"What a tragic past," I thought, looking at the system panel.
"What kind of fallen young master drama is this? It's an eyesore!" I complained about my background, when suddenly I felt my throat being squeezed.
Luffy was hugging me tightly, muttering "Brother... meat" from the corner of his mouth.
My snake body thrashed non-stop, my tail vigorously slapping Luffy's small face until it swelled up like a bun.
"Wake up! Idiot! You're strangling me!"
Luffy stared blankly, covering his red, swollen, slightly steaming cheek, then shrieked with delight:
"Grandpa!!! Grandpa!!! My brother spoke!!!"
Snake Snake covered his face. "How embarrassing. Maybe I should just keep playing dead... I don't think I need this so-called brother. Wait, why do I think he's my brother?" The snake's thoughts wandered again. "I... I'm Orochimaru! I'm Orochimaru!" He sighed. "Forget it... I guess at 5 years old, I'm still very patient."
The door was kicked open with a "Duang!" "What! Who spoke?"
#Don't be angry, don't be angry... I'm not even angry at Jiraiya ૮ ₍ ꐦ - ᷅ ⤙ - ᷄ ₎ ა
As Garp entered, Orochimaru carefully observed the half-white-haired old man. He was very strong, incredibly strong. In the entire Marine system, he could be considered at the pinnacle. After being the Third Hokage's teacher, did he now have a Marine Hero as a Grandfather? He was truly both lucky and unlucky. In the future, he would undoubtedly diverge from this old man's ideals. But this time, he'd have companions, right? He glanced at the carefree Luffy picking his nose... then quickly looked away. "Tsk, an eyesore..." He missed Jiraiya for 0.1 seconds.
The scene was momentarily silent, a bit awkward. Garp looked at Orochimaru, then at Luffy, who was also picking his nose and looking at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru sighed, and a puff of white smoke drifted past. In Orochimaru's place knelt a gender-ambiguous child. Black, medium-length hair rested on his shoulders, golden vertical pupils like a snake's, purple eyeshadow extending to his nose, pale skin, and cyan magatama-shaped earrings gave him a gloomy aura. A loose white yukata revealed chainmail underneath, a purple obi tied loosely around his waist, and the unique Ninja shoes on his feet were particularly striking.
"Vice Admiral Garp, I've heard much about you." His clear voice lacked the crispness of a youth, instead carrying a hint of hoarseness. Though not very obvious, it clearly conveyed to listeners that this was someone with a story.
"Before words are spoken, joy and sorrow are already present." This phrase suited Orochimaru well. He hadn't even spoken, but his emotions were already conveyed.
Vice Admiral Garp lowered his hand, looking at Orochimaru. "Someone from Wano Country, huh... So young... A Ninja, are you? You look about the same age as Luffy."
"Marine Calendar 1503, October 27th," Orochimaru's voice was very calm.
"Is that so... Five months younger than Luffy, hahahaha! Luffy, it seems you really have a brother! By the way, is it a brother?" Garp laughed loudly, patting Luffy's back. Orochimaru took a deep breath. "I'm a boy, at least for now."
"Eh!!!! What do you mean 'for now'!" The Grandfather and Grandson were dumbfounded. Luffy hadn't recovered from the shock of his brother speaking, then discovered his brother had turned into a human... and then his brother said he might turn into a sister later... His mind couldn't keep up. Ignoring everything else, he instinctively grabbed Orochimaru's hand, very solemnly.
"No sisters, I want a brother!"
Garp put his jaw back in place and said nothing more. He respected others' choices.
"From now on, you're my Grandson. You don't have to force yourself to say anything you don't want to... Do you like the name I gave you?"
Orochimaru pulled his hand away from Luffy's with a look of disgust. "Don't touch me with your nose-picking hand!" "It's very good... and quite a coincidence. My name is Orochimaru."
His voice paused. "Kozuki Orochimaru, but from now on, it's just Orochimaru."
Garp looked thoughtful upon hearing the surname. Having chased Roger all over the world, he naturally knew what Kozuki represented. Based on information from Wano Country, he automatically concocted a series of melodramatic, tear-jerking stories and hardships (which didn't actually happen). He chuckled, brushing it off, and slapped Orochimaru on the shoulder.
"Good Grandson! Since you're my Grandson, you're Monkey D. Orochimaru! Why are you so skinny? Tomorrow, Grandpa will take you all out for a good meal. I'll definitely train you and Luffy into powerful Marine warriors! Hahahaha!"