"What a tragic backstory," Orochimaru thought, glancing at the System panel. 'Some fallen young master plot? How lame.' He suddenly felt his throat constricting. Luffy was hugging him tightly, muttering, "Younger brother... meat..."
The snake thrashed wildly, its tail slapping Luffy's face repeatedly until his cheek swelled like a puffy dumpling. "Wake up, idiot! You're choking me!"
Luffy stared dazedly at his red, throbbing cheek, then exclaimed in delight, "Grandpa! Grandpa! My younger brother spoke!"
Orochimaru buried his face in his hands. 'So embarrassing... Maybe I should just play dead again. I don't need this so-called older brother. Wait, why am I even thinking of him as my older brother?' His thoughts spiraled. 'I'm Orochimaru! The great Orochimaru!' He sighed. 'Guess being five years old still requires patience.'
The door burst open with a *BANG*. "What?! Who spoke?"
___
'Don't get angry, don't get angry... If I can handle Jiraiya, this should be nothing...'
As Garp entered the room, Orochimaru scrutinized the half-gray-haired old man. Incredibly strong, Orochimaru thought, 'practically at the peak of the entire pirate hierarchy. First the Third Hokage's teacher, and now the grandfather of a Marine Hero... Am I truly lucky or cursed? No doubt my future self will clash with this old man's ideals. At least this time, I might have companions.' He glanced at Luffy, who was nonchalantly picking his nose, then quickly averted his eyes. 'Ugh, that's disgusting.' He missed Jiraiya for a fleeting 0.1 seconds.
An awkward silence hung in the air. Garp looked from Orochimaru to Luffy, who was also picking his nose while staring back at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru sighed. A puff of white smoke swirled, and where he had been kneeling now sat an androgynous child with shoulder-length black hair. Golden, serpentine eyes, framed by purple eyeshadow that extended to the bridge of their nose, pierced the silence. Pale skin contrasted with cyan comma-shaped earrings, lending them an unsettling aura. A loose white yukata revealed glimpses of chainmail beneath, cinched only by a casually tied purple sash. The distinctive ninja boots completed their striking ensemble.
"Vice Admiral Garp," the child's voice was cool and clear, yet tinged with a faint rasp, betraying a past etched with hardship. "Your reputation precedes you."
"His emotions were fully displayed before he even spoke." The phrase perfectly described Orochimaru. He hadn't uttered a word, yet his joy and sorrow were already palpable.
Vice Admiral Garp lowered his hand, scrutinizing Orochimaru. "From Wano Country, eh? So small... A ninja? Judging by your age, you must be around Luffy's age."
"October 27th, 1503, Sea Circle Calendar," Orochimaru replied calmly.
"Ah, so you're more than five months younger than Luffy! Bwahaha! Luffy, it seems you really do have a younger brother after all. Or... should I say 'younger brother'?" Garp roared with laughter, slapping Luffy on the back.
Orochimaru took a deep breath. "I'm male. At least, for now."
"Ehhh?! What do you mean 'at least for now'?!" Garp and Luffy dropped their jaws in unison. Luffy was still reeling from the shock of his "younger brother" speaking when he suddenly transformed into a human. And now, this "younger brother" was implying he might become a "younger sister" later! His brain couldn't keep up. Overwhelmed, he instinctively grabbed Orochimaru's hand, squeezing it earnestly.
"No little sister! I want a little brother!"
Garp snapped his jaw shut and said nothing, respecting Orochimaru's choice.
"From now on, you're my grandson too. No need to force yourself to talk if you don't want to... Do you like the name I gave you?"
Orochimaru snatched his hand away from Luffy in disgust. "Keep your snot-picking fingers off me!" he snapped. "Not bad... quite the coincidence. My name is Orochimaru."
He paused. "Kozuki Orochimaru, though I'll just be Orochimaru from now on."
Garp frowned thoughtfully at the Kozuki surname. Having chased Roger across the globe, he knew exactly what the clan represented. Based on his knowledge of Wano Country, his mind automatically conjured up a melodramatic soap opera of misfortune and betrayal—none of which was actually true. He brushed it aside with a hearty laugh and slapped Orochimaru on the shoulder.
"Good grandson! Since you're my grandson, that makes you Monkey D. Orochimaru! Why are you so scrawny? Tomorrow, Grandpa's taking you out for a feast! I'll train you and Luffy into top-tier Marine warriors! Bwahahaha!"
Another exasperating day for Orochimaru. Whatever. He briefly missed Jiraiya for half a second.
To be continued...