The Last Time.
Mikoto gazed at Yukika, who was now just inches away.
"Who's Sasuke...? Mmph..."
Clearly, she never got the chance to ask that question.
Nor did she realize that it was just Yukika's mischievous sense of humor at play.
...
"Looks like Senju Yukika's love life is quite the soap opera," Orochimaru murmured from afar, unusually interested in the gossip.
"More than a soap opera—he's one short of a full mahjong table," muttered Nawaki.
"We've got Yugito as a sister-in-law, Mikoto as another, and Kushina too."
"Before we knew it, we gained a whole clan of in-laws."
That's not what I was talking about.
Who said we were discussing the number of wives Yukika might have?
Orochimaru's mouth twitched at Nawaki's cluelessness.
No one ever said a ninja must stick to a single spouse. In a world where strength trumps all, if your body can handle it, ten wives is no big deal.
But seriously, who did Yukika end up with?
One's the Two-Tails' Jinchūriki, another is the future Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, and the third is a girl from the Uchiha clan.
If they all married into the Senju, it might shift the balance of power within all of Konoha.
And the most problematic of all—would the Uchiha even allow Mikoto to marry Yukika?
Not likely!
That alone could spark a whole new political firestorm.
"Let's go, Orochimaru-sensei," Yukika said after his brief farewell.
He now wore two cute little protective charms around his neck.
"You sure this is fine?" Orochimaru asked while walking.
Yukika knew what he meant.
Before leaving, he'd boldly kissed the Uchiha girl right outside the Hokage's office. Rumors already swirled that this girl might one day marry the future Uchiha clan head.
And the one who kissed her? Leader of the Senju clan.
It wouldn't take much for one woman to ignite tension between the two great clans.
"Trust me—this is only the beginning," Yukika said with a warm smile as he walked ahead.
Orochimaru couldn't possibly guess what was going on inside his student's head.
Ah...
That moment when he whispered "Forgive me, Sasuke..."
It had felt... magnificent.
And this definitely wouldn't be the last time.
...
"No need to talk about the weather in the Land of Rain. Constant rain due to its geography," Orochimaru explained as they approached the border. "But what you really need to know are the rumors surrounding Amegakure."
"As a country often caught in the crossfire of larger nations, the Land of Rain was always fractured. But ever since Hanzo of the Salamander rose, that all changed."
"Under that self-proclaimed demigod, Amegakure began to resist."
"Which means..."
As they crossed into the Land of Rain, the oppressive air and constant drizzle greeted them. Orochimaru's expression turned somber.
"Things inside are even more chaotic now."
"Suna, Iwa, Kumo, and of course, our own Konoha shinobi—all packed into this single nation."
"It's created a messy, volatile powder keg."
"Before we enter the battlefield, remember: don't underestimate Amegakure—even cornered prey can bite."
Amegakure, huh?
Yukika and Nawaki both nodded.
To survive under siege by all four great nations—and even push back at times—it was no small feat. That alone deserved respect.
"One more thing..."
As they neared the Konoha encampment, Orochimaru's tone changed.
"Don't blindly follow the orders from the Supreme Commander, or you'll regret it."
Oh?
Even Lord Snake himself didn't trust Danzo?
Yukika grinned.
He already knew what time it was.
This war wasn't just about fighting. He had a job to do.
Danzo thought the Land of Rain was ripe for glory and personal achievements?
He was dreaming.
"Lord Orochimaru! Lord Danzo and the others await in the war room!"
The messenger ninja bowed respectfully.
Clearly, Danzo had been expecting their arrival for a while now.