"What's wrong, Tsunade? Is it uncomfortable to wear?" Orochimaru couldn't help asking when he saw how nervous she looked.
Tsunade shook her head vigorously. "No, the fabric is very soft..."
"That's good." Orochimaru smiled and nodded.
"Why are you so good to me?" Tsunade's expression grew uneasy. "Aside from Great-Grandfather, no one in the clan has ever cared about me. They don't like talking to me, let alone giving me presents..."
But after asking that question, Tsunade silently cursed herself for being stupid. Why did I even ask? She was terribly afraid of hearing an answer she didn't want to hear.
Orochimaru merely smiled without speaking.
The two children stood barely a meter apart, and even without conversation, Tsunade didn't feel distressed.
That incredible silence made Tsunade feel a genuine warmth.
But then, all of a sudden, she grew afraid again.
Just as Tsunade was about to say something, Orochimaru spoke first.
"It looks lovely, Tsunade. It's getting late. Why don't you wear it back to the Clan Grounds?"
Orochimaru's smile was gentle, and Tsunade's figure was reflected in the eyes gazing at her.
Orochimaru didn't bring up what Tsunade had just said. He neither joined her in complaining about her clansmen nor defended those who had hurt her. He simply reminded her that it was time to go home.
But Tsunade felt very uneasy and stammered, "I... should change back, shouldn't I? This outfit must be very expensive, right? If Mother finds out when I get home, she'll be angry."
Orochimaru's smile slowly faded. The hem of his clothes swayed in the wind, making him look like a figure in an ink-wash landscape.
His silence made Tsunade even more nervous and apprehensive. An indescribable aura poured from him, assailing her invisibly.
For a moment, Tsunade actually felt as though