The next day, at the crack of dawn.
Tsunade pushed open the door to the house on tiptoe.
Orochimaru was already waiting in the shade of a tree not far outside the door.
He was wearing ordinary grey casual clothes, with his long black hair simply tied back.
He looked much more low-key than usual.
When he saw Tsunade, his gaze first fell upon the carefully wrapped bouquet of white chrysanthemums in her hand.
He was slightly taken aback.
Then he realized, and looked around.
He casually plucked a few unknown wildflowers from the nearby grass and held them in his hand.
The corner of Tsunade’s mouth twitched.
“This straight man…” She couldn’t be bothered to call out his perfunctory “offering,” so she stepped forward and lowered her voice: “Let’s go quickly.” Ever since she returned from the flower shop yesterday, she had been feeling restless.
The mere thought of digging up her “grandfather’s” grave made her feel incredibly guilty.
She hadn’t eaten much dinner, and hadn’t even dared to chat much with Uzumaki Mito.
She had returned to her room early to “rest.” Although Orochimaru didn’t show any expression on his face, he was equally tense inside.
He knew who was living in the house.
Uzumaki Mito.
The wife of the First Hokage.
Now that they were going to dig up her husband’s grave, it was inevitable that he would be nervous.
“Let’s go.” There was no unnecessary chatter.
The two quickly left the grounds of the Senju Mansion and headed toward the graveyard in Konohas Back Mountain.
Along the way, the two briefly communicated about the details of the bloodline.
Although Tsunade didn’t quite understand Orochimaru’s research.
As someone who had been through it, she could offer him some small suggestions.
Orochimaru was greatly inspired.
While they were talking, they had already arrived near the entrance to the graveyard in the back mountain.
The trees here were lush, and the atmosphere was solemn and quiet.
“Lady Tsunade, Master Orochimaru.” Two masked Ninjas flashed out from behind a large tree by the road and blocked their path.
Tsunade stopped and glanced at them.
Both were wearing standard Ninja uniforms and masks.
One of the masks was in the style of a fox.
The other mask had cold, simple lines.
“One Anbu, one Root?” Tsunade understood.
The Anbu answered directly to the Hokage, while Root belonged to Danzo.
Sending both to guard the graveyard showed that the higher-ups in Konoha really valued this place.
Tsunade nodded slightly.
“I’m here to pay my respects to my grandfather, and I don’t want to be disturbed.
You two should disperse and go guard further down.” The Anbu Ninja didn’t speak, just looked at his Root companion.
The Root Ninja hesitated for a moment, then spoke: “Lady Tsunade, this…
goes against the rules.” “Our duty is to guard the graveyard and prevent any unauthorized persons or external enemies from intruding.” “Without orders, we cannot leave our post.” “Hmph!” Tsunade snorted coldly, put her hands on her hips, and showed an impatient expression.
“Rules?
What rules?” “I’m here to pay respects to my own grandfather and have a few private words about the Senju Clan with him; do you have to listen to that too?” “What, has my Senju Clan fallen to the point where even paying respects to our ancestors requires being monitored?” “Or are you suspecting that I, the granddaughter of the First Hokage, would do something to my own grandfather’s grave?” Her words were blunt and direct, carrying the arrogance of the “Princess of Konoha.” The expressions under the two Ninjas’ masks were somewhat awkward.
The Anbu Ninja said quietly.
“Lady Tsunade, that’s not what we meant…” “Then what did you mean?” Tsunade interrupted him.
“I’m just asking you, are you going to move aside or not?” “Do you want me to go find the Third Hokage and Danzo right now?” “And ask them if they gave orders to have people follow me every step of the way even when I’m paying respects to my grandfather?!” Once she said this, the pressure was on.
Tsunade’s status was clear.
The granddaughter of the First Hokage, the Princess of Konoha.
The currently trending “Guardian Goddess of Women.” If she really made a scene with the Third Hokage, for such a “small matter,” the Third Hokage would likely give in to her.
Furthermore, she mentioned “private words of the Senju Clan.” For this reason, logically and emotionally, it wasn’t appropriate for them to force themselves to listen.
The two Ninjas looked at each other and quickly communicated with their eyes.
Finally, the Root Ninja nodded slowly and yielded: “We understand, Lady Tsunade.” “We will stand guard near the entrance of the graveyard.
