In Naruto, multiverse and more with Gacha system

"Saeko-chan, your cooking is really good!" Shizuka beamed, happily munching away.

Saeko smiled, taking the compliment in stride.

Saya nodded, but deep down, it bugged her. How was Saeko, just a year older, so much more… capable?

She could fight. She could cook. She probably knew how to sew, too. Meanwhile, Saya had book smarts and a sharp tongue. Useful, sure but did it compare?

"Did your mother teach you how to cook?"

The question made Saeko pause, though her expression barely shifted.

"No," she said, shaking her head. "She died after I was born. A neighbour taught me."

Shizuka blinked, caught off guard by the bluntness.

Saeko didn't seem bothered, but then again, why would she be? She'd only ever had her father, and their relationship was… well, let's just say she wasn't losing sleep over him. Not before, and definitely not now.

Her eyes flicked to Saya, who had gone ghost-white.

"What's wrong, Saya-chan?"

"My mother…" Saya muttered, barely hearing herself. "How could I forget about her?"

Her stomach twisted. Not once had she thought about her mother not during the chaos, not while fighting to survive.

But could she even blame herself?

Who had time to sit and reminisce when they were constantly on the move, trying not to die?

Especially when she was running on fumes. She hadn't even eaten yesterday just collapsed onto the bed and blacked out.

Honestly, no wonder her brain had short-circuited. It already had too much on its plate. But now, with family being brought up, all those buried thoughts came rushing back. And they hit like a truck.

Orochimaru stepped into the room, flipping through a book, barely sparing them a glance until he noticed the heavy atmosphere.

He sighed, placing the book down. Here we go.

"What happened?"

Saeko spoke first, keeping it brief. "She wants to confirm her mother's safety."

Orochimaru raised a brow. "Then call her."

Saya's head snapped up. Tears welled in her eyes as she turned to him, desperation raw in her voice.

"Please… save her."

"Do you think calling her won't be useful?" Orochimaru questioned instead, watching Saya closely.

She didn't react to the suggestion at all just kept begging.

Interesting. That told him more than she probably intended.

Orochimaru took a bite of Saeko's cooking, nodding slightly in approval. It was good clearly, she had skill.

Then, without missing a beat, he turned back to Saya. "Explain," he said simply.

Saya exhaled shakily, forcing herself to speak. "My father… he never loved my mother. He barely cared about her, and now she's sick." Her hands clenched into fists. "She's alone. If she's still alive…" Her voice cracked, but she pushed forward. "Please save her. I beg you."

Orochimaru watched her, expression unreadable.

Ah. There it was. That desperate plea the moment she admitted she had no other options. Not just because of his control over her but because he could save her mother.

Which made things interesting.

"Why would I?" He tilted his head slightly, golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "Do you have anything to make it worth my while?"

Saya flinched. "I will give…" The words were automatic, but she stopped herself.

Because she realised something.

What could she even offer?

Orochimaru and his clone had already looted everything useful as they moved through the city. He had no need for money, weapons, or supplies. She had nothing of value.

Nothing but herself.

The realisation hit like a punch to the gut. She had nothing left but she was still here.

And if she was all she had left to bargain with…

Her stomach twisted. She knew this was dangerous. She knew she might be walking into something worse than death itself.

But she couldn't lose her mother. Not when she was the only person Saya was still living for.

Not when there was still a chance to save her.

Taking a deep breath, she lifted her chin.

"I will exchange myself."

Both Shizuka and Saeko's eyes widened, equally shocked by Saya's words.

"Sa—" Shizuka started, her voice laced with concern.

But before she could say more, Saeko silently raised a hand, stopping her.

She understood.

This wasn't a decision made lightly. And once said, it couldn't be taken back.

And there was no other option now.

They didn't have the ability to save her mother.

So they didn't have the right to interfere with Saya's decision.

But Orochimaru's next words sent a chill through them all.

"Aren't you already mine? Did you forget everyone present here life was already lost in this game?"

Orochimaru simply watched her, amused.

"You didn't want to kill us…" Saya muttered, her mind racing ahead of her words. "You probably wanted to take us before the game even started. Maybe… maybe the game was just to choose which one… and… and maybe whoever won will be killed rather than who lost."

She wasn't even sure where these words were coming from her own desperate conclusions, or just something she wished to be true. A justification. A way to make sense of everything.

Because if that was the case… then maybe, just maybe, there was still a way out of this.

Orochimaru's smile widened as he gestured for her to continue.

"But that still doesn't answer why should I help you?"

"I… I will be yours. I'll follow your every command… do as you wish."

Both Shizuka and Saeko stiffened, staring at Saya like she'd just announced she was going to marry a zombie.

Orochimaru, on the other hand, looked downright amused.

"You'll be mine, follow my every command, do as I wish…" He echoed her words slowly, almost playfully. "Haven't we already established that?"

Saya swallowed. "Yes, but this time, I'll do it willingly. No seals. No mind control. Just… me, obeying you. No resistance. No complaints."

Orochimaru raised a brow, his grin sharpening. "Oh? And what guarantee do I have that you won't change your mind the moment you get what you want?"

"I won't," she insisted. "I swear it. I'll even—" She sucked in a breath, hands clenching into fists. "I'll follow you to your world. As your slave."