Darkwings13: A very dear reader of mine, BlackLady777, just wrote absolutelyamazinggggg analysis/review on this chapter, that saw deep into why I wrote this chapter the way I did in regards to the Sannin's insight and relationship. I highly recommend reading this chapter first, forming your opinions on it, and then giving Blacklady's review a read to enrich the chapter.


"Mhmmm..." Tsunade stirred as something nudged against her cheek. Her eyes slowly opened to see a reptilian face staring down at her and she jumped before she remembered that it was Orochimaru. Before he could withdraw with a sad look in his eyes, she sat up and bumped noses with him. "Morning, my boyfriend." He visibly relaxed and rubbed the top of her head gently before slithering over to the cave's entrance.

Tsunade jumped to her feet happily and chased after him. Pushing aside the bushes, she said, "Shall we get going?" To her surprise, he rolled over and showed her the underside of his belly, seemingly moping. "Orochimaru, are you sick?" He shook his head and she bent down in puzzlement. "I doubt you want a belly scratch. What is it?" When he shook his head again, she sighed and scratched his stomach anyways. "I don't speak snake. Arghhhh I don't get it!"

"Hssssss." He rolled himself over and began slithering off.

She stuck her tongue out at him as she speedily made haste to catch up with him. For such a big snake, he was incredibly fast. "Wait where are we going? The temple is the other way. Ow!" She fell down when he hooked his tail around her leg. "What-" She let out a muffled sound when he wound himself around her. "Urmf gof ksf!"

Orochimaru jerked his head forward and she looked to see a bunch of bunnies hopping around each other, their little noses twitching. Slowly, he let her go and she whispered, "They're really cute but what about it..." Her jaw dropped as he struck. In the span of five seconds, he had strangled all five of them. Biting down on one, he snaked back to her and dropped it, looking rather proud of himself. Sheepishly, she said, "Orochi, if I wanted a pet rabbit I would rather have a live one."

He gave her a look that made her feel incredibly dumb before nudging her stomach and then rubbing his head against himself.

Tsunade gasped, "Oh! You're hungry! And this one is for me?" She beamed at his thoughtfulness and bent down to pick up the dead rabbit. He wasn't much of a romantic type, she's always known that. Other boyfriends would get flowers, chocolates, or other cute little gifts for their girlfriends in the first week or so. But this was Orochimaru and of course he would get her something practical like a dead bunny. Breakfast was after all, the most important meal of the day.

Bending down, she pecked him on the nose and said sweetly, "Thanks for getting breakfast, honey." When he seemed embarrassed and hurriedly crawled away, she gushed, "He is just so cute sometimes."


While the rabbits cooked and sizzled over the fire, she smiled as she turned the sticks that had them roasting. Since Orochimaru didn't like cold food, he refused to eat them as they were so she had to cook his portions too. Usually she would complain, but to make food for someone you love was strangely very appealing to her. So she happily had the rabbits roasting and wondered if she would obtain wifely charms as this goes on. With Orochimaru's top notch skills in the culinary arts, he seemed more like the wife in her opinion. Not to mention he can sew, play a flute, clean, and... Tsunade sighed as the list went on forever. He was just good at everything. She on the other hand had been raised in a spoiled manner and didn't know anything. Furtively glancing over at her boyfriend who was snaking around the cave in boredom, she couldn't help but think he was also super pretty as a snake. She felt so lacking compared to him. The first thing that came to her mind was of course, her lack of breasts.

After awhile of admiring him move around, his snow white scales rippling like water, she said, "You don't seem to be in any rush to get back, Orochimaru. What if Goro and Jiraiya decide to open the door and destroy the scroll before they go searching for us?"

His golden eyes that were highlighted by his purple outline glimmered with amusement before he made his way back to her. He rubbed himself against her back affectionately before coming up over her shoulder. Opening his mouth, he shook and rasped and slowly, something came into view. To her surprise, it was a square shaped tablet that dropped down on the ground. "You got one of the tablet that fast!?" No wonder he wasn't in a hurry. Without all five pieces, the door couldn't be opened. Gingerly, she picked up the saliva covered stone and turned it around. "The Arms." Goosebumps erupted over her entire body as she stared down at the carvings of a pair of ripped off arms. She dropped it back down and said with a shudder, "There's something very wrong about that thing, Orochimaru. The chakra leaking out from it is making me nauseous."

