The Tale Of An Utterly Old Lady. [Jiraiya x OC]

Chapter 17 | Reality or Fantasy?

Chapter 17 | Reality or Fantasy?

Much like we previously agreed on, the ceremony included only a priest and our one witness—Tsunade.

Or at least...it was supposed to be Tsunade.

"Why is it you...?" Both Jiraiya and I expressed our shock at the person who showed up in place of the future 5th Hokage.

"Tsunade asked me to be here," was the deadpan reply that came out of Orochimaru's mouth.

"Yeah, but why? Where is she?" Jiraiya asked again, perplexed.

"An emergency came up at the hospital," Orochimaru answered with his usual, matter-of-factly way of speaking. Jiraiya and I exchanged looks, and I shrugged, appreciative, at least, that Orochimaru was willing to show up.

The "wedding" was quickly finished. Anticlimactic, I know, but that's exactly how it felt when it occurred: just a passing moment that could easily be forgotten. After all, we couldn't be bothered with something extravagant at that time, and so the ceremony proceeded without any fancy clothes or a fancy venue.

Because Orochimaru showed up to help us, Jiraiya and I offered to buy him dinner that day. He took us up on that offer without hesitation, saying, "Of course I should claim remuneration for lending you two my presence."

Which garnered an annoyed glare from Jiraiya, and thus sending him into a fit of complaints about the future Snake Sannin's unfriendly attitude.

Although Jiraiya acted that way, I could tell that such instances were merely lighthearted badgering between close friends. After all, the small, amused smile that graced Orochimaru's lips was enough to tell me the whole story of their relationship.

It was odd, to say the least, finding Orochimaru in this friendly scenario, considering how infamous he became for the countless crimes he committed in the original story.

During our meal, our conversation got to the topic of my training.

"I heard you've been learning under Hibika lately, Elena," Orochimaru brought up. "How has that been going for you?"

"Don't even get me started," I let out an exasperated sigh. "I feel like I'm gonna pass out from exhaustion every day..."

"Man, she always looks so dead when she gets home. It's kinda funny," Jiraiya stated, letting out a snicker.

I frowned at him, displeased.

"You think my struggle is funny, huh?"

"Don't be like that, Elena," Jiraiya chuckled. He then took some of the meat from his katsudon using his chopsticks and placed them on my plate as he said, "Here, eat some more. You need the energy for tomorrow, too."

"Well, thank you very much!" I grinned, more than willing to receive more food. "No take-backs, okay?"

"Oh, come on, you don't think that lowly of me, do you?"

"Nah, of course not! You're the best!" I jovially claimed before stuffing my mouth with the food he shared.

"That's right. Praise the great Jiraiya some more!" Jiraiya grinned pridefully, sparkling with an annoying amount of ego.

I rolled my eyes at him, though I couldn't help but smile.

"You two get along better than I thought," Orochimaru remarked after staying silent, snapping both Jiraiya and I out of our conversation. "I understand what Sensei was talking about now."