Orochimaru was completely lost in an ocean of knowledge, swimming through it like a sponge constantly absorbing everything the books had to offer.
This intense focus was not merely a habit formed in his past life; Orochimaru had always been exceptionally earnest and diligent in everything he did since he was a child. No one achieves success by chance, and even a genius must sweat to go far.
It was only when a rumbling sound came from his stomach that Orochimaru was pulled back to reality. Looking up, he realized the sky had unconsciously grown dark. Because of his eyes' natural night-vision capabilities, he had been able to clearly read the words on the pages without immediately noticing the changing light.
Feeling the hunger in his body, Orochimaru put the finished books back on the shelf.
Walking into Tsunade's kitchen and seeing plenty of ingredients still left, he decided to cook something himself. Though not entirely fresh, the ingredients looked like they had been purchased just that day, presumably as drinking snacks Tsunade had brought home.
Orochimaru skillfully washed the rice and set it to cook, while washing, slicing, and stir-frying vegetables came just as naturally to him. Having grown up in a rural family during his past life—where the children of the poor must learn to manage early—cooking was second nature to him. Whenever there was a wedding or a funeral in the village, he used to be the one personally wielding the wok. With several chef friends around him as well, he could practically be considered half an expert in gastronomy.
Just as he finished stir-frying two dishes and was about to make the final egg drop soup, a creaking sound echoed as the door opened. Tsunade, heavy-eyed and half-asleep, rubbed her drowsy eyes as she pushed open the kitchen door.
"Orochimaru? I thought a burglar had broken in!"
Looking at her sleepy, disheveled state, with a large expanse of snow-white skin exposed at her chest, Orochimaru struggled to pull his gaze away. Handing her two plates of food, he said, "Here, take these to the living room. I just need to finish making the soup."
Mechanically taking the plates, Tsunade walked over to the dining table, set them down, and immediately pulled out two bottles of wine. By the time Orochimaru emerged carrying the bowl of soup, Tsunade was already drinking on her own.
He ladled a bowl of egg drop soup for her and snatched the wine bottle right out of her hand. "Eat first. It's bad to drink on an empty stomach—besides, I doubt you ate lunch today, did you?"
Tsunade froze for a moment, glanced at Orochimaru's displeased expression, and then looked down at the two dishes, the soup, and the plate of peanuts on the table. Orochimaru had made shredded pork with green peppers and shredded potatoes with pork. Aside from the pork bought today, the rest consisted of ingredients that could be stored for a few days.
"Looks pretty good. Didn't you always say you hated cooking?"
With that, Tsunade picked up her chopsticks and took a bite. After just two mouthfuls, her eyes lit up. The very next moment, the speed at which she was shoveling food into her mouth increased dramatically. Perhaps she was truly starving, or perhaps Orochimaru's cooking genuinely tasted exceptional; within moments, her cheeks were bulging.
"Eat slowly, no one's going to steal it from you."
Orochimaru shot her a sideways glance. Why did she suddenly look like a starving ghost? Just a moment ago she had been drinking wine with peanuts, and now she was abandoning all dignity to gorge herself.
"Ah! I had no idea your cooking was this good. How did I never notice before?" Tsunade finished her bowl of egg drop soup and offered Orochimaru a rare compliment.
"Hmph... my skills run deep. You'll figure that out in due time."
This time it was Tsunade's turn to roll her eyes. Ignoring whether or not she caught the double entendre, Orochimaru scooped her another bowl of egg drop soup.
"Orochimaru, something's off with you. People who offer courtesies for no reason are either up to no good or harboring evil designs!" Tsunade declared first after eating and drinking her fill. At that moment, another cup of wine had been poured in front of her, and Orochimaru filled his own cup as well.
Taking a gentle sip, he found the wine tasted somewhat like local sake—not particularly delicious, but better than nothing.
"I want you to spar with me in taijutsu for a while. I've recently developed a new ability and need someone to practice with," Orochimaru said slowly. Their eyes met, but Tsunade's doubts were clearly not dispelled.
"Just like that?"
Seeing her half-believing, half-suspicious expression, Orochimaru smiled slightly. "Of course it's not that simple. I also want to start researching biological cells recently, and your Medical Ninjutsu would be extremely useful for my research. You're better at this than I am, so I was hoping to seek your guidance."
That part, at least, was genuine. A prerequisite for using Medical Ninjutsu was a thorough familiarity with human organs. One had to understand every meridian and every organ inside and out, down to the cellular and even genetic levels. In this regard, Tsunade could undoubtedly give him plenty of guidance and save him from making detours.
"I knew it! But still, you've been acting like a completely different person. Before, even if you needed something from me, you wouldn't act like this."
She was naturally referring to the scene at the cemetery, as well as his behavior today—taking care of her and cooking for her. Thinking of this, Tsunade suddenly knitted her brows.
*Could this guy Orochimaru have the hots for me? No way, no way. He used to ignore me completely. He must just be trying to comfort me because my loved one passed away. Yes, that has to be it!*
At that thought, Tsunade didn't dare let her mind wander any further, instinctively shying away from that direction. Her predecessor's body wasn't even cold yet, and Orochimaru was trying to take advantage of her vulnerability? He had even kissed her that day—though it happened in a flash and it was raining, she was certain it wasn't just her imagination.
*Your wife? I'll take care of her for you?*
As he took small sips of his wine, Orochimaru had no inkling that Tsunade was deep into a mental battle of self-persuasion. If she knew that a brand-new soul now inhabited Orochimaru's body, all these suspicions would suddenly make complete sense.
But that was impossible—absolutely impossible!
"I noticed you have quite a collection of books in your study. Would it be alright if I went over to read them often?" Orochimaru asked, looking at the brooding Tsunade with her head lowered, afraid she would drift back to painful memories.
"Hm? Read whatever you want. They're just gathering dust anyway." Tsunade waved a hand generously. To her, knowledge that wasn't memorized in one's head wasn't knowledge at all, merely words on paper.
"By the way, I can spar with you, but you have to keep me fed!"
She had to admit, the meals Orochimaru cooked tasted genuinely good. Look at that—he had practically conquered Tsunade's stomach.
Seeing the slight upward curve of Tsunade's lips, Orochimaru caught sight of the first trace of a genuine smile on her face since coming to this world.
"Deal. But let's get one thing straight: drinking is fine, but no getting drunk. You have no idea how much effort it took me to get you back to your room today. You've definitely gotten heavier..."
"Get lost! *You're* the heavy one. It's just that you've gotten weaker lately; I don't even weigh a hundred catties..."
The two of them drank and bantered back and forth, creating a remarkably harmonious atmosphere.
Today's Orochimaru wasn't like his usual self, sparing words like gold and constantly putting on a cold face. Tsunade also rather liked this current, cheerful version of Orochimaru. She knew he was probably putting on a special act to cheer her up, but it really did make her feel a good deal happier.
Through the window, the lamplight spilled out as their occasional bickering filled a courtyard that had remained silent for so many years.
Life is about using a spoonful or two of sweetness to dilute eight or nine parts of bitterness.