Konoha: Offer your heart to the Hokage!

A kind teacher who "cares about his apprentice" was unaware that his apprentice had a bloodline disease.

Well then, let's try to make up for it a little.

Shen Er's expression remained serious, but his tone softened: "Take me to see her later."

He did not mention the punishment again.

People with a sharp tongue but a kind heart are the easiest to earn respect and love.

"Aren't you going over now?"

There wasn't enough cake for three people...

To save money, Shen Er chose the cheapest way to offer help.

on the surface.

Shen Er shook his head and said in a high-sounding manner, "Let her spend Orochimaru's birthday with him first. Don't mention matters of life and death in front of the child."

...

Orochimaru's early years were lonely.

From the time he could remember, his activities were confined to his small dwelling. His only companions were his mother, the white snake, and the strangers who always wore masks at the door.

As soon as Orochimaru learned to crawl, the first thing he did was crawl to the edge of the balcony, hold onto the railing, straighten his body, and look into the distance.

He learned to stand before he could even walk.

That was the first time he glimpsed the outside world.

What's on the other side of the railing?

It is the Fire Shadow Rock bathed in the warm sun.

The stone statue of the First Hokage was dazzling in Orochimaru's eyes.

After he learned to speak, like most children, his first word was "Mommy." But his first question was: "Mommy, why can't we go outside?"

Matsumoto Kaori just smiled gently and ruffled his hair: "It was Mom's fault. When you're a little older, you can go out."

Orochimaru kept these words in mind and silently prepared for the day he would be able to go out.

Although his body was restricted from going out, the large collection of books in his home helped him get out of his house.

Orochimaru displayed extraordinary learning talent from birth, recognizing characters before he was even a year old. After learning to read, even when his body was confined indoors, his vision had already extended to the outside world through books.

His interest in the science of ninjutsu was a perfect inheritance from his mother.

While Tsunade, the Demon Pearl, was raising the dice next door, Orochimaru, the Spirit Pearl, had already read up to "The Will of Fire".

"The Will of Fire" was officially proposed and published as a textbook on the day Matsumoto Waka graduated, but because its designer was Shinji, Matsumoto Waka deliberately took the time to go to the bookstore to buy more.

Although the content is largely the same, she buys a copy every time it is revised.

Just like fans cheer for their idols and buy their merchandise.

This is one of Matsumoto Waka's few hobbies besides her research.

When Orochimaru first read "The Will of Fire," he was only puzzled.

The book promotes family ties and bonds, but why would someone who is "family" confine himself and his mother at home? Even though he doesn't like to eat meat, his mother only teaches him to have a balanced diet and doesn't punish him by locking him in a smaller room.

He voiced his doubts for the first time and was also severely reprimanded by his mother for the first time.

Matsumoto Kazuka solemnly told him: The Will of Fire is infallible; it is a principle proposed by Lord Shinji. Everything Lord Shinji says is correct; you just need to believe it.

"Sir Sir?"

"Yes, he is a great man. He was your mother's teacher and someone you, Orochimaru, must respect and serve when you grow up."

Young Orochimaru could not understand why his mother held Jin in such high esteem and awe.

But out of love and respect for his mother, he agreed on the spot.

...

Today is Orochimaru's first birthday.

The book said that children get a cake on their birthdays, but he didn't; he only got an apple pie made by his mother. Although it was delicious, Orochimaru always felt something was missing, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

The supplies distributed to the village did not include cakes or other foods with special symbolic meanings.

of course.

Perhaps there was originally a ration, but it was secretly and deliberately blocked by someone.

If Konoha were to offer humanitarian assistance first, it would seem as if that person's warmth were cheap.

dong dong...

Matsumoto Kaori went to open the door, and what was handed to her was a four-inch cake, just enough for two people.

"This, this is..."

"I'm sorry, Kaori, I also wanted to bring you a cake, but the only people who can bring you things are the Hokage or Lord Jinji."

