Several Days Later – Orochimaru's Residence
Amano Ren silently ate his meal as Orochimaru sat across from him. Dressed in simple loungewear, the infamous shinobi looked a touch less cold and menacing in the casual setting.
No one spoke during the meal.
The quiet atmosphere was almost unnerving, but both Ren and Orochimaru seemed to instinctively follow the rule: One does not speak while eating.The meal passed in silence, like a breeze slipping quietly through a narrow alley.
Afterward, Ren wandered out to the corridor and sat down, aimlessly staring at the single old tree in the yard. Most of its leaves had already fallen.
Orochimaru's home was enormous—just the courtyard alone was as large as an average person's entire house. And yet, in this sprawling space, there was only one withering tree. Ren couldn't help but wonder: when the tree finally died, would this courtyard feel as barren and lifeless as a desert?
When Ren first learned that Orochimaru would be responsible for him going forward, he'd nearly broken down. But the more he thought about Orochimaru's strange powers, the more he found some small measure of comfort. After all, if he ever wanted to return home, to his world, then being around someone with extraordinary abilities might be the best path forward.
In the days since he'd been brought here, Orochimaru had all but disappeared—only present that first day. The house was so large and empty that Ren sometimes wondered if he'd been forgotten altogether. Worst of all, there was no food stored anywhere. He'd spent the last few days starving.
When Orochimaru finally returned and saw the near-dead look in Ren's eyes, he didn't say a word. Ignoring the bitter glare Ren shot at him, he changed into his casual clothes and left. He returned a short while later with a simple but hearty meal prepared.
Orochimaru often left the village on missions, sometimes for long stretches. As a result, he never kept food stocked at home, preferring to purchase ingredients only when needed.
"That guy... actually knows how to cook?" Ren muttered, still staring at the old tree. He shook his head in disbelief, remembering how good the meal had been.
"If you had half a brain, you would've noticed the money I left on the table in the living room."
A cold voice broke the silence behind him. Orochimaru.
Ren froze. Had he heard what Ren said just now?
In truth, Ren hadn't seen the money. The house was so massive he'd focused all his attention on the kitchen while searching for food.
Orochimaru sat down beside Ren without another word. Despite being the one who insisted on taking custody of Ren, the sudden presence of another person in his usually quiet home left him slightly off-balance.
Ren turned slightly, sneaking a glance at Orochimaru's pale profile. His expression wavered. There were so many things he wanted to ask—but he didn't know where to begin.
They sat there in silence, both staring out at the solitary, aging tree in the courtyard.
"If you've got nothing else to do, take a walk," Orochimaru said at last, suddenly standing up and heading toward his room.
Ren stared after him, momentarily stunned. He didn't know how to respond.
Orochimaru, like any human, needed rest. After completing his latest mission, all he wanted was a brief moment of peace.
The world outside was still in turmoil. Conflicts flared across the continent. Though the Second Great Ninja War had just ended, giving the hidden villages a chance to recover, minor skirmishes continued to erupt.
Ren had been in this world for almost a week now, yet he knew almost nothing about it. Ever since he was brought back to the Hidden Leaf Village, he hadn't stepped foot outside Orochimaru's compound.
Take a walk, huh...?
He got up and headed to the living room. Sure enough, there were a handful of bronze coins sitting on the table—about a dozen of them.
He scooped them up and dropped them into his pocket. He had no idea what they were worth or what he could buy with them, but it felt smart to carry some money on him.
Leaving the house, he walked along the path until he reached the street.
Though there weren't many people about, the shops on either side of the street were plentiful. A village's prosperity could be judged by its commerce—and from what Ren saw, the Hidden Leaf was thriving. Shops offered just about everything, a clear sign that this village was far better off than many others. The fertile lands surrounding it helped too.
Unlike the gloomy, war-torn settlements Ren had passed through before, this place didn't feel burdened by sorrow.
He strolled casually through the streets. No one stared at him or whispered behind his back. Even when his eyes met those of passing strangers, they often smiled and nodded politely.
That shocked Ren. For a moment, he felt awkward and tried to stop gawking at everything like a wide-eyed tourist.
The oversized clothes he wore—leftover from Orochimaru's childhood—hung awkwardly from his skinny frame. Every few steps, he had to tug at the sleeves or the hem just to keep them in place.
"This world may be unfamiliar... but it's definitely better than that barren little village I first woke up in."
He wandered aimlessly until he turned a corner—and ran straight into someone.
The impact wasn't too hard, but it sent Ren tumbling backward, landing painfully on his rear.
"Damn it," Ren hissed, grimacing as he looked up. Standing before him was a boy just a little taller than him—maybe seven or eight years old. The kid had golden blonde hair, a delicate face, and clear blue eyes like gemstones, filled with sincere apology.
"You okay?" the boy asked, holding out a hand.
Ren glanced coldly at the offered hand, ignored it, and stood up on his own. He brushed the dust from his clothes, then walked past the boy without a word.
The boy blinked in surprise, his hand still hanging awkwardly in the air. A few seconds later, he lowered it and watched Ren's back as he walked away, confusion flickering across his young face.
That brief encounter was nothing more than a footnote.
Ren's face was expressionless as he made his way back to Orochimaru's home. His backside still ached from the fall, and it only emphasized how weak his body had become. Even a small bump could hurt this much.
If he wanted to survive in this world—if he ever wanted to return home—he had to get stronger. And that meant making a decision.
No matter how reluctant he was to ask for help, there was no other option.
He needed proper meals to rebuild his body.
He needed knowledge to understand this world.
If Orochimaru truly had the power to help him return to Earth, then Amano Ren would do whatever it took to get stronger—starting with asking for what he needed.