After Orochimaru left, was the village still using live humans for experiments?
"Huh?"
Toshi paused when he heard Genya's question. Was the village still doing experiments on live people?
On the surface, it seemed like they had stopped.
But, with children occasionally going missing inside the village, and the orphanage becoming emptier and emptier, it was clear these cruel experiments were still happening.
Recently, he had heard rumors that in the area under Sarutobi's Police Force, there were a lot of disappearances — no, many disappearances.
But most people didn't care about those "insignificant" individuals, so the village kept the matter quiet.
"You're not answering. That means you know it's still happening, right?"
Genya sneered. He stared at Toshi and continued, "Then let me ask you, who in Konoha could hide such inhumane experiments from the Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen?"
"Huh?"
Toshi was once again speechless.
Indeed, he had no words.
For such experiments to happen inside the village, it meant some powerful force was backing it.
And if it hadn't been exposed by the Hokage, that meant Sarutobi Hiruzen was involved too!
But if that was true, then why did Hiruzen drive Orochimaru away back then?
Wait, why had he once been so sure Hiruzen wasn't involved in these cruel experiments?
Maybe it was because he believed Hiruzen acted out of righteous loyalty to the village…
Now, looking at him, his expression was heavy and serious.
"Damn it... Damn him for doing this... I used to trust Hiruzen Sarutobi so much..." Toshi whispered, a hint of sadness in his voice.
Damn it.
He never expected that they really hadn't given up on the experiments.
Even abandoning Orochimaru was just throwing away a pawn.
"So, you worked with Orochimaru to get revenge on Hiruzen Sarutobi?" Toshi looked at Genya seriously and continued, "Or maybe it's revenge against Konoha itself?"
Toshi knew about the grudges between the village and the Uchiha clan. Even the recent heartbreaking Uchiha massacre had Hiruzen Sarutobi's involvement.
If the Uchiha and Orochimaru united to strike the village, it wouldn't be impossible.
Right now,
The Uchiha clan seemed to be growing stronger. Genya building that special research base and sheltering those people was all part of a plan.
He even thought that Genya letting him study the curse mark technique was part of this scheme. Damn, how did he fall right into the trap?
No, the real truth was that Uchiha Genya knew exactly what he liked—his obsession with the curse marks!
Under Toshi's serious gaze, Genya slowly spoke, "No, our Uchiha clan only wants to protect ourselves. You should know that Hiruzen Sarutobi has wanted to move against us for a long time. If we don't prepare, one day the Uchiha clan could be wiped out without even realizing it!"
"We must protect ourselves!"
"The Uchiha clan has no intention of destroying Konoha, but we won't allow them to oppress and slaughter us."
His words landed firmly. Nearby, Shisui, Hayashi, and Hikari all nodded seriously. Even Asahi's eyes shone with determination.
"But… you secretly worked with Konoha's rogue ninja, crossing Konoha's bottom line!" Toshi said.
"Toshi, to say you secretly studied the cursed seal technique, this forbidden jutsu, it also crosses Konoha's bottom line!" Genya said with a half-smile, his face still showing amusement.
"As I thought… Genya, you damn brat, you gave me the cursed seal technique with no good intentions!" Toshi's eyes twitched when he heard Genya's words.
Just as he suspected, Genya teaching him the cursed seal was a trap.
But now he had already fallen into it, and the mysterious power of the cursed seal deeply attracted him. It was impossible to make him give it up.
Genya knew exactly how to take advantage of that.
"Toshi, just follow me. Don't worry, I would never use civilians or innocent people as test subjects," Genya said slowly, a smile still playing on his lips.
"Besides, I can also show you a more special kind of body!"
"A more special kind of body?" Toshi was suspicious now. He didn't believe Genya's words.
He thought Genya was trying to trick him again.
"Do you know about the Immortal Body from the Jashin Cult?" Genya's eyes held a teasing glint.
"Jashin Cult… Immortal Body?'" Toshi muttered, trying to remember, but his memory was still vague, and he couldn't recall much.
"They use experiments to give people an Immortal body!" Genya said, pointing at Asahi beside him. "For example, Asahi—she's a child taken by the Jashin Cult for their experiments."
"A child? Are you asking me to experiment on this child?" Toshi's eyes narrowed when he heard this, but he firmly refused.
"If you want me to experiment on her, I have to say… I must decline. I wouldn't even study the cursed seal anymore!"
Toshi spoke with passion, showing a proud, righteous attitude.
"Who said you're going to experiment on Asahi? She's now one of my Uchiha clan. Without my permission, who dares to touch her?" Genya looked at Toshi and patted Asahi on the shoulder.
At those words, the silent Asahi showed a hint of gratitude in her eyes.
"Then why are you telling me this? Do you want me to study the Immortal body while staring at thin air?" Toshi said, speechless.
"Look over there!" Genya lifted his chin, signaling Toshi to look behind him.
Everyone else followed his gaze.
They saw some unfamiliar researchers carrying limbs, placing and assembling them!
It looked like they were piecing together a skeleton!
"What's so special about that? I can still move my head," Toshi said curiously, just as he suddenly saw a body with only a head left open its eyes—and it smiled at him.
This...
Hayashi and Hikari were also startled when they saw this scene.
Immortality?
Is it that kind of immortality?
Genya spoke slowly, "Toshi, I've brought those evil cultists from the Jashin Cult here—enough for you to study, along with their research data."
Mount Myoboku.
A beautiful, serene place, home to giant toads resting peacefully.
Suddenly,
Jiraiya appeared in this peaceful world. Taking in the pleasant surroundings, he took a deep breath and felt very relaxed.
Boom!
At that moment, a giant toad wearing clothes and carrying a long sword appeared in front of Jiraiya. It lowered its head and looked at him.
"Jiraiya, you're here?"
The large toad's horizontal pupils curiously studied Jiraiya.
"Gamabunta... I want to see the Great Toad Sage!" Jiraiya said calmly when he saw the sudden appearance of the big toad.
Gamabunta, the toad asked, "What is it about?"
"It's something very important."
Inside the main hall, an old and weary giant toad opened his eyes. He glanced at Fukasaku and Shima, the toads sitting on Jiraiya's shoulders, and in a deep, hoarse voice said, "Little Jiraiya has arrived. Let him in."
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