130 This mother and daughter were just...

"Orochimaru is a genius!"

From a very young age, Orochimaru had heard those around him describe him in exactly those terms. He was, indeed, a genius. Yet, he was also well aware that this assessment was far from comprehensive. As the Genie would put it, he was merely "standing on the shoulders of giants."

His mastery of ninjutsu was inherited from the "Professor of Ninjutsu," and looking further back, it was the culmination of centuries of research into the five elemental transformations by the Sarutobi clan. Many of his forbidden techniques were learned from the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju—who, in turn, had gathered a vast array of techniques from across the ninja world.

Indeed, the Second Hokage was peerless when it came to "liberating" techniques; it was said he had even surreptitiously pilfered the Uchiha’s "Izanagi," which had since fallen into the hands of Danzo.

He was the beneficiary of the accumulated knowledge of his predecessors, which had shaped him into the man he was today. His range of study was vast, both broad and deep. And yet, this "depth" felt insufficient when compared to those who were truly specialized.

For instance, if he were to suffer a truly fatal wound, he would be forced to use his "Orochimaru-style Body Replacement Technique" to transfer the damage, whereas Tsunade could simply heal herself. While this was certainly bolstered by the Senju bloodline, it was primarily a testament to her own superlative medical ninjutsu. Even the First Hokage could not compare in that regard—though, to be fair, he had no need for medical ninjutsu.

As former comrades, much of his own medical knowledge had been learned directly from Tsunade. No one understood her abilities or her aptitude for medical ninjutsu better than Orochimaru. She was someone capable of advancing the medical field of the entire ninja world through her own efforts. To leave such talent untapped would be a waste, especially now that he felt his own medical skills were no longer enough.

After refining his soul, increasing his affinity for senjutsu, and beginning rigorous physical training, his body was no longer something he could discard at will. Since he could no longer take shortcuts, he had to walk the proper path. Tsunade was an excellent catalyst for this. And, as it happened, this was a perfect opportunity to help her find her footing again.

Just as he was protecting others, Aoi was weak—she could only protect herself and barely manage to shield her child—but Tsunade possessed immense strength. She had the surplus power, and given her nature, she had the will to use it.

Kindness.

It is a noble and rare quality. Unlike mere good intentions, it requires action. Tsunade would grow furious at Aoi’s plight and would spare no effort in nursing her back to health; she might even, in the future, destroy the Grass Village on her behalf. But to Orochimaru, this level of kindness was not enough—not for Tsunade. While one need not demand such things from ordinary people, she possessed the aptitude to achieve a far greater benevolence. For instance, by pushing the system of medical ninjutsu to unprecedented heights.

As for how useful the techniques she might create would be to him, that was an entirely different matter.

"Ah..."

Amidst the chorus of startled cries, Orochimaru stood up calmly, brushed the dust from his clothes, and said to the patrol ninjas who had rushed over, "There is nothing here for you to worry about. It was merely a joke."

The patrol ninjas exchanged glances, then looked at the massive hole in the wall, whispering to themselves about what kind of joke could possibly be that destructive. Recalling that both individuals were members of the legendary Sannin, and thinking of the mother and daughter who had entered earlier, they suddenly understood. They acknowledged the order and retreated quickly.

They did not realize that it truly was just a joke—one that wouldn't even leave a bruise. Compared to the punch Jiraiya once took for peeping, which nearly killed him, this was nothing more than a light drizzle.

Orochimaru formed a hand seal, restoring the shattered wall to its original state, and stepped back into the medical room. Aoi was comforting the startled little Karin, while Shizune, lying on the hospital bed, sat up and looked at Tsunade and Orochimaru, filled with worry but unsure of what to say.

Once the child's annoying crying ceased, Tsunade shot Orochimaru a cold glare and said, "What do the others in the ninja world have to do with me? Leave Aoi and her daughter here, and get out, Orochimaru. I don't want to see you right now."

"Blonde, yellow hair... they’re all the same, aren't they?" the Genie remarked, watching the spectacle. "Truly a tsundere."

If she were truly indifferent, she wouldn't have reacted the way she did earlier—not to mention the trauma Tsunade had suffered at the hands of those two rogue ninjas. Orochimaru mentally agreed. However, he knew that too much of a good thing would only be counterproductive.

Wisely, he did not pursue the previous topic, shifting the focus instead to Karin and her mother. "I have already made arrangements for them; I cannot leave them with you."

Tsunade frowned. "What are you planning?" She knew her former companion’s moral bottom line was no higher than that of the Grass Village ninjas—in fact, it was far more fluid and slippery.

"Don't misunderstand. I have no intention of using Aoi or Karin as test subjects." Orochimaru licked his lips. "I intend for them to live with Jiraiya."

For the first time, a look of unease appeared on Aoi's face, even more anxious than her previous display of weakness. Jiraiya... it was clearly a man's name. How could she live with him? Even the Grass Village ninjas had not forced her to such an extent, fearing she might take her own life. Aoi looked at Orochimaru, words failing her.

Tsunade’s gaze was far more direct—the look one might reserve for garbage. "Scum. It's been years, Orochimaru, how have you become so devoid of principles?"

"Now, now, you're misunderstanding again." Orochimaru smiled and turned to look at the worried Aoi. "Jiraiya is roughly my age, forty-five or forty-six. He is old enough to be a grandfather. Though he may seem a bit lecherous and unserious, he won't have any improper thoughts toward you. You can treat him as an elder. Having you live with him is also because there is a child around Karin's age at his place who needs company."

Hearing this, Aoi let out a sigh of relief. Seeing Aoi’s relieved expression, Tsunade glared fiercely at Orochimaru, though she couldn't bring herself to voice the fact that Jiraiya was indeed a pervert. Frowning, she continued to shoo him away. "Are you done? If you're done, get out."

She saw through Orochimaru’s objective and was not opposed to helping Aoi and Karin recover; her only requirement was that she did not want to see Orochimaru. It had been years, and this man was becoming increasingly insufferable.

"Heh heh..." Orochimaru chuckled. He walked directly to Shizune’s hospital bed and, under her startled gaze, asked softly, "You are Dan's niece. Would you like to carry on his legacy? I could personally teach you the 'Spirit Transformation Technique'."

Shizune stood frozen on the hospital bed, at a loss for words. Tsunade pushed Orochimaru aside, stepping between them with a look of fury. "Orochimaru, what are you trying to do? Shizune is my student!"

"Oh? Your student?" A smirk played on Orochimaru’s lips. "And what has she learned from you? Some half-baked medical ninjutsu? Was Sasori’s poison too strong, or was her training insufficient—or perhaps, you simply failed to teach her properly?"