He looked at her for a moment before turning his gaze back on the stone. To his surprise, words were carved on the back. In his haste and deranged mind back at the ruins, he hadn't noticed it. He narrowed his snake-like eyes and began reading.

The arms that reached

To collect them the laws had to be breached

He looked at her worriedly before pushing the stone away and into the corner of their cave. She smiled and rubbed her cheek against his face. "Will you still be this good to me when you're human again, Orochimaru?" She blushed when he snaked his head into her neck for comfort and she felt butterflies creep into her stomach. It seemed that now that he's finally over his reservation and fears of loving her, he really was putting all of his heart into it. She never imagined that he could be this open in displaying his affections. Was it because he was in snake form or was it because this was his true nature that he never revealed to anyone anymore after his parent's death?

When he parted from her and hovered towards the roasting rabbits, she said cheerfully, "Open wide." Taking one, she slid if off the stick and tossed it at him. He snapped it gracefully from the air and began to swallow it. In that manner, he finished off the other three while she nibbled on a rabbit leg.

He yawned sleepily, his mouth opening wide to reveal long venom laced fangs before he laid his head down on the ground, waiting for her to finish. "Orochi," she said sweetly, stroking his body. "Once I'm done eating, you can sun bathe alittle to get some energy in you." He hummed in delight and she leaned back on him with a smile. It certainly was a good thing that she had studied up on snake biology so that she could build up his medical data. Now that he was fully cold blooded, he wouldn't be able to fight properly even if he wanted to unless he warmed up.


Half an hour later...

"I can get used to this," she said as she stretched out on the rock beside her lovable giant white snake. The sunlight felt so good on her skin and the singing of birds along with the rumble of waterfalls nearby was making this a total paradise. Orochimaru seemed to be feeling the same thing and he rolled over onto his back with his eyes closed. She smiled as she absent-mindedly reached over to rub his belly. "I can't tell if you're my pet or my boyfriend right now," she mused, seeing him so relaxed. He flipped himself over and moved to place his head on her bare stomach before adjusting the rest of his body to be comfortable as he soaked up the sunlight. Tsunade yawned and laid her hand on him. "Have a nice nap. I'll be here." But the sunlight, Orochimaru's light breathing and the relaxing atmosphere made her eyelids heavy and soon enough, she fell asleep.

The nap had been extremely restful and she woke up feeling completely energized. Just like when he was in human form, he was up earlier than her and she grinned mischievously. He had been waiting for her so patiently, he deserved alittle something. "Thanks for letting me nap for so long, Orochimaru." He tilted his head in confusion at her light tone of voice before looking away awkwardly when she stretched sensuously, arching her back up.

Tsunade found the gesture wildly endearing and she sat up to pull him over to her. "Oh I can just kiss you. You are SO CUTE!" Orochimaru squirmed as she hugged him tightly.

After she was done squeezing the life out of him, they set off for the temple. It was pointless to find another way in beside the one they had used since Tsunade had said that there was traps to prevent intruders from using a different route. That must mean that in the past, those traps had been set to take control of enemy flow. They would all be forced to attack in one direction only and those in the temple can make sure that they wouldn't be overwhelmed. It was a smart strategy. When dealing with enemies who have the advantage of number, the best way to take that away from them was to force them to fight through a linear hallway path. It doesn't matter if they have five hundred thousand soldiers, if only fifty can fight at a time through a doorway or something like that. Using one one viable entrance and a dangerous bridge, those who were fighting from the temple would definitely be able to hold on for quite a long time, no matter how many they have to face.

"What are you thinking about, Orochimaru?" asked Tsunade, noticing his serious look.

He tried to explain to her about the reason why the traps were set up in such a way but it was quite obvious she wasn't getting it. Wait... how could the possibly stratagize if they couldn't communicate? He bit onto her skirt to stop her from walking on further and he pulled upwards to touch her throat before rubbing himself with his head.

"You're thirsty?" When he shook his head, she tried again. "You... have something stuck in your throat?" She pouted as he slithered back in forth in a pacing manner. "I can't help it. I don't understand what you're trying to say unless you spell it out for me."

"Tsunade!"

