Chapter Eleven: The Serpent Lord Enjoys a Hot Spring

The Land of Soup, nestled beside the sea, was a prosperous country renowned for its hospitality and peace—a hidden paradise for shinobi. The land was most famous for its abundant hot springs.

“Since we’re here, let’s enjoy a soak in the springs,” Orochimaru rasped, halting before the entrance of a bathhouse.

Kimimaro nodded silently.

Orochimaru shook his head with a faint smile. “Kimimaro, there’s no need to be so serious. Sometimes you must let your body and mind relax—it’ll help you become stronger.”

Kimimaro attempted a smile to ease his stiffness, but the result was more of a grimace.

“All right, don’t force yourself to smile. The hot springs will loosen you up just as well,” Orochimaru said, stepping inside.

Kimimaro hesitated, tried to smile once more, then finally gave up and followed after.

The proprietress was a poised, mature woman dressed in a revealing, enticing manner. At the sight of customers, she greeted them warmly.

“Welcome, both of you. We’re offering a couple’s discount today—you’ve come at just the right time.”

At her words, Kimimaro, who had just entered, frowned. Couple? Was she insulting Lord Orochimaru? He was not worthy of Lord Orochimaru, and besides, Lord Orochimaru was clearly a man!

He glanced at Orochimaru’s back. Though he didn’t know why Orochimaru wasn’t angry, he himself was incensed. His eyes sharpened and his aura threatened to burst forth—only to be quelled as Orochimaru turned around.

“What are you standing there for? Come over here!”

Orochimaru was no longer in his original male form, but appeared as a young woman.

Kimimaro was taken aback. “Orochi—”

Before he could finish, Orochimaru cut him off. “Didn’t I tell you not to call me Lady Orochi in public? Come here and pay.”

Kimimaro, still dazed, came forward and paid the fee.

He suddenly realized that Orochimaru's current appearance seemed familiar—like the woman he had previously reincarnated into. Unaware that this was Orochimaru’s true body and not another vessel, Kimimaro believed he was once again using that girl’s form.

“So, by that logic, Orochimaru is a woman right now!”

This conclusion plunged Kimimaro into contemplation; he had never thought about it before.

Orochimaru chuckled softly, unconcerned by Kimimaro’s distraction—he had done this intentionally for Kimimaro’s benefit. Letting his thoughts wander was good for his health.

Of course, Orochimaru was still male; he had restored his true body to human form, his skin as smooth as an infant’s. Until he gained the immortality of the Hell Valley hot springs, this body was precious indeed.

He had merely used Transformation Jutsu to appear as a woman. He’d grown accustomed to the women’s baths after three years in a female body; there was no need to change habits for such a trivial matter.

Unbothered by these details, Orochimaru entered the women’s hot springs. Kimimaro, after a long, befuddled pause, stumbled into the men’s side, his expression still dazed.

The alluring proprietress watched the scene, covering her mouth with a giggle. “My, my, what a shy young couple, still hesitant to take the final step.”

In the women’s bath, steam rose in gentle clouds. Orochimaru’s gaze swept the room and settled on a petite girl soaking in the spring. She looked as adorable as a child.

A faint, knowing smile touched Orochimaru’s lips. He recognized her—she was the daughter of a friend. In fact, his destination, Hell Valley, was connected to this girl; she was one of only two survivors of the Blood Pond clan, whose downfall had occurred in that very valley.

Their paths were not meant to cross until after the battle with Kaguya, but his rebirth had accelerated their encounter.

Orochimaru walked to the girl’s side, dropped the towel from his shoulders, and entered the water.

Chino was soaking quietly when someone approached; she frowned slightly, disliking company. Glancing at the newcomer’s figure, she felt a sting of envy—her own body had stopped developing early, leaving her small and self-conscious.

She shifted away, returning to her thoughts.

She, Kazekokoro, and their companions had escaped from Lord Onka’s fortress some time ago. They intended to go to Hell Valley, but at the villagers’ request, had remained in Bamboo Village.

Helping helpless villagers was the right thing to do—yet she could not find happiness in her heart. Her family and clan were in Hell Valley; her thoughts constantly returned there.

“Ah, my head’s going to explode—stop thinking about it!” Chino pressed her hands to her skull, unable to stop her thoughts. She dunked her head under the water, only resurfacing after a long moment.

“That’s better,” she whispered.

“My, little sister, what’s troubling you?” came the gentle voice beside her.

Orochimaru studied her with interest. His friend’s daughter was still ignorant of her clan’s fate, running herself ragged for the sake of Bamboo Village—though that place would betray them at the first sign of trouble.

Chino had not yet experienced the cruelty of human nature.

“I’m not troubled,” Chino muttered, turning away.

Orochimaru smiled. “Don’t be afraid, little one. You can confide in me—I don’t know you, but perhaps I can offer useful advice.”

Since fate had brought them together, Orochimaru decided to offer her a hint—perhaps she would surprise him.

Chino ignored him at first, but eventually, her mind so troubled it felt ready to burst, she ventured a question.

“Sister, let’s say I have a friend who wants to do one thing, but is caught up in another. The second thing is the right thing to do, so she shouldn’t be troubled, right? But why is she still bothered by it?”

Orochimaru smiled. “Then perhaps that second thing isn’t actually the right thing.”

“Huh?” Chino was startled.

They were helping Bamboo Village, making life better for the poor—was that not the right thing? No, it was right. This woman just didn’t understand.

She tried to explain. “My friend is helping a poor village to prosper. It must be the right thing.”

Orochimaru shook his head. “Then perhaps the village isn’t worth your friend’s efforts.”

He had touched upon the truth—Bamboo Village was not worth Chino's sacrifice.

“Huh? That can’t be,” Chino protested, recalling that the villagers seemed quite kind. Surely they were worth it.

Orochimaru said, “Words mean little. If you’re unsure, have your friend test it.”

Chino had never heard the saying: never test human nature, for no matter the result, you’ll lose.

After their baths, Orochimaru and Kimimaro regrouped outside the bathhouse. Kimimaro eyed Orochimaru with a strange, new gleam in his gaze.

Orochimaru only smiled. “So, did anything interesting happen in the bath? Perhaps we’ll have an unexpected windfall.” His smile curled high, full of anticipation.