It was early morning.
Maji opened her sleepy eyes and looked at the spacious, comfortable, yet completely unfamiliar surroundings. Her eyes were filled with deep surprise and a little panic.
"Click—"
The Japanese-style wooden door slid open. Orochimaru, dressed in a dark black sleeping robe, walked in, carrying a bowl of white porridge and a few small side dishes.
Seeing Orochimaru, Maji's heart immediately settled. She urgently asked, "Big Brother, where is this?"
Orochimaru smiled faintly and answered, "This is my house. From now on, this will be your house too! Come, drink this bowl of porridge, then take a bath and put on some beautiful clothes. We'll go visit the graves of our parents together."
Maji's eyes lit up when she saw the white porridge. She eagerly took the bowl from Orochimaru's hands and took a large, satisfying gulp with her pink little mouth, going "huff, huff, huff—." Only then did she pause. She looked at her clothes; her exposed arms and little feet were clean, but the rest of her tattered clothes hadn't been changed.
Orochimaru couldn't help but ask, "Is the injury on your foot healed?"
Maji put down the white porridge, a little shy. She lifted the blanket slightly, peeked at her foot, and said happily, "It's all better, Big Brother!"
"Let Big Brother see!" Orochimaru said.
Maji extended her foot slightly from under the blanket. The purplish-blue bruise from last night had completely vanished from her fair, tender little foot.
Orochimaru was secretly astonished. The old monk's Cooling Powder, though unimpressive in name, was remarkably effective. The bruises he sustained from his grueling training and Maji's sprained ankle were completely healed overnight!
After showing Orochimaru her foot, Maji paid no mind to his expression, picked up the white porridge, and continued drinking happily. In between mouthfuls, she asked vaguely, "Are we going to visit Big Brother's Mama and Papa?"
"Mm," Orochimaru replied subconsciously, then asked, "Where is Maji's Mama buried?"
Maji paused her movements and put down the porridge. Her adorable little face began to cloud with sadness again: "Mama died in the hospital, and I couldn't find where they put her."
Orochimaru affectionately stroked Maji's little head, saying, "There, there, Maji, don't cry anymore. From now on, Big Brother's Mama and Papa will be Maji's Mama and Papa too!"
Maji nodded, then continued drinking her porridge listlessly.
Orochimaru watched Maji, who was nearly burying her face in the bowl, and smiled. He pointed to the small, pink girl's dress laid out on the bedside table and said, "Maji, the bathroom is next door. Go take a bath when you're done, and then change into this outfit, understood?"
Maji lifted her head from the bowl, a shiny ring of white porridge clinging to her lips. She looked at the smiling Orochimaru, then at the clothes on the bedside, and nodded obediently.
Orochimaru did not disturb Maji further, and he pushed the door open and left.
Returning to his own bedroom, Orochimaru stood before the oval standing mirror and meticulously examined himself.
In his dark-golden, demonic snake eyes, a complex expression—part cold dominance, part gentle wickedness—faintly shone, silently announcing the mature and powerful soul hidden within this young, tender body. His handsome, pale face and loose, dark black sleeping robe covered his slightly thin yet incredibly strong physique.
Orochimaru stood there quietly. His small body naturally radiated a faint, awe-inspiring presence, as if he were an unparalleled tyrant standing on a solitary mountain peak, observing the vicissitudes of the world and the effortless roll of clouds across the sky.
After a moment of scrutiny, Orochimaru changed into the moon-white, Japanese-style casual clothes laid out nearby and secured it with a pale golden belt. In a blink of an eye, the figure standing before the mirror lost a degree of grimness and sinister strangeness, gaining a sense of clarity and nobility!
Orochimaru nodded with satisfaction. He knew that one's image was the first impression others received, and it was crucial for building reputation.
Leaning by the door, Orochimaru waited for Maji, lost in thought.
"Big Brother!" A familiar voice interrupted Orochimaru's contemplation. He turned his head to look.
The girl's gorgeous pink dress, embroidered with lilies symbolizing purity, made her delicate, milk-like skin appear even fairer. Her shoulder-length black hair was neatly combed, falling naturally on both sides of her adorable small face. Her large, watery eyes were crystalline, bright, and exceptionally expressive, as if they could speak!
What a charming and lovely girl!
Orochimaru muttered to himself, "It seems my handiwork is pretty good."
"Let's go!" Orochimaru tenderly took Maji's hand and headed out the door.
The young girl was still a little shy, which she couldn't quite shake. Noticing the admiring and curious glances of the neighbors, she couldn't help but hide behind Orochimaru, her tender little face flushed. Tightly clutching the corner of Orochimaru's clothes, she followed awkwardly.
Orochimaru, however, did not mind. He greeted the neighbors with a smile, introducing his new sister.
"That little girl must be the Orochimaru family's sister! That Orochimaru boy is so sensible; with his parents gone, he's responsibly taking care of his sister!"
"Oh, she's that Orochimaru boy's sister! What two lovely children!"
"They really are! The two children look like a match made in heaven! If only my dead husband had given me two children like that!"
Amidst the mixed chatter, Orochimaru took Maji to the Yamanaka Flower Shop and bought a bouquet of white chrysanthemums. The pretty shop owner, seeing the adorable little Maji, generously gave her an extra flower as a gift.
After thanking her, the two walked for about half an hour, finally arriving at the Memorial Stone.
The surroundings were silent, save for the "rustle—" of the wind blowing through the leaves. The atmosphere became mournful and heavy.
The sensible little Maji came out from behind Orochimaru and looked at her Big Brother with concern.
The dark blue Memorial Stone was the final resting place for all the village's ninjas, the most sacred spot in Konoha.
The epitaph, which sounded like a song of mourning, and the rows of names listed below it recounted Konoha's weighty history.
Upon this crystal stone,
I carve your name!
Though you have died,
The Will of Fire lives forever!
Beneath the Memorial Stone,
Bodies are buried in the dust, leaving no trace!
Through the long years,
The rain washes away memories, taking secrets with it!
May the deceased rest in eternal peace,
For the living shall take up the mission and continue forward!
As the wind whistles past the ears,
Passion and emotion surge like a tide in the heart!
As the leaves dance before the eyes,
The spirit of the dead merges with everyone!
How does one interpret death?
Ultimate release is gained; the soul moves toward eternal light!
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust,
After life, the soul endures!
NOTE:
New chapters drop One times a day, every Monday through Sunday! Plus, you have the power to unlock more: we'll release One bonus chapters for every 100 votes! Let's get this story moving together.
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/MistaQuartz
Explore up to 10 chapters in advance!