"Sasuke, are you sure you don't want this necklace?"
Tsunade asked as she held up the gem necklace, shaking it slightly.
After all, she had lost to Sasuke—fair and square. And as someone who always honored her bets, she wouldn't back out now.
Sasuke reached out and took the necklace from her hand, but instead of keeping it, he stepped forward and placed it back around Tsunade's neck himself. As he fastened it, he leaned in close and blew gently against her ear.
"Stop talking nonsense. Just take it if I tell you to."
Tsunade's body tensed at the sudden warmth against her ear, her heart skipping a beat. A slight blush crept onto her face.
This brat… he's got some charm, doesn't he?
She couldn't help but think to herself.
"Sasuke, what exactly is this bet you're talking about?"
Sasuke paused slightly, then smirked.
"Let's bet that you'll run into an old friend within the next three days. How about it?"
Tsunade scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. What are the chances of that happening in a place like this?"
"So? Do you dare to take the bet or not?"
Tsunade grinned. "What, do you think I'll lose to you again?"
She chuckled, accepting the bet without hesitation.
---
Shortly after, on a bustling street in the red-light district, Orochimaru stood atop a tall building, overlooking the crowd below.
Beside him, Kabuto adjusted his glasses. "Orochimaru-sama, according to our intel, Tsunade is still here. And Sasuke was spotted in this area not too long ago."
Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed. "Then it's time, Kimimaro. You know what to do."
A silver-haired young man in a bone-patterned kimono nodded. "Yes, Orochimaru-sama."
With that, he and several of Orochimaru's followers vanished into the night.
Kabuto glanced at Orochimaru. "Bringing Kimimaro here… you must be serious about this."
Orochimaru chuckled darkly. "It was his request. He wants to meet Sasuke."
Kabuto frowned. He knew Kimimaro's condition better than anyone. The boy was only standing here now through sheer willpower. His illness had progressed to its final stages.
"He doesn't have much time left," Orochimaru mused. "But even so, he's willing to fulfill my ambitions before he goes."
---
That night, Tsunade sat alone in the courtyard, drinking sake under the moonlight.
Sasuke had already gone back to his room to rest—or at least, that's what it seemed like. In reality, he had teleported back to Kirigakure using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Behind her, Shizune approached, carrying Tonton in her arms.
"Tsunade-sama, it's late. Why aren't you asleep yet?"
"You go ahead, Shizune. I just need some time to think…"
Tsunade gazed at the moon, memories of Konoha flickering through her mind.
Nawaki… if I hadn't given you that necklace, maybe you wouldn't have…
Suddenly, her sharp instincts kicked in. She tensed, her eyes narrowing.
"Who's there?"
A familiar, sinister chuckle echoed from the darkness.
"Heh… Your senses are as sharp as ever, Tsunade."
From the shadows, two figures stepped forward—Orochimaru and Kabuto.
Tsunade's expression darkened. "Orochimaru? What, are you here to reminisce?"
Shizune stiffened at the sight of him. Then that means…
Tsunade had lost the bet to Sasuke.
But how did that brat know Orochimaru would show up?
Orochimaru slowly stepped closer, but Tsunade's keen eyes quickly picked up on something—his breathing was ragged, beads of sweat dotted his forehead, and his hands…
They were wrapped in bandages, trembling slightly.
Tsunade smirked. Looks like you paid the price for fighting the old man, huh?
"Let's skip the formalities," Orochimaru said in his rasping voice. "I need you to heal my hands."
Tsunade scoffed. "You've got the wrong person. I'm out of the healing business."
"Tsunade-sama," Kabuto interjected, "Orochimaru-sama's condition can only be cured by you. We—"
"Shut up, lackey," Tsunade cut him off sharply.
Her golden eyes bore into Orochimaru. "You killed the Hokage of Konoha… and now you come begging for help? You're either desperate or delusional."
Orochimaru sneered. "Everyone dies eventually, Tsunade. The old man was already half-buried in the ground. Haven't you already lost enough people? Your loved ones, for example—"
"Enough!"
Tsunade's voice cracked like a whip, filled with pure fury. Her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
"Still so short-tempered…" Orochimaru chuckled. "But what if I told you there was a way to see them again? With my Impure World Reincarnation technique."
Tsunade's eyes widened. "What…?"
"You heard me. I can bring them back."
"But first, you'll have to heal my hands."
A storm of emotions swirled in Tsunade's heart.
Orochimaru could see the hesitation in her eyes, and he smiled. He knew exactly how to manipulate her.
"What do you really want, Orochimaru?" she asked suddenly.
Orochimaru grinned. "Since you asked… once I'm healed, I'll destroy Konoha completely."
Shizune gasped. "Tsunade-sama! You cannot agree to this!"
Tsunade said nothing, her fists trembling.
Orochimaru smirked. "I'll give you three days to think it over."
Then, without waiting for a response, he turned and disappeared into the night with Kabuto.
---
The next morning, Sasuke emerged from his room, looking well-rested.
As he stepped outside, he noticed the heavy atmosphere between Tsunade and Shizune.
"Tsunade-sama, about last night…" Shizune began.
Sasuke cut in. "Orochimaru came, didn't he?"
Tsunade and Shizune's eyes widened.
"How did you know?!"
Sasuke smirked. "I told you. I know a lot of secrets."
Then he shook his head. "Besides, the Impure World Reincarnation technique? That's a joke. It's not resurrection. It's just forcing dead souls into a puppet body made of dirt."
He turned to Tsunade. "So, how about another bet?"
Tsunade frowned. "What now?"
"Let's bet on whether I can defeat Orochimaru."
Tsunade and Shizune stared at him before bursting into laughter.
"You? Beat Orochimaru?" Tsunade snorted. "Are you out of your mind?"
Sasuke crossed his arms. "Scared to take the bet?"
Tsunade's brow twitched. "Alright, brat. If you can really defeat Orochimaru, I'll agree to any three requests you make."
"Don't forget," Sasuke smirked. "You've already lost to me twice."
Tsunade gritted her teeth. "Fine! Three days from now, Orochimaru and I will meet at the old building in the Short Side Street district. If you actually beat him… I'll do anything you ask."
Shizune paled. "Tsunade-sama, you can't be serious!"
But Sasuke just smiled.
"Then it's a deal."