In the bright bathroom, steam billowed.
Izo shook off those wild thoughts, concentrating on scrubbing Orochimaru's back, his movements gentle and meticulous, as if this were the most important thing in the world.
After scrubbing his back, Izo quickly and methodically cleaned himself, drying every drop of water from his body, ensuring he was fresh and clean.
Then, Izo carefully extended his arms and slowly lifted the meditating Orochimaru from the bathtub, placing him on a soft towel that had been prepared nearby.
Water droplets rolled from Orochimaru's hair. Izo picked up another towel and gently dried Orochimaru's hair, his eyes full of tenderness.
Izo walked to the wardrobe, took out a brand new set of his own clothes, and prepared to dress Orochimaru.
He held the clothes against Orochimaru, and his expression became a little subtle.
These clothes seemed a bit too large, but it didn't matter, Izo mused. Shortening the hem and sleeves should make them fit.
When Orochimaru opened his eyes again and looked at himself in the mirror, his expression was a little subtle... So... pink... Why was even the drawstring pink? And with such a large pink bow tied behind him, he inexplicably felt a bit shy.
"Izo... these clothes are..."
But Orochimaru saw Izo's bright, expectant eyes in the mirror... and instantly didn't know what to say... Pink... then pink it is.
So Sabo, waiting at the door, was greeted by a very pink and tender Orochimaru.
Sabo's lips curved upwards uncontrollably, and that upturned smile was like it was glued on, impossible to suppress.
When Izo, Orochimaru, and Sabo returned to the deck, bright sunlight was shining down, and a group of people were lazily basking in the sun.
However, this moment of peace was broken by Ace's laughter. As soon as Ace saw the pink Orochimaru, he first froze, then, as if a laughing nerve had been struck, he laughed so hard he doubled over, his laughter echoing across the deck, exceptionally piercing.
Orochimaru was already somewhat annoyed by the pink attire, but seeing Ace laugh so unrestrainedly, his face suddenly became expressionless, though a hint of anger flashed in his eyes.
Orochimaru's figure flickered, instantly appearing before Ace, moving as fast as a ghost.
Before Ace could react, Orochimaru kicked out sharply. The kick was immensely powerful, sending Ace flying into the air.
"Water Release! Water Prison Jutsu!" Orochimaru quickly formed hand signs, uttering a low cry.
In an instant, the moisture in the air seemed to answer the call, rapidly condensing into a giant sphere of water, like a transparent cage, completely encasing Ace, who was still in mid-air.
Ace struggled hard in the Water Prison, but he quickly realized that this water was not seawater, which meant his abilities could still be used.
Ace's face turned crimson from holding his breath, and then he activated the Mera Mera no Mi's power.
Immediately, raging flames shot out from his body, the surrounding temperature rapidly increased, and the water in the Water Prison instantly began to boil under the high temperature. White steam quickly spread, making the entire scene steamy.
By the time Ace finally managed to break free from the scalding Water Prison with his Devil Fruit power, he was greeted by Orochimaru's sole.
Orochimaru's kick accurately landed on Ace's face. Ace immediately saw stars and was sent flying backward uncontrollably.
Then, his face heavily pressed against the deck, and with that impact, he slid a distance across the deck before slowly coming to a stop... his body twitched.
Orochimaru stood before Ace, his face full of rage, gritting his teeth, his eyes seemingly burning with fury.
"Laughing at me? You still dare to laugh at me? I haven't even settled the score with you for daring to throw bugs at me before, and you still dare to laugh! You've certainly gotten bolder now!" Orochimaru's voice, full of gnashing teeth, echoed in the air.
Ace, seeing stars, struggled to lift his head. From this angle... he could clearly see the embarrassing spot.
However, Ace only paused for a moment, then a defiant smile played on his lips.
"So what... 'Little brother'."
Orochimaru looked bewildered, clearly not understanding what Ace meant by "little brother." He just felt that Ace's demeanor was like he was trying to act like a boss, even though he already was the boss.
Sabo, watching from the side at Ace's awkward angle, instantly understood the deeper meaning in Ace's words.
Sabo performed a neat backflip, then stomped hard on Ace's head, pushing Ace's head directly into the deck.
"Don't mind him, this brother of mine has already lost his mind," Sabo said with a frown and a look of disgust.
"Come on, let's have a feast. I really like Orochimaru's ramen."
"~(˶╹ꇴ╹˶)~ I'm leaving soon, Orochimaru, make it for me!"
Izo, behind them, also saw Ace's actions and looked at Ace with a disapproving expression.
He took a few steps forward, grabbed Ace's leg, and dragged Ace to the storeroom like a rag doll, then slammed the door shut with a "bang."
"Hmph, grounded! This kind of older brother is too much of a Kuma, he'll corrupt the kids."
Izo muttered in a low voice while locking the door.
Ace, looking out from behind the bars, stared at Izo in disbelief. "No, you weren't like this just now!! How in such a short time am I no longer your favorite cub??"
On the deck, a group of people were also loudly mocking Ace.
A month passed quickly like a white steed galloping past a crack. The surgery was very successful, and Whitebeard's body had recovered to a youthful state during this time. At this rate, if nothing unexpected happened, he could live for another fifty or sixty years.
But the others on the Moby Dick felt that this month was even harder to endure than the previous six months.
Look at them, each one looked haggard, as if they had aged several years, as if their energy had been drained.
This was all due to the torment caused by Orochimaru and Ace, those two "Kuma children."
Especially Ace, you're the older brother! Look at all the good deeds you've done? Every day you provoke Orochimaru with all sorts of strange bugs. Where do you even catch these bugs from!
The result was that he was always counter-killed by Orochimaru; isn't this the typical case of being bad but loving to play?
And Izo and Sabo, always taking sides and fanning the flames.
Even Old Man Whitebeard was happily watching the show from the side, and the commanders were also egging them on without a proper demeanor.
Now, looking at Orochimaru and Sabo, who were about to leave, the others were so excited that tears welled up in their eyes.
They were all cheering in their hearts: Finally, this day has come, this "little devil king" is finally leaving. Without him, Ace alone should return to normal, right?
This past month was truly difficult. When immortals fight, mortals suffer. Many of them were either bitten by snakes or scalded by hot steam, boo hoo hoo... It was too hard.
Ace even sent them off with a brilliant smile.
"This insidious and cunning snake is finally gone, and he's the Old Man's favorite cub again!"
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