"Enough already, sensei!"
"That's ten vials of blood! I'm going to be anemic!"
Gekko Chizan downed the potion in his hand, staring at the needle in his arm, looking completely miserable.
The potion was for replenishing blood, specially crafted by Orochimaru, with an excellent restorative effect.
The taste wasn't bad either. Chizan had to admit—his sensei was truly exceptional in the field of pharmacology.
But even as he drank, something still felt off.
Until Orochimaru told him, "Tastes good, right? I made it just for you. In our Konoha, aside from the Uchiha and the Hyuga, you're one of the rare holders of a kekkei genkai."
"To make sure you wouldn't feel drained from all the blood loss, I added a lot of physique-enhancing ingredients to the medicine, and I even adjusted the taste to suit your preference."
Gekko Chizan thought: This really is my own teacher—spares no effort in scheming against his own student.
Orochimaru replied, "Nonsense. This is for science!"
"Sensei, this Hōzuki clan secret technique—can we learn it?"
Looking at Hōzuki Mangetsu, who was floating in the culture tank and deep asleep, Chizan couldn't help but feel curious.
"Don't move. Just one more vial left."
"Hehehe... The Hydrification Technique? Yes, it's a fine secret art. While it's not a kekkei genkai, it's very similar to one."
"Whether it can be learned is hard to say. I'll have to research it. Of course, if he cooperates, progress will be swift. If he doesn't..."
At this point, Orochimaru extended his agile tongue and licked his lips, a feral glint appearing on his face. His voice grew filled with confidence and madness.
"I'll make him cooperate..."
"For the sake of science, paying a certain price is only natural."
"Oh, by the way, Chizan-kun, your mission should be ending soon, shouldn't it?"
Chizan nodded. After all, this mission had reduced the Seven Ninja Swordsmen to five, and of the top three among them, two were now in Konoha's custody.
The mission could be considered a major success. As soon as the time was up, he would return to the village.
"Good. I'll be heading to the frontlines soon. The threat from Sunagakure is growing."
"If possible, I'd like you to come with me. Against the Sand, I need your strength."
That made Chizan blink in surprise. He needed his strength?
What did that mean? His displayed ability was only at the level of a strong jōnin—why would Orochimaru say that?
"Right now, the battlefield in the Land of Rivers is on the verge of collapse because of the One-Tail's presence. The Hokage's orders are to block Sunagakure completely outside the Land of Fire's borders."
"Directly confronting a tailed beast isn't the best plan. So—ambushes, or decapitation strikes, are the best option."
Hearing that, Chizan understood. They were planning to assassinate Sunagakure's high command.
"Sensei, no offense, but Sunagakure's top brass is probably Rasa and Chiyo right now. Which of those do you think we can actually assassinate?"
"A little tricky."
Of course Orochimaru knew how difficult this would be, but what choice was there? Could they really face Shukaku head-on?
Even if it was only the One-Tail, it was still a tailed beast.
"Alright, the blood's all drawn. I'm going to start my research."
"I'll make that sword sheath you mentioned when I get the time."
"I have to say, your strength really is improving fast—Raiga Kurosuki, Hōzