Chapter 28: Konoha Hospital

Chapter 28: Konoha Hospital

"Submit a post-war summary later," Orochimaru instructed while applying medicine to Kenichi. His tone carried a hint of satisfaction.

At this moment, Kenichi was lying on the ground, utterly unwilling to speak. He could only nod with difficulty, as pain was present throughout his body.

Although Orochimaru did not go so far as to be lethal, his beatings were genuinely painful. Kenichi felt as if he was almost disassembled by Orochimaru.

It was as if his bones were being squeezed out, and then he was lying on top of them.

"However, at least I managed to inflict some scratches on the teacher," Kenichi slowly got up, leaning on a tree. Looking at the bloodstains on Orochimaru's arm, he revealed a slight smile.

Before, he had been unable to cause any trouble for his teacher, but now he finally could.

This was probably also a form of growth.

It's just that writing a combat summary after each sparring session with the teacher was a bit troublesome.

"Kenichi, you don't need to come to the lab tomorrow. Take a day off," Orochimaru said, looking at his disciple with satisfaction. He had potential and was very adept at experiments; this disciple really put his mind at ease.

"Eh? Teacher, you... Ah, I understand," Kenichi was startled for a moment. It was rare to hear about rest and holidays from the teacher, who was very dedicated to his experiments.

Kenichi even thought that if it weren't for physical exhaustion, the teacher could probably spend his entire life in the lab.

But then Kenichi remembered something. Tomorrow was the beginning of the month, and it was a busy time for Konoha Hospital. His teacher probably wanted to do something.

"Uh-huh," Orochimaru smiled, pleased that his disciple was clever enough to guess what he wanted to do.

After finishing applying medicine to Kenichi, Orochimaru hurried off to arrange things for the next day.

After resting for a while to alleviate the pain, Kenichi leisurely went back. He still had to write the combat summary and continue refining his new ninjutsu.

The biggest inspiration from this battle for Kenichi was the development of ninjutsu. He now had some new ideas to try out, which would allow him to perfect the use of this technique sooner.

"Right, I don't need to go to the lab tomorrow," Kenichi remembered what his teacher had just told him. So what exactly was he going to do tomorrow?

Rest at home?

This was indeed a bit unusual for him.

"Teacher, long time no see," the next morning at Konoha Hospital, Orochimaru greeted Hiruzen Sarutobi with a smile.

"Uh, is that Orochimaru? Are you here for a check-up too?" Hiruzen, who had stepped down from the position of Hokage, took a puff of his cigarette and then looked at his student in surprise.

It was rare indeed, ever since he had supported Minato Namikaze to become the Fourth Hokage, Orochimaru had not come to see him.

Hiruzen wasn't surprised, just continued to worry about the village's affairs. As for his student, he only needed to know that the other party was still in the village and seemed to have some contact with Danzo.

But this student definitely had some grievances against him.

So, looking at the smiling Orochimaru, Hiruzen felt somewhat puzzled inside but still heightened his vigilance silently.

"Yes, I've been feeling unwell lately, so I wanted to come in for a check-up," Orochimaru said, his eyes softening as he watched Hiruzen smoke.

It's good, teacher, smoke a little more, even more.

"Uh-huh, staying in a shady place for too long isn't good either. People, after all, need to bask in the sun. Don't I look energetic?" Hiruzen said meaningfully to his student.

"Yes, teacher, I also want to bask in the sun, but I can't help it. Even a big tree needs the support of its roots," Orochimaru laughed.

Then, the atmosphere in the hospital corridor became silent.

Neither Orochimaru nor Hiruzen spoke, and beside Hiruzen, an ape demon scratched its head, looking puzzled at its old friend.

It always felt that there was something off about the emotions between its old friend and his student, but it couldn't quite put its finger on what it was.

Hiruzen took another puff of his cigarette, feeling irritable. He always felt that Orochimaru, his student, had ill intentions, but he couldn't pinpoint what exactly was wrong.

"Teacher, you should smoke less, after all, you're getting older," Orochimaru said after his check-up, advising his teacher like a good student before leaving.

Hiruzen felt uncomfortable all over. A venomous snake showing you a smile is still frightening, even when it's smiling.

"Sarutobi," the ape demon looked worriedly at its old friend.

"It's nothing," Hiruzen shook his head, but then he checked his shoulder where Orochimaru had patted him, finding nothing unusual.

But the slight sense of foreboding in his heart wouldn't go away, which soured Hiruzen's mood.

"I always feel warm," the ape demon coughed and then waved its hand, looking somewhat disdainfully at its old friend.

It had told him so many times not to smoke, but Hiruzen just couldn't restrain his urge to smoke, always making his throat uncomfortable.

"After all, it's a hospital. Using the Palm Sage Technique also disperses some yang attribute chakra," Hiruzen didn't find it strange but took another puff. He liked to use cigarettes to help him think.

After thinking for a long time and not finding anything unusual, and since Orochimaru hadn't released any ninjutsu or left a chakra mark on his shoulder, Hiruzen could only conclude that he was overthinking.

"Kenichi," when Orochimaru found Kenichi, he was exercising with Might Guy, which made him even more pleased.

A diligent and talented student is very satisfying for any teacher.

"Teacher!" Kenichi immediately straightened up, and even Might Guy, who had just been walking on his hands, quickly stood up straight. This was Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin.

"Uh, want to go for barbecue?" Orochimaru asked Kenichi with a smile, arms crossed.

As for Might Guy beside him, he noticed but didn't pay much attention. The Eight Gates had already been handed over to the village.

"Okay, teacher, sorry Guy, I have to go," Kenichi quickly nodded. Whether he ate barbecue or not didn't matter; he was mainly interested in the gossip.

After all, he was very clear about what the teacher was doing today.

(End of Chapter)