Tsunade's heart nearly leaped out of her chest when she heard Jiraiya's voice. Spinning around, she faced him and was taken back by the utter look of fury on his face. "Jiraiya-"

"Get back from her!"

Orochimaru hissed and quickly slide out of range from the thrown shurikens, his fangs glinting in the sunlight as he reared his head in an intimidating manner. In a flash, she jumped in front of him defensively and shouted, "What the hell are you doing?! It's Orochimaru! Your teammate!"

Jiraiya growled and shouted, "He nearly killed you! Goro told me he tried to strangle you! Get back from him and let me handle this."

"Listen here pervy no brain!" She snapped as Orochimaru coiled behind her, his fangs still out. "I'm not some weak damsel in distress who needs your help. Orochimaru is in control of his mind right now so calm the fuck down before he starts freaking out again."

Jiraiya crossed his arms and said thinly, "Does that mean he's stopped trying to ruin the mission to get his precious technique?" Seeing the expression on her face confirmed the answer to his question. "Of course not. I grew up with you two. I know that once he's set his eyes on a technique, he's not going to let it go. As he's infected and could go insane at any minute, we don't have time to waste." Jiraiya jerked his head at her. "Move Tsunade."

"No." She cracked her knuckles and said darkly, "If you want him, you're going to have to go through me."

"What are you doing? We have to restrain him and bring him back to the village," Jiraiya said, one of his eyebrow raising up in question and his lips thin.

She felt a flash of guilt for what she was doing but she stood her ground. Trying not to waver under Jiraiya's intent stare, she said firmly, "I... I'm not going to risk him losing his mind again. I'm going to help Orochimaru get that technique."

Jiraiya was flabbergasted. "You're joking."

"I'm deadly serious." Tsunade glanced up at Orochimaru as he towered over her, his eyes glinting in the sunlight. "He's afraid of loss and this means alot to him. I'm the only one he can trust. If I don't support him, he might go insane again."

Jiraiya pointed off into the distance and said harshly, "Or we can take him back to the village and get him purified so that he doesn't go insane. Look I know I'm not as smart as you two but that's the more obvious solution isn't it?"

She shook her head in frustration. "Do you really think it'd be that easy to drag him back without risking injuries to yourself and to him? If Orochimaru doesn't want to go back, he's going to fight tooth and nail to resist." She placed a hand on the giant white snake and said solemnly, "Orochimaru is important to me. I refuse to do anything that will hurt him. If he wants that forbidden technique, I'm going to support him."

Jiraiya said angrily, "You're not helping him, Tsunade. You're damning him. Supporting him in going down the wrong path is just going to encourage destructive behaviors and it's going to kill him."

"Kinjutsu isn't inherently evil and always dangerous," she argued back. "My granduncle's Shadow Clone technique is a kinjutsu but all three of us can use it fine."

He raised a hand to stop her. "Even if that kinjutsu isn't evil or dangerous, it's not ours. It belongs to Uzushiogakure. We have no right to take it. If they want it destroyed, then we have to respect that. Also, it's our mission to assist them to do so."

Tsunade shouted at him, "Don't talk all high and mighty when you're the one that screwed up in the first place! YOU intervened that night because you wanted to protect Kushina. It's YOUR fault Orochimaru got infected. In the end, he helped to protect you. Whether you like it or not you owe him." Her face softened as she said pleadingly, "Jiraiya please. We're a team. We do things together. This means alot to Orochimaru. Just... just let him read the scroll and then we'll destroy it."

Jiraiya grinded on his teeth as she and Orochimaru waited with baited breath for his answer. His dark hair teammate can be cruel and ruthless to many people. But Jiraiya could not deny that he had always done his best to look out for Tsunade and him. The amount of times that Orochimaru had pulled them through difficult situations with his tactical genius and skills were many. To Orochimaru, he was practically a brother. But... this was absolutely wrong. No matter how valuable, powerful and glorious a technique is, it wasn't worth risking body and soul for. Not only that, their relation with Uzushiogakure would be damaged if Orochimaru got his hands on the scroll.

