Meeting the Parents

A few days later.

Orochimaru left his makeshift laboratory.

He was carrying a rather exquisite wooden box in his hand.

Inside, naturally, were the gifts he had prepared for Tsunade and the legendary wife of the First Hokage.

They were skincare products produced in his laboratory and formulated by his own hand.

His previous improvements to the Military Ration Pill had been a minor endeavor, intended to earn some startup capital and curry favor with the higher-ups.

Now that he had some funds, he began to ponder a more efficient way to "make money."

Cosmetics and skincare products were his next move.

As the saying goes, the money of women and children is the easiest to earn.

With his mastery of biotechnology and chemical knowledge, the products he created far exceeded the effectiveness of similar items on the market.

Some time ago, he had hinted to Tsunade that he was interested in the study materials she usually read and wanted to "borrow" them.

To his surprise, Tsunade agreed quite readily, waving her hand in approval and enthusiastically inviting him to visit the Senju Mansion.

One couldn't show up empty-handed when visiting a teammate's home for the first time.

He wasn't an idiot like Jiraiya; he understood these social graces well enough.

Passing through the bustling streets of Konoha, Orochimaru soon arrived at the legendary residence of the Senju clan.

Well, rather than a residence, it was more like an expansive, sprawling estate.

There was no plaque reading "Senju" at the entrance, giving it a somewhat low-key appearance.

Just as he reached the gate, he saw a figure with golden twin tails hopping up and down while looking around.

"Orochimaru! Over here, over here!"

Seeing him, Tsunade waved her hand excitedly, looking full of energy.

Standing beside her was an elderly woman who looked quite aged, her red hair pinned up, possessing an elegant and noble temperament.

The old woman wore a simple, elegant kimono and a gentle smile on her face; just standing there quietly, she exuded an indescribable aura of serenity.

"Tsunade."

Orochimaru walked over and nodded.

"Hehe, let me introduce you,"

Tsunade grabbed Orochimaru and pointed to the old woman beside her, her tone filled with a hint of showing off, "This is my grandmother, Mito Uzumaki!"

"Lady Mito, hello, I am..."

Orochimaru felt a slight stir in his heart, but his expression remained calm as he bowed slightly.

"Hehe, no need for such formalities, child.

I often hear Tsunade mention you, saying you are a very impressive genius."

Mito Uzumaki smiled and interrupted him, her voice gentle and kind.

"Grandma! Don't just say whatever you want!

I only mention him occasionally~"

Tsunade's face turned bright red, and she stomped her feet in protest.

"Yes, yes, yes~"

Mito Uzumaki chuckled and agreed.

Watching the interaction between the grandmother and granddaughter, a faint smile tugged at the corner of Orochimaru's mouth.

"A small gift for my first visit, please don't mind it."

He took the opportunity to hand over the wooden box in his hand.

"Oh?"

Mito Uzumaki was somewhat surprised as she took the box.

Opening it, she saw several uniquely shaped small porcelain bottles inside.

She picked up one of the bottles, pulled out the stopper, and took a sniff; a faint, delicate fragrance wafted out.

Then, she poured out a small amount of the milky-white cream and gently rubbed it onto the back of her hand.

The cream felt cool to the touch and was quickly absorbed by her skin, leaving the previously dry skin feeling hydrated.

"This..."

A flash of surprise appeared in Mito Uzumaki's eyes.

"Wow! What is this?"

Tsunade leaned in as well, examining it with curiosity.

She followed suit, squeezing a bit onto her hand to rub it in before taking a sniff.

"This scent is caltrop, poria, and coix seed..."

Watching Tsunade rattle off the ingredients of his skincare product like she was reciting a menu, Orochimaru's mouth twitched. Had his secret formula really been exposed just like that?

"Hehe, I like this gift very much. Thank you, child."

Seeing Orochimaru's reaction, Mito Uzumaki set aside her surprise, her smile becoming even gentler. "Come on in."

Orochimaru nodded and followed the grandmother and granddaughter into the Senju Mansion.

However, the moment he stepped inside the estate, Orochimaru keenly sensed something amiss.

This massive residence was kept in perfect order, but... weren't there too few people?

Aside from a few servants responsible for cleaning, he could barely see any other members of the Senju clan.

This seemed to differ from the image he had in mind of a top-tier noble house, one of the two founding families of Konoha.

