The Cold, Ruthless Orochimaru

As a heavy punch grazed Jiraiya's cheek and slammed down, the ground instantly caved in, leaving a massive crater.

"Hmph! If she didn't consider you a companion, I'd have beaten you to death!"

With that, Orochimaru rose to his feet, dusted himself off, and turned to leave.

But after walking seven or eight meters, Orochimaru stopped again.

"She'll be home for dinner tonight. Remember to buy some good liquor."

After saying that, Orochimaru did not linger, leaving only the filthy and disheveled Jiraiya standing there in a daze.

He truly had not expected something like this to have happened over the past two or three years.

"She must have suffered terribly, huh?"

That was all he said in the end. Thinking of it, he no longer blamed Orochimaru for acting as he had.

He really did deserve that beating, and somehow, he felt much better after taking one.

As for Orochimaru, he was currently whistling as he headed toward the market.

He had appeared utterly merciless when beating Jiraiya, but he had still held back.

At most, Jiraiya would suffer some superficial injuries. If he had truly gone all out, broken bones and torn tendons would have been the least of it.

Wouldn't Tsunade get furious with me then? If I don't beat him up and show some emotion, won't he start getting ideas when he sees Tsunade and me living under the same roof?

Now it was perfect. This little performance proved that I was taking care of Tsunade, making everything perfectly reasonable.

I, the cold, ruthless Orochimaru, have made such a huge sacrifice—all for my companion!

He arrived at the market with practiced ease. Since Jiraiya was back, he had to add a few dishes.

They could not be like in the Original Work, where the Sannin reunited and settled dinner in some roadside tavern.

A stewing hen, a rooster, a fish, two catties of beef, plus some vegetables and snacks to go with the drinks.

One of the Sannin, Orochimaru, carried an old hen in one hand and scallions, ginger, garlic, and vegetables in the other as he headed home.

This was perfectly normal. No matter how famous a ninja was, as long as they did not hold an official post, grocery shopping and cooking were common chores.

Even the Hokage, if there was no wife at home to cook, had to tell a subordinate to bring back takeout.

Back at Tsunade's home, Orochimaru first cleaned the old hen and put it into a pot to make soup before starting on the rice.

By the time Tsunade returned home, Orochimaru was nearly done in the kitchen. He only needed to stir-fry two more dishes before dinner was ready.

"Orochimaru, what's the occasion today? Why did you make so much food?"

Looking at the lavish spread on the table, she knew the two of them normally had no more than three dishes. Only when guests came over or during festivals would they eat this extravagantly.

"Jiraiya is back."

Tsunade froze upon hearing the news. He had been gone for so long without even sending a letter back that she had thought he had died somewhere outside.

As they spoke, a figure appeared outside the door. Speak of the devil—it was none other than Jiraiya.

"Hey... Tsunade, long time no see!"

Seeing him, Orochimaru rolled his eyes. So he had timed it perfectly for dinner. I do all the cooking alone, but everyone gets to eat the whole table. What a damn loss.

Of course, that was only Orochimaru's inner monologue.

"Hmph! So you still remembered how to come back. I was starting to think some village girl had charmed you into staying!"

Seeing her companion again after so long, Tsunade was happy too, though her words remained as unforgiving as she poked his chest and scolded him nonstop.

Jiraiya could only stand there like a wooden post and let Tsunade berate him, not daring to talk back.

"Enough, Tsunade. Time to eat."

Orochimaru cast Jiraiya another glance and continued:

"If you didn't bring good liquor, you don't get a share!"

Orochimaru's words came at just the right time and saved Jiraiya from the situation.

"Hehe, I bought several bottles! I have to eat enough to make it worth my money!"

Seeing how smug he looked, Orochimaru had thought he would argue back: "Er... even if I starve to death, die out there, I won't eat even a tiny bit of your food!"

Tsunade did not make things difficult for him any further and went into the kitchen to bring out another bowl and pair of chopsticks.

After three years, the Sannin had reunited once more. Jiraiya was still the same Jiraiya, Tsunade was no longer the sunny girl she once was, and Orochimaru had changed souls entirely.

The three began eating, drinking, and chatting. Jiraiya mostly talked about what he had seen and heard during his three years away. The atmosphere was rather pleasant, without any sign of anything unusual.

"Mmm, this tastes great. Tsunade, your cooking has improved. You couldn't even make simple dishes before."

Jiraiya wolfed down the food as he praised her. After years of roughing it outdoors, he had not had a proper meal. He had either been fighting wars or taking on disciples.

"Orochimaru made it."

Tsunade rolled her eyes at Jiraiya and answered slowly.

Upon hearing that, Jiraiya, just like Tsunade had before, widened his eyes and stared at Orochimaru.

It was not as if he did not know Orochimaru's personality. Eating and drinking were trivial matters to him, so when had he become so particular about such things?

Then his eyes involuntarily darted toward Tsunade, and he even forgot to chew the food in his mouth.

Ah, Orochimaru really has it hard. Who would have thought the cold, ruthless Orochimaru could do this much for Tsunade?

With that thought, his impression of Orochimaru rose another notch, while he also felt somewhat guilty.

"Even eating can't shut your mouth."

Orochimaru ignored Jiraiya's shocked, conflicted, and guilty gaze.

"You hit him?"

Tsunade looked at Orochimaru, then at Jiraiya, whose face still had a bandage on it. The wound was still red and swollen, clearly fresh.

"Hehe, didn't he tell you that he fell down himself?"

Orochimaru looked at Tsunade with a faint smile, while Tsunade merely snorted.

"Serves him right!"

Jiraiya, sitting beside them, saw that neither of them had any regard for the feelings of the person involved and glared at Orochimaru.

"When we have time, let's spar. Let's see whether you've improved over the years."

The three chatted on and off, and before long, they had eaten and drunk their fill.

"Orochimaru, what are your plans from now on?"

Jiraiya spoke first. Rather than immediately asking about Tsunade's thoughts, he started with Orochimaru.

"Right now, I practice taijutsu with Tsunade in the mornings, then conduct experiments and research in the afternoons and evenings."

"Oh? You've started doing research? I thought you were going to take on a disciple!"

Orochimaru casually took a sip of wine. He knew that some things were bound to happen sooner or later.

"What about you, Tsunade? Are you researching Medical Ninjutsu too?"

Jiraiya turned to ask Tsunade. This was what concerned him most.

"Me? Me, huh... I keep Orochimaru company, look after Shizune, wait for her to grow up, and drink."

Tsunade spoke in a somewhat low voice. Her mental state clearly was not very good. Orochimaru had at least made her life a little fuller; otherwise, she would have become the long-term alcoholic from the Original Work.

Seeing Tsunade's negative attitude toward life, Jiraiya hesitated to speak. Should he tell her to be optimistic? Tell her to face life positively?

They had been companions since childhood and knew each other's personalities inside out. If she could have been persuaded, it would not have been his turn to say anything.

Hearing this, Orochimaru grumbled inwardly.

You can't even take care of yourself, yet you want to look after someone else. I still have to cook for you!

Jiraiya looked back at Orochimaru, then found himself at a loss for words.