Crunch!
A sharp cracking sound echoed as fractures spread across hardened bone.
"How… how is this possible?!"
The man stared in disbelief at his broken arm. Ever since awakening his Bloodline Limit, his bones had become far stronger than ordinary ninja tools. While not indestructible, they were incredibly difficult to damage.
Yet this terrifying red-haired woman had gripped his arm with one hand—and cracks had formed instantly.
Uzumaki Chigusa's fist smashed into the man's face. With one hand clutching his hair, she repeatedly punched him with the other.
"Today is a very important, long-awaited first date for me! And you—trash that belongs in the garbage—dared to ruin it! Should I seal you inside a stone pillar and sink you into the sea?!"
Her eyes burned with fury as she lifted the man off the ground with one hand.
Are all women of the Uzumaki Clan this terrifying?
Kakuzu adjusted his sunglasses, his hand trembling slightly. Uzumaki Chigusa reminded him vividly of Uzumaki Mito, the wife of Senju Hashirama. That same overwhelming pressure… that same unstoppable rage.
No one dared interrupt her.
Those watching swallowed nervously. They all knew Chigusa as the mature, dignified, elegant leader of the Uzumaki Clan. No one had imagined that beneath that refined exterior lurked such explosive violence.
"Chigusa?"
Orochimaru stood nearby, holding a sun hat in both hands, staring at her in astonishment. She had never seen Chigusa like this before.
Inevitably, her thoughts drifted to Grandmother Mito… and then to Uzumaki Kushina.
What a terrifying family tree.
Chigusa paused. She looked down at the unconscious man in her hand, her expression suddenly softening, as if asking herself how she could have acted so violently.
She tossed the man toward Kakuzu, then glanced at the blood staining her hands. Frowning slightly, she walked toward Orochimaru and extended them.
"That man was very rough. He hurt me."
Her tone shifted, almost aggrieved.
"And he was disgusting."
Orochimaru gently placed the sun hat onto Chigusa's head. Taking out a handkerchief, she carefully wiped the blood from Chigusa's hands before casting a calm glance at Kakuzu.
"Take him back with you. He's caused enough trouble."
Under Orochimaru's steady gaze, Kakuzu felt a chill run down his spine. Without another word, he hoisted the unconscious man over his shoulder, mounted his motorcycle, and rode away.
With the disturbance resolved, the onlookers gradually returned to their business.
After the brief yet shocking interruption, Orochimaru and Chigusa resumed walking toward the beach.
"Did I scare you?" Chigusa asked quietly, sneaking a glance at Orochimaru. "I'm not usually that violent…"
Trying to soften the situation now felt slightly awkward.
"Chigusa… did you forget Mito?"
Orochimaru slipped her arm through Chigusa's.
"I have a general understanding of what Uzumaki Clan women are like."
"Oh…"
Chigusa exhaled deeply, then hugged Orochimaru with relief.
"I thought I'd frightened you away."
"Is my tolerance really that low?" Orochimaru replied with a small eye roll.
After a pause, she added, "By the way, how's the car I gave you? I've never seen you drive it."
Chigusa frowned slightly.
"It's still in the company garage. There are conflicts everywhere right now—we don't have the chance to travel to other countries."
If it weren't for the war, she would have visited Orochimaru more often. Now, she could only move around within the Land of Tides.
At noon, they had lunch at a seaside restaurant.
The private room on the second floor offered excellent sound insulation, shielding them from the lively noise downstairs. Those who preferred quiet could dine peacefully.
Through the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, the ocean shimmered under the sunlight. Golden sand stretched along the coastline, and people laughed while playing near the waves.
On the beach, a film crew was shooting a commercial for White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company's new product.
"The soundproofing here is excellent," Chigusa said meaningfully after closing the door.
Her expression resembled a wolf eyeing its prey.
"For that reason?" Orochimaru asked innocently, pulling out a chair and sitting down.
"If I do bad things to you here, no one will know."
Chigusa sat on Orochimaru's lap and leaned down to kiss her.
Between lovers, was kissing really considered "bad"?
Orochimaru wrapped her arms around Chigusa's neck.
Chigusa straddled her gently, breathing softly, her ears flushed red beneath strands of hair.
"Orochimaru… I'm really happy today."
"Me too."
Orochimaru held her close, savoring the peaceful moment.
