The next morning, just as dawn began illuminating the sky, Orochimaru woke at his usual hour.
His daily routine rarely changed.
Research.
Training.
Reports.
Experiments.
For years, every day had followed a similar pattern.
However, the moment he stepped into the living room, he paused.
Standing by the kitchen counter was Tanya.
Vegetables had already been washed and cut.
Meat had been prepared.
Seasonings were neatly arranged nearby.
Everything was organized with military precision.
Clearly, she had finished all the preparation work and was only waiting to begin cooking.
Hearing footsteps, Tanya turned around.
“Teacher.”
Her posture instinctively straightened.
“Do you usually wake up at this time?”
Orochimaru looked at the ingredients.
Then at Tanya.
A strange feeling surfaced.
He had accepted a disciple.
Yet somehow, it felt as though the disciple was taking care of the teacher.
“…Yes.”
He nodded slightly.
The answer was simple.
But internally, he felt somewhat uncomfortable.
He had done very little since accepting Tanya.
He had provided some scrolls.
Given her a place to stay.
That was all.
Meanwhile, she was already preparing breakfast.
The imbalance was difficult to ignore.
Seeing him confirm the schedule, Tanya nodded silently.
Then she turned back toward the counter.
Nothing more needed to be said.
She simply memorized the information.
From now on, she would prepare breakfast before this time every morning.
It wouldn’t interfere with her training.
It would maintain a good teacher-disciple relationship.
And it ensured a proper nutritional intake.
The benefits clearly outweighed the costs.
Then—
BANG!
The courtyard gate slammed open.
An impatient voice echoed through the residence.
“You’re eating surprisingly early.”
Both master and disciple turned simultaneously.
Tsunade strode into the courtyard without the slightest hesitation.
Her blonde hair was slightly disheveled.
Dark circles lingered beneath her eyes.
Her expression suggested someone who had slept very little and lost a great deal of money.
Without asking permission, she walked directly into the living room.
Then dropped into the seat of honor.
“Tsunade?”
Orochimaru blinked.
Genuine surprise appeared on his face.
“You actually came.”
Last night, she had mentioned meeting Tanya.
He had assumed it was drunken talk.
Apparently not.
Tsunade snorted.
“Of course I came.”
Her irritation became immediately obvious.
“It was your fault.”
“My fault?”
“Yes.”
She pointed directly at him.
“You brought up Nawaki.”
The atmosphere briefly became heavier.
Tsunade clicked her tongue.
“I couldn’t sleep afterward.”
“So I went gambling.”
A brief pause.
Then she added flatly:
“And lost everything.”
Her hand immediately stretched toward Orochimaru.
“Now lend me some money.”
“I don’t even have enough left to buy sake.”
The request was delivered with absolute confidence.
As if borrowing money from friends was the most natural thing in the world.
Orochimaru stared at the outstretched hand.
Expressionless.
Unmoving.
Several seconds passed.
Nothing happened.
He knew Tsunade too well.
Money lent to her was money that would never return.
Furthermore, his own funds were constantly disappearing into research expenses.
The silence continued.
Eventually, Tsunade frowned.
“Tch.”
Seeing that the direct approach had failed, she stood up.
Then she walked toward Tanya.
A bright smile instantly appeared on her face.
The transition was almost frightening.
“Little Tanya.”
She patted the girl’s shoulder.
“Don’t say I’m freeloading.”
A proud expression appeared.
“Today I’ll let you experience my cooking.”
“I guarantee you’ll never forget it.”
Something about that statement immediately triggered Tanya’s survival instincts.
A strange sense of danger appeared.
Unfortunately, she was too late.
Before Tanya could object, Tsunade had already seized the ingredients.
The legendary medical ninja immediately occupied the kitchen.
“Watch carefully.”
She rolled up her sleeves.
“Today you’re tasting my specialty.”
Nearby, Orochimaru remained silent.
Curiosity gradually appeared in his eyes.
In all their years as teammates—
He had never actually tasted Tsunade’s cooking.
The opportunity was unexpectedly interesting.
Several minutes later, Tsunade returned triumphantly.
Several plates were placed upon the table.
“There.”
She crossed her arms proudly.
“Eat.”
“My finest work.”
Silence filled the room.
Both Tanya and Orochimaru stared at the dishes.
The ingredients were almost unrecognizable.
Everything was black.
Some portions were darker than others.
An unfamiliar smell drifted upward.
The vegetables had lost all shape.
The meat looked as though it had survived a battlefield explosion.
Tanya fell silent.
After a brief hesitation, Tanya picked up her chopsticks.
A small piece entered her mouth.
Immediately—
A bitter, burnt flavor exploded across her tongue.
It tasted remarkably similar to charcoal.
Dry.
Overcooked.
Almost aggressively unpleasant.
Yet years of military discipline prevented her from spitting it out.
Food was food.
Complaining accomplished nothing.
She forced herself to swallow.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru observed carefully.
Then he also picked up a piece.
A moment later—
His expression changed.
His eyelids twitched.
His brows furrowed.
For the first time that morning, genuine shock appeared on the Sannin’s face.
During missions, he usually cooked for himself.
Occasionally Jiraiya cooked.
Never once had he allowed Tsunade near the kitchen.
Now he finally understood why.
This wasn’t cooking.
This was a form of ninjutsu.
A dangerous one.
Completely oblivious to their suffering, Tsunade looked immensely pleased.
She proudly raised her chin.
“Well?”
Her confidence was overwhelming.
“It wasn’t bad, right?”
Then she extended her hand toward Orochimaru.
“Considering the quality of this meal…”
Her eyes gleamed.
“Tens of millions of ryō should be reasonable.”
“Let’s call it tuition.”
Tanya immediately put down her chopsticks.
This situation was becoming increasingly dangerous.
“Teacher.”
She stood up.
“I have taijutsu training with Guy this morning.”
Her tone was completely serious.
“I should leave now.”
Training.
Yes.
Training was important.
Much more important than remaining here.
Without waiting for a response, Tanya calmly retreated.
Compared to enduring Tsunade’s cooking, running laps with Guy sounded wonderfully appealing.
Watching her leave, Tsunade suddenly spoke.
“That kid is pretty good.”
Orochimaru glanced at her.
Tsunade folded her arms.
“She’s the first person I’ve ever seen finish an entire plate of my cooking.”
For a moment, genuine admiration appeared on her face.
Orochimaru slowly nodded.
Objectively speaking—
That achievement probably required more courage than learning multiple elemental ninjutsu in a single day.
Before he could say anything, however, Tsunade immediately thrust her hand toward him again.
The admiration vanished.
Her expression became hostile.
“So.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“When are you giving me the money?”
“Tens of millions.”
“Not a single ryō less.”