Tsunade stayed silent for a few seconds before finally speaking.
"I didn't forget my brother. I just…"
Orochimaru cut her off, voice low and biting.
"Couldn't bring yourself to go against Sensei? I know you're not stupid enough to challenge him without proof. A battle like that would destroy Konoha. The village your grandfather and Uchiha Madara built. But tell me," his golden eyes narrowed, "is this village worth more than the very family who raised you? The family that was butchered, disguised as sacrifices for war? Can you honestly say your grandfather would be proud of your silence while your brother, your uncles, your aunts, every Senju, were slaughtered?"
Tsunade clenched her fists. She didn't know the answer. Deep down, she doubted Hashirama would approve of her decision, especially Tobirama.
Orochimaru's smile was thin and cruel.
"Everyone knows the truth, Tsunade. First the Uzumaki, then the Senju, and soon the Uchiha will follow. The last pillar that formed Konoha is about to vanish just like the others. You may resent the Uchiha, but you cannot deny their loyalty. Countless of them bled for this village under your banner. All they asked was for one of their own to sit in the Hokage's chair. And tell me, which clan doesn't want that? You call them dangerous? Hmph. Who isn't dangerous? The Hyūga with their all-seeing eyes? The Yamanaka who can invade the mind? Or is it that the Uchiha are more dangerous than Danzo?"
Tsunade exhaled slowly. She couldn't deny it. During the war, Uchiha shinobi had fought and died for Konoha just like everyone else. And she couldn't deny the truth. Danzo was the most dangerous of them all.
Orochimaru pressed on.
"As for the Nine-Tails, the Uzumaki who could seal tailed beasts were wiped out. Do you think that was coincidence? Or was it jealousy, fear of their power? And your dear uncle, the Second Hokage, don't tell me his prejudice had nothing to do with it. He was a Senju, and they were mortal enemies. Even when the war ended, the hatred of loss never truly faded."
Then he chuckled, low and mocking.
"But who would have expected that his own students would destroy his clan? His grandnephew, his relatives, all gone. Ironic, isn't it? They inherited his paranoia against the Uchiha perfectly, but he forgot one thing. Humans have their own thoughts, their own desires."
Tsunade closed her eyes. A part of her resented Tobirama. After all, it was his students who had left her alone in the end. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself.
"Jiraiya will be against you," she said.
Orochimaru's expression didn't waver. His voice was calm, almost casual.
"Tsunade, I have no intention of targeting Jiraiya because of our past. But if he gets in my way, then there will be one less Sannin in this world."
Hearing those words, Tsunade understood. He had already made up his mind and nothing would stop him. That, in itself, felt strange. Someone was about to avenge her brother's murder, and that someone wasn't her. What Orochimaru said was true. The only reason she never dared to act was because it would spark an all-out clash. One she knew she would not win. The village would suffer too much. That was why she had left, because staying there had become torment.
"What if I stand against you, to protect the village?" she asked, curious, ignoring the fact that Orochimaru's hand was slowly moving upward. Maybe she sensed it, but she didn't stop him. She wanted to see how far his determination would go.
"You?" Orochimaru's hand paused. "As I said, I will take revenge for Nawaki. It does not matter who stands in my way, even you."
His meaning was clear. Konoha would fall, no matter who opposed him.
Tsunade didn't know why, but her chest tightened with conflicting emotions. On one hand, it felt good that Orochimaru would take vengeance for Nawaki, indirectly for her and for the Senju name itself. On the other, his indifference toward her, even after confessing his feelings, left a sting of sadness.
Almost without thinking, she whispered, "Don't you love me anymore?"
Orochimaru's sharp ears caught it. He didn't answer at once. Instead, his hand resumed its path, stopping at her blouse. He didn't undo it, only pressed firmly against her bust from the outside.
"I do," he said quietly. "It's just… not you alone anymore."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Oh? I didn't know you were a noble, already planning polygamy."
Orochimaru's lips curved faintly.
"Who said only nobles can take more than one wife? Most shinobi simply lack the time or the will to juggle more than one relationship."
"And you think your partners will just accept that?" she asked. The bite in her tone dulled as she admitted, almost grudgingly. Still, he wasn't wrong. With war tearing everything apart, most barely managed one bond. It was not as if polygamy was some forbidden sin. If anything, it was just another way to tie families together.
"That I'll see when the time comes. It is not like I'm going to marry anytime soon," Orochimaru said, tone dismissive. One less woman to think about.
He pulled his hands back and rose smoothly, adjusting his clothes before glancing at Tsunade, who still refused to meet his eyes.
"Thanks for not punching me," he added dryly.
Tsunade exhaled through her nose, gaze fixed to the side. "I was… weakened, seeing your blood," she muttered, almost defensive.
Orochimaru's lips curved faintly. "Really? I doubt that's the reason."
Before she could snap back, his voice cut in, low and sharp.
"You lost your brother, and then Kato Dan conveniently appeared, professing his love for you. You knew what that was, Tsunade. A move against you. And yet, you acknowledged it. You let it happen."
His golden eyes narrowed, dissecting her silence.
"When he died, you suddenly developed hemophobia. The best medical-nin in the world, reduced to trembling at the sight of blood. Who would believe that? No, Tsunade. They wanted you broken, without bonds, without ties. And you too played with them all. You left the village with the perfect excuse, dragging its medical corps down with you."
His words lingered like venom, before he leaned forward slightly, voice dropping into a whisper.
"Isn't that why you took his niece with you? The only family left. A neat little compensation, training her to justify it all."
Saying this, he vanished with a body flicker. He did not want to see her reaction.
Alone in the room, Tsunade murmured, "He really knows me best."
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Harem suggestions(NON naruto versus)