Tanzaku Town, southwest corner!
Orochimaru, a Konoha rogue ninja, was discussing something with Lady Tsunade before him, accompanied by his thousand-year junior, Kabuto Yakushi.
After Orochimaru proposed his request with a sinister smile, Tsunade hesitated, clearly torn.
As for Shizune beside Tsunade, she held a little piglet while warily guarding against Orochimaru and Kabuto, trying to persuade Tsunade at the same time.
After all, no matter how one looked at the two before them, they did not seem like good people.
And the deal they had proposed was hardly a proper transaction.
Seeing Tsunade's conflicted expression, Orochimaru did not rush her. Living up to his title of the Cold Lord, he merely narrowed his eyes and waited coldly to the side.
At that moment, for some unknown reason, Orochimaru was suddenly seized by a bad premonition, as though something was about to happen.
"What's going on?"
The unease grew increasingly intense, weighing on Orochimaru's heart and making it throb with dread.
Given his status and position, he had not felt this kind of unease in a very long time.
Why had it suddenly appeared now?
Could it be that Tsunade did not wish to agree to the deal he had proposed?
At that thought, a chill seeped from Orochimaru's formerly smiling eyes.
As time slowly passed, the feeling of unease only grew stronger.
Until someone arrived—someone Orochimaru had never expected to see.
Whoosh!
Mirai's figure suddenly appeared, right beside Tsunade and Shizune.
Faced with this abruptly appearing figure, both Tsunade and Shizune immediately went on guard.
This young man had appeared so suddenly that even Tsunade, a Kage-level ninja, had barely had time to react. He was clearly no weakling.
Until they knew whether he was friend or foe, every precaution was necessary.
"Holy shit, Mirai!" Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi