"Isn't Orochimaru at war with Konoha, Iwagakure, and the Hidden Mist Village? How do you even have time to come here?"
Uzumaki Nano stood with his hands on his hips, suddenly remembering that Konoha was still fighting Iwagakure and Kirigakure.
"War doesn't last twenty-four hours a day," Orochimaru replied calmly. "If it did, you'd die of exhaustion even if the enemy didn't kill you first."
He looked at Nano in disbelief. Did this boy really think soldiers fought nonstop without rest?
"That's… true."
Nano adjusted his glasses with an awkward smile. Then he lightly tapped the flying device strapped to his back and added, "Orochimaru, don't let that clan leader drink too much! I'm going out to have some fun!"
With that, his energetic figure darted out of the living room and vanished.
That brat…
Orochimaru walked toward Uzumaki Chigusa's room. Stopping at the door, he knocked lightly.
"Chigusa, haven't you changed yet?"
The door suddenly swung open. A pale arm shot out and pulled him inside.
The moment he stepped in, a pile of clothes flew toward him.
Clothes were everywhere—on the bed, scattered across the floor, hanging over chairs, draped across armrests, even covering the dressing mirror. It looked as if a clothing storm had swept through the room.
"Do you think you're a clothes rack?" Orochimaru asked dryly.
He truly couldn't understand how Chigusa had bought so many outfits. Even wearing a different set every day, it would take months to repeat one.
"I only bought them because they looked nice… and before I knew it, there were this many," Chigusa admitted, smiling sheepishly.
Then his gaze fell on Orochimaru's plain white robe.
"Grandma Orochimaru, please change! We're going on a date soon. Your first date—and you're wearing that?"
"My little girl," Orochimaru replied lazily, rolling his eyes, "you know I've always dressed like this. I'm old. I don't care for flashy clothes."
Counting both of his lives, he was at least twelve years older than Chigusa.
Chigusa rummaged through the mountain of clothing and pulled out a purple dress.
"What about this?"
Orochimaru shook his head in refusal.
"Please, please! You'll look amazing in it. We're going on a date! That white robe ruins the mood."
"I came to visit you," Orochimaru said calmly. "I never agreed to a date."
Chigusa froze, then clutched his chest dramatically.
"So it was all my imagination… You were just playing with my feelings…"
Orochimaru sighed internally. What a drama queen.
"Fine. I'll change."
"Then hurry! I'll help you!"
"I don't need help."
Orochimaru took the purple dress from Chigusa's hand and removed his white robe without hesitation.
Chigusa stared in stunned silence.
Amid the sea of colorful clothing, Orochimaru's pale, flawless skin seemed almost luminous. His slender yet curved figure looked like something painted by an artist—elegant, cold, and strangely mesmerizing.
Orochimaru felt the burning gaze.
Are you trying to devour me with your eyes?
Ignoring him, he put on the purple dress. The fabric fell over his pale arms and calves. The faint bluish-purple Yin Seal on his wrist was visible. His long dark hair cascaded over his shoulders.
"The waist is a little loose…" he murmured. "Have you gained weight?"
Chigusa's face turned red instantly.
"It's fullness! I haven't gained weight!"
Orochimaru stepped closer, wrapped an arm around Chigusa's waist, and pinched lightly.
"Hm. You're right. Your figure is quite good."
"Y-Yours isn't bad either," Chigusa stammered, face burning.
He had never imagined finding a woman's body so captivating.
Pure Blood
"Let's go!"
Chigusa changed into a goose-yellow dress that matched the purple beautifully. He put on a sunhat and placed a straw hat gently on Orochimaru's head. Linking arms, they stepped outside.
But Orochimaru paused and glanced back at the chaotic room.
"Chigusa, what about all these clothes? Aren't you going to clean up?"
"Nano can do it when he gets back," Chigusa replied carelessly.
"You're a terrible adult."
"It's rare for you to visit. Cleaning can wait."
He hugged Orochimaru's waist and rubbed his head against him affectionately.
Orochimaru sighed. "I can't win against you."
He gently placed a hand on Chigusa's head instead and stroked his red hair.
"Wait a moment. I'll help you tidy up first. We can't always let Nano clean for you."
Chigusa looked up with watery red eyes.
"Give me a kiss, and I'll wait."
For a brief moment, Orochimaru felt as though the person clinging to him wasn't a mature woman but a spoiled young girl.
He leaned down and kissed Chigusa lightly.
"Drama queen. Satisfied?"
"Hm!"
Blushing deeply, Chigusa happily helped clean.
Orochimaru quickly organized the clothes by color and type. His movements were efficient and precise.
"Do you not do housework often?" he asked.
"Nano usually handles it…"
Chigusa looked embarrassed.
"You don't have to force yourself," Orochimaru said gently. "Everyone has things they're not good at."
Soon the room was neat and orderly.
Chigusa watched him in awe.
Living with someone like this would mean being very well taken care of…
The thought made him feel unexpectedly jealous of Orochimaru's admirers back in Konoha.
"Chigusa, this shawl suits you."
Orochimaru draped a white Uzumaki-patterned shawl with tassels over his shoulders and fastened it neatly.
"Does it look good?"
Orochimaru gave him a thumbs-up.
White complemented goose-yellow perfectly.
The Street Incident
The bustling street was lively and vibrant.
Orochimaru now wore a gray shawl as well. Black stockings covered his pale legs, though he still wore comfortable ninja shoes.
He took a bite of his milk ice cream and felt a burning stare from beside him.
"Want some?"
Chigusa leaned forward and bit exactly where Orochimaru had bitten.
His eyes narrowed with exaggerated delight, as if tasting something extraordinary.
It's just normal ice cream…
But Orochimaru understood the sentiment.
Chigusa offered his strawberry ice cream in return.
As expected.
They exchanged bites playfully, walking down the street with hands gradually filling with more treats.
Suddenly—
"Move! Get out of the way!"
A sharp alarmed shout echoed.
A man with sharp bones protruding from his shoulders shoved people aside roughly.
Shikotsumyaku… a member of the Kaguya Clan.
Likely a rogue ninja hired by some company.
Orochimaru immediately noticed the distinctive red mark above the man's eyebrows—a symbol unique to the Kaguya Clan. His hairstyle was equally unmistakable.
The roar of an engine followed.
A dazzling golden motorcycle tore down the street in pursuit.
The rider—Kakuzu—looked strikingly out of place in this era. His short black hair was slicked back. He wore black sunglasses, a fitted black suit, gloves, and polished leather shoes that gleamed in the sunlight.
He looked like a terminator stepping out of a film.
Kakuzu twisted the throttle hard. The motorcycle's front wheel lifted as he surged forward, cutting past the Kaguya ninja before landing sharply ahead of him. He braked suddenly, removed his sunglasses, and stared coldly.
"You won't escape."
The Kaguya man panicked. His eyes darted around—and landed on Orochimaru.
Of all people.
He rushed forward and seized him, pressing a sharp bone blade to Orochimaru's neck.
"Don't move!" he shouted at Kakuzu. "If she dies, your company takes the blame!"
Orochimaru blinked slowly.
There were at least a hundred people here. Why choose me?
Kakuzu's eyes widened briefly.
Orochimaru?!
He looked at the Kaguya man with something almost like pity.
Of all the hostages to choose…
"What's with that look?!" the man snarled, pushing the bone closer.
Before he could react—
A pale hand grabbed the sharp bone firmly.
Uzumaki Chigusa stepped forward.
The chakra erupting from his body created a powerful gust that blew his sunhat away. His long red hair lifted as if stirred by invisible wind.
His eyes burned with anger.
"What exactly," Chigusa said coldly, "do you think you're doing?"
The bone trembled in his grip.
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
The bustling street fell silent.
The Kaguya ninja suddenly realized—
He might have made a fatal mistake.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)