NABC Chapter 75 Cooperation
Chapter 75 Cooperation
Tsunade's cheeks burned as she gritted her teeth and glared at Orochimaru. Although she didn't speak, her eyes, filled with a mixture of questioning and humiliation, clearly demanded an explanation from him.
"The Third Hokage sent Kushina to Minato's side simply to establish a bond between the two and use Minato's Wood Release to suppress the Nine-Tails."
Orochimaru asked with a playful tone, "To those around them, these two are childhood sweethearts, and Minato doesn't seem to mind. So what are you going to do from now on?"
"Are you going to compete with Kushina? What will everyone around you think of you? Even if Minato stands up for you and shields you from the criticism, what will Kushina think of you? What will Nawaki think of you as her older sister?"
"Nonsense! Who...who said I had those kinds of feelings for Minato?"
Tsunade's eye twitched, a wave of guilt washing over her, but she remained defiant.
Orochimaru chuckled, not bothering to argue, and continued, "If Minato only had Kushina by his side, then the future would inevitably have turned out as I just said. I don't think you can deny that, right?"
Tsunade fell silent for a moment, just as she firmly believed that Orochimaru had ulterior motives.
We've known each other for over a decade, who doesn't know who we are?
"Mikoto is the most outstanding girl among the younger generation of the Uchiha clan. Whether it is her appearance, personality, or strength, she is impeccable."
Orochimaru's voice was like a devil's whisper, with a hint of seduction: "With her competing with Kushina, I'm afraid Minato-kun will have a hard time making a choice. So, knowing Minato-kun's personality as you do, what do you think he will do?"
Tsunade's beautiful eyes widened slightly as she looked at Orochimaru in disbelief: "You want him to be two-timing?"
"Sanjo."
Orochimaru chuckled softly, "Besides the relationship between soul and body, I'm also researching bloodline limits. Minato helped me unravel the mysteries of genetic laws, and I just want to see what kind of results will be produced when different bloodlines combine with Wood Release."
"Rumor has it that both the Uchiha and Senju are descendants of the Sage of Six Paths, which is why I chose Kotomi. You and the old man have already chosen the Senju and Uzumaki as my comparison points."
"Admittedly, even if it were just you and Kushina, Minato might make the same choice. However, knowing you as I do, you might leave Konoha to escape reality before that day even comes, right?"
"But with those two as precedents, even if news of you and Minato gets out, people will only think that Minato is too much of a womanizer, not that you, as his teacher, actively seduced him... Mikoto's existence should greatly alleviate your guilt, right?"
"Alright~ Cooperate with me, Tsunade!"
Orochimaru opened his arms wide, his tone tinged with passion, and earnestly invited, "I can guarantee that, apart from Mikoto, I will not send any other woman to Minato's side."
"..."
Tsunade was speechless, her mind a complete blank, unsure of what to say.
Inside his chest, his heart was pounding.
Reason told her that this was nothing more than Orochimaru's fallacy.
But her emotions told her that this was the only way to be with Minato openly and honestly.
But the thought of having to share this feeling with others made her feel like she had a fishbone stuck in her throat.
It's not uncommon for men in the ninja world to have multiple wives, but that usually happens to nobles; it's rare among commoners.
Although Tsunade was used to this situation, as the granddaughter of the First Hokage and a disciple of the Hokage, she was undoubtedly proud. Otherwise, she wouldn't have so many suitors yet remain single.
So the key question now is whether she is willing to put aside her pride for Minato.
This could even be described as self-deprecating behavior. If anyone had dared to say that before, she would have kicked them to death!
But when it came down to choosing between pride and emotion, Tsunade hesitated.
"Still hesitating, Tsunade?"
Seeing that Tsunade remained silent for a while, Orochimaru seemed to have sensed her doubts. A smirk appeared on his lips, and he began his sophistry: "It seems there's still a difference in how important you are to each other..."
Tsunade frowned slightly: "What do you mean?"
"Why don't you guess who Minato proposed the idea of soul reincarnation for?"
Orochimaru then provided an assist for Minato.
While it may be called an assist, he could also see that Minato wasn't really interested in the so-called reincarnation technique, or rather, he looked down on it. This technique was more for the benefit of those around him.
And among Minato's entourage, the one who needs this technique the most is undoubtedly Tsunade, so there's nothing wrong with what he said.
"You mean, he is...?"
Tsunade paused, a blush creeping onto her face.
In an instant, she quickly composed herself, coughing lightly with feigned composure: "Ahem... If I disagree, what are you planning to do?"
"Minato's information will spread throughout Konoha."
Orochimaru chuckled and said, "You will see just how proactive the girls of Konoha can be when facing a talented guy like Minato."
What a powerful Tauren offensive!
"Hmph, despicable!"
Tsunade crossed her arms and snorted coldly, "It must be you who corrupted Minato!"
"We are bosom friends."
Orochimaru shrugged: "Shouldn't you tell me your answer by now?"
"whispering sound……"
Tsunade pouted, turned her head away, her face full of embarrassment and annoyance: "How do you want to cooperate?"
"Besides allowing Mikoto's existence, I also need your support in medical technology, whether it's soul reincarnation or bloodline inheritance."
Orochimaru then offered his conditions: "You will have full access to the relevant research, which I think is what Minato would like to see as well."
"Furthermore, I will fully support you in pursuing your own happiness, even if it's a bit twisted, because we've been friends since childhood."
You don't have to say the second half of the sentence!
Tsunade's expression was unpredictable, shifting between light and dark.
After hesitating for a while, I finally, shamefully, fell for it.
"...This is a one-time exception, and there will be no next time!"
"Of course~"
Upon hearing Tsunade's veiled warning, Orochimaru answered without hesitation.
He then found Mikoto.
I only plan to look for this one.
But if other girls get close to Minato, there's nothing he can do to stop them...
Orochimaru clicked his tongue and shook his head as he watched Tsunade leave in a huff.
It's unbelievable that the once confident and proud Tsunade would be blinded by emotions, even to the point of breaking her own bottom line.
Indeed, love makes people blind.
When Tsunade left the Root base, her steps were a little unsteady.
The corridor lights cast a long shadow of hers, and Orochimaru's words lingered in her mind like vines.
What will everyone around you think of you? Even if Minato stands up for you and shields you from the criticism, what will Kushina think of you? What will Nawaki think of you as her older sister?
Mikoto's presence will greatly alleviate your feelings of guilt.
Why don't you guess who Minato was researching soul reincarnation for?
Tsuna unconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes; she could almost picture those gazes: astonishment, disdain, disgust, mockery, even pity…
The famous Tsunade, granddaughter of the First Hokage, actually steals her student's childhood friend from her own student?
The mere thought of that scene made her feel utterly ashamed and indignant.
Fortunately, Orochimaru offered another way.
A path that deviates from her principles, yet is also the only one that allows her to avoid losing Watergate and being crushed by moral public opinion.
As the image of a sunny, blond-haired boy flashed through her mind, Tsunade's wavering heart gradually calmed down.
"...How cunning."
She spat under her breath, it was unclear whether she was cursing Orochimaru or herself.
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(P.S.: A few more chapters to wrap things up before the new story begins, please vote and keep reading, my godfathers!)