Jiraiya let out a long breath and said quietly, "No. I've learned my lesson that night I risked our village and Orochimaru in trying to protect Kushina." He got into an attack stance, his mind made up. No matter how hard a decision may be, he had to think of the greater good from now on. Tsunade had been right when she had yelled at him that night and he had promised himself not to let his kindness endanger the greater majority anymore. "I'm not going to risk my home and my teammates for some stupid scroll. There's a reason why Uzushiogakure is trying to destroy it. Some things are better off gone from this world. Orochimaru will not lay a finger on it while I'm here."

With a shrieking hiss, Orochimaru struck forward and smashed Jiraiya through three trees. Before he could fall, he grabbed him with his tail and slammed him down into the ground, his mouth wide open and fangs readied. The stupid fool! Some things are better gone from this world... how dare he spew such words when he has no clue on how the world even works. Knowledge and power is what keeps the world from decaying and dying. It's what will bring about a glorious future of great technology and life. Only cowards reel back from chances that are offered to them. All progress demands risk or sacrifice. He will not let this kinjutsu slip through his fingers, even if he had to break every bone in Jiraiya's body to get it.

"Orochimaru!" Tsunade ran and grabbed onto his neck. "What are you doing?!"

He slowly closed his mouth out of respect for her, glaring down at Jiraiya who was struggling to get out from his strong hold. "Hssss..."

"Orochimaru!" Tsunade tried to hold him back from squeezing the life out of their white hair teammate. "Let him go!"

With a sound of disgust, he tossed Jiraiya aside and jerked his head at Tsunade, telling her to go deal with him herself if she didn't want him to get his hands (figuratively since he currently had none) dirty. Without another word, he continued on his way back to the ruins.

Tsunade watched as the giant white snake slithered off without so much as a second glance back at her, her heart confused and torn as to how he could be so affectionate one moment, and so cold in the next.

"Tsunade..." Jiraiya grimaced as he forced himself to stand, one of his legs bent in an awkward position. "Don't do this."

She crossed her arms and kept her eyes down as she answered, "I'm sorry, Jiraiya. I promised him I'd helped him."

"He will go mad one day, trying to learn everything," Jiraiya said, his face pained as he leaned himself against a tree.

"If he learns everything, perhaps he wouldn't have to be so afraid anymore," Tsunade replied quietly, knowing about Orochimaru's great fear of death. If he was powerful and almighty, no one would be able to hurt him. She always knew that was one of the reason why he had studied so much.

Jiraiya laughed bitterly, also knowing about what she was talking about. "The more he learns, the more he questions, the more unsatisfied he grows. Have you been blind all this time, Tsunade?"

At that, she glared at him angrily. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"The knowledge Orochimaru seeks will not bring him any happiness," Jiraiya said flatly. "No matter how hard he tries, he's not going to find immortality." After all these years, Jiraiya finally brought the forbidden subject to life. It had always been that elephant in the room they had ignored and pretended to not see. Jiraiya would deal with it by joking that no matter how hard Orochimaru would try, he can't learn all the techniques there was in the world, even if he became a toothless old man. He'd keep encouraging Orochimaru to value the present and enjoy it instead of worrying about the future. She on the other hand, would just smile and thank him for promising her that he'd find a way to live longer to be with her, to make sure she wouldn't be left behind. She never wanted or bothered to ponder what methods he was going to use and if he'd try to live even longer than her to accomplish his dream of becoming all knowing.

Tsunade found herself feeling cold all over all of a sudden and she pressed her lips tightly together. Jiraiya paused briefly, looking her over carefully before saying, "Tsunade... we both know what he's really looking for. It's time to stop dancing around the subject. Everything Orochimaru has ever done, every decision he's ever made is for self preservation and empowerment. His reach for immortality and power is dangerous. Stop this before it's too late."

"That's not true," she argued. "He despises loss, I told you already. He wants to restore ancient knowledge and past glories. Every year we lose clans, techniques, kekkei-genkai and artifacts." She straightened up and said firmly, "He is trying to preserve ancient history and ensure that the world won't lose its great wonders. There's nothing wrong with that. Why can't you understand that that's the reason why he's fighting so hard for that kinjutsu Uzushiogakure wants to destroy?"

"And that knowledge that he wants to be restored, he keeps to himself and doesn't share," Jiraiya stated, throwing the truth in her face. "What he will restore, he must control. You might be blind to the truth, but I'm not. He is selfish, Tsunade."

