Naruto: Reborn as Orochimaru

"W-Wait… what are you doing?! Mikoto is still here!"

Tsunade quickly broke free from Orochimaru's grasp, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she glared at the man's mischievous smile.

"I… I didn't see anything!" Mikoto exclaimed, raising her hands to cover her eyes in an exaggerated gesture.

Orochimaru wiped his lips with the back of his hand, the corners of his mouth curling into a wicked grin.

"Mikoto said she didn't see anything… so what's the problem?"

"...That doesn't make it okay, you bastard!" Tsunade scolded, flustered. "So suddenly… and in the middle of the wilderness?!"

"It's not like it's the first time we've done it in the wilderness."

"You—!"

Tsunade's expression shifted between frustration and amusement.

She was annoyed that Orochimaru could be so brazen, acting intimately without regard for time or place.

But at the same time, she couldn't help but smile. Since Orochimaru left the village, his plans and actions had become enigmatic, even as his lover, she rarely understood his true thoughts.

Only in moments like this did he feel close to her again.

---

The Land of Iron

By the time Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Mikoto arrived at the Land of Iron's main city, a full day had passed.

Standing at the entrance of the city was a bearded man clad in samurai armor, his posture upright, his eyes sharp.

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and smiled faintly.

"The Land of Iron's general… Mifune, I presume?"

Tsunade glanced at Mikoto and gave her a subtle nod, signaling her to greet their host. Orochimaru had traveled across the world in his youth but had never visited this nation, given its unique neutrality.

Thus, this was his first encounter with Mifune.

"The Hokage of Konoha… and Orochimaru of the Legendary Sannin. I've heard of your reputation for many years." Mifune's voice was steady and respectful as he made a gesture of invitation. "Please, come inside. We have hot tea prepared."

Despite Orochimaru's status as a former Konoha missing-nin, the world at large believed his defection had been a ploy orchestrated by Konoha's top brass.

Now, with his overwhelming strength and his marriage to the Hokage, Mifune knew better than to underestimate him.

"Thank you for your hospitality."

Orochimaru responded politely, exchanging a few more pleasantries before stepping forward.

"The armor these samurai wear looks quite unique," Tsunade remarked as she walked alongside him, observing the heavily armored guards stationed nearby.

Unlike ordinary samurai, these men wore thick, full-body armor with protective helmets.

Orochimaru gave a slight nod, about to respond when a voice suddenly called out behind him.

"Orochimaru-sama! Please wait!"

Startled, Orochimaru turned around to see a woman with long brown hair and blue eyes approaching. She wore a stylish, form-fitting blue dress beneath a thick cloak to guard against the cold.

Terumi Mei?

The Mizukage greeted Mifune with a nod before stepping closer, Ao trailing behind her.

Her eyes briefly flicked toward Tsunade.

"Orochimaru-sama, Hokage-sama… fancy meeting you here under these circumstances."

Tsunade's gaze shifted to the Mizukage hat Mei held in her hands. Her lips curled into a smile.

"Mizukage-sama is too kind."

Hearing the formal address, Mei faltered slightly, sensing the subtle distance in Tsunade's tone.

Orochimaru, noticing the shift in atmosphere, quickly interjected.

"It's freezing out here. Let's head inside and talk."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked toward the city gates, Mikoto following silently.

Mei hesitated for a moment, then exhaled softly and followed suit, her footsteps crunching against the snow.

---

Inside the Iron Fortress, the warmth was a welcome relief from the harsh cold outside.

As they entered the main hall, Orochimaru felt a sharp pinch at his waist. He winced and turned to the culprit.

"Why did you pinch me just now?" he asked, his voice low.

"I felt like it." Tsunade smiled sweetly, her tone casual.

Orochimaru sighed, then smirked. His eyes flicked toward Mei, who lingered behind them.

"Haha… Are you jealous?"

"Of you? Don't flatter yourself."

"Ask Mikoto if she believes you." Orochimaru's smile widened. "It's funny… You were the one who sent Mikoto to my bed, yet now you're jealous over something this trivial?"

"You—! Shut up!" Tsunade hissed, her cheeks turning crimson.

Orochimaru let out a soft chuckle, clearly enjoying her reaction.

---

Three Days Later – The Summit

The conference hall in the Iron Fortress was spacious and dignified, far larger than the typical venue used for a Five Kage Summit.

Outside, snow continued to fall, blanketing the ground in white. Inside, the air was warm and heavy with anticipation.

The room featured a large U-shaped table with more than a dozen chairs, each seat marked by a banner representing its respective village.

Alongside the five great nations—Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, and Lightning—there were banners for smaller villages like Oto, Ame, Kusa, Taki, Yuki, and more.

In total, sixteen villages were present.

Orochimaru represented Otogakure, while Yahiko attended as Amegakure's leader.

Though the smaller villages had been invited, their role was merely symbolic. The true decisions would be made by the Five Kage.

A smaller table was positioned in the open space at the center of the U-shape, reserved for Mifune, the neutral party overseeing the summit.

As the clock struck the appointed time, Mifune rose to speak.

"Please place your Kage hats on the table."

The five Kage followed his instructions, each removing their respective hats, marked by the kanji for Fire (火), Water (水), Wind (風), Earth (土), and Lightning (雷) and placing them on the polished surface.

Tsunade sat at the head of the table, with the other Kage arranged beside her in descending order of their village's influence.

Rasa, Ōnoki, A, and Mei all straightened their postures, ready for the proceedings to begin.

Still, Ōnoki, A, and Rasa couldn't hide their curiosity.

Kirigakure chose her as Mizukage?

Mei's name was unfamiliar to them. And Yahiko a young, blond-haired boy was representing Amegakure? Hadn't Hanzo of the Salamander ruled that village?

Despite their confusion, none voiced their thoughts aloud.

Mifune cleared his throat and addressed the gathering.

"In response to the Hokage's call, we have gathered here today to discuss the future of the ninja world." His voice was measured, his expression solemn. "I am Mifune, General of the Land of Iron, and I will be presiding over this meeting."

A heavy silence settled over the room as the gravity of the occasion set in.

"The primary purpose of this summit is to determine how best to manage the ninja world going forward. To that end, I invite each of you to share your thoughts."

The Ninja World Summit had officially begun.

***

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