Chapter 33: Awakening
Orochimaru's consciousness lay dormant in the darkness. He felt only a familiar, merging sensation of his soul once again. As this feeling intensified, Orochimaru gradually experienced a profound, mysterious sensation. His mind subconsciously understood that the last remnants of his two souls, from his past and present lives, were undergoing their final integration.
Orochimaru did not know how long passed in this peculiar state. Finally, the sensation vanished. Gradually, a small light appeared before him, and his consciousness slowly began to awaken.
The intense brightness caused Orochimaru to squint instinctively. After blinking several times, he clearly saw his surroundings: the clean, white ceiling and the Hokage Rock visible outside the window. Everything signaled that Orochimaru was out of danger and was in the Leaf Village Hospital.
He tried to use his hands to push himself up, but suddenly, his entire body was wracked with a frequent, agonizing, bone-deep pain, as if he were being simultaneously sliced by thousands of tiny knives, or as if all the muscles and skin on his body had been ripped apart.
"Hiss—"
The intense pain made Orochimaru gasp sharply and caused a cold sweat to break out on his forehead. He looked down to see that he was wrapped head-to-toe, like a human mummy, in layers of white medical bandages, with an excessive number of splints and braces holding him in place.
Clack—
The Japanese-style sliding wooden door was suddenly opened. A familiar, small figure rushed in. Just as the figure was about to leap onto Orochimaru's injured body, another familiar voice from behind quickly called out to stop her: "Little Maji, be careful! Your brother is still seriously hurt!"
The small figure that had rushed in was the beautiful and adorable little Maji.
Maji, her face crumpled in tears, lowered the two fair little hands that were about to embrace Orochimaru. Her young body leaned over Orochimaru's bedside, her large, bright, watery black eyes filled with deep concern and sorrow. Grabbing Orochimaru's hand, she choked out, "Brother, how did you get hurt? Didn't you say that if Maji studied hard and stayed home, you'd come back safely?
Wuu wuu, you, you didn't keep... didn't keep your word!
Waaah wuu wuu..."
By the end, Little Maji couldn't hold it in any longer. She threw herself onto the bed, hugging Orochimaru's hand, and cried heartbrokenly.
Listening to Maji's sincere words, the darkness in Orochimaru's heart, which had been filled with slaughter and gore for days, was instantly illuminated by a warm, brilliant ray of sunshine. The gloom was completely swept away, like seeing a clear sky after the clouds part. Hearing Maji's anguished sobs, his heart filled with tenderness.
Orochimaru fought the intense, bone-deep pain. With his other hand, he gently stroked Little Maji's hair and said warmly, "There, there, Maji. It's all over. Isn't your brother back now?"
Following her in was Tsunade. Beside Tsunade was a black-haired, black-eyed boy—Chi, the child with the special talent whom Orochimaru had taken in at the bandit camp.
Chi's face and body had some treated and bandaged wounds, suggesting his journey to the Leaf Village hadn't been peaceful either. Chi's eyes were very cold, like ten thousand years of ice. It was only when he looked at Orochimaru and Little Maji that a deep concern and warmth surfaced.
Orochimaru looked at Chi and gave a smile of satisfaction and approval!
Chi froze for a moment. A blush flashed across his calm, cold face, showing intense excitement. After a while, he recovered and silently walked to a shadowy corner by the wall, sitting down on the floor. He maintained the same posture as when Orochimaru first met him, but his eyes stayed on Orochimaru and Little Maji, occasionally revealing a trace of satisfaction and happiness.
Orochimaru looked at the approaching Tsunade, his mind full of questions.
Tsunade glanced at the strangely behaving Chi, looking slightly disheartened. She came to the side of Orochimaru's bed and said with concern, "The doctor said your injuries are very severe, so try not to make any sudden movements!"
Orochimaru was surprised for a moment, then nodded.
Little Maji suddenly raised her head, her tear-stained face full of indignation. Grabbing Orochimaru's hand, she "complained," "Brother, this Sister Tsunade is mean! She waited for several days before telling us you were back! Otherwise, I could have seen you sooner!"
Orochimaru looked at Tsunade with confusion.
Tsunade smiled helplessly: "You've been in a coma for a week. When Lord Sarutobi first found you, your entire body was bloody and you were hemorrhaging heavily. All your muscles and skin had varying degrees of damage. If your bones hadn't been spared, you might not have been able to be a ninja this lifetime, even if you had survived!
When you first arrived at the hospital, Lord Sarutobi had the most elite medical ninja perform surgery on you. It still took three days just to stabilize your injuries.
If Chi hadn't arrived at the Leaf Village yesterday and recognized us, Lord Sarutobi would have kept us quiet until you were fully recovered!"
A look of relief flashed in Orochimaru's eyes. He patted Maji's head. Seeing her glare at Tsunade with an angry, aggrieved expression, he gave Tsunade an apologetic smile, then turned to Maji and said gently, "It's alright, don't be angry. Sister Tsunade meant well, okay, Maji?
Besides, you won't look pretty when you're angry!"
Maji then turned back to Orochimaru and smiled brilliantly. Her adorable little face, framed by tears, was particularly lovely and endearing, like a flower blooming in the morning dew!
Maji painstakingly dragged over a stool nearly as tall as she was and sat by Orochimaru's bed. During this, Tsunade offered to help several times, but the little girl "coldly" refused her!
Tsunade helplessly returned to her seat, facing the "grudge-holding" little one.
Little Maji sat on the stool, holding Orochimaru's hand and resting her head on it. She babbled about her experiences during the days Orochimaru was gone. Whenever she talked about missing him, a few tears would inevitably fall. Crying and laughing, she soon fell asleep.
Listening to Maji's even breathing, Orochimaru smiled. He looked at Chi sitting in the corner and turned to ask Tsunade, "What's going on with Chi?"
Tsunade didn't know how to answer: "We've tried to persuade him many times, but it's no use! The medical ninja at the hospital said Chi seems to have developed a psychological trauma. He only feels safe when he's in the shadows!"
Orochimaru frowned slightly. He laboriously beckoned Chi with his bandaged hand.
Chi's eyes flickered. He hesitated, then walked over, head bowed.
Orochimaru asked gently, "Chi, why do you still hide in the dark?"
Chi moved his lips a few times, apparently trying to figure out what to say: "Ma... Master, I, I'm very... very comfortable in the dark!"
Orochimaru thought of Chi's special talent and said no more.
Chi looked up, saw Orochimaru's expression, scratched his head, and gave a simple-minded smile. He then returned to his corner.
Orochimaru continued asking Tsunade, "What about Yamata?"
Just as Tsunade was about to answer, a heart-wrenching shriek suddenly came from the doorway: "Agh—"
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