"It was given to you by Lord Shen'er." Zhongshan Xue added the finishing blow: "Today is Tsunade's birthday. Lord Shen'er must have specially left her birthday party early to buy a cake for you."

"..."

Matsumoto Kazuka, tears streaming down her face, picked up the cake with trembling hands and walked up to Orochimaru: "Orochimaru, come and eat the cake."

And yet again.

When Orochimaru heard the name again, he didn't understand why his mother was crying.

He sat quietly on the tatami mat, taking small bites of an apple-filled cake.

It has a surprisingly sweet taste.

The mother and son slowly ate the cake, until only one piece remained.

Footsteps sounded again outside the door.

Orochimaru turned around and looked over when he heard the sound.

Chapter 92 The Gentlest Edo Tensei

Orochimaru swallowed the cake in his mouth and curiously looked at Shen'er.

Orochimaru, whose brain was not yet fully developed, thought for a while before finding the corresponding person in his memory.

The person before me is Shen'er from the Zen temple that my mother often mentioned.

The name and portrait of Shen are printed on the homepage of "The Will of Fire". Seeing the real person now makes the feeling even more real.

Dressed in a white haori, his eyes held a gentle, compassionate gaze. Even though he was too young to understand, Orochimaru instinctively sensed the extraordinary nature of the man before him.

Just looking at his posture is terrifying.

He wasn't shy at all; he opened his big eyes and stared at Shen Er with curiosity.

Shen Er's gaze also fell on Orochimaru.

Even at the age of one, Orochimaru was still small, but one could already vaguely see what he would look like in the future.

Her vertical pupils were a direct inheritance from her mother, and her eyes naturally carried a purple tint, giving her an air of gloom that sent chills down one's spine.

Is something wrong?

I vaguely remember that Orochimaru was a harmless and handsome boy when he was young.

It wasn't until they cooperated with Danzo that the talent pool gradually changed.

How come he has such an evil aura at such a young age?

This is not good.

At this moment, Matsumoto Kazuka, holding Orochimaru's hand, introduced him, "Orochimaru, this is Zen-in Jinji. You should address him as 'Master'."

Orochimaru then called out, "Lord Shen'er."

He placed the last piece of cake on a tray, from bottom to top, and handed it to Shen Er: "Lord Shen Er, have some cake."

Upon seeing Orochimaru like this, he even felt a strange sense of closeness.

He looked down at him and asked, "Is the cake delicious?"

"Delicious! This is the best thing I've ever eaten."

"If you like it, keep it for yourself. I don't like cake."

Even his tone was indifferent.

But in Matsumoto Waka’s eyes, his coldness was a deliberate pretense.

It was used to protect himself and Orochimaru.

She knew in her heart that although she had broken the taboo, her teacher still cared about her as a disciple, and also cared about Orochimaru because of her love for him. He even took time out of Tsunade's first birthday party to send her a cake.

She felt a pang of regret, wishing that Orochimaru hadn't been created through forbidden experiments.

That way, teachers wouldn't have to deliberately adopt such an indifferent attitude.

"Huh? There are actually people who don't like apple cake?"

Although Orochimaru is exceptionally talented, his age limit means he still retains a childlike innocence.

He preferred the heart of a strongman to apple cake, finding it the ultimate delicacy.

He slowly squatted down, ruffled Orochimaru's hair, and said meaningfully:

"The desire for food is merely the most basic human instinct. The world holds endless mysteries and unknowns. The pursuit of truth and the understanding of the origin are what truly transcend the desire for food and offer the ultimate taste of deliciousness."

Orochimaru honestly replied, "I don't understand. What is truth? Can you eat it?"

Matsumoto Waka froze.

"You'll understand when you grow up."

Even though he wasn't annoyed, he teased Orochimaru for a while longer before standing up and calling out the code names of the two people behind him, "Oto, Yuki, keep an eye on Orochimaru."

"Yes, Lord Shen'er."