"I worked so hard doing research for him… and in the end, he just threw me away!"
"Heh… if I hadn't prepared a backup plan back then, I would've been trapped in Konoha—humiliated, spat on by its villagers, and turned into the village's eternal disgrace."
"Oh, wait… I am already Konoha's disgrace now."
"But that hypocrite of a teacher… he still sits firmly in the Hokage's chair under the name of 'killing his kin for the greater good.' The people of Konoha praise him as a noble man!"
"Isn't that laughable, Toshi?"
"Tell me—isn't it?"
Orochimaru's voice rang out, sharp and bitter. It wasn't clear if he believed Toshi would understand him, or if he simply needed to vent years of frustration and resentment.
His words hit like a hammer—loud, fierce, and full of weight.
Toshi found himself momentarily speechless. He had long suspected that Orochimaru's defection wasn't as simple as it seemed—but he hadn't expected Orochimaru to hold such deep resentment toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.
So Hiruzen had wronged him somehow, after all.
"You're saying… the current Hokage was the one conducting the research, and you were just… a pawn in it?" Toshi finally asked after a long silence.
Not complicit… but a supporter?
Could Hiruzen have hidden the truth so well? But he had already become Hokage—why would he still carry out such cruel, inhumane experiments?
Was the allure of Wood Release cells really that powerful?
"If I said yes… would you believe me?" Orochimaru's eyes locked with Toshi's, calm yet playful, as if mocking, as if amused. Toshi couldn't read him at all.
Taking a deep breath, Toshi met that gaze and finally spoke.
"Before I came, Genya warned me about this. So I'll say this—I believe you halfway. But not completely."
"Heh… didn't expect you, such a stubborn old man, to waver like this—and even team up with Genya." Orochimaru chuckled. Toshi's answer had clearly surprised him.
That stubborn, tough temper — has it really changed just by following Genya?
"Hmph, I'm not here to waste time chatting with you," Toshi said, listening to Orochimaru's teasing. His eyes held a hint of seriousness.
"Where did you learn your cursed seal technique...?"
"We won't talk about that today. Since you're here, let me introduce myself!"
Orochimaru's cold eyes shifted to Hikari standing beside Toshi.
"Young lady, what's your name?"
From the first moment he saw Hikari, he had a strong feeling — this girl was no ordinary person.
Very extraordinary.
It seemed Genya's followers were truly a group of talented individuals.
"My name is Senju Hikari. I'm Senju Hayashi's sister. I came here hoping to learn some scientific research knowledge from you. Also..." Hikari paused briefly before continuing, "I want to teach you the method of cell fusion!"
"Cell fusion methods? You?" Orochimaru doubted. "What I want is the person who can complete cell fusion, not just the method!"
He had already tried countless ways for cell fusion!
Almost every possible method had crossed his mind.
To Orochimaru, it seemed the person developing the cell medicine was special and had improved the experimental steps.
Although he felt something unusual about Hikari, real experiments required time, patience, and countless trials.
Clearly,
Hikari wasn't capable of it yet.
"It was me."
Under Orochimaru's sharp gaze, Hikari nodded solemnly.
"You?" Orochimaru's eyes narrowed, a flicker of surprise flashing through them.
Hikari was too young—around the same age as Genya. Another genius in scientific research?
"Yes, I developed this cellular serum by myself," Hikari said with firm seriousness.
A glint of curiosity appeared in Orochimaru's eyes. He stared at Hikari and asked in a low voice,
"When cells are modified and injected into another host, rejection usually occurs. How did you alter the experiment to prevent that?"
"I adapted it based on the cellular differences of each individual," Hikari explained carefully.
"I made gradual adjustments to ensure compatibility and fusion. That way, not only could the experiment succeed, but the original cellular traits could also be preserved perfectly."
She went on to describe several specific experimental techniques.
Even Toshi, listening nearby, was stunned speechless by some of them.
He glanced at Hikari, puzzled.
What was Hikari really doing all this time while I was researching curse seals?
This kind of cellular research… it's not something a normal person could do.
It must be Genya. Genya must have made her do these experiments.
But Orochimaru was too deep in his discussion with Hikari to notice the sudden change in Toshi's expression.
The two were still in the middle of a heated debate.
"In your cellular experiments, how did you deal with the cells going berserk or withering away?" Orochimaru stared at Hikari, his voice calm but probing.
"I used Wood Release chakra to suppress them and made subtle adjustments to guide them into stabilizing gradually," Hikari explained seriously, sharing the insights she had gained from her research into cellular medicine.
"You can use Wood Release?" Orochimaru's eyes lit up, practically glowing with excitement.
"Hm?"
"Yes," Hikari nodded.
"I see it now... this is what I was missing in my experiments!" As he listened to her, Orochimaru's usually sinister expression melted into a rare smile.
As expected—
Genya had given him yet another surprise!
And now...
His curiosity about Atsukara only deepened.
Two Wood Release users?
And one of them was a scientific genius?
"Come. Let's begin the experiments," Orochimaru said with eager eyes, looking at Hikari. "From today on, I'll teach you everything I know about scientific research. You'll work with me directly!"
Even with just a brief conversation, Orochimaru had already seen Hikari's incredible potential—especially her natural talent in scientific research.
Wood Release?
Hikari can use Wood Release?
Toshi was still confused. He had been in isolation studying cursed seals.
What happened while he was away? How did Hikari suddenly master Wood Release?
But before he could make sense of it, Hikari had already followed Orochimaru into the cave.
He quickly chased after them, shouting from behind, "Stop! Hikari is my student! Orochimaru, what are you trying to do?!"
"Toshi, wait outside for a bit. Hikari and I have an experiment to run."
Orochimaru's voice was calm as he dismissed the furious boy trailing behind him. Without looking back, he pushed open a heavy stone door and stepped inside.
"Orochimaru, you—!"
Outside the stone chamber, Toshi clenched his fists in frustration, clearly agitated.
"Relax, Toshi-san. My sister will be fine," Hayashi said from the side, trying to comfort him.
"Hayashi... Orochimaru isn't a good person," Toshi said urgently. "Even if he's working with Genya that doesn't mean he won't harm Hikari. You know that too, don't you?"
Hayashi stayed silent.
He wanted to say that Orochimaru might not even be a match for his sister.
Strong as he may be, Hikari had her own ways of protecting herself.
. . .
Inside a dim cave,
A stone platform sat in the center, bathed in the flickering glow of a pale yellow lamp.
One by one, illusory shadows shimmered faintly into view.
****
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