For over three months, Luffy relentlessly chased after Ace, day after day. Orochimaru, initially amused, had quickly lost interest. He lacked Luffy's stubborn dedication, the kind that made him look like a fool, tirelessly pursuing Ace's approval. It seemed like a universal pattern: in every dark corner of the world, there was always some fool chasing after acceptance.
But tonight, Ace and Luffy returned later than usual. Dadan glanced at the setting sun outside. Deep into the night, she found them asleep together—with another child—on the floor.
The next morning, Dadan stood dumbfounded, staring at the three sleeping children. She froze, then whirled around to Orochimaru, who was calmly preparing breakfast nearby.
"Ace, Luffy... huh?" She turned back to Orochimaru, blinking. "Ace, Luffy... huh?" (???) Another look.
Ace, Luffy, back at Orochimaru. Ace, Luffy, back at Orochimaru. Ace, Luffy?_?
"ACE! LUFFY! WHO THE HELL IS THIS KID?! How did another brat end up here?! Who are you?!" Dadan demanded, shaking the groggy children awake.
"I'm Sabo. You must be Dadan. Nice to meet you," Sabo said with a disarmingly friendly smile, shaking her hand like they were old friends. "I'll be staying here from now on."
Dadan slapped Sabo's hand away. "Please treat me well? You're not planning on freeloading here, are you?"
Sabo was about to retort with a rude gesture when Orochimaru, carrying the breakfast table, wedged himself between them. "Move aside. You're in the way. Breakfast is ready."
In Sabo's eyes, the morning sun illuminated Orochimaru's profile. His half-tied hair cascaded down his neck, and the magatama earrings shimmered warmly. He looked refined and gentle as he knelt to set the table.
Sabo's heart pounded. "Such a beautiful girl..." he murmured unconsciously.
Ace, just waking up, overheard Sabo and stared at him in shock, his face a mask of disbelief. "When did you go blind?"
Luffy rubbed his eyes groggily. "Sabo... what are you talking about? Where's the girl?"
Sabo pointed at Orochimaru, who was ladling out breakfast for everyone.
Luffy tilted his head, picked his nose, and earned Orochimaru's death glare. He quickly withdrew his hand and wiped it on Dadan's sleeve. "That's my younger brother, Orochimaru."
Crack! Clatter!
The air seemed to crackle with the sound of something breaking. Everyone stared at the petrified Sabo. "Whoa~"
Dadan felt a pang of pity for the overly familiar kid. "I'm providing you all with shelter. Remember to earn your keep with chores."
After breakfast, Ace dragged the petrified Sabo outside, with Luffy trailing behind.
Ace grilled another fish for himself, eyeing the crumbling Sabo. "What's with all the moping? He's a monster! What's so great about him?" Ace still remembered Orochimaru's inhuman appearance.
Luffy, dripping wet and panting from a recent dip in the river, watched the fish enviously. "Orochimaru's awesome! Don't you dare talk bad about him!"
Sabo, regaining his composure, glanced at the drenched Luffy. He washed his face in the river and tossed Luffy the fish tail. "Is he really your younger brother? He seems so mature. And are you a Devil Fruit user?"
"Mmm... Orochimaru is too. He's always been like that—not much of a talker... and sometimes he says weird stuff. But he's reliable. Even though I'm the older brother, he's super strong. He can spar with Grandpa for ages, while Grandpa can knock me out with one punch. Someday I'll get strong too, and protect Orochimaru! Plus, he's such a cheater—he only acts cute with Grandpa. Grandpa says it's all an act, but I wish Orochimaru would act cute with me too! He used to be so adorable when he was a little snake!" Luffy mumbled through the fish tail, smacking his lips and oblivious to Ace's stunned expression.
Time flew by in a whirlwind of laughter and roughhousing between the three boys. Ace's friend Sabo, having been kicked out of the Waste Terminal, joined them, and the three mischievous kids spent their days battling wild beasts in the deep mountains, street thugs in town, and pirates at the docks, occasionally returning with their prey.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru diligently practiced his Ninjutsu and Chakra control, cooked meals, and occasionally checked in on Luffy. As a solitary observer, he watched Luffy's bond with the trio deepen, stirring a strange feeling within him.
During a fight, Sabo sneezed, suddenly remembering he'd meant to warn Dadan that a pirate crew they'd robbed might come looking for trouble. But he'd been too focused on Orochimaru to remember. 'Eh, it's not that important', he thought. 'I'll tell her later. Still, Orochimaru is really cool. I wish I had a younger brother like him.'
'What are the chances of tricking Orochimaru into becoming my younger brother?'
To be continued...