Late at night.
The married man Minato quietly listened to Kushina's account of her daily encounters and complaints on the streets.
"Those people were saying such awful and nasty things! Miss Hinowa is such a kind person, yet they spread such rumors about her! It makes me so angry!"
"So that's why you started arguing with them right in the middle of the street?"
"They were the ones who started with those horrible comments! And not just about Miss Hinowa, they were badmouthing Orochimaru too! You should have heard what they—"
Seeing Kushina getting increasingly worked up and showing no signs of stopping, Minato quickly interrupted with a gentle smile.
"Calm down, Kushina. Actually, I've heard there's more to the story between Orochimaru and Miss Hinowa."
"More to the story?"
Kushina, nestled in Minato's arms, looked up at him with questioning eyes.
Feeling Kushina's intense gaze, Minato averted his eyes awkwardly and scratched his head.
"But they don't seem to want others to know about it..."
"Minato!" Kushina pouted angrily.
Ten minutes later...
"Sniff..."
Kushina, now on her 200 tissue handed by Minato, had reddened eyes and couldn't quite stop her quiet sobs.
'I'm sorry, Kushina... I'll make it up to you later!'
Minato silently apologized to his beloved in his heart.
"Why won't they tell everyone their story? If people knew the truth, they'd never spread such rumors!"
Kushina wiped her tears while grumbling indignantly.
Minato forced a relieved smile and sighed softly.
"They both seem uncomfortable with attention. The current gossip doesn't really bother them."
Hearing this, Kushina couldn't hold back anymore and buried her face in Minato's chest, whimpering.
"They're such idiots... letting themselves be misunderstood like this... when it's such a touching love story... sniff..."
"There, there. We should respect their wishes. And Kushina, you absolutely mustn't go spreading this, okay? That's what they want."
"...Okay."
Kushina replied in a tiny voice.
Success!
Minato inwardly sighed in relief.
With Obito handling the younger ninja circles and Kushina covering the wives' gossip network, plus the Third Hokage and his ANBU team, this lineup would top Konoha's trending list within three days!
And... Kushina, I'm sorry!
...
Three days later.
"Orochimaru-sama, we fully support you and Miss Hinowa! May you have a healthy baby!"
Walking down the street, Orochimaru grew increasingly puzzled by the passing ninjas who kept cheering him on.
Their stares made his skin crawl.
The men were tolerable, but the women's eyes... something was definitely wrong with them!
Admiration, sentimentality, envy, blessings... what was this?!
To Orochimaru, these emotions seemed highly suspicious and downright terrifying, making him profoundly uncomfortable.
No, he couldn't stay on the streets any longer!
Orochimaru decided he'd finish grocery shopping and hurry home immediately.
These pedestrians were far too strange!
"Orochimaru-sama! May I ask... may I..."A young man holding paper and pen blocked Orochimaru's path, wiping away his unstoppable tears as he sobbed.
"C-can I write a book about you and your wife's story? I believe it... it will become the Shinobi World's best-selling and most touching masterpiece!"
Faced with the young man who couldn't stop crying, even the usually cold Orochimaru hurriedly refused, shaking off this seemingly deranged youth before walking away.
"Idiot! There's no way Orochimaru-sama would agree to such a thing!"
"Exactly! Orochimaru-sama and Lady Hinowa just want to be together peacefully! To ignore all the gossip, stay devoted to each other through thick and thin, and find the simplest happiness!"
"All they seek is the purest form of love!"
"Don't you dare insult Orochimaru-sama and Lady Hinowa's love!"
Hearing the verbal attacks from passersby, the young man quickly wiped his tears and explained to the crowd.
"No no no, I don't mean any disrespect to Orochimaru-sama and his wife at all! I just want to write this story so more people can see it!"
As he spoke, the young man's expression suddenly grew complicated, and his voice lowered.
"To be honest... I was once betrayed by love. But... because of Orochimaru-sama and Lady Hinowa's love story, I believe in love again! I want more people... especially those like me, to believe that true love exists!"
Hearing this, a nearby man couldn't hold back anymore, covering his face as he sniffled.
"Brother... same."
"Same!"
"Same!"
"Same!"
"Me too!"
...
To briefly summarize the most widespread version of Orochimaru and Hinowa's love story circulating in Konoha:
He was a genius ninja who made great contributions to Konoha's peace, known as one of the Sanin.
She was just a lowly entertainer working in that kind of establishment, making a living through performances.
He stood high above!
She was of humble status!
Love at first sight, deeper affection upon second meeting!
Fortunate for three lifetimes, devoted until death!
The power of love ultimately conquered all!
The gap in status, society's judgment, opposition from mentors, mockery from juniors, gossip behind their backs...
The two paid no mind!
Under everyone's watchful eyes, they resolutely chose to walk together openly!
He stood firm and unyielding, shielding her from the world.
She gazed tenderly at his face.
What is love in this world?
It makes one fearless against all!
In Konoha, countless men and women who had been toyed with and abandoned in relationships exclaimed that they believed in love again!
Within just one week, Orochimaru's reputation skyrocketed among female ninjas and villagers, surpassing even his lifetime peak and nearly rivaling Minato's!
For no other reason than this man...
Was a devoted lover, a good man!
...
"Auntie, auntie, tell me more about your story with sensei!"
Facing Anko's eager expression, Hinowa didn't know where to begin, because... there simply wasn't such a story to tell!
What on earth has been going on with the village's atmosphere lately?
Why do I keep running into so many people encouraging me or even asking for autographs every time I go out?
Could it be related to what Orochimaru-sama mentioned a couple of days ago about the rumors being resolved?
"Master's wife, Master's wife! Was it really love at first sight between you and the teacher? Your love story is so touching!"
Looking at Anko, who was propping her little face with both hands, her expression full of yearning,
Hinowa silently responded in her heart.
'I really don't know anything about love, but as for being touched... that day... I truly didn't dare to move...'
Seeing Hinowa's inexplicably flushed face, Anko became even more convinced of the love story about Hinowa circulating outside!
It's absolutely true, no doubt about it!
Because Master's wife... is shy!