"It's okay, didn't I win once?"
Tsunade chuckled softly, looking quite proud: "In the last town, I had a huge win, remember?"
"But you lost again quickly..."
Shizune complained with a bit of a headache.
However...
That win...
They received a piece of news.
Something major happened in Konoha Village, with The Hidden Sand Village and The Hidden Mist Village colluding with Shimura Danzo and Orochimaru to instigate chaos during the Chunin Exams, resulting in the death of Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Let's go gamble for a bit first."
Tsunade decided to head to the nearest casino.
This time, Tsunade's luck was exceptionally good, winning big on the first dice game.
"Big."
Tsunade casually made a choice.
"You won."
The dealer revealed the dice.
"Are you kidding?"
"Isn't this the legendary easy mark?"
A group of gamblers, who were planning to make money from the "big spender" Tsunade, were left in despair, holding their heads in disbelief at the dice!
"So lucky?"
Tsunade was a bit curious herself.
However, after playing several games in a row, Tsunade's luck strangely improved, allowing her to win continuously, bringing joy to Shizune's face.
"I'll try something else..."
Tsunade frowned deeply.
Something else...
The result was the same.
Even with gambling tools with only a one in thirty-six chance of winning, Tsunade somehow managed to win.
Despite today's immense luck, a sense of foreboding started to grow in Tsunade's heart, feeling that some terrible misfortune could strike at any moment.
"Shizune, we're leaving!"
Tsunade immediately instructed Shizune to pack up, planning to leave immediately.
Elsewhere.
Two other people were also in this small town.
Orochimaru and Yao Shidou were hiding in the town, waiting for Tsunade to appear. As an old friend of Tsunade, Orochimaru knew her well.
Orochimaru stayed in the hotel conducting his experiments, while Yao Shidou occasionally went out to gather information, though their relationship seemed to have become somewhat strained.
Yao Shidou collected information quickly, finding Tsunade's whereabouts less than half an hour after she appeared in the town.
"I've found information on Lady Tsunade."
Yao Shidou glanced at the shadow under the lamp in his room: "But, Lord Orochimaru doesn't seem to trust me anymore."
From within the shadow appeared the figure of Shisui, sent by Akihara Kagura to monitor Orochimaru and protect Yao Shidou.
"It's okay to be upfront."
Half of Shisui's body was lurking in the shadow, the other half in the room.
Akihara Kagura's voice came from Shisui's body: "Be straightforward; tell him directly that you're here on my orders to monitor him. Everything from saving him from Red Sand Sasori to his inability to heal was done under my manipulation..."
"Is this really okay?"
Yao Shidou adjusted his glasses, looking worried: "I'm worried that Lord Orochimaru won't be able to handle such a blow..."
"Trust me, Lord Orochimaru has a strong mind."
Akihara Kagura's voice was sincere, as if well-acquainted with Orochimaru: "Let Orochimaru understand that some things can't be resisted and it's better to endure quietly... I'll soon send another spy to continue monitoring Lord Orochimaru."
"Okay, I understand."
Yao Shidou nodded, assuming responsibility for his mistake: "I'm sorry, Kagura, it was my negligence that aroused his suspicion..."
In fact.
This wasn't Yao Shidou's fault.
As long as Akihara Kagura didn't harm Yakushi Nonou and Yao Shidou, Orochimaru would eventually notice something amiss.
However...
Yao Shidou didn't blame Akihara Kagura.
"It's not your fault either..."
Akihara Kagura's voice still came from Shisui, continuing on its own: "If you want to blame anyone, blame Lord Orochimaru; life is better lived in ignorance. He worries too much about the truth. I'm the one pulling the strings, blaming you makes no sense..."
"Don't worry."
"Right now, Lord Orochimaru dares not rebel."
"Besides, I've already discussed it with him; past grievances are written off, so let's make things clear and move on!"
"Shisui will keep an eye on Lord Orochimaru. I'll ensure your safety, so don't worry or feel guilty. I'll soon replace everyone Orochimaru trusts with new spies around him."
After finishing, Akihara Kagura's voice disappeared, and Deva Path: Shisui's body slowly returned to the shadows.
"..."
Yao Shidou watched Shisui's body sink into the shadows, with a peculiar look, doubting if Orochimaru could truly let go of all grudges...
Also...
Didn't you say old grudges were brushed aside?
Why place a spy by Orochimaru's side now?
"I'll just follow Kagura's instructions."
Yao Shidou sighed inwardly.
He had just found out that Tsunade was in the town, using this as a pretext to have a good talk with Orochimaru.
In Orochimaru's room.
Yao Shidou gently opened the door, seeing Orochimaru not even looking up, and softly reported: "Lord Orochimaru, Lady Tsunade's location has surfaced, currently in the town's casino..."
"Heh heh heh, she's still the same..."
Orochimaru leisurely perused his scroll, seemingly unconcerned, even casually discussing Yao Shidou and Akihara Kagura: "Shidou, do you still want to kill Kagura-kun?"
"..."
Yao Shidou fell into an odd silence.
"I've been pondering a question..."
Orochimaru raised his head, squinting at Yao Shidou, chuckling: "Kagura-kun conspired with many from the Akatsuki Organization to assassinate me. Luckily, you were there to rescue me. Does Kagura-kun know about this, and hasn't punished you?"
Orochimaru's fingers gently closed the scroll, his voice growing cold: "You intended to utilize my presence to eliminate Kagura-kun, even saving me when Kagura-kun and Scorpion colluded to kill me. He surely knows this, yet why hasn't he killed you?"
"Because..."
Yao Shidou adjusted his glasses, speaking softly: "I was originally here by Kagura's order to monitor Lord Orochimaru to prevent him from leaking information about Kagura..."
"So..."
Orochimaru's fingers pressed the scroll, his gaze sharp as a serpent, daring not to be looked at directly: "When Scorpion hunted me..."
"It was my plan."
Yao Shidou kept adjusting his glasses, hiding his gaze behind the lens: "I coordinated with Red Sand Sasori in the pursuit of Lord Orochimaru... Even when Orochimaru was injured by Uchiha Itachi's Genjutsu and couldn't recover, it was my handiwork."
Yao Shidou pondered for a moment, deciding to be honest with Orochimaru: "I've dealt with victims of Uchiha Itachi's Genjutsu; typically, injuries heal within a month. I worked hard to extend Lord Orochimaru's injuries to take three months to heal..."
"You're really from an orphanage upbringing..."
Orochimaru's lips curled with a semblance of a smile, as if praising Yao Shidou's actions!
The next moment!
Orochimaru suddenly swept everything from the desk onto the floor!
"Please remain calm, Lord Orochimaru."
Yao Shidou paid it no heed, continuing to speak on his own: "Because Lord Orochimaru always coveted Kagura's body, I initially advised Kagura to kill Lord Orochimaru..."
"But..."
"Kagura thought Lord Orochimaru still held great value, so I had to stay by his side, using lies to prevent Lord Orochimaru from acting rashly."