His father listened to Orochimaru's life story.
When Orochimaru was not paying attention, he wiped the corners of his eyes with his sleeve.
He had lost his parents at six, and the rest of his life had been spent amid turmoil.
War, plunder, and killing had become the main themes of his life.
Though he had made friends, they had ultimately gone their separate ways.
It could be said that, up to this point, nothing in Orochimaru's life had ever come to a satisfactory end.
In the end, everything always concluded in tragedy.
His father had many things he wanted to say—comfort, advice, encouragement, grand words of wisdom.
But in the end, none of it left his mouth. A thousand words became one sentence.
"Son, these years... you've suffered so much."
His father's heart ached terribly for Orochimaru's hardships.
If he had been younger, he would certainly have done everything possible to bring Orochimaru over from Another World.
But now, he was merely an old man. Even his Jonin-level strength had long since declined beyond recognition.
He could not help at all and could only worry by himself.
"Father, everything is better now."
Orochimaru understood his father's helplessness, and he knew how his father felt.
"My life used to be dark and repulsive, but Lord Torikaze's arrival changed all that. I discovered how vast this world was, and how small I myself was."
"My way of thinking has changed a great deal. I feel more at ease, and the direction of my future development will change as well. I have Lord Torikaze to thank for all of this."
Hearing this, his father's melancholy face finally pulled into a faint smile. "Is that so? Then that's wonderful. Father can't do much for you, but if Lord Torikaze is helping you, then