Boom, boom, boom.

The steady knocking sound was like three heavy hammer blows, striking the hearts of the three people inside, each with their own worries.

Startled, Jingyin immediately shut her mouth.

Tsunade's expression changed as well. Her extraordinary senses instantly detected the familiar yet troublesome chakra outside the door.

The old man... why is he here?

Qianxuan reacted the fastest; he looked at Tsunade almost immediately.

Tsunade was also looking at him, her eyes filled with questioning and a hint of barely perceptible panic.

"You should hide first."

Qianxuan lowered his voice and mouthed the words to her.

Tsunade gritted her teeth. How did she, a dignified Sannin, end up having to hide in the home of a Genin?

But when she thought of the old man's lecturing face, she still reluctantly grabbed the half-written IOU from the table, stuffed it haphazardly into her bosom, and quickly added a few more strokes to it.

"Take it!"

She shoved the crumpled piece of paper into Qianxuan's hand.

"You served me well last night. I told you, I'll repay you someday!"

Qianxuan subconsciously took it, unfolded it and saw that the words "IOU" were written in a flamboyant style, with a string of zeros below it, exactly fifty thousand taels.

The signature reads "Tsunade".

Before he could even complain about the messy handwriting and the appalling credibility, Tsunade's figure had already vanished in a blur.

Almost at the same time, Qianxuan sensed a chakra on the roof beam above his head that was almost integrated with the environment.

He silently folded the IOU, stuffed it into his pocket, then walked to the door, straightened his tattered clothes, and opened the door.

There were three people standing outside the door.

Leading the group was none other than the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Beside him stood Orochimaru, whose entire body exuded a chilling, serpentine aura.

Jingyin lowered her head and hid behind the two, not daring to look Qianxuan in the eye.

"Lord Hokage."

Qianxuan bowed slightly, showing the respect a genin should have.

"Qianxuan, I apologize for the intrusion. I hope I haven't disturbed you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi wore a gentle expression of apology, but his gaze subtly swept around the room.

Of the three bowls of ramen, one remained untouched.

"Lord Hokage, you flatter me."

Qianxuan stepped aside to make way.

"The house is small, and the hospitality is inadequate."

Hiruzen Sarutobi walked in, followed by Orochimaru, whose golden snake eyes scrutinized Sengen with great interest, as if he were looking at an interesting experimental subject.

"The village has let you down regarding today's assessment."

Hiruzen Sarutobi got straight to the point, his tone sincere.

"Ryoma Aburame has been imprisoned in Konoha Prison, and he will pay the price for his actions."

He took out a scroll and a brand-new green vest from his pocket.

"This is your Chunin disguise, and this..."

He handed the scroll to Qianxuan.

"The secret technique of Konoha-ryu swordsmanship, 'The Dance of the Crescent Moon.' Consider it a small compensation from the village, and a reward you deserve."

Dance of the Crescent Moon?

Qianxuan took the scroll, a slight thought stirring in his heart.

This is the ultimate technique of the Konoha-ryu swordsmanship, extremely powerful. I can use it as a reference to improve my own swordsmanship.

The old man really went all out this time.

"Thank you, Hokage."

"Hehe, what a touching scene."

Orochimaru let out an untimely laugh from the side. He licked his lips, his gaze lingered on Sengen for a moment, and then he lost interest.

"It's interesting that someone with such weak chakra could survive Danzo's attacks. But..."

He abruptly changed the subject, glancing meaningfully in a certain direction on the roof.

"Tsunade's taste is getting worse and worse."

On the roof beam, Tsunade's fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

Hiruzen Sarutobi glared at Orochimaru, then turned to Shizune, his tone softening considerably.

"Shizune, I know Tsunade is nearby. Please tell her that war is coming soon, and I hope she can return to the village to oversee things."

He emphasized his words.

"I don't need her to participate in the battle, nor do I need her to appear in the hospital. I just want her to stay in the village so that everyone knows that Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin, has returned. This is crucial for stabilizing morale."

Silent nodded repeatedly, about to speak.

Orochimaru laughed again, raised his head, and said to the roof:

"Hiding and dodging isn't your style, Tsunade."

Before he finished speaking, several black shadows suddenly sprang out from his sleeve!

Hidden Shadow Snake Hand!

The venomous snakes flicked their tongues and devoured the roof beams with astonishing speed!

Orochimaru!

Hiruzen Sarutobi roared angrily, trying to stop him, but it was too late.

Silent screamed in fright.

Qian Xuanze subconsciously took a step back, with only one thought in his mind.

My roof!

boom--!!!

With a loud crash, wood chips and tiles flew everywhere.

A huge hole had been blasted into the roof, and sunlight poured in through the hole, illuminating the dust that filled the room.

A golden figure descended from the sky and landed steadily on the ground.

She smashed those reckless venomous snakes into a bloody pulp with one punch, then raised her head, her beautiful face filled with rage.

"Orochimaru, do you want to die?!"

Tsunade's voice was filled with a chilling killing intent.

"Hehe, looks like you're not completely oblivious yet."

Orochimaru looked at her, his golden snake eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Tsunade, you've finally come out."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at his disciple with a complex expression.

Tsunade ignored Orochimaru and turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi instead.

"Old man, is the war you're talking about real?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded solemnly.

"The four great ninja villages have united once again. Konoha needs your strength."

"My power?"

Tsunade gave a self-deprecating laugh.

"Do you need my medical ninjutsu, or do you need me to watch my comrades die before my eyes again?"

The light in her eyes dimmed, and her refusal was crisp and decisive.

"I won't go back."

Tsunade seemed to have thought of something, and she looked at Orochimaru with a hint of provocation.

"And you? Haven't you always wanted to prove you're better than me? Will you go to the front lines this time?"

"certainly."

Orochimaru's answer was frighteningly honest.

"Moreover, I will become the Fourth Hokage."

"you?"

Tsunade looked like she'd heard a joke.

"What, is that not allowed?"

Orochimaru walked up to her, lowered his voice, and spoke in a volume only the two of them could hear.

"Isn't she better than some woman who's obsessed with the past and preys on underage kids?"

Tsunade's face flushed bright red instantly, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

"Whether I'm lying or not, you know in your heart."

Orochimaru's lips curled into a wicked smile.

Tsunade was so angry that she was trembling all over, but she couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.

She took a deep breath, then suddenly changed the subject and reached out her hand to Orochimaru.

"Give me some money."

Orochimaru's smile froze.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shizune were also stunned.

Only Tsunade could pull off such a leap in thinking.

"How many?"

Orochimaru squeezed out two words through his teeth.

"One hundred thousand taels."

Tsunade made an outrageous demand.

Orochimaru's eye twitched.

He pulled a thick wallet from his pocket, too lazy to count it, and threw it directly to Tsunade.

"Take it, and don't bother me again."

After saying that, he turned and left, his back view full of disdain.

"Thanks! You're amazing! You're so generous!"

Tsunade weighed the wallet in her hand, made a face at his back, and her mood instantly improved.

Seeing this absurd scene, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed helplessly and left as well.

Finally, only Sengen, Tsunade, and Shizune remained in the room.

Shizune glanced at Tsunade, then at the huge hole in the roof, and whispered a reminder:

"Lady Tsunade, you're taking down someone's roof..."

Tsunade then noticed the damage she had caused, and a hint of embarrassment flashed across her face.

Qianxuan crossed his arms, leaned against the wall, and sighed softly.

So, where are we sleeping tonight?

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