"The teacher's words were truly touching."
Misaki couldn't help but think how incredibly fortunate Aoi Tsukigami was to have such an open-minded father.
"Too good to be believable."
"Even he probably doesn't believe what he just said."
Pakura scoffed—Orochimaru saying something like this was out of character.
Aoi Tsukigami's happiness should have rested in her father's hands. Pakura fully understood his terrible controlling nature.
"Eat, eat."
Orochimaru clearly felt a bit guilty; he didn't even believe himself.
If in the future Aoi Tsukigami brought home someone he didn't approve of, there was no way he'd ever agree.
Changing the subject, Orochimaru picked up his eating pace a little.
"Look at him,"
Pakura pointed at Orochimaru, her expression dripping with mockery.
"At least the teacher's perspective was practically the only redeeming thing."
Misaki tried her best to defend Orochimaru—his point of view was basically the only decent part.
"Go ahead and keep defending him."
Pakura rolled her eyes; master and apprentice were birds of a feather.
Too tired to argue further, she simply resumed sipping her soup.
"I'm done eating. Hand me Aoi Tsukigami."
Soon after, Orochimaru finished his meal, wiped his mouth, and reached out toward Aoi Tsukigami.
Just as Misaki handed Aoi Tsukigami over, she began laughing.
She seemed genuinely fond of Orochimaru as her father.
"I'll take her out for a bit. You two eat slowly."
Orochimaru carried Aoi Tsukigami as he walked away; after all, she couldn't eat any of this food.
In his arms, Aoi Tsukigami reached out and grabbed hold of his dangling earring.
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"Do you like it?"
"Daddy'll make you a prettier one later."
Orochimaru tilted his head along with Aoi Tsukigami's tiny hand, his voice full of affection.
"He took his 'life' and walked out."
Pakura cracked a joke, causing both her and Misaki to burst into laughter.
After finishing her meal, Misaki headed to relay the message to Tsunade.
Orochimaru continued to enjoy the bonding moment at home.
...
"Sister Tsunade."
"The teacher asked me to tell you that you can pick a time now."
Led by the Anbu, Misaki arrived at the Hokage's office, where only Tsunade and Shouta were present.
Though her words were vague, Shouta could still guess what matter they concerned.
He remained silent—he recognized it as a positive development for both Konoha and Tsunade.
"Action is quite fast."
Tsunade felt like it had barely been a few days since she last visited the lab.
Time seemed to be speeding up.
"Quick? It's already been more than a week."
"Even the teacher found the pace slow."
Misaki spoke honestly; Orochimaru indeed held that opinion.
"Has it really been that long?"
"Then I'll come by tomorrow."
Tsunade decided the timing after slight consideration.
"Shouta, thanks for your effort tomorrow."
Tsunade turned to greet Shouta.
"Yeah, don't worry about it."
Shouta didn't object—he understood Tsunade had pressing matters to handle.
"Then I'll get going first."
Seeing that the time had been set, Misaki planned to leave.
"Alright, see you tomorrow."
Tsunade waved goodbye to Misaki.
"Will there be any danger?"
It was only after Misaki left that Shouta finally asked his question.
He knew nothing was ever one hundred percent certain, especially when it came to this kind of extreme human experimentation.
"Absolutely no danger. Just come in the day after tomorrow."
Tsunade smiled confidently, as if she were discussing something trivial.
"In that case, great."
Shouta genuinely seemed relieved, and right now, he didn't want to dwell on it.
Just trust Tsunade, that's all.
The day flew by.
After work, Tsunade went straight home and fed Ginji first.
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