Luffy and the Red Hair Pirates' relationship gradually improved. Listening to adventure stories at Makino's bar, Luffy's eyes were full of longing. Orochimaru didn't show anything out of the ordinary. Luffy wouldn't proactively reveal his affairs to others. In the Red Hair Pirates' eyes, Orochimaru was just Luffy's younger brother, a good-looking, somewhat shy teenager who helped out at the bar, with nothing particularly noteworthy about him.
Orochimaru didn't want any interaction with the Red Hair Pirates.
Watching Uta, who was in front of him, proudly introduce herself: "I am the musician of the Red Hair Pirates!"
Luffy pouted, unconvinced, "I can sing too!"
Orochimaru calmly used his Chakra to block his ears.
"The northeast gets light early."
"The weather is hazy, full of idiots."
"The island to the west gets dark late."
Amidst Luffy's wailing singing, everyone in the bar ran out, leaving only Orochimaru calmly wiping glass goblets with a rag, making a squeaking sound.
"No, no... you're tone-deaf! The Red Hair Pirates will turn into idiots if they listen to you!"
Luffy pouted, "No, they won't! Orochimaru is very smart."
Uta cried to Shanks (꒦ິヮ꒦ິ)
"Shanks!!!"
Shanks helplessly said, "You are all the same age, you should get along well."
"I'm 9 years old, don't compare me to a 7-year-old child," Uta said, looking up defiantly.
"Luffy, take Uta to Foosha Village for a stroll."
Luffy pouted, dragging Orochimaru, who was focused on wiping cups, out the door. Orochimaru's expression said... don't take me... I don't want to exist right now.
Orochimaru sat blankly on the mountaintop, watching Luffy and Uta climbing up below.
He remembered their previous conversation.
"Do you want to climb up? No way, my clothes will get dirty, and my hair will get messy."
Soon, he received a look of disdain from Luffy: "How can someone who can't even climb this kind of cliff help Shanks? Orochimaru got up there in an instant."
Teacher Sarutobi once said when the three-person team was formed: "Talent can bridge the distance between people, men will become aware of the existence of women, and competition will promote mutual growth."
The meaning of this sentence should be two men competing for a woman's affection... but looking at Uta and Luffy below, who were competing with all their might, he always felt something wasn't quite right... So what am I? *Dazed* (⸝⸝ᵕᴗᵕ⸝⸝)
Luffy and Uta lay side by side, panting.
"You're quite capable, Uta."
"Of course, you have nothing that can surpass me."
"Nonsense! I have Orochimaru! Orochimaru won!"
"Nonsense! I'll make you concede! First up is the first competition! Height showdown!"
Orochimaru won completely, Uta second, Luffy third.
"Cuteness showdown!" ❥(ゝω・✿ฺ)
Orochimaru won.
"Arm wrestling showdown."
Luffy held up a sign (Orochimaru wins).
...In the twilight, Uta and Luffy lay on the high tower, looking out at Foosha Village.
"I have also sailed many seas and witnessed many beautiful sights."
Luffy shouted towards the sunset, "I also want to go out to sea quickly! And become a Pirate!"
Orochimaru remained blank... So what is the meaning of my existence here!!
In the following days, Luffy rolled around wildly on the bar table, whining for Shanks to take him out to sea. Orochimaru was wiping tables. Luffy and Uta lay on the grass discussing their future dreams, with Orochimaru as their pillow. Luffy and Uta competed, and the first place was always Orochimaru, who was dragged along. So... Ah...! Ah!
Don't include me! I don't want to participate! Garp won't hit me when he comes back! There shouldn't be an extra presence in the memories of two people. In another tug-of-war, Orochimaru was on the verge of tears, silently shouting, "Leave me alone!!!!"
Red Hair, why are you hiding!! Look at me! Make eye contact with me!!!!
Beckman, why are you laughing! Did you forget you flirted with me a few days ago! Aren't you feeling guilty! I'm only 7 years old! Help!
Yasopp! Don't think you can pretend not to see by cleaning your gun! Do you believe I'll beat up your son in the future!
Under Orochimaru's silent accusations, another day passed.
After the competition, Orochimaru, who had fallen into a deep sleep listening to Uta's singing, thought, Uta's singing is really good... A musician, huh... That doesn't seem bad either. I just hope Garp can hit a little lighter when he comes back, or rather, hit Luffy more. Sure enough, just as Teacher Sarutobi said... Bonds are really annoying... I said I wouldn't have any interaction with the Red Hair Pirates...