Konoha Year 44
"Ah! Uncle Snake, you're back!"
The moment Shizune heard movement after he returned home, she hurried out to check. When she saw Orochimaru, whom she had not seen for so long, she immediately ran over excitedly.
After graduating from the Ninja Academy, Shizune had devoted herself to studying Medical Ninjutsu under Tsunade. She occasionally took on missions as well.
Every ninja had to complete a certain number of missions each year. Otherwise, they would not meet the mission requirements for the Chunin Exams.
However, the missions carried out by genin were not particularly difficult. Besides, taking on high-difficulty missions required matching strength.
It was not as though one could accept any mission on a whim. The mission administrators would not simply let ninjas throw their lives away.
After this period of training, Shizune's youthful face had become much more resolute, and the frail, delicate air of a young girl had faded considerably.
With such a violent teacher, how could her disciple possibly be too pathetic?
"Mm! Long time no see, Shizune."
Orochimaru habitually rubbed her little head with his large palm.
"Hey, Uncle Snake, I'm already grown up!"
Shizune pushed away Orochimaru's arm with a look of disgust, but how could she possibly escape his clutches?
Grown up already? In a few years, would she stop calling him Uncle Snake and start calling him Orochimaru instead? That really did seem to be the case!
"Where's Tsunade?"
After messing up Shizune's hair, perhaps this was one of his few mischievous pleasures.
At Orochimaru's question, Shizune pouted in dissatisfaction.
"Well... she's passed out on the table!"
Sure enough, it was only just past lunchtime, yet Tsunade was already unconscious. With Orochimaru gone, she had indeed returned to her drunken, dreamlike state.
"Forget it, deal with it yourself! I'm going