Tobirama Senju was about to offer some advice when he suddenly seemed to sense something. He murmured, "Yanbai, I'll head back to the office first. I need to talk to the Fourth Hokage."
Yanbai thought nothing of it and nodded. "Thanks for your hard work, brother."
Tobirama Senju also nodded to Madara Uchiha, who had remained silent beside them, then vanished with Flying Thunder God.
Yanbai narrowed his eyes.
A few seconds later, a sound came from the entrance to the Underground Palace.
Orochimaru had returned, carrying a kitten in his arms.
Standing in the entryway, Orochimaru took off his outer coat, washed his hands, changed his shoes, and even cleaned the kitten before properly stepping into the inner rooms.
The Night-Luminescent Pearls in the rooms shone dimly.
He crossed the wooden-floored corridor and reached the living room.
Autumn sunlight slanted through a ventilation opening on one side of the room.
"I'm home..."
Holding the kitten respectfully, Orochimaru approached Yanbai and Madara Uchiha and sat down on a cushion.
Yanbai naturally knew Orochimaru had come home, but when he saw the cat in his arms, he couldn't help raising an eyebrow.
Before Yanbai or Madara Uchiha could ask, Orochimaru volunteered an explanation. "I just took Tsunade back to Konoha and ran into Grandma Mito along the way. She said you always liked intelligent animals, and that this kitten was very cute and should make a good companion for you, so she asked me to give it to you. She also said it was a thank-you gift for looking after Tsunade lately..."
At that, Yanbai understood. Mito had learned to take an indirect approach, too.
Mito didn't dare come to Yanbai directly, but gifts were rarely unwelcome. Knowing he liked cute little animals, she had sent a present first.
The gesture