The next morning, dawn had only just painted the horizon red.
As usual, Tsunade barged straight into Shinichi's house, whipped off his blanket, and rudely dragged him out of his dreams.
"Hey, Shinichi, how much longer are you going to sleep? The sun's practically burning your butt!" With her hands on her hips, Tsunade stared down at the bleary-eyed, thoroughly reluctant boy in bed.
Shinichi rubbed his eyes groggily, the corner of his mouth twitching. His voice was lazy and muffled. "Little Tsunade, it's so early. Couldn't you be a little gentler... Don't you know sleeping is the most important thing in my life?"
Tsunade laughed in exasperation, grabbed his ear, and hauled him upright. "Sleep, sleep, sleep! Can't you do anything useful besides sleep? Yesterday, you promised to teach me how to make your secret-recipe grilled meat today. Don't tell me you forgot!"
The words "grilled meat" instantly woke Shinichi up a little. He raised his head with a helpless yet indulgent smile. "All right, all right. How could I dare forget Her Highness Princess Tsunade's orders..."
He stretched and lazily climbed out of bed, speaking through a yawn. "Speaking of which, little Tsunade, when are you going to learn to be gentler? Keep being this rough, and no one will dare marry you."
Tsunade's cheeks flushed slightly, and she immediately shot back, "You're the one no one will marry! Keep talking nonsense, and I'll turn you into grilled meat!"
Shinichi shuddered and quickly raised both hands in surrender. "No, no, no! I was wrong, okay? Let's hurry. Any later, and we'll miss the Akimichi Clan's fresh ingredients."
Seeing him still looking so laid-back, Tsunade was torn between irritation and amusement. Finally, she sighed helplessly, turned, and pushed him toward the door. "Forget it. I can't be bothered arguing with you. Let's go!"
Their figures receded into the morning sunlight, their cheerful bickering ushering in a new day.
Uchiha Shinichi and Tsunade bickered all the way to Akimichi Shisheng's Yakiniku Q and soon arrived.
Enticing aromas were already wafting from the entrance. As soon as they drew near, Tsunade unconsciously swallowed.
Shinichi glanced sideways at her and chuckled. "Little Tsunade, if anyone saw that greedy look on your face, they'd think I'd been starving you."
Tsunade blushed and turned her head away, pretending to be composed. "Hmph! Enough teasing. Hurry up and pick the ingredients!"
They were just about to enter when a small, frail figure by the entrance suddenly caught Shinichi's eye.
It was a child of about five, dressed in worn-out clothes. His skin was pale, and his golden, slit-pupiled eyes stood out sharply on his thin little face.
He was standing on tiptoe, cautiously peering into the restaurant with undisguised curiosity and longing.
"Orochimaru?" Shinichi stopped, his eyes immediately lighting with interest.
Tsunade followed his gaze and frowned in puzzlement. "Do you know this kid?"
Shinichi smiled and nodded. "Not exactly. I just think... he's pretty interesting."
Shinichi slowly walked over to Orochimaru and bent down slightly, a lazy but kindly smile on his face as he said cheerfully:
"Hello, I'm Uchiha Shinichi, a warm and hospitable Uchiha man! Would you like some grilled meat too?"
Orochimaru gave a slight shiver. His golden, slit-pupiled eyes watched the boy warily, and he instinctively took half a step back. His voice was low and cautious. "No, thank you..."
But before he could finish refusing, his stomach let out an ill-timed, unmistakable growl, especially loud in the quiet air.
Tsunade couldn't help laughing. She covered her mouth, her eyes curving with amusement. "Pfft... your stomach doesn't seem to agree."
Shinichi raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile spreading across his lips as if to say he understood perfectly. Then he unceremoniously patted Orochimaru's shoulder. "Don't be shy. It's not every day we get to share a meal. Let's fill your stomach first."
Orochimaru stiffened slightly, a flicker of conflict passing through his eyes. In the end, though, hunger won out. He lowered his head and spoke in a voice barely louder than a mosquito's hum. "I... my name is Orochimaru. Thank you."
Shinichi's smile deepened. He casually placed a freshly grilled slice of meat on Orochimaru's plate, his easy tone carrying a hint of certainty. "From now on, you're one of us."
Orochimaru lowered his head slightly, an indescribable emotion surfacing in his golden eyes as his fingertips unconsciously tightened.
He gently gripped his chopsticks and stared at the slice of grilled meat Shinichi had just placed on his plate. His lips trembled slightly, as though he were turning over a word both strange and familiar.
"Companions... do I... have companions now too?"
His voice was low and soft, almost a murmur to himself, yet also a way of confirming it.
In that instant, a feeling called belonging quietly stirred in his heart, unfamiliar yet reassuring.
Tsunade leaned toward Shinichi's ear and whispered, "You're awfully generous today. I've never seen you this enthusiastic before."
Shinichi touched the tip of his nose and gave her a meaningful smile. "Little Tsunade, you wouldn't understand!"
Tsunade gave him a suspicious look. Though full of questions, she said nothing more.
Before long, the three sat around a steaming grill inside the restaurant. Orochimaru wolfed down the food, his guarded expression slowly fading to reveal the innocence and contentment a child ought to have.