Chapter 195: Recruiting Rogue Ninja
"Orochimaru… I'm not drunk. I'm really not drunk…"
Later that evening, Uzumaki Chigusa lay draped over Orochimaru's back, clearly intoxicated. Her fair face was flushed crimson from alcohol.
"Yes, yes, you're not drunk. I'm the drunk one, okay?"
Orochimaru sighed as she carried Chigusa home.
She should never have believed Chigusa's promise of "just a little." It had quickly turned into far too much.
Orochimaru had promised Uzumaki Nano that she wouldn't let Chigusa drink excessively.
Yet here they were again.
At the entrance, they ran into Uzumaki Nano.
Thankfully, Chigusa wasn't as noisy when drunk as Tsunade.
Remembering Tsunade's drunken state gave Orochimaru an instant headache.
"Orochimaru… Clan Leader…"
Nano began to speak but stopped when Orochimaru placed a finger to her lips.
"She's asleep."
"I'm sorry," Orochimaru said quietly. "I promised not to let her drink too much."
"There's nothing you can do. It's nearly impossible to persuade the Clan Leader."
Nano sighed, clearly unsurprised.
"I'll take her to her room."
Orochimaru carried Chigusa inside, laid her gently on the bed, removed her shoes, and reached out to tuck in her dangling foot.
Wait… I take that back.
Chigusa suddenly opened her hazy red eyes, staring at Orochimaru without blinking.
"So you like my feet? I see… as expected of Lady Orochimaru."
Before she could finish, she covered her mouth in embarrassment.
Orochimaru's white snake slid around her wrist and flicked its tongue against Chigusa's foot.
Chigusa shrieked and kicked wildly, laughing uncontrollably.
"I was wrong! I admit it!"
Tears welled in her eyes as she surrendered.
"Hmph. Let's see if you dare talk nonsense again."
Orochimaru removed Chigusa's shawl and dress, intending only to help her change into pajamas.
"W-What are you going to do? Help! Help!"
She twisted dramatically, though her gaze held anticipation rather than fear.
"I'm not doing anything to someone who's drunk!"
Unable to endure the teasing, Orochimaru lightly knocked her on the head.
"Ow…"
Chigusa immediately became obedient.
"I shouldn't have drunk so much."
Outside the door, Nano stood frozen, holding a cup of water, eyes wide in shock.
Clan Leader and Orochimaru…
Sensing her presence, Orochimaru calmly finished dressing Chigusa in pajamas and covered her with a blanket.
"Are you okay?" she asked gently.
"I'm fine. Are we keeping our relationship secret?" Chigusa replied lazily.
In truth, she wanted everyone to know—so no one would dare covet Orochimaru.
"I'll make hangover soup for you. It'll help in the morning."
As Orochimaru stood up, Chigusa instinctively grabbed her hand.
Realizing what she'd done, she quickly released it and pulled the blanket up to hide her face, leaving only her eyes visible.
"I'll wait for your soup."
"Why are you acting like a clingy child?"
Orochimaru kissed her forehead before leaving.
"I'm not…"
Chigusa watched her go.
In the kitchen, Orochimaru prepared the ingredients for hangover soup.
Nano entered quietly, watching her.
"Orochimaru… you and the Clan Leader…"
"We're dating."
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
Nano's mind went blank.
"When did it start? How far have you gone? You weren't underage when it began, right? She didn't trick you, did she?!"
Her expression shifted from concern to horror to outrage in seconds.
"Relax. I was already an adult when we started. And do I look easy to deceive?"
Orochimaru patted her shoulder reassuringly.
Nano sighed in relief.
Then she began recounting Chigusa's past accomplishments—and various embarrassing stories from her time as Clan Leader.
Orochimaru silently stored the information for possible future use.
Soon, the soup was ready.
Nano watched Orochimaru leave with the bowl, feeling she still had many questions unanswered.
How many secrets does Chigusa hide?
Orochimaru clicked her tongue softly at Nano's thoughtful expression.
Back in the room, Chigusa had fallen asleep again.
Orochimaru gently woke her, supporting her against her shoulder and spoon-feeding her the soup.
"It's a little warm…"
Chigusa stuck out her tongue and turned her head away, refusing another sip.
Orochimaru couldn't help but smile.
Even the fierce, terrifying leader of the Uzumaki Clan had moments like this.
And somehow—
Those were her favorite moments of all.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)