Leaving Root's base, Orochimaru walked down the street, gazing at the Spiral Tower, visible even from a great distance.
As Grandma Mito aged, she no longer left the Spiral Tower.
To persevere until the children of the Ninja Academy's Sealing Team graduated was already very difficult given her physical condition.
On one hand, she had to suppress the Nine-Tailed. On the other hand, she had to focus on teaching her students Sealing Technique, aiming for them to learn the technique, not to become independent Sealing Ninja.
Orochimaru, when on the battlefield, would occasionally send a Shadow Clone to the Ninja Academy to teach the Sealing Team children, alleviating Grandma Mito's pressure.
Grandma Mito... she probably wouldn't last much longer... Orochimaru felt a deep worry. She didn't believe the Konoha Higher-Ups would abandon the Nine-Tailed.
With years of war, Konoha was far from its former glory. How could they give up a Tailed Beast that could strengthen the Village?
They would definitely try every means to create a new Tailed Beast Jinchuriki.
The Uzumaki Clan residing in the Land of Waves had no connection with Konoha after the Land of Whirlpools was destroyed.
It probably wouldn't be long before the Konoha Higher-Ups would send people to the Land of Waves, trying to persuade an Uzumaki Clan member to voluntarily let their child come to Konoha to succeed Grandma Mito as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Konoha wanting an Uzumaki Clan member to be the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki could only be described as a pipe dream.
No one would be willing to let their child become a Tailed Beast Jinchuriki, to become that ominous symbol.
This kind of thing... it's really unpleasant...
"Orochimaru, what are you thinking?"
Ichikishimahime, walking beside Orochimaru, could feel that her mood was not good.
"Nothing, I just... thought of some things."
Orochimaru smiled and said, not wanting Ichikishimahime to worry about her.
This thousand-year-old loli was still as carefree as usual, which was better. Some things, it was enough for her to worry about them herself.
"Orochimaru-sama!"
The ANBU Ninja responsible for protecting the Spiral Tower respectfully cleared the way.
"You've worked hard."
Orochimaru nodded slightly and quickly walked into the Spiral Tower.
"Orochimaru, you're here, and you're with that Snake Princesses little lady."
Uzumaki Mito looked at Orochimaru with a kind smile, then looked at the empty spot beside her, detecting Ichikishimahime's presence.
"Just call me Ichikishimahime."
Seeing that she had been discovered, Ichikishimahime stopped being invisible and asked curiously, "How did you find me?"
"The abilities of the Uzumaki Clan, and a tiny, insignificant ability as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
Uzumaki Mito said with a smile. In reality, she didn't tell the truth. The Uzumaki Clan's abilities couldn't detect Ichikishimahime, and the reason she could detect her was through her ability as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
"Oh! The Uzumaki Clan's abilities are really amazing!"
Ichikishimahime ignored the ability of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, thinking that Uzumaki Mito had discovered her through the Uzumaki Clan's abilities.
One must know that her invisibility ability had never been discovered from beginning to end. Even Orochimaru couldn't detect her presence when she was invisible. This was the first time she had been discovered.
"Grandma Mito, these are skincare products more suitable for the elderly, and medicinal tea that is good for your health."
Orochimaru undid the seal, and the skincare products and medicinal tea she brought for Grandma Mito fell from her sleeve into her hand and were placed on the table.
"Orochimaru, I know my body. I probably won't last much longer."
Uzumaki Mito looked at the gifts Orochimaru brought, speaking calmly, as if discussing what to eat for dinner.
Orochimaru's body trembled, her pupils suddenly contracted, and she suppressed the emotions welling up in her heart, saying, "Grandma Mito, your body is still strong, how could anything happen? You can say that to me, but please don't say it to Tsunade and Nawaki."
"I know my own body very well. By then, Tsunade and Nawaki will be entrusted to you."
Uzumaki Mito's smile was still kind, but her words made Orochimaru's heart heavy.
Looking at Grandma Mito, who had long accepted life and death, and was not afraid of death, but rather looked forward to its arrival, Orochimaru knew what she was looking forward to.
Her love for Senju Hashirama had never changed, never...
"Grandma Mito, I..."
Orochimaru opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but at this moment, she didn't know what to say.
"Orochimaru, Tsunade has many flaws. I hope you can be more tolerant of her. I also know that they all like you, and I won't object to you all."
