Night.
Orochimaru's home.
Inside the modest house, Konoha's three legendary Ninjas had gathered.
With all the rumors circulating lately, Tsunade and Jiraiya were both worried about Orochimaru's state of mind.
After all, they had lived through White Fang's suicide. They knew that rumors could sometimes become an invisible weapon.
And so, without arranging it beforehand, both of them had come to Orochimaru's home.
In the living room, Orochimaru wore a blue kimono. Looking at the two old friends he had not seen together in so long, he could hardly fail to guess why they had come.
Though he said nothing about it, warmth filled his heart. Once they were seated, he brought out the tea Chihane had given him.
Orochimaru gently lifted the teapot and poured hot tea into Jiraiya's and Tsunade's cups.
"What brings you two here? This is your first time visiting my home, isn't it?"
Holding a dark green teacup, Orochimaru asked them with a quiet chuckle.
"Orochimaru, go outside and listen to what the villagers are saying about you! How can you still sit here drinking tea so calmly?"
But Jiraiya had not come to drink tea with him. He spoke to Orochimaru with some urgency.
Jiraiya realized he could no longer quite understand his old friend. In the past, Orochimaru would have disposed of anyone who spoke about him like that long ago. Yet now, with rumors spreading throughout the entire village, he could sit there perfectly composed.
Tsunade also watched Orochimaru intently, wanting to hear what he was thinking.
"Then what should I do? Kill every villager? Or go kill our teacher?"
Orochimaru took a small sip of green tea, then set his cup down and answered Jiraiya. As he spoke those last words, a cold glint flashed through his eyes. Clearly, he was