After an in-depth conversation with his teacher, Orochimaru headed back to his laboratory alone beneath the moonlight.
His teacher always treated him like a child who would never grow up. He indulged him far too much, yet also wanted far too much control over the course of his life.
Although his teacher had given him a laboratory, he did not actually believe in science. The point of giving him one was to keep him quietly settled in Konoha,
and out of trouble.
Orochimaru knew all of this.
Of course, he had also told the Third Generation what he thought: "I will devote my entire life to science."
Only after leaving the Hokage Building did Orochimaru suddenly realize that, although his teacher had ostensibly been interrogating him, their entire argument had actually revolved around their bond as teacher and student.
His teacher never cared about what he had done.
What his teacher cared about was Orochimaru himself, his student...
Orochimaru understood now, but he would not bow his head to the Third Generation.
They were teacher and student, yet even more like father and son.
The night breeze swept past.
Orochimaru stood outside his laboratory. He had not been inside for over two months, and found himself missing it terribly.
I wonder whether Anko has kept my refrigerator in good condition.
And those experiments I left running.
I hope Anko hasn't torn my laboratory apart.
Orochimaru scanned his face to enter.
Beep!
The door opened.
Orochimaru stepped inside.
The moment he entered, he noticed something wrong.
"Who are you?"
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes at the uninvited guest in his laboratory, who was hunched over his microscope, fiddling with it.
What are you fiddling with?
Do you even know what you're doing?
Don't you break my microscope!
Before Kabuto could answer, Orochimaru