Uzumaki Mito was an experienced person. How could she not see the feelings Uchiha Hikari and Ichikishimahime in Orochimaru's home had for Orochimaru? From their subtle actions and expressions, she could tell that they liked Orochimaru.
Whether she could accept it was no longer important; what was important was that Tsunade could accept it.
She respected Tsunade's choice and would not object to her and Orochimaru being together.
"Grandma Mito, you knew everything..."
Orochimaru blushed awkwardly, feeling ashamed to face Grandma Mito.
"Isn't it just being a bit of a playboy? Since you've confirmed the relationship, you must make them happy and not let them regret their choice."
Uzumaki Mito said, glancing at Ichikishimahime, as if to say, 'I see through you.'
Ichikishimahime hugged Orochimaru's neck and stuck out her tongue at Uzumaki Mito. Their relationship had been discovered, so what was there to hide?
"Grandma Mito, aren't you a bit too open-minded?"
Orochimaru recalled the various actions Grandma Mito had taken in the past to further her relationship with Tsunade.
"I'm just open-minded, alright!"
Uzumaki Mito used her fist to tell Orochimaru that even though she was too old to leave the Spiral Tower, her fist was still very strong.
"Grandma Mito... Hiruzen-sensei and the others won't possibly let the Nine-Tailed go with you..."
Orochimaru covered her head, her eyes slightly red, looking at Uzumaki Mito, wanting to speak but hesitating.
"I know. They, for the Village, can't give up the Nine-Tailed. Other Villages have Tailed Beasts, so how can Konoha not have one?"
Uzumaki Mito clearly understood the Konoha Higher-Ups' thoughts, and this was something she couldn't change.
If they asked her, she would do her last bit for Konoha, trying her best to keep the Nine-Tailed for Konoha.
What she loved was never Konoha.
She loved Hashirama, and she loved the Konoha that Hashirama loved.
Orochimaru walked out of the Spiral Tower, turning to take a deep look at the Spiral Tower behind her. Each visit to the Spiral Tower made her feel heavier.
"Orochimaru, are you alright?"
On the way home, Ichikishimahime walked beside Orochimaru, holding her hand, looking at her worriedly. Her bad mood made her even harder to approach.
"I'm fine. Some things have to be faced."
Orochimaru's cool and quiet face showed a faint smile. She thought she was mentally prepared, but it turned out she had overestimated herself.
"By the way, Ichikishimahime, aren't you going back to Ryūchi Cave? Have you decided what to bring? You haven't been back to Ryūchi Cave for a long time. It wouldn't be appropriate if you don't think carefully about what gifts to bring back, would it?"
Orochimaru didn't want to continue on that topic and brought up a topic that could distract Ichikishimahime.
"If I can bring gifts back, Tagorihime and Tagitsuhime should be grateful. If they're not satisfied, they can return the gifts to me!"
Ichikishimahime put her hands on her hips, tilting her head slightly, as if the gifts she was giving Tagorihime and Tagitsuhime were a great favor.
"Hey! Minato! Wait for me!"
Footsteps came, and Orochimaru picked up Ichikishimahime, sidestepping to avoid the figure that almost crashed into Ichikishimahime, looking at the yellow spiky-haired boy with blue eyes, who had stopped and was looking at her with a hint of nervousness.
"Be careful."
He is Minato Namikaze, indeed a child with amazing insight. He has already recognized my identity.
Ichikishimahime dangled her feet off the ground, then looked up blankly at Orochimaru. This feeling of being protected was very good.
"Sorry, sorry!"
Minato Namikaze put his hands together, his smile shy and sunny. The chubby boy following him was Akimichi Choza, Akimichi Torifu's grandson.
It must be said that Akimichi Torifu, with his wife and children, was very prone to having many descendants. He already had a grandson.
Unlike Hiruzen Sarutobi's son and daughter-in-law, who worked in Anbu and had no plans to have children.
"Minato, you're too careless! You almost hit that person just now!"
"Shh!"
Minato Namikaze put a finger to his mouth, signaling Akimichi Choza to be quiet.
"What's wrong?"
Akimichi Choza asked in a lowered voice.
"That person just now, she is Orochimaru-sama."
Minato Namikaze whispered.
"What?! She is Orochimaru-sama, who improved the Three-Colored Pills?!"
Akimichi Choza exclaimed.
"Shh! Be quiet, be quiet!"
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