"Are you thinking that it's... too quiet here?"

Noticing Orochimaru's gaze, Mito Uzumaki, who was walking in front, paused for a moment before slowing her pace and asking softly.

Hearing this, Orochimaru nodded; he was indeed quite curious.

"During the Warring States period, ninjas were bound by family and bloodline, constantly waging war against one another, which led to endless, spreading conflict."

"Hashirama Senju established the ninja village to put an end to all of that."

"As the founder of the village, in order to let other families set aside their grudges and truly integrate into the big family that is Konoha, Hashirama... he led by example and took the initiative to announce the dissolution of the Senju clan."

"Of course, this was more of a symbolic dissolution."

"The clansmen are still here, the bloodline remains, but they no longer huddle together under the name 'Senju clan,' instead fully integrating into the Konoha system."

Mito Uzumaki sighed and explained softly.

Hearing this, Orochimaru nodded thoughtfully.

He had to admit that the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, was truly a man of great courage and vision.

Not everyone could do what he did—sacrificing the prestige of his own family for the sake of the collective interest.

But it was precisely because of this that the ninja village could be established...

The group arrived at an elegant reception room.

Servants quickly brought in tea and snacks.

"Tsunade, go get that herbal encyclopedia I asked you to put away last time. It's a good chance for Orochimaru to take a look at it too."

Not long after sitting down, Mito Uzumaki said to Tsunade with a smile.

"Oh, okay, Grandma!"

Tsunade scratched her head, confused, but she obediently stood up and left.

Watching Tsunade's back disappear through the doorway, the smile on Mito Uzumaki's face gradually faded as she turned to look at Orochimaru.

Her expression became serious, especially her eyes, which seemed to pierce through all disguises and look straight into the heart.

Is this... Nine-Tails Mode?

Orochimaru wasn't afraid when he saw this; instead, his eyes lit up.

He remembered that in the lore of the series, as a perfect Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Mito Uzumaki possessed the same ability to perceive malice that Naruto would later develop.

"Orochimaru."

"I have heard a thing or two about what you have been doing in the village lately."

"I must admit, you truly possess talent and ability far beyond the average person."

"However..."

"If overly powerful strength is not guided by a righteous heart, it often leads to an irreversible path."

Mito Uzumaki was stunned for a moment, not expecting this reaction from Orochimaru, but she continued in a deep voice.

Because of Tsunade, she had been keeping an eye on Orochimaru, especially after he read the Scroll of Sealing and requested to see the Senju family's archives.

She knew very well what those forbidden techniques implied. Although doing this meant distrusting the Third Hokage, as the wife of the First, she had to see for herself what kind of person this child, Orochimaru, really was.

"Tell me, Orochimaru."

"What exactly is your reason for wanting those research materials?"

"You are so passionate about research, about seeking out that knowledge and power—what is your goal?"

Mito Uzumaki stared into Orochimaru's eyes. As the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, her perception of malice was far superior to that of an ordinary person.

She had to figure out Orochimaru's character and confirm where this talent would ultimately lead.

Facing this elder who had weathered the storms and witnessed the rise and fall of Konoha.

Facing her gaze, which seemed capable of seeing through everything, Orochimaru's expression remained calm.

"Lady Mito, you are overthinking it."

Orochimaru smiled at these words, picked up his teacup, took a light sip, and then set it down.

He raised his head to meet the gaze of Mito Uzumaki, not flinching in the slightest.

"My purpose?"

"It is actually quite simple."

"The knowledge accumulated by those who came before is inherited by the next generation, who then continue to explore ever forward."

"One day, humanity will turn all that is unknown into the known."

"I simply find the process of exploring the unknown to be interesting in itself."

Upon hearing this answer, Mito Uzumaki was taken aback for a moment.

She scrutinized Orochimaru's eyes, seemingly trying to find even a trace of hypocrisy or ambition within them.

But there was none.

In those golden slit pupils, all she could sense was pure curiosity and a thirst for knowledge itself.

After a long while.

Mito Uzumaki's tense expression suddenly relaxed, and she revealed a smile of relief.

"Heh..."

She laughed softly and shook her head.

"What a... fascinating child."

She picked up her teacup and took a sip as well.

"Very well."

"Since you wish to see, then go and see."

"The Senju library is open to you."