Orochimaru... sensei?

"Sasuke could learn it too, but it would be exhausting. Classes, studying, training, and cultivation during the day, then after finally getting to sleep at night, he'd still have to cultivate his soul power..."

A Luo explained some cultivation matters to Izuna. Then, when Sasuke asked whether he could cultivate too, A Luo told him with certainty that living people could cultivate as well.

It was just that, considering Sasuke's daily schedule, it would truly be exhausting.

But even if it was exhausting, he still had to learn.

For Sasuke, strengthening his soul was not only a way to grow stronger. It also gave him the feeling that he was finally cultivating in sync with his younger brother.

So that entire night, Sasuke's body rested, but his soul kept listening to A Luo's explanations, carefully memorizing those special cultivation methods.

By the time dawn broke, A Luo watched Sasuke get up, cook breakfast, and eat. Only then did he wave and leave.

He had been out for quite a while today. He wondered whether Orochimaru had arranged his food, clothing, and lodging for the days ahead.

Come to think of it, Orochimaru really had it rough.

With so many children, he had to research each of their growth paths and cultivation methods. Later, he would also have to study curse marks as auxiliary tools for increasing strength...

"Orochimaru, what are we having for breakfast?"

A Luo had to float when going to Konoha, but his return trip was extremely fast.

He returned to his body, woke up, jumped out of bed, and ran out to look for Orochimaru.

As soon as he left his room, he found Orochimaru in a room at the other end of the corridor, looking through some data records.

He walked over, reached out to tug on Orochimaru's sleeve, and asked about breakfast.

This scientist wasn't going to skip breakfast, was he?

"Hungry? Come on. Breakfast is still important. You're at the age where you're growing, so your nutrition must be sufficient."

Seeing A Luo suddenly acting like a child, Orochimaru raised a hand and stroked his hair. In a good mood, he took the child's hand and led him toward the dining hall.

The dining hall here was actually quite simple, but he had specifically given instructions last night. Today's breakfast should not disappoint the child.

"Lord Orochimaru!"

The moment they entered the dining hall, the men and women eating inside fell silent. They all stood up in unison and looked toward the doorway.

"So many people!"

A Luo swept his gaze across the room. There were at least a hundred people here, including young teenagers and adult ninja.

Most of the younger children looked at Orochimaru with admiration, affection, fear, or worry...

Though their feelings differed, all of their attention was on Orochimaru. Orochimaru was their light.

The adults, on the other hand, had far more complicated thoughts.

Some were loyal, some greedy, some fearful, and some were probably spies...

There were all kinds. Some were staring at him too, but their attention seemed to be focused on the red-and-white fan emblem on his body.

Among the Uchiha clan, only one boy remained in Konoha. Now, Orochimaru had one too.

"This is Luo Uchiha, my disciple. After breakfast, take him to the training grounds so he can familiarize himself with the place."

Orochimaru's gaze swept over everyone as he introduced A Luo in a gentle tone.

Disciple—that identity was something Orochimaru had added on his own. After saying it, he did not even look to see how A Luo reacted, simply leading him over to the table that had always been reserved for him.

"Teacher?"

A Luo slowly chewed the nutritious breakfast placed before him, tilting his head as he stared at Orochimaru across from him.

When Orochimaru raised his head to meet his gaze, A Luo spoke up and asked doubtfully whether that was what he was supposed to call him from now on.

"Actually, I wanted a child, but you wouldn't agree to that. A teacher-student relationship is fine too."

Orochimaru's snake-like eyes slowly narrowed. Watching A Luo's eyes suddenly turn red the instant their gazes met, he smiled even more happily.

If a teacher-student relationship would not work, he actually liked the idea of being father and son too. But he knew very well that A Luo definitely disliked the very concept of parents.

"You can't beat Itachi Uchiha. Teacher is fine, but don't even think about anything else. If you dare try to be my father, he'll really kill you."

A Luo blinked. His one-tomoe Sharingan faded, and his large black cat eyes slowly narrowed as he smiled and continued eating.

Be his father?

Orochimaru must really be tired of living.

"When will I be able to beat him?"

Orochimaru knew that, much of the time, he did not need to treat this disciple of his like a child—except when he was playing around.

Since A Luo had taken the initiative to bring up Itachi Uchiha, Orochimaru wanted to know what it would take to stop Itachi Uchiha from being so arrogant.

"Don't expect it anytime soon. He wants to die, while you want to live. You two can't get along unless you want to go chat with the Reaper."

A Luo shook his head. He was certain there was no hope for that.

Itachi Uchiha!

Ever since Clan Massacre Night, that guy had been waiting to die.

"He wants to die?"

Orochimaru was genuinely startled by that claim.

But thinking it over carefully, Itachi Uchiha truly did seem lifeless. Though he was only in his teens, he resembled an elderly man already lingering in his twilight years.

"You brought me back, so he'll find out soon. Be careful. Don't let him discover too many of your secrets, like me..."

A Luo pointed at himself, then continued eating.

He only ate until he was half full, but all the food that had been served was already gone.

"If you're not full, get another serving. It's only food—you can eat as much as you want."

Orochimaru had been rather conflicted, but seeing A Luo repeatedly glance at his empty dishes, he was amused by the strange little gesture.

If he was hungry, he should eat. Orochimaru had never said he was not allowed to. Why did he have to look so pitiful?

"Thank you, Teacher!"

A Luo stood up and suddenly thanked him in a clear, bright voice, then took his tray and ran toward the kitchen.

When he returned carrying several servings of meat-heavy food and quickly finished them all, not only was Orochimaru surprised, but the gazes around them, drawn over by his calling Orochimaru teacher, became increasingly obvious.

They were all wondering one thing: how could such a thin-looking child eat so much?

Soon, everyone who had finished breakfast moved to the training grounds.

Orochimaru stood at the edge of the field, looking at his disciple leaning against his leg, drowsy and listless. For some reason, he had a bit of a headache.

He had forgotten that this child had not returned at all last night. He had not slept.

Now that he was full, he was sleepy, so naturally he did not want to move...

"Go take the tests first. Once you're done, you can go back and sleep."

Though helpless, Orochimaru still gently picked A Luo up by the collar with one hand and carried him to the testing area of the training grounds.

There were strength tests, speed tests, chakra tests, and sparring tests here.

To finish all of those tests would probably take the entire morning.