Stepping into Orochimaru's room once again, Jun Tianlin felt rather embarrassed, even though he had grown very familiar with Orochimaru over the years.
After all, just moments ago, Jun Tianlin had pretended to be exhausted and used it as an excuse, claiming he needed to return to his room to rest, then promptly sent Orochimaru away and left. Now, less than twenty minutes later, he was back again. Surely anyone would feel a little awkward about that, right?
And sure enough, Orochimaru was seated in the main chair. When he saw Jun Tianlin suddenly appear in his room, astonishment plainly showed in his yellow-brown eyes.
"Oh? I thought you were tired, kid. Weren't you going back to your room to rest? How come you've got time to come running back to mine? Now that's got me curious!"
Orochimaru's hoarse voice was full of teasing. From the look of him, he had more or less guessed why Jun Tianlin had returned—he must have wanted a favor—but he was deliberately playing dumb and making light of it...
That was only natural. After all, of the legendary Sannin, Jiraiya, the Mad Ghost, was hopelessly lecherous, while Tsunade, the princess of Konoha, was a scatterbrain. Only he, Cold Lord Orochimaru, was both a scholar and a warrior, a true mastermind!
As for intelligence and cunning, Orochimaru considered himself second to none. Everyone knew that back when he was still in Konoha and fighting rival villages, he had served as commander, leading the shinobi under him into battle...
And when it came to personal strength, he was just as formidable: a veteran at the late Kage Level. Across the vast Ninja World, there weren't many who would dare boast that they could beat him for sure.
How could such a powerful and calculating old fox fail to see what Jun Tianlin was up to?
By the time Jun Tianlin had turned around and come back from his own room, Orochimaru had probably already seen right through him.
Feeling Orochimaru's amused gaze, Jun Tianlin's handsome young face flushed. But thinking of why he had come, he could only steel himself and speak up.
"Orochimaru, I have a favor to ask. Please, you have to help me. I'm sure that with your strength and reputation in the Ninja World, there's a very good chance you can handle this easily!"
At first Jun Tianlin had felt embarrassed, but as he went on, he completely forgot to be shy. He stared intently at Orochimaru, wearing the shameless expression of someone who wouldn't look away until he got a yes.
Seeing how serious Jun Tianlin was, Orochimaru was a little surprised. What could be so important that this kid cared about it so much? In the seven years since he had come to Otogakure, this was the first time he had earnestly asked Orochimaru for help with something!
Though he was quite surprised, Orochimaru, a man of deep cunning, merely let his yellow-brown snake eyes flicker before calmly replying.
"Hiss, kid, in the seven years since you came to Otogakure, this is the first time you've asked me for help. I suppose you only remember that I'm one of the legendary Sannin, the great Orochimaru with a huge reputation in the Ninja World, when you run into something you can't handle yourself, huh?
"Heh heh. So tell me, kid, what do you want me to do? Since you asked so earnestly, I'll make an exception and help you this once. But only because you asked me, got it? I'm just reluctantly helping you~"
It was obvious: the usually cold Orochimaru was being tsundere...
Before you continue