Chapter 223:
Tsunade's quiet actions, such as carefully covering Orochimaru with a blanket, were naturally unknown to him.
Having drunk more than usual, Orochimaru was completely defenseless, something uncharacteristic of him. If someone had the intent to assassinate him, this moment would have been their best opportunity.
Unfortunately for any would-be assassins, this was Konoha, one of the safest places in the ninja world. And with Tsunade by his side, the chance of such an attempt was virtually nonexistent.
Despite Konoha's notorious internal political struggles, it remained far safer than the ninja villages of smaller nations, where the risks of betrayal or sudden attacks were significantly higher. Here, under Tsunade's watchful protection, Orochimaru had nothing to fear.
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In truth, Orochimaru's relationships with the other ninjas of Konoha were distant at best.
While his name was known by all, he had always been a solitary figure, more preoccupied with his research than with forming connections. The wedding, as grand and lively as it appeared, was attended by many who came out of curiosity or simply for the spectacle rather than genuine affection.
This stark reality left Orochimaru with a peculiar sense of loneliness amidst the crowd. Tens of thousands had come to celebrate his wedding, yet only a handful were people he truly knew or cared for. And among them, there were no real family members to speak of, a feeling only a true orphan could understand.
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