it.
"And even if you don't remember, we've known each other for so long. It wouldn't be difficult to find something of yours to work with, right?"
Realizing this was true, Tsunade nodded in agreement. They'd practically grown up together, after all.
"What about Nawaki? Could he awaken the Wood Release too?"
Orochimaru shook his head. "No…"
He decided to be straightforward about this. While he could indeed help Nawaki awaken Wood Release, it wasn't truly necessary, so he explained that Nawaki simply hadn't inherited the right genes from the First Hokage. It was the truth, after all.
Tsunade accepted this answer, though she seemed a little disappointed.
As the night wore on, the conversation between them began to drift to more personal topics. Reuniting after so long, and with no one else around, the two naturally found themselves leaning into the intimacy they shared as a couple.
Being in the wilderness wasn't an issue; after all, Tsunade was capable of using Wood Release now.
Though she hadn't mastered any advanced techniques, she could certainly manage to construct a small shelter for them to rest in.
"A bathtub? What are you making that for?" Orochimaru asked curiously as he watched Tsunade shape a wooden tub inside the small cabin.
"I've been on the front lines for so long without a proper bath. Now that I finally have some time off, I want to enjoy it properly. So… care to join me?"
"Together?" Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, but he wasn't about to refuse such an offer.
They gathered firewood, heated the water, and took their time relaxing in the bath.
"Orochimaru, thank you," Tsunade said softly afterward, lying beside him on a makeshift wooden couch. Her face was flushed as she nestled close to him, her voice warm with gratitude.
"You're welcome." Orochimaru gave a faint smile, reaching up to gently stroke her hair as they lay together under the moonlight.