Watching him, Shinichi's smile deepened, as though he were plotting something interesting.
Tsunade turned to look at his expression and couldn't help grumbling inwardly, This guy... he's definitely cooking up some weird scheme again!
The aroma of grilled meat filled the air, and the atmosphere gradually grew relaxed and friendly.
Seeing Orochimaru gradually relax, Shinichi smiled and handed him a glass of juice, asking casually, "Orochimaru, where's your family? Why are you wandering around here alone?"
Orochimaru held the juice in both hands, his fingertips tightening slightly. His lowered lashes cast faint shadows across his face.
An unmistakable sadness surfaced in his golden eyes. His voice grew very soft, carrying a trace of hesitation and self-mockery. "I... don't have a family."
The air seemed to still for a moment. Tsunade froze at his words, her relaxed expression fading as faint apology and pity entered her eyes.
She instinctively turned toward Shinichi, as though waiting for him to say something.
Yet Shinichi showed no surprise, as though he had expected that answer all along.
He sighed and asked no further questions. Instead, he reached out and gently ruffled Orochimaru's soft black hair, his gesture natural and tender as he said lightly:
"I see... then starting today, you can live at my house. We've got plenty of rooms anyway. There's room for one more little bed."
Orochimaru stiffened slightly, clear astonishment flashing in his slit-pupiled eyes.
He slowly raised his head to look at Shinichi, disbelief shining in his eyes, as though he couldn't trust what he had just heard.
"Do... do you mean it?" His voice was even softer than before, but it held a cautious hope.
Shinichi smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. His tone was lazy but firm. "Of course I do. I may be lazy as can be, but I never lie."
Standing beside them, Tsunade blinked, a tender feeling stirring in her heart as she watched.
She had thought Shinichi was only good at spouting nonsense. She hadn't expected him to be so dependable at a time like this.
Orochimaru's fingers quietly loosened around his glass of juice. The wavering light in his eyes finally steadied, replaced by a sense of belonging unlike anything he had ever felt.
Shinichi's smile was lazy but warm. "Of course I mean it. I may be a little lazy, but I never deceive anyone."
Beside him, Tsunade's mouth twitched at that, and she couldn't resist muttering, "Never deceive anyone? Haven't you lied to me plenty of times?"
Shinichi waved a hand dismissively and replied in a low voice, "How is that the same? You're Tsunade."
"You!" Tsunade gritted her teeth in anger, but there was nothing she could do about him. She could only give a little huff and say no more.
Orochimaru looked back and forth between them, warmth slowly growing in his heart. Though still a little hesitant, he finally nodded and said softly, "Then... sorry for the trouble, big brother Shinichi."
Hearing that form of address, Shinichi smiled even more broadly and patted Orochimaru's shoulder. "Don't worry, Orochimaru. From now on, you're under my protection—Uchiha Shinichi's. I won't let anyone bully you."
Tsunade shook her head helplessly, but a gentle smile warmed her eyes. She could tell Shinichi truly meant it this time.
As Orochimaru looked at this lazy yet remarkably dependable boy, a powerful sense of belonging and security welled up in his heart for the first time.
Perhaps, from that moment on, his fate had quietly begun to change.
After they finished the grilled meat, Shinichi leisurely took Orochimaru home.
The moment they stepped through the door, Uchiha Raishin and Xueli came to greet them.
They were both a little surprised to see an unfamiliar child following Shinichi, but welcoming smiles soon appeared on their faces.
"Shinichi, is this a new friend of yours?" Raishin asked gently, affection and curiosity in his eyes.
Shinichi lightly patted Orochimaru's shoulder and smiled. "That's right. His name is Orochimaru. Starting today, I'm planning to have him live with us."
Xueli paused at his words, but a gentle smile immediately blossomed on her face. She bent down and said tenderly to Orochimaru, "Welcome, Orochimaru. From now on, this is your home."
Raishin laughed heartily too, patting his chest. "Don't be shy, little fellow. Make yourself at home, and if you need anything, just tell us."
Looking at the smiling couple before him, Orochimaru seemed at a loss for a moment. Emotions he had never felt before flickered in his golden eyes.
Only after a long while did he lower his head and speak softly, his voice trembling slightly. "Th... thank you, Uncle, Auntie..."
Seeing how reserved he was, Xueli gently ruffled his hair and smiled. "There's no need to be so formal. Don't worry. From now on, we're all your family."
Shinichi leaned against the doorframe, a lazy, satisfied smile on his lips as he silently watched.
Standing beside him, Tsunade couldn't resist teasing him under her breath. "Who would've thought, Shinichi? You're actually being dependable for once."
Shinichi chuckled and replied leisurely, "Of course. I am Konoha's most dependable slacker, after all."
Tsunade rolled her eyes, but she couldn't hide the faint smile on her lips.
Sunlight streamed warmly through the windows, and the house was filled with cheerful voices and laughter.
To Orochimaru, it felt as though a long-lost warmth had finally arrived.
He looked up at Shinichi's back, a bright, determined light gradually filling his eyes as he silently vowed, Big brother Shinichi, I'll never let any of you down!
Before you continue