Chapter 171:
At the Konoha camp on the Iwa Ninja front line, Orochimaru lay on a large boulder just outside the base, dressed in his usual ninja attire, Jonin vest, and Konoha forehead protector. Eyes closed, he appeared relaxed, as if he had nothing to worry about.
And, in truth, he didn't. The enemy had grown wary of him after countless encounters. By now, every time Iwa or any other hostile force spotted him, they would retreat without a second thought. Even the most determined raiding parties would break off their attacks at the first sign of his presence.
So Orochimaru found himself with little to do. Days blurred together as he idly waited for an enemy who would never come close enough to fight.
As he lay there, a different kind of restlessness crept into his mind, memories of Tsunade. Her presence, her scent, her warmth… All things he missed more than he'd care to admit. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this sort of attachment to anyone.
"Am I… getting soft?" Orochimaru muttered to himself, looking up at the sky with a hint of self-criticism. "Missing a woman on the battlefield… the so-called tomb of heroes…"
But just as he was about to shake off the thought, his attention snapped to the sky.
"What…?"
His eyes narrowed as he saw a glint on the horizon. An emergency flare rocketed into the air from the far end of the camp, signaling an imminent attack.
"Enemy sighted!" someone yelled, causing the entire camp to stir.