Akane showed no reaction as he heard Tsunade's words. He could feel Orochimaru's gaze on him, and he didn't think he had to fake anything about Daimyos. After all, he was sure that Orochimaru couldn't care less about the Daimyo's.
"Two? I got to know that you were going to be free here." Orochimaru asked with a frown. From what he knew, Tsunade was supposed to heal everyone here and give pointers to those in need. When done, she could leave the camp and do this mission.
"I took a mission here and a secret mission from an old man. No, wait, the other mission. You didn't receive any information about the mission in which I have to go to the Land of Rain to the spy camp?"
"No," Orochimaru shook his head as he heard the words. He narrowed his eyes and looked at Tsunade, who had a similar expression on her face.
Looking at them, Akane understood they were thinking of Danzo, who must have been the one to give the mission to Hiruzen, and he had heard Tsunade say, "Let's go and ask Commander."
"No, there is no point in asking this. Commander Nara wouldn't know where the mission originated, and even if he did, he wouldn't disclose it. After all, it's a secret mission, isn't it?"
"But these missions are from ANBU and the other squad. Why did you get this? Am I missing something?"
"I have an option of rejecting it, but now I feel something even fishier," Tsunade replied seriously, and she looked at Akane to ask his views.
"Maybe they wanted you to reject the mission and spread the information later that you rejected the mission and we suffered loss."
Akane spoke as he thought of a similar incident, and he continued, "And if you continue the mission, since it's a secret one, even if you complete it, not many will know it, and if you suffer and fail, everyone could know the rumour and make you suffer."
A glint flashed in Orochimaru's eyes as he could already see the scene narrated by Akane happening in front of him, and the technique was disgustingly good for destroying someone's reputation.
'Only Danzo can do this. After all, the teacher wouldn't say anything to him and would punish him lightly. But why is this because of him or someone else?'
Various situations appeared in Orochimaru's mind as he thought of different scenarios. On the other hand, Tsunade was already fuming and just one step away from blowing out.
After hearing Akane's words, she understood everything, and even if the other party hadn't thought it, she had already assumed that they had this intention.
"Damn bastard Dan–"
Before she could shout, Akane stopped her from screaming and pulled her.
"Not here, Tsuna." He said in a serious tone, and hearing him, Tsunade came to her senses and calmed herself.
Looking at the scene, Orochimaru was surprised since not many could control Tsunade's anger, and he heard what her 'student' called his 'teacher'.
'Jiraiya, you lost to someone younger than you.'
Orochimaru whispered in his mind, and he felt pity for his friend, who had been trying for years but couldn't earn Tsunade's affection.
"What now?"
Coming back to the topic, Orochimaru asked Tsunade, who had calmed herself. This time, she didn't look at Akane and started to think of something regarding the mission. She didn't notice the eye interaction happening between Orochimaru and Akane.
Looking at Orochimaru, who had a questioning look in his eyes, Akane just smiled in response and didn't say anything. He knew that his plan of taking things slow had failed because of this, but after thinking for a moment, he felt that things would turn out better than he had expected.
'Daimyo, huh. I had been planning to meet them, and I think this could be a good start.'
Akane thought, and a plan started to form in his mind.
"Orochimaru, are you free?"
Thinking of something, Tsunade asked Orochimaru, who stared at her, waiting for her to speak about her plan. Even though he got a general idea of the situation and plan she had, he wanted to hear what was on her mind and what she had thought of.
"You will be coming with us on a secret mission. As for the normal one, we will complete it as soon as possible. Till then, you can rest and recover from the fatigue of the last mission."
"Since the mission is an unofficial one, even if you join me, no one will say anything since you are my comrade and I understand what he wants from the mission."
"I plan on taking advantage to make our name better in the higher-ups and get something in return, too."
"What do you think?"
Orochimaru looked at Tsunade with a thoughtful face and asked, "How sure are you to complete the mission with three of us?"
"100%"
Tsunade instantly replied with a confident expression. Looking at her confidence, Orochimaru turned towards Akane and murmured, "You aren't as simple as you seem to be."
Akane just smiled in response, and when Tsunade thought that Orochimaru had agreed to them, she heard him say, "Tell me the mission details of the two missions."
When Tsunade told Orochimaru the mission details, he started to calculate a few things. When he was done, he looked at Tsunade and said, "Complete the normal mission within four days. Only then will I participate."
Hearing him, Tsunade understood Orochimaru wanted to see Akane's capabilities and a moment later, she nodded at him.
"But if you back away, you will be in hospital."
"Hmm, I know." Orochimaru nodded at his words, and he continued, "Then you prepare for the mission, and I will go and talk with the commander."
"Okay, let's meet later and talk like old times," Tsunade replied, and Orochimaru nodded at her. He turned towards Akane and, after thinking for a moment, he said, "Let's talk later, Akane-kun, kukukuku."
Hearing the familiar laugh, Akane felt goosebumps rising on his body. He understood that even if he was Orochimaru before getting darkened, he still was Orochimaru, the Uncle Snake of Narutoverse.
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Chapter 59 is out on ptreon