3 Chapter 3: What should I do if Orochimaru becomes an assistant?

Chapter 3: What should I do if Orochimaru becomes an assistant?

"You said your name was what? Orochimaru?"

Who is Orochimaru?

He is a character from the highly popular manga "Naruto," known in the anime community. Initially appearing as the quintessential villain, his influence spans the entire series. He even ends up aiding the protagonist, making him an exceptionally formidable character.

After a brief moment of shock, Ethan began to scrutinize the man claiming to be Orochimaru.

With long black hair and golden eyes, his heavy eyeliner and vertically slit pupils resembled those of a snake. His face was gaunt, and his body slender; though unmistakably human, he exuded serpentine details.

"—He really does look the part."

Except, instead of the ninja attire from the manga, he wore the white lab coat favored by researchers.

Of course, this proved nothing.

Characters in manga rarely change clothes, but that doesn't mean real people don't change theirs.

"Because I am the real Orochimaru."

Saying this, the man deliberately extended his tongue down to his chest—a length no human could naturally achieve.

Witnessing this eerie scene, Ethan had to believe, at least he thought no one would go to such lengths just for a prank—could such a tongue really retract into the mouth?

Orochimaru assured him it could, retracting it with a swift "swoosh," just like a snake.

"I'm increasingly feeling like I'm dreaming." Ethan rubbed his eyes vigorously and pinched his cheek hard.

"At first, I had the same thought. It won't be long before you get used to it."

Orochimaru's voice was soft yet lacked the sinister tone Ethan remembered; instead, it was oddly gentle, causing Ethan a sense of dissonance.

"..."

To think he was being comforted by Orochimaru! Who would believe this if he told them? In over 700 chapters of "Naruto," had Orochimaru ever treated anyone this way?

"Does it feel strange?" Orochimaru continued in his gentle voice.

"Ah, a little," Ethan nodded involuntarily.

"Not quite like how you are in 'Naruto'?"

"Um—uh, you know about 'Naruto'?"

Despite the numerous surprises today, Ethan was still taken aback.

After the surprise came curiosity.

Orochimaru, a villain and ambitious schemer, aware that he is a character from a manga, what would he think?

Orochimaru responded, "I know, the former director showed me the whole set."

"That's it?"

"That's it. What else did you expect? That I'd be dissatisfied or even break down because I'm a character from a manga?"

Ethan indeed had such thoughts, but it seemed not to be the case.

"Indeed, our experiences appearing in your world as a manga is incredible, but so what? Compared to this office that transcends dimensions, what does it matter?"

Thinking about it, that made sense. People's capacity for acceptance increases with their exposure. Someone who has never seen explosives would find TNT shocking, but after seeing an atomic bomb, they'd realize TNT isn't that significant.

It was the same for Orochimaru. Perhaps he was once a character in a drawing, but now he had stepped out of the drawing, having the chance to interact with more drawings and even the artists, he wouldn't be confined to his past.

This was an ambitious man, after all, realizing the limits of humanity, he sought immortality, directly and indirectly causing a series of events that changed many lives and took many more.

—With this thought, Ethan shuddered, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

The shock of a two-dimensional character appearing before him and Orochimaru's consistently gentle demeanor made him overlook Orochimaru's true nature.

This was a powerful villain, known for his cruel personality and ruthless methods to achieve his goals.

Human experiments, attacking his homeland, killing his mentor... he was indeed a man of many evils.

Could such a person quietly be an assistant director? Or would he think of removing the assistant to take complete control of this interdimensional office?

The latter seemed more likely, especially for an ambitious individual.

The more Ethan thought about it, the more panicked he became.

What to do? What should he do if Orochimaru targeted him?

The former director, whose name he didn't know, was he there? Save me, it's urgent.

However, the former director did not respond to Ethan's calls, leaving only the ordinary Ethan and the dangerous Orochimaru in the office.

"Are you—afraid? Afraid I might kill you?" Orochimaru, seeing through Ethan's thoughts, narrowed his snake-like eyes.

"Yes."

Ethan didn't pretend to be brave; he admitted it honestly. Because hiding it was pointless; he didn't think his little cleverness could outsmart Orochimaru. Recognizing reality quickly and accepting the situation was one of his strengths.

"Because of what I did in 'Naruto'?"

"Yes."

"Understandable, I would be scared too if I were in your place. And indeed, I had thought about eliminating you and taking your place." The gentleness had finally faded, and a sinister atmosphere oppressed Ethan's body and soul.

"And then?"

His voice trembled with fear. Although he had anticipated this, the reality was still terrifying—a normal person couldn't help but fear death.

"I gave up." Orochimaru's expression suddenly changed, and the pressure around them lifted.

"Why?"

"Because the former director had anticipated this and taken precautions. As long as my contract with the office is not terminated, I cannot harm any other staff members, directly or indirectly, or I will suffer a backlash tenfold, a hundredfold. I need the director's permission to harm others."

Orochimaru's feelings towards the former director were complex, filled with admiration, reverence, and a bit of fear.

"A contract? What contract?" Ethan quickly inquired, his life at stake.

"The contract I signed with the office. In exchange for working here, I get the chance to fulfill my wishes. The contract has been transferred to you along with the director's authority; you just need to search your memory to find it."

"I see." Ethan nodded thoughtfully. "By the way, the former director just mentioned I could return to my original world at any time?"

"Yes, that's a special privilege of being the director. Employees like me, without your permission, can only stay here."

"How exactly do I do that?"

"Sincerely wish for it, and you can open the gateway back."

"Then I'll go back first. I'm not in the right state to take on new responsibilities; give me some time to adjust."

"Please, you are the director, I will wait here for your return."

"I hope I can still come back." Muttering softly, Ethan silently wished in his heart, "I want to go home."

The next second, the world spun, and his body, along with the chair, vanished without a trace.

Orochimaru remained standing in the same spot, his slender eyes scanning the area where Ethan had disappeared, murmuring to himself:

"Still the same, nothing seems out of place..."

At that moment, a streak of bright red flowed down his parted lips—it was blood, Orochimaru's blood.

"Uh... even a slight mental pressure is judged as an attack... former director... who exactly are you... It seems, for a considerable time, I can only play the role of a loyal assistant."

Wiping the blood away, the snake-like man's expression fluctuated between madness and restraint.

"But I won't give up, I will achieve my goal, no matter the cost."

(End of Chapter)