"Hey, Orochimaru, what made you decide to move back in?"
After learning from Hiruzen that Orochimaru had left Danzo, Jiraiya rushed over to his house without delay.
Orochimaru had just finished a commission for a wealthy merchant and was sorting through his equipment at home. Seeing Jiraiya climb in through the window without even knocking, he said gloomily, "Knock."
"Come on, come on, we've been friends for years. Don't be so cold."
Jiraiya shamelessly sidled up to Orochimaru and curiously inspected the items in his hands.
Kunai, shuriken, ninja swords, Smoke Bombs.
For ninja, especially jonin, such equipment was common and frequently used.
But for Orochimaru, these things were a little...
"How rare. I remember you haven't accepted a commission in a long time."
Jiraiya casually draped an arm over Orochimaru's shoulder.
Orochimaru tried to shake Jiraiya off, only to find him stuck to his body like a stubborn plaster. After struggling in vain, he simply gave up resisting and vented his displeasure with words.
"Too close."
"Honestly, Orochimaru, you're being way too distant. We've been playing together since we were kids." Seeing that Orochimaru still wore that cold expression, Jiraiya tried teasing him into making a different face.
"What a bore. Gathering material really suits me better. Hehehe..."
Bored out of his mind, Jiraiya left Orochimaru's house. Seeing that his friend could not even be bothered to see him off, he reached for the little notebook in his robes and revealed a lecherous grin.
Meanwhile, Kazashiro, who was off for the weekend, arrived at a secluded little plaza at Kakashi's invitation.
"What's with all the secrecy?" Kazashiro asked, looking at Kakashi, who had already been waiting there.
Kakashi said nothing. He directly pulled a scroll from his clothes and held it out to Kazashiro.
"What's this? Did someone