If you have any instructions, just call us.” “You’re sensible.” Tsunade glanced at the two of them and couldn’t be bothered to say more.
She took Orochimaru and walked straight into the depths of the graveyard.
Watching their retreating backs, the Anbu Ninja whispered to his companion: “Lady Tsunade really…
her temper hasn’t changed a bit.” The Root Ninja looked at the chrysanthemums in Tsunade’s hand and said in a low voice: “Coming to pay respects so early, and even bringing a teammate…
perhaps she really is filial.” They didn’t think about it any further and retreated to their designated outer perimeter guard positions.
Tsunade and Orochimaru were silent all the way, walking up the stone-paved path.
On both sides of the road were rows of neatly arranged tombstones.
Inscribed with different names and clan emblems.
This was the graveyard for the heroes of Konoha.
Most of the Ninjas who had sacrificed themselves for the Village or made outstanding contributions throughout the generations rested here.
The atmosphere was solemn and dignified.
The higher they went, the higher the specifications of the tombstones seemed to be.
The surrounding environment was also meticulously maintained.
The two walked all the way to the top layer of the graveyard, a relatively open platform.
There were only a few graves here, but each one was built with exceptional grandeur.
In the very center, the largest and most prominent tombstone belonged to the First Hokage.
The Grave of Senju Hashirama.
Tsunade walked to the tombstone and stopped.
She took a deep breath and gently placed the chrysanthemums in her hand in front of the tombstone.
Then, she pressed her palms together and closed her eyes.
Her face revealed an expression of “deep mourning,” and her lips moved slightly.
It seemed as if she was muttering something to herself.
In the distance, the Anbu and Root Ninjas hiding at the edge of the forest and occasionally observing with binoculars.
Seeing this scene, they couldn’t help but nod slightly.
“Lady Tsunade is indeed filial.” “Yeah, coming so early and even bringing offerings; if Shodai(1st)-sama were watching from heaven, he would surely feel comforted.” However, only Orochimaru, who was standing next to Tsunade, could hear clearly.
Tsunade was muttering in a tiny voice, rapidly: “No offense intended!
No offense intended!” “Grandfather Hashirama, heaven and earth can testify, I am not here to desecrate your grave!” “It is your granddaughter, me, who will take on the heavy responsibility of protecting Konoha and unifying the Ninja World in the future, and I need more powerful strength!” “I am doing this to inherit your will and carry forward the glory of the Senju Clan!” “If you are watching from heaven, please don’t blame your granddaughter; you must understand my good intentions!” “It’s all Orochimaru’s fault!” “Yes, it’s this pale-faced guy standing next to me with the sinister look in his eyes!” “He seduced me and instigated me to come here!” “He said your cells are the ladder for scientific progress and the key to peace in the Ninja World!
I was duped by him too!” “Every debt has its debtor; Grandfather, if you want to blame someone, blame him!
Go find him in his dreams tonight!
Don’t come looking for me!” Orochimaru: “…” He stood to the side, his face twitching uncontrollably as he listened.
Several times he wanted to snap, but he forcibly held it back.
Tsunade was muttering, then suddenly opened her eyes and looked at Orochimaru strangely.
“Wait, what are you still standing there for?” “Get to work!” Orochimaru’s chest heaved with anger.
“Hmph…
crazy woman.” He couldn’t be bothered to waste words with Tsunade.
He crouched down, pretending to clear away any fallen leaves or dust that might be in front of the tombstone.
His wide sleeves trembled slightly.
A few small snakes, as thin as fingers and the color of the soil.
Slid silently out of his sleeves.
After landing, they quickly burrowed into the soil.
Tsunade stood slightly to his side and in front, using her body to block any line of sight that might be cast from afar.
At the same time, she continued to put on a show of “paying respects.” Time passed minute by minute.
Orochimaru crouched there, motionless.
But his expression, which had been calm at the beginning, slowly became somewhat strange.
His brows furrowed slightly.
A few more minutes passed.
Orochimaru’s pupils suddenly contracted violently!
He seemed to have sensed something, unbelievable news.
His body stiffened noticeably.
Then, he suddenly raised his head, turned his neck, and looked at Tsunade beside him.
Those golden slit pupils were filled with shock, bewilderment, and intense confusion.
The two looked at each other, and Tsunade’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.
She had a bad premonition.
She saw Orochimaru’s lips move slightly.
In an extremely low voice, he spat out two words.
“It’s empty.” …..