It was an unpleasant feeling, being seen through so easily.
Back when Orochimaru was still their teammate, when the three Legendary Sannin went on missions together, he had always been the one to consider every angle, always appearing so trustworthy. Orochimaru had always understood them.
Tsunade looked at the old friend before her, who now seemed like a stranger, and her face filled with embarrassment. She didn't really understand Orochimaru's thoughts. In contrast, this old friend, even after becoming her enemy, still knew her like the back of his hand.
"Orochimaru!" The blonde ninja, thinking of the rumors she had heard recently, tried to regain control of the conversation. "These days, people have been saying you attacked Konoha and killed the old man. Is that true?"
Ever since she returned to the Land of Fire, she had frequently heard about the drastic changes in Konoha. The most shocking news was that the Third Hokage had died in an attack. As a major figure who had led Konoha for decades, Sarutobi Hiruzen's death was enough to shake the entire nation and affect the situation across the ninja world.
The matter couldn't be suppressed. Many nobles and officials had gathered for the Chunin Exam finals and had personally witnessed Hiruzen's death and the chaos of the Sand and Sound ninjas' attack on Konoha.
"When you saw Lord Second Hokage, you should have already known the truth. Why do you need to ask me?" Orochimaru paused for a moment, then laughed suddenly. "But since you've asked, I'll tell you the real result... Yes, that's right. I controlled Lord Second Hokage to kill his own student. To kill our teacher!"
"Then how dare you appear before me!" Tsunade's expression instantly became furious, her fists almost glowing with rage. She was enraged that Orochimaru had killed their teacher and hated him for manipulating her great-uncle.
"Tsunade, don't make that face..." Orochimaru held his forehead, hiding his expression in the shadows. "I told you long ago, people will eventually die. We shouldn't waste time on their deaths, but rather master powerful abilities to escape the cycle of life and death."
"Still so cold-blooded... you monster!" The blonde ninja's knuckles cracked, the anger and contempt on her face clearly visible. Her old friend had always been this heartless. Even though she had known it for a long time, she still felt a surge of hatred.
"Only the cold-blooded can be strong," Orochimaru said, slowly walking up to Tsunade and staring into her rage-filled eyes. He was not at all worried about the potential threat and continued softly, "Or would you rather live in a daze, like you do, for the sake of those nonsensical bonds?"
"Don't push me..." Tsunade's fist trembled slightly. She gritted her teeth to calm her emotions, managing only to threaten, "Otherwise... I'll kill you!"
"..."
Orochimaru stepped back, standing beside Senju Tobirama. He said softly, "The offer is on the table... If you satisfy my request, whether it's Nawaki or Dan, perhaps I can help you revive them. Of course, as a reward, I won't seal their consciousness like I have with this one..."
Tsunade's mind was shaken. "You mean..."
"That's right." Orochimaru glanced at Tobirama, then back at the blonde ninja opposite him, and chuckled. "Their souls have returned to the world of the living from the Pure Land. Besides their bodies being in a reanimated state, they are no different from real, living people..."
Just like in the past, he still remembered how to handle Tsunade. When she was pushed into a corner with no way out, he would leave her just enough psychological space to maintain a sliver of her dignity.
Orochimaru was very confident about this. He had a ready-made test subject on hand. To gain Tsunade's trust, he had specifically brought the Second Hokage before her very eyes, which was far more convincing than any empty words.
The blonde ninja slowly lowered her head, forcing her body to stop trembling as she calmed her mood. She said softly, "Let me think about it. I'll give you an answer tomorrow."
Orochimaru's temptation was undeniably great. Every time she got drunk late at night, in her intoxicated and hazy state, Tsunade would miss her younger brother and her lover. She wanted to see them again so badly...
"Lady Tsunade!" Shizune looked at the blonde woman beside her in surprise. She knew Tsunade's past well and was genuinely worried that Tsunade would cooperate with the man who had attacked Konoha.
"Shizune, I have my own plans." Tsunade waved her hand to stop Shizune, her eyes fixed on Orochimaru and Tobirama. She asked in a low voice, "Orochimaru, can you tell me, what exactly are you trying to do with all this effort?"
"To destroy Konoha, of course... I'm kidding." Orochimaru glanced at Tsunade's fist, which looked ready to strike at any moment. As a past victim, he knew very well how much power that seemingly delicate fist contained. Now that he believed he had convinced her, he wouldn't provoke her further. He continued to explain, "To master all the ninjutsu in the world and pursue eternal life. Are you satisfied with this answer?"
Tsunade was stunned for a moment. Her thoughts drifted back to the era when the three of them had just become famous. At that time, Orochimaru had calmly stated his ideal, just like now.
A moment later, the blonde ninja remembered him attacking Konoha and killing the Third Hokage. She couldn't help but sneer, "Hmph! You really haven't changed your original intentions!"
"Tsunade, aren't you the same?" Orochimaru said dismissively, a hint of confusion in his expression as he looked up at her. She herself had once said she wanted to travel the entire ninja world. And in doing so, she became a big, walking moneybag for every casino.
"Orochimaru, your gaze is very rude!"
"My apologies..." A slow smile appeared on Orochimaru's face. "I just can't contain my joy that an old friend is about to stand on my side."
"Get lost! We'll talk tomorrow. I'm going to drink."
"..."
Orochimaru nodded. As he understood it, the Tsunade before him did not want to associate with him, but because of his Impure World Reincarnation jutsu, she had no choice but to agree to his conditions. Tsunade's current irritability was just her indignation at her own powerlessness. Before surrendering, she still had to show that she had pride.
Orochimaru understood her feelings. As someone very tolerant of others' shortcomings, Tsunade's little emotional display actually made him more confident that she would choose to side with him.
To be honest, Orochimaru's guess was not wrong. Tsunade was indeed very tempted. The sight of a lifelike Senju Tobirama standing right in front of her was too powerful.
No one knew what she was thinking. The blonde ninja quietly watched Orochimaru leave with Tobirama, a complicated look flashing across her face.
After a while, she suddenly turned and stepped back into the casino. "Let's go, Shizune. Accompany me for a gamble!"
-----
Bonus:
Orochimaru: Hehe, Tsunade, I know you so well.
Tsunade: You don't know anything!
Orochimaru: ...Ah, playing hard to get. I understand, I understand.
Tsunade: Get lost!
Orochimaru: But you want to see your little brother, don't you?
Tsunade: You brought my great-uncle here. What do you think I'm going to choose? How could I possibly let them down?