"He's selfish, you're a lecherous pervert who doesn't respect women, and I'm a hopeless addict at gambling. We're all flawed," she shot back.

"I would never rape a woman, you would never sell off the necklace your grandfather gave you to gamble." Jiraiya clenched his fists together and said quietly, "And no matter how selfish Orochimaru may get, he'd never put us and Sarutobi-sensei at risk for his goals. That's what I believed in with all my heart. But by doing this, he's risking our village's relations and by letting you come along, he's knowingly letting you be painted guilty like he is." He threw up his hands in exasperation. "I don't know if it's because he's infected that he's going this far, but if we let him do this, we are only making him worse. Please Tsunade," he begged. "Don't help him. Orochimaru must learn that he CAN'T have everything in this world. Sometimes people will say no and he has to accept it." His heart pounded in his chest as she slowly walked over to him with a sad look in her eyes. When she came to a stop in front of him, he looked up at her hopefully.

"I'm... sorry." With a precise strike to the back of the head, she knocked him out cold. She bit her thumb, smearing red blood across her palm before performing the summoning technique. As she slammed her hand down on the ground, Katsuyu appeared, its eye stalks wiggling in delight to be called.

"Lady Tsunade, how may I be of service?" squeaked the pretty white and blue slug. But then it cried, "Master Jiraiya! Is he alright?"

She gave her summon a weak smile and gestured to Jiraiya. "Keep him here and keep him safe for me, Katsuyu. Make sure he doesn't come after me."

The white and blue slug squirmed slightly. "My lady, what's wrong?"

Tsunade rubbed her slug on the side and choked, "Everything..."

Seeing the tears in her mistress's eyes, Katsuyu let out a sorrowful keening sound and rubbed itself against her. "It's because of Lord Orochimaru, isn't it my lady?" When Tsunade didn't reply, Katsuyu said hesitantly, "Lady Tsunade, he's always going off and doing his own things. To put it lightly, it's like you're chasing the wind. Why do you like him so much?"

"No," she replied softly, petting her slug. "I'm not chasing. I've just been waiting. Last night, I finally got what I've always been waiting for. I refuse to lose it now."

"Waiting?" Katsuyu questioned.

"I am his windmill." She took in a deep breath and said slowly, "A windmill can't help but spin when the wind is present. I can't explain it at all, Katsuyu. But despite how hard it is to be with him, my heart yearns for him."

Katsuyu bobbed her head. "I understand. Now please, hurry my lady."


It wasn't too hard to track Orochimaru down. He had deliberately made it easy for her to follow. It was a confident gesture that he believed that she'd succeed in stopping Jiraiya. Normally, such a thing would have made her very happy but strangely, she just felt empty on the inside. Was helping Orochimaru... really the wrong decision? Was this actually going to hurt him in the long run?

"Hssss."

She stopped in her tracks as she saw Orochimaru waiting for her at the bridge. He actually hadn't noticed her, as he was doing the equivalent of pacing back and forth in a worrying fashion. Nervously, she called out to him. "Orochi." He immediately stopped slithering back and forth and he raised his head up from the ground. Her heart leaped in her chest when she saw his golden eyes shining as he hurriedly made his way over to her. Rising up, he looked her over, as if checking to see if she got any injuries. Seeing that she was fine, he seemed relieved and he rubbed the top of her head gently.

"I'm fine Orochi," she said, unable to help but smile. Seeing him and being treated like this erased all doubt from her heart and she hugged him tightly. The gesture pleased him and he rubbed his head against her hair affectionately. As she parted from him, she cupped his face and said, "Feeling guilty for being kinda cold, huh?" When he slowly nodded, she beamed and bumped noses with him. "I still love you, you silly snake."

"Sssssss?" He jerked his head behind her.

"Oh? Jiraiya?" Tsunade said, "I knocked him out and have Katsuyu watching over him."

He looked down at the ground for a moment before moving his tail and writing into the dirt 'Didn't want to'.

Tsunade sighed. "I know you didn't really want to hurt him either. We're supposed to be a team after all-" She stopped in mid-sentence as she's realized what he's done. "Orochi! We can communicate now!" Squeezing him tightly, she gushed, "You're so smart. Haha, when I said I don't understand what you're trying to say unless you spell it out for me, I didn't realize that was the key." She put some space between them and asked, "What's the plan then? How do we get past Goro and to the scroll?" She blinked and tilted her head in question at Orochimaru's intense gaze on her. "Orochi? Ahhhh!"


