A New Snake In The Shinobi World

Under the dim lights of Konoha's streets, two figures moved silently in the same direction, one following the other.

Their footsteps were slow and deliberate. The one in front carried an air of calm, while the one trailing behind seemed uncertain, their gaze darting around nervously.

Neither noticed the dark figure perched on a nearby rooftop, watching them from the shadows.

The two eventually reached a secluded corner in the village.

Suddenly, the trailing figure came to a halt. A cold, clear voice cut through the quiet night.

"That's far enough, Dan. Let's stop here."

Hearing this Dan stopped in his tracks and slowly turned around. His eyes settled on the figure of the woman behind him, her posture steady and her expression composed.

"Tsunade, it's not easy to find a moment to talk to you alone," Dan said smiling softly.

Even under the dim light of the evening, Tsunade could clearly see the gentle expression on his face.

"Enough with the pleasantries," Tsunade said, crossing her arms, her hands resting over her ample chest. She took a deep breath to steady herself. "Let's skip to the point. You said you had something important to tell me something about Orochimaru?"

Dan chuckled lightly, his smile never wavering. "Yes… but must everything with you revolve around Orochimaru? Can't we talk about anything else?"

"I'm sorry, but I have nothing else to discuss with you. And it's late. If Orochimaru returns and I'm not home—"

"Alright, alright." Dan raised his hands in mock surrender, his tone still calm. "I'll get straight to it then. The truth is, I wanted to tell you something… something you don't know."

"Something I don't know?" Tsunade frowned slightly, her eyes narrowing.

Dan nodded. "Yes. Though I know it may seem inappropriate for me to say this about Orochimaru, I feel you need to hear it… Tsunade, you chose the wrong person."

"Kato Dan, you—"

"Wait," he interrupted, his tone still gentle. "Please, just hear me out."

He began to speak, telling Tsunade everything he had been holding back for years.

---

Kato Dan didn't know when he first became aware of Tsunade. Perhaps it was during their academy days, or maybe after their graduation. At this point, it no longer mattered.

What mattered was that he had admired her for a long, long time.

For anyone who has ever had a crush, the experience is a unique kind of torment.

But the difference between them had always been glaring.

Tsunade was the esteemed princess of the Senju clan, while he was a talented shinobi from a much smaller family. There was no intersection between their worlds.

When they grew older, Dan finally caught Tsunade's attention during a Jonin meeting. But by the time he gathered the courage to approach her, it was already too late her relationship with Orochimaru had already progressed.

He wasn't just upset; he was bitter.

He had watched her cry because of Orochimaru, only to see her smile radiantly when they reconciled.

Jealousy had rooted itself deeply in his heart.

He envied Orochimaru's strength, his talent, and most of all, the fact that he had Tsunade.

Why should a man who made her cry deserve her?

But despite his personal feelings, Dan couldn't deny Orochimaru's accomplishments. Whether it was his battlefield achievements, his groundbreaking work in ninja tools, or even his extravagant 200-million-ryo wedding, Orochimaru was in a league of his own.

So Dan could only swallow his jealousy, watching from the sidelines as Tsunade and Orochimaru built a life together.

And then he discovered something. Something that could destroy everything Orochimaru had built.

---

"In vivo experiments? On children?"

Tsunade's voice trembled as she repeated his words. Her eyes widened in shock.

Dan nodded solemnly. "As much as I didn't want to believe it, it's true. And…"

"Impossible!" Tsunade interrupted, her voice sharp. She quickly regained her composure, fixing Kato Dan with a hard stare. "Look, I know you've always had feelings for me, but I'm married to Orochimaru now. Do you think it's appropriate to slander him like this?"

Her voice was firm, but deep down, a small voice in her mind whispered that Kato Dan might not be lying.

"Tsunade," Dan pressed, his tone more serious. "Do you think I would joke about something like this? I'm a ninja of Konoha. Even if I don't like Orochimaru, I wouldn't accuse him of something that isn't true."

"Enough!" Tsunade snapped. "Even if Orochimaru is conducting experiments, I'm sure he has his reasons. But you… You knew about this, and instead of reporting it to the Hokage, you came to me first? What does that say about your intentions?"

Her words left Dan stunned. He hesitated for a moment before letting out a bitter laugh.

"So, this is how you've always seen me…" he murmured. "For your information, Tsunade, I did report it to the Hokage three days ago."

"I…" Tsunade faltered but quickly regained her footing.

"I came to you because I wanted to give you a chance to prepare," Dan continued, his tone now tinged with disappointment. "But I see now that you've completely misjudged me. Forget it. Goodbye."

Without waiting for a response, Dan turned on his heel and walked away.

Tsunade watched his retreating figure but didn't call after him. Her mind was already racing. She didn't care about Dan—what mattered was Orochimaru. She needed answers, and she needed them now.

---

At Dan's house, he poured himself a glass of wine and stared at the empty room.

The disgust he had seen in Tsunade's eyes lingered in his mind.

It didn't matter that he had long since given up hope of being with her. That look still stung.

Downing his drink, he poured another, muttering bitterly to himself. "Why even bother…"

Before he could take another sip, a voice broke the silence.

"Drowning your sorrows, are we?"

The voice startled Dan so much that he dropped the glass. His body tensed, every hair on his body standing on end.

"Who's there?"

Instinctively, he leapt backward, creating distance from the source of the voice.

Then he saw him.

Standing casually in the shadows with his hands in his pockets was Orochimaru.

"O-Orochimaru?" Dan stammered, his voice betraying his fear.

Orochimaru stepped forward, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "Kato Dan. Hahaha… I'm curious, don't you realize that Tsunade is a married woman? Yet here you are, making excuses to meet her alone."

"N-No, you misunderstand," Dan stuttered, his voice cracking. "I only wanted to discuss something important with her!"

"Is that so?" Orochimaru's smile widened, his tone darkening. "What a shame, then. Since you've explained yourself so earnestly… I suppose I shouldn't say anything more."

For a brief moment, Dan relaxed slightly.

But then Orochimaru's smile turned sinister.

"However," he continued, his voice cold and cutting, "be sure to rid yourself of this bad habit… in your next life."

***

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