"Lord Hokage, I'd like to request some time off." Shino adjusted his sunglasses, his eyes behind the lenses seeming to hold a trace of indescribable weariness.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Time off? Shino, you're not the sort to ask for leave lightly."
"That's correct, Lord Hokage." Shino's voice was low and measured. "But according to my precise calculations, I've found that my recent mission efficiency has suffered serious interference from certain factors 'unrelated to mission requirements.'"
Shizune covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. Tsunade looked at Shino with interest. "Oh? What factors?"
Light seemed to glint off Shino's sunglasses. He paused, his tone growing even more "profound." "The excessively 'frequent' and 'high-intensity' emotional exchanges between my teammates have involuntarily placed my mental energy in a state of 'oversaturation.' This state severely impairs my ability to focus on missions, as well as to receive and analyze external information. To ensure that future missions proceed smoothly, I require a period of 'energy depletion' and 'mental purification.'"
Tsunade and Shizune both froze for a moment. Then Tsunade burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Oh, Shino, that excuse really is... one of a kind!" Tsunade laughed so hard she nearly cried. "All right, I understand. Your leave is approved. Go and get yourself properly 'purified.'"
Shino bowed slightly, then turned to leave. His retreating figure looked rather "forlorn," like a warrior who had endured all the lovey-dovey displays he could stomach.
Meanwhile, far away in the Land of Rice Fields, at Orochimaru's underground base.
A cold, fetid atmosphere filled the dim laboratory. Orochimaru sat on an examination table, his face pale and his forehead covered in cold sweat. His eyes, which had always gleamed with sinister cunning, were now filled with pain and despair. His hands felt as though countless needles were piercing them. From