"Goro!" Tsunade ran into the ruins on trembling legs, her skin flushed and her lips purple. "Goro!" She collapsed before the pool of water, underneath the gaze of the statue of the woman. "Help..."

"Girly?!" The big man lumbered over to her with concern. Helping her sit up, he gasped at the blood spilling from her neck. "What happened?"

Tsunade breathed heavily and said, "Orochimaru... I managed to calm him down when we fell together. But then he went insane again and..." She clutched onto his arm, struggling to breathe. "Please... help him. I don't want to lose him."

He took a look at the blood coming from the junction between her neck and shoulder. Blood was leaking out and the skin was gray-green, indicating that she had been poisoned. "Worry about him later. Girly, you're coming back to the village immediately. This poison looks bad and I know next to nothing about medical ninjutsu."

"But... what if Orochimaru comes? He has one of the tablets already to unlock the door," Tsunade said, her voice growing hoarse.

"It's fine. Once we leave, I'll cast a barrier on the entrance and I'll send reinforcements from the village. Let's hurry."

"I... see." Tsunade smashed her elbow into his chest and sent him flying into a wall. Standing up, she brushed at her skirt and put a hand on her hip. "Looks like we're good to go then."

"Sssssshh." The doors flew open as Orochimaru burst through the open golden doors and made his way over to her.

Goro wheezed and wiped at the blood trickling from his mouth. Clutching at his chest, he said, "What's going on?"

Tsunade apologized. "I'm sorry, Goro but I'm on Orochimaru's side. We're going to take down that demon and get that kinjutsu."

"And I thought I was the drunkard. Are you crazy!" Goro yelled at them. "I may suck at taijutsu and all that, but I was sent along because of my fuinjutsu. If you two face off against that monster, you will die."

Orochimaru hissed and Tsunade said, "Then let my boyfriend turn back into a human. With the both of us at our full strength, I don't believe that we can't win."

Goro laughed. "Help you two obtain a forbidden kinjutsu that I'm supposed to burn? Forget it. I'd rather let you two die. You've betrayed us and your own village." He then pointed at her neck. "I have a question however. You're obviously poisoned-"

"Ever since I was sixteen, I've learned to counter every one of Orochimaru's poison," she explained, leaning against the giant white snake. To demonstrate, she reached up her red skirt and pulled out a small scroll that had been strapped to her upper thigh. Opening it, she released the seal and pulled out a small vial with blue liquid inside. Popping the cork, she chugged down the contents and tossed it. The result was instantaneous as her skin returned to a healthy color and she placed a healing palm on it to close the bite marks. "He can't invent new poisons without knowing an antidote. So I've been helping him progress and in return, I also gain invaluable experience as a medic nin." She stroked his glossy white scales and said softly, "We've always helped each other, ever since we're kids. This time is no different."

Goro snickered. "No point in talking to stubborn love-sick girls. Go ahead and die if you want."

She looked at her snake and said, "We'll have to keep going as you are then." He hissed in dissatisfaction at the red hair man before slowly nodding. All of a sudden, he paused and looked back, his tongue flicking in and out rapidly to taste the air. He let out an angry sound and wrote in the ground 'Jiraiya'.

"What? But... he got past Katsuyu?" She stumbled back when he nudged her with his head, signaling her that they needed to go right now. Without another word, they headed for the upper platforms in the distance, where the giant grand doors was indeed, only missing one tablet to be opened. If Orochimaru hadn't gotten his hands on one of the tablets, then Goro and Jiraiya would have likely destroyed the scroll by now.


They ran for the platforms so fast, the stone walls and ruins were a blur to her eyes. All she could briefly see were ancient vases, long stairs, tapestry that was dusted with age and way too many doors. But thanks to Orochimaru's excellent sense of direction and his tracking skills, he managed to retrace Goro's and Jiraiya's path to prevent them from getting lost. As she ran, she noticed the lit torches and half wondered if they functioned the same way as those back in the ruins at the desert.

