Just as Orochimaru was about to step out the door, he paused, looked back at the Third Hokage with a smile, and left without saying a word, quietly closing the door behind him. "What deal did you make with Danzo? Why was he looking for you?"
Jiraiya, ever the curious one, leaned in, trying to probe for information.
Unfortunately, the only response he got was a cold glare from Orochimaru.
Ever since the war in the Land of Rain had ended, Orochimaru's attitude towards Jiraiya had become increasingly frosty.
Fine!
The coolest and most handsome toad sage won't ask anymore, alright? Who's that sour expression for anyway?
"Boss, give me two bouquets of flowers."
After purchasing the flowers, Xin made his way to the cemetery, placing them in front of his parents' tombstone. He cleared the surrounding weeds, sat cross-legged in the snow, and quietly paid his respects.
Every year at this time, Xin would visit his parents' graves alone, offering flowers and sitting in silence, keeping company with those who now rested in peace.
He wasn't like Kakashi, who had the habit of muttering to the gravestones.
If Kakashi didn't have that annoying habit of rambling on, maybe Minato and Kushina's fates wouldn't have ended so tragically.
"I thought I was early, but it looks like you beat me here."
Minato had also arrived at the cemetery, placing his flowers in front of Xin's mother's tombstone. Like Xin, he sat down cross-legged, arranging some small snacks in front of the grave.
"Another year is almost gone before we knew it."
"Want a drink?"
Xin pulled out the hidden stash of alcohol from his sealing scroll.
"..."
Minato stared, dumbfounded, as Xin pulled out bottles of liquor and various snacks.
"Xin, we're still young. Isn't it bad to be sneaking drinks like this?"
"But you drank last time."
"That's because last time Nawaki ended up making a drunken fool of himself."
"Exactly. It's just the two of us today. After we finish, we can go visit Nawaki at the hospital and really rub it in."
Xin grinned, already imagining Nawaki's exaggerated outburst of frustration, and couldn't help but chuckle.
Minato, who had been hesitant, suddenly lit up at the thought. This might actually be a great idea!
"Those jerks!"
"Both of them!"
"They're drinking behind my back while I'm stuck in the hospital! Aaaaargh!"