To better study natural energy in a way that allowed for macroscopic observation, Habara needed a better "medium" and "container."
This kind of research, laden with danger and a sense of the forbidden, was fundamentally something Habara undertook for his own sake. However, its nature could equally be described as "for the better construction of a classical new Konoha"... This wasn't mere high-sounding rhetoric; after all, Habara had always believed that true goodness meant everyone prospering together.
To put it bluntly: he wanted everyone to become better, but preferably not better than himself.
If one wanted to better research Senjutsu or natural energy, the best and most necessary experimental material was, of course, the cells of the First Hokage.
But directly requesting the First Hokage's cells from Konoha posed significant ethical problems; in the hearts of Konoha ninja, the God of Shinobi was undoubtedly inviolable—at least, one couldn't be too openly lawless about it. Secondly, such immense power always made ordinary people wary, which would bring Habara unnecessary attention.
The lessons from the 'cart overturned ahead' were still fresh. Habara wanted to cultivate an image as a legitimate researcher, leaning towards the positive, rather than becoming some kind of mad scientist. Simply put, he didn't want to be seen as a second Orochimaru.
Of course, to certain concerned individuals, even an Orochimaru disguised with utmost benevolence was still Orochimaru.
Since directly opting for the First Hokage's cells was out—avoiding the associated complications with Konoha's leadership and core secrets—Habara naturally had other options… namely, the second-best choice, which in some ways was also the perfect choice.
An "integrator" of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju's cells was right before his eyes.
Tenzo, as a survivor of Orochimaru's common experiments, and given the unique nature of the First Hokage's cells, possessed immense value as a "sample"—perhaps even below that of Habara himself, the unique "Number 1 Carrier" of natural energy. That also meant Tenzo could greatly aid Habara's research. Furthermore, compared to the various complex tasks Habara needed to perform, Tenzo's job was very simple: just obediently allow himself to be studied.
Habara and Tenzo shared common experiences to a significant extent, and coupled with their time together since joining Konoha, Habara could say there was certainly trust between them. Realistically, Tenzo would likely comply with his request without much explanation. However, based on humanitarian principles and basic empathy, Habara decided to explain the situation properly.
When Habara approached Tenzo, the latter was still in a relatively good mood. But when Habara pulled out a syringe, Tenzo's good mood instantly evaporated.
Noticing the shift in his mood, Habara couldn't help but chuckle slightly before putting the syringe away.
"Tenzo, since the war ended, I've had this intuition… that the shinobi world hasn't truly calmed down. On the contrary, I feel like the world is brewing some unnamable crisis…"
Habara began explaining his research philosophy, aiming to show he wasn't cut from the same cloth as Orochimaru.
Tenzo hesitated slightly. Although he knew he was about to be subjected to a series of PUA tactics (psychological manipulation), he hadn't expected Habara to approach the topic from this angle.
"Are you… suffering from war trauma?"
Tenzo didn't think someone like Habara, whose intuition seemed questionable, would genuinely suffer from psychological trauma related to the war.
"Not necessarily," Habara deflected, "Perhaps you could call it… spiritual massage?"
"Anyway, whether it's to deal with a nebulous crisis in the shinobi world or simply to accumulate strength for the next great ninja war, we cannot abandon certain special possibilities."
Metaphysics—believe it and it exists, don't believe it and it doesn't. Who could say for sure?
However, Tenzo could understand Habara's type of concern. In every ninja village, numerous plots were hatched every few days; it was hard to guarantee none were high-stakes versions aiming to overthrow villages, nations, or even the world.
"Do you mean… Orochimaru?" Tenzo then offered a more precise guess.
For Konoha ninja at this time, limited by the perspective of their era, thinking that potential future crises would be on the 'Orochimaru level' was quite normal. Even compared to Orochimaru, who had already fled, a more realistic crisis still lurked within Konoha… Weren't the Uchiha a more pressing concern than Orochimaru?
Although it was a misunderstanding, since Orochimaru had been mentioned, Habara decided to just pin the black pot on him directly. "Ninja often pursue that kind of extremely pure power, such as high-level Sharingan, natural energy and Senjutsu, or Wood Release…"
No need for further explanation; Tenzo and Habara were products of experiments related to the latter two.
"Correspondingly, Kekkei Genkai or even Kekkei Tota based on chakra nature transformation appear complex, seeming flashy but impractical in comparison. Not to mention ninja who copy countless techniques… It sounds like it offers strategic versatility when facing enemies, but aren't the commonly used techniques still just those few? When pushed into a corner, isn't it still just 'one eye' they rely on?"
Habara seemed to take a jab at someone (Kekkei Genkai users), then immediately took a jab at someone else (Kakashi).
"The progression of ninja skills mostly relies on experience and training. Ninja from special lineages rely more on talent. But compared to those orthodox methods of self-strengthening, Orochimaru's unconventional approach was undoubtedly extremely dangerous, yet also exceptionally efficient."
Orochimaru's research—everyone who knew understood—either made people explode with power or just made them explode, literally.
"The Heaven Curse Mark and the Earth Curse Mark—those were two research directions of Orochimaru's. Although he was too extreme, knowledge itself is blameless. Since we've recognized that power, we shouldn't just cling to convention and ignore it."
The logic was simple: "Only magic can defeat magic," or "If you can't beat them, join them."
"Orochimaru, yet beyond Orochimaru," Habara said, offering no further detailed explanation. Regarding matters without concrete evidence, explaining too meticulously often revealed problems. Instead, this kind of vague, mysterious, hinting approach was more likely to sway the listener emotionally.
After hearing Habara's talk about Orochimaru, Tenzo almost immediately recalled the previous Nine-Tails disturbance and the Fourth Hokage's death… Events that were too suspicious made it hard for people to let go, prompting doubts like, "Is it really over?"
"So, compared to Orochimaru's two types of Curse Marks, what kind of Curse Mark are you planning to research?"
"No need to be so extreme," Habara clarified, pausing and glancing at Tenzo before continuing, "Orochimaru's research often had death rates exceeding ninety percent. We certainly won't be that radical. Therefore, reducing the power while increasing safety and general compatibility—that's what's most important."
The meaning was clear: 7.62mm (powerful ammo) might be good, but people couldn't handle it, so everyone chose 5.56mm (less powerful but more controllable).
"Therefore… I'd call it the mass-produced version of the Curse Mark. Everything is for a worse Konoha."
"…Konoha, how many evils are committed in thy name…" "If it can help, I'm naturally willing, it's just…" Tenzo suppressed his emotions, speaking in as calm a tone as possible, "…isn't this a bit hasty?"
Generally speaking, a ninja likely wouldn't fear interrogation by enemy nations or hostile forces, but they absolutely couldn't remain indifferent to having unknown substances injected into their own bodies.
However, these were just Habara's explanations to Tenzo, carrying more than a hint of deception and ambush tactics. After feeding Orochimaru some miscellaneous information previously, Habara couldn't be certain even now if Orochimaru was still fixated on Curse Mark research… Regardless, compared to orthodox Sage Chakra and Sage Mode, the Curse Mark was merely a direct, crude, slightly advanced application of natural energy.
Based on all the above, Habara sought out Tenzo and initiated their "proper conversation." Tenzo hesitated, but ultimately, he still nodded… See? I knew I was being subjected to psychological manipulation tactics.