The roar of the water falling out from the waterways of the walls hit their ears hard when they burst out into the open air, catching sight of the stairs that kept ascending up the five wooden platforms to the final one that had the doors locked shut. Now that they were this high, they could see that all five had a decorative pool of water in the center. Orochimaru hissed, sensing that Jiraiya was getting closer and closer and he nudged her.

"I know I know." She practically leaped to the platforms while he tried to climb the stairs. As she leaped to the third platform, she felt a rush of hot air at her back and hastily crouched down as a blast of roaring flames soared over her. Beside her, Orochimaru reared up and hissed as Jiraiya appeared. He landed on the stairs with a thunderous sound, cracking the wood beneath his feet. Tsunade saw that his appearance had changed to that of when he was in sage mode but this time, he came equipped with a pair of of frogs on his shoulders. Backing away slightly, she said, "He's in sage mode, Orochimaru. All of his physical attributes have been increased."

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and tensed up, detecting the great amount of chakra coming off from Jiraiya's body. However, from what he had read in his books, it was obvious that Jiraiya hadn't perfected Senjutsu, otherwise he wouldn't look like an ugly frog.

"Jiraiya-chan," said the old male frog, covered up with a grey cloak. "Did ya really have to call us ere while we're preparin for dinner?"

The other frog, a female with purple hair and lipstick huffed, "I was in tha middle of preparin a very nutritious broth of caterpillar juice."

Jiraiya gave the two a grimacing smile. "Sorry, boss, m'am. But I really don't think I can do this on my own."

The old male frog peered at the snake and said, "Ohhhh. Tha Orochimaru ain't it? Ya told me bout his strange eyes before." He then muttered, "He ain't even got arms to use his million of techniques. Y'all can stomp him flat without us, Jiraiya boy."

Orochimaru rattled his tail in irritation at the 'stomp him flat' part.

"Don't underestimate that snake. He still has tricks hidden up his sleeves even if he doesn't have arms." Jiraiya smiled and shook off his shoes, bending down into a more frog-like position. His hands and feet immediately grew more webbed and he said, "Let's get primal, Oro."

Orochimaru hissed and bared his fangs, his eyes glinting golden. In front of him, Tsunade rolled her shoulder and cracked her knuckles. Haughtily, she said, "Remember, Jiraiya, you always disappear off to Mount Myoboku for your training, leaving me and Orochimaru to work on our teamwork together. We're not going down so easily, even if Orochimaru doesn't have arms."

Jiraiya laughed. "I'm sure Oro and you didn't slack off while I was gone, Tsunade. Now let's see if your training or mine, really paid off."

"Fine, let's do this. But first..." She said crossly, "What happened to Katsuyu?"

"I had one of my frogs eat her." Silence ensued for a few seconds before Jiraiya burst out laughing at her stupefied face. "Kidding!"

"Ugh! You're so annoying sometimes you pervy no brain!" Tsunade fumed, almost having a heart attack at the thought of her beloved slug getting eaten. Clapping her hands together, she muttered, "Let's get this started. I'm getting sick of this entire place."

Shifting into position, Jiraiya said, "Ready whenever you are, princess, snake-eyes."

Tsunade took in a deep breath before forming ten hand seals. "Lightning Release: Heaven's Hands." Lightning cackled and enveloped her fists and she moved them up defensively. "I should warn you," she said with a tiny smirk. "One correct hit, and I can overwhelm your entire nervous system."

"So, like a taser?" asked Jiraiya.

"Correct."

Beside her Orochimaru slowly phased down into the ground and Jiraiya realized that even without hands, he can still use his Hiding in Surface technique. If so, that means he can still utilize any techniques that he's mastered as long as he didn't use hand seals for them in the first place. Damn him and his immense geniusness sometimes.

"How did tha snake kid do that without hand seals?" gasped the old female frog.

Jiraiya sighed. "And this is why I summoned you two..."


Darkwings13:

Firstly, yay we've reached fifty favorite! ღවꇳවღ (人◕ω◕) To the newest lovely readers who favorited, thank you so much and huggles! I am so grateful. LuckyLefty77, EliadS, joninsensei123456, Baniah, xxhebi-himexx, MLGeha, RushiAei, bookcoda, and blakeho123! I hope you'll continue to find enjoyment in this story.

