"Hikari, the next Sealing Technique I'm going to teach you is the Eye Sealing Curse Mark. Once you learn it, you'll be able to remove the Eye Sealing Curse Mark yourself."
While teaching Uchiha Hikari Ninjutsu and Sealing Technique over the past few years, Orochimaru had also been observing her. Now was roughly the time to teach her the Eye Sealing Curse Mark. When facing enemies whose ocular power surpassed hers, the Eye Sealing Curse Mark could play a role in turning the tide.
"I want Orochimaru to remove it, when you think it's appropriate."
Uchiha Hikari hugged Orochimaru's waist, lifted her small face, and looked at her with expectant black eyes.
"A strange persistence."
Orochimaru poked Uchiha Hikari's forehead, not quite understanding why she insisted on such a thing. Thinking that the person she liked was herself, the idea of removing the Eye Sealing Curse Mark somehow felt a bit off.
Could it be that I've written too many incestuous stories?
I haven't had time to write lately!
It must be me overthinking; Hikari isn't that kind of person.
"I don't care, I just want you, Orochimaru, to personally remove it."
Uchiha Hikari said in a spoiled tone, quite satisfied with her current height.
Although she really wanted to grow taller than Orochimaru so she could protect her better, this height was also good!
"Alright, Hikari, you go home with my Shadow Clone. I'm going to the Spiral Tower to see Grandma Mito."
Orochimaru pinched Uchiha Hikari's cheek, formed hand signs, and a Shadow Clone appeared beside her.
"Mhm."
Uchiha Hikari nodded obediently.
"I'll leave the Limb Regeneration Technique to you."
Orochimaru said to the Shadow Clone.
"Leave it to me, but you handle your own romantic debts."
The Shadow Clone said with a wink. She was just a Shadow Clone; let the original body worry about emotional matters!
Damn it... why is my Shadow Clone so annoying?
Orochimaru's fist clenched as she watched the Shadow Clone take Uchiha Hikari home.
Spiral Tower
Orochimaru looked at the huge Uzumaki clan crest beneath her feet and thought of Uzumaki Chigusa, who was far away in the Land of Waves. It had been a while since she had gone to the Land of Waves since the war began.
"Orochimaru, you're here."
The elderly Uzumaki Mito looked kindly at Orochimaru.
"Grandma Mito, aren't you teaching the children in the Sealing Team today?"
Orochimaru looked at Grandma Mito, who had grown even older and whose hair was not as red as before, lamenting the ruthlessness of time, and quickly walked over.
"The children in the Sealing Team also need to learn the knowledge Ninja need to master."
Uzumaki Mito extended her hand, and Orochimaru willingly lowered her head for her to stroke it.
"Grandma Mito, Tsunade confessed to me a while ago, though she was drunk at the time…"
Orochimaru couldn't help but bring up the matter.
"That Tsunade girl finally got bold for once!"
Uzumaki Mito's narrowed eyes opened a bit, thinking that her unfilial granddaughter had finally shown some backbone.
"Huh? Drunk?"
Uzumaki Mito belatedly realized that Tsunade had confessed while drunk.
Drinking for courage!
Uzumaki Mito's happy mood turned a bit irritated. If Tsunade were in front of her, she would definitely scold her. To need alcohol for something like a confession, it really wasn't like her granddaughter.
"Yes, Tsunade confessed while drunk… Eh? Grandma Mito, you already knew Tsunade liked me?"
Orochimaru only realized this halfway through her sentence, looking at Uzumaki Mito in surprise.
"Yes, Tsunade has liked you for a long time, over ten years now, hasn't she?"
Uzumaki Mito thought for a moment. It had been nearly ten years since she first realized Tsunade liked Orochimaru.
"That long…?"
Orochimaru hadn't expected Tsunade to have liked her for so long.
"I thought I'd die before seeing your relationship develop further."
Uzumaki Mito said with a smile. The old Tsunade had never even thought about confessing, nor did she know how to express her feelings, and Orochimaru had been completely oblivious to Tsunade's feelings for her.
Uzumaki Mito had thought she wouldn't see their relationship progress before she died, but she never expected such a sudden surprise, though Tsunade's method of confession left her dissatisfied.
Orochimaru found it incomprehensible that Uzumaki Mito so easily accepted Tsunade's feelings for her, and couldn't help but ask, "Grandma Mito, you don't object? Tsunade and I are both girls."
"Why would I object? Tsunade likes you, not your gender."
Uzumaki Mito looked at the expression on Orochimaru's face and continued, "Orochimaru, you are exceptional enough. You are outstanding in Ninjutsu and in all aspects. Your only flaw is being a girl, but this insignificant flaw pales in comparison to your merits."
An insignificant flaw, no… not worth mentioning?
Soon after, Orochimaru walked out of the Spiral Tower in a daze. She hadn't expected Grandma Mito to be so open-minded, even a bit exaggeratedly so.
Not only had she known about Tsunade's feelings for her for a long time, but she also strongly supported Tsunade pursuing her. Listening to her resentful words, it was as if she was just short of personally teaching Tsunade how to pursue her.
Orochimaru had a feeling that if Grandma Mito were a dozen years younger, she might even drug her and Tsunade and lock them in a room, forcing them to take the next step.
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