Orochimaru Came Again

"So you're from the Hidden Leaf Village?"

Tsunade Senju looked suspiciously at Zabuza Momochi, especially the Executioner's Blade on his back. A faint smile appeared on her face as she looked at the two of them again, her expression carrying a hint of amusement.

Do I look like an idiot? You think such a clumsy lie could fool an old hand like me?

Zabuza Momochi had no choice but to take out the Leaf ninja forehead protector from his bundle, along with the permit to leave the village that the Third Hokage had approved when he departed.

Shizune took the items and brought them to Tsunade Senju, only for Tsunade to wave them away.

"It doesn't matter. I haven't returned to the village in many years. Whether you're Leaf ninja or not is irrelevant to me. But this little guy is rather interesting."

As she spoke, Tsunade Senju looked with interest at Uchiha Sen beside her. Though he was a survivor of the Uchiha Clan, there was absolutely no trace of the Uchiha Clan about him.

After returning yesterday, Tsunade had thought it over again and again and felt that this matter probably had nothing to do with her. Since they claimed to be from the Hidden Leaf Village, then perhaps...

Yes, Tsunade Senju hadn't enjoyed such a thoroughly satisfying win in a very long time. Now that she had run into them, of course she had to go have another round of fun.

"Kid, interested in going to the casino for a few more rounds?"

Shizune's eyes nearly fell out of her head. What was wrong with Lady Tsunade? It was still so early, and she was going to start giving money away again...

They hadn't even had time to warm up yesterday's winnings yet...

Uchiha Sen's eyes lit up at once. They could go play again today?

"Sure, sure! Big sister, you're such a good person!"

Hm? Big sister?

The corners of Tsunade Senju's mouth curled up as she happily patted Uchiha Sen on the shoulder. Hahaha, this kid really suited her tastes!

"Mm-hmm, you're not bad. Come on, big sister will take you to sweep every casino on this street!"

Zabuza calculated in his heart...

Big sister? She was old enough to be his grandmother...

Can't say it, can't say it. He couldn't afford to offend her.

After staying with them for so long, Zabuza had learned to read the room. Sometimes, one simply couldn't tell the truth—like right now.

"Come on, come on. Shizune, put down the luggage. And you, where's that little girl from the other day? Don't stay by his side anymore. Have that little girl come along instead. You don't look like you have any gambling luck. Go find somewhere to stay by yourself."

Tsunade pulled Sen toward the exit and stopped Zabuza from following, instead specifically calling for Haku to come along.

"How do I not have gambling luck...?"

Back in his room, Zabuza found a mirror and examined himself carefully, muttering under his breath:

"I don't look that unlucky. I'm obviously still as handsome as ever..."

Meanwhile, Jiraiya and Naruto Uzumaki had already entered the Land of Iron and set foot on the road to find Tsunade Senju.

"Hey, Pervy Sage, I've already reached the second stage! Look, look!"

"I see. Then keep working hard. Practice while we walk—we're almost there..."

After a day of gambling, Tsunade Senju and Uchiha Sen had made a fortune. Yet the more they won, the less joy appeared on Tsunade's face. Instead, she seemed increasingly restless.

The four of them walked together down the street.

"Lady Tsunade, why are you walking so fast? It's rare for us to win such big prizes, and today we strangely didn't lose any money at the casino. It even feels like we won back everything we lost before."

"Lady Tsunade, what's wrong? It's rare to win such a big prize. It's practically a miracle."

Shizune hugged a huge pile of prizes and hurried after them from behind.

Haku and Uchiha Sen didn't share her concerns. Uchiha Sen, in particular, was as happy as a child.

"Hahaha, Haku won so much money today! We can buy lots and lots of meat to munch on, right?"

Haku smiled softly and said in a voice as gentle as water:

"That's right. Lord Sen really is just like the God of Gamblers, Gao Jin, from the movies. You never mentioned it before."

"My title as God of Gamblers isn't for nothing. Not one person there today could stand against me!"

Sen stood with his hands on his hips and declared pompously.

Tsunade Senju, walking at the very front, suddenly stopped. The unease in her heart was growing stronger and stronger.

"This town gives me a very uneasy feeling. Especially today... We really need to leave this place quickly."

"Ah, but we've only been here a few days... It's clearly a tourist town. Shouldn't we at least see some sights or something?"

Shizune muttered regretfully.

But it didn't escape the ears of the restless Uchiha Sen.

"Hm? Where are we going to play? Take us with you~"

Tsunade Senju was speechless. Though he was from the Uchiha Clan, he didn't seem to possess the Uchiha Clan's usual arrogance. Judging from his behavior...

He seemed more like there was something wrong with his head. Tsunade had specifically pulled Haku aside to ask whether Sen had some problem with his brain, and Haku had given an affirmative answer. After all, Lord Sen's behavior had always been exceptionally strange.

Tsunade Senju glanced at the two behind her, sighed, and said:

"Fine, fine. Let's finish looking around quickly, then we'll part ways here."

One hour later

Tsunade Senju successfully accomplished the feat of dragging three people around. She briskly led the way the entire time, with Shizune and the other two following close behind, just like dogs being walked on leashes as they hurriedly took in the sights.

"Lady Tsunade... At least let us take a proper look at these beautiful views... It doesn't cost anything anyway..."

"Exactly, exactly. I don't get it. Why is this big sister walking so fast? Does she owe someone money...?"

Sen rubbed his sore ankle and pouted, looking rather unhappy.

[Ding! Host alert: Two sources of killing intent are nearby. The system is scanning.]

[Ding! Name: Orochimaru; Strength: Kage Level; Danger Rating: 6; After the beating he received last time, Orochimaru has basically given up on targeting the host. He came to find Tsunade Senju to heal his injured hands. The system recommends that the host stand aside and watch. Haku may be instructed to prepare several buckets of popcorn and a few drinks.]

The hurried Tsunade Senju entered a narrow alley and suddenly stopped, staring at an ancient building beside her.

Why did she feel a chill in her heart...

"Boom!"

A deafening blast erupted amid a cloud of smoke. As buildings collapsed, the truth was revealed.

Two people stood atop a massive brown python.

Tsunade Senju saw their faces clearly, especially the man standing on the right...

Orochimaru!!

Standing on the python's head, Orochimaru licked his lips and smiled. "Hehehe, I finally found you."

But Uchiha Sen suddenly ran out, jumping and waving his hands as he shouted:

"Aren't you that uncle who sold snake meat last time? Your snake meat is the best!"

"Wow, you brought me such a huge one again today! You're such a great person~"

Cough, cough, cough!

Why was this guy here too?!

Was he some backup that that old bastard Third Hokage had planted?!

This was simply infuriating!

Hiruzen Sarutobi: Normally, I shouldn't have any more scenes left. My death was probably supposed to be three chapters ago...