-Katsuyu getting eaten by a frog was inspired by the omake at the end of Naruto Shippuden, where she feared getting eaten by the frogs. This is due to the three-way deadlock where frog eats slugs, slugs win against snakes and snake eats frog. XD

-Tsunade is renowned for being able to counter every poison ever. It was thanks to that skill that in the 2nd Shinobi War, she managed to counter every one of Chiyo's poison (presumably under very stressful and chaotic environment since it's a war and all). As Orochimaru is highly skilled in poison and they're teammates, and researchers, they would have collaborated with each other and amplified the other's skill. Sort of like how during the bell test, Orochi and Tsuna would have absolutely had to work together to obtain the bells from Sarutobi. Teamwork was the point of the test and Sarutobi as Hokage, couldn't have fallen to the attacks if they worked independently.

-In episode 95 of Naruto, Orochimaru can still use Hiding in Surface technique even with disabled arms.

(⌒▽⌒)haha, expect the unexpected with me hxshigaki76! It felt quite satisfying myself, to write about Oro in snake form lol.

v(≧∇≦v)三(v≧∇≦)v Glad you're loving it Carolina! And no worries! I understand everything you wrote. Hello from Canada to Brazil!

(= ̄▽ ̄=) Pretty much JigokuShoujosRevenge. I consider Dan to be another one of those forgotten useless characters Kishi just forgets about. Like Tenten. Or Kiba. Bwahahhahaha!

(*≧▽≦) Greetings xxhebi-himexx! Awwww thank you very much! I tried my best to make it original and interesting. Speaking of that final scene from last chapter with snake Orochi and Tsunade, it was slightly inspired with a Beauty and the Beast feel to it. By Tsunade looking past his outer snake appearance and taking into account that Orochimaru is extremely vain and obsessed with eternal beauty, I wanted to portray how genuine her affections are. At the same time, portray how insecure Orochimaru was with being weak and vulnerable, hence certain gestures like hiding his head in a frightened manner when she found him. I kinda wished I had the powa to make it into a 'true love first kiss' will turn him back human. Haha! Thanks again for reading and reviewing my friend.

(ᗒᗨᗕ) I agree LuckyLefty77! Clueless and romantically challenged Orochi is so frustrating (but gushingly adorabes). I enjoy this character so much. Especially when he was a quiet shy kid! Although being teammates with Tsunade and Jiraiya who are both so loud, probably rubbed off of him and made him the way he is now lol.

(๑ᴗ๑) Hi ileangie23! I always thought Jiraiya saying that the ladies not liking his sage look was cuz of Tsunade lol. Especially since she's pretty vain about appearance and is always rejecting his date requests. And I might have gone overboard with snake Orochi's cuteness but I regret nothing. I wanna pet him too! Must be kinda frustrating for him not to be able to talk though haha. But it's ok since he has to be more physical in his communications. *Sly giggles* I feel conflicted on how I'll have to break this to Jiraiya. Poor him since he had really liked her since they were little. Ahh... Danny boy. Tsu can be pretty blind sometimes. That kid wouldn't last one month as Hokage. And I thought Kakashi was lacking when he became the 6th Hokage lol. But when he does come into the story, I look forward to Team JirOro vs Dan. XD

ლ(・ヮ・ლ) Ah hello Guest! Don't be afraid to leave your name! I'd love to know! Anyhow, I'm following the canon storyline as much as possible while trying to give an analysis and how he turned evil.. and then turned good! So from what we've seen with Orochi being free and having kids, a relatively good relationship with Konoha, and he saved Tsunade and fought with her and Sarutobi during the war, he's heading towards a pretty good ending. But there's more to come still hehe. Much feels ahead from his background. Thanks again for reading and reviewing!

(´∀`•) Thank you BlackLady777! I like my small hints and it's so lovely you caught on to the hint with Goro's technique on Orochi ;D And yes, that fight with Pain is probably one of the best fight in my opinion. Very heart pounding and sad. If Jiraiya was still alive, I think he'd dote on Mitsuki and tell him about Orochi's embarrassing stories lol. And the quote 'Actions and words do not always mirror what the heart wants' will come into play many times throughout this story. Good catch! And I find it strangely very beautiful, picturing the pretty princess just lounging back on a snow white giant serpent, that's only tamed around her. Kinda like some Cleopatra imagery! And I will work hard to make the fight epic between the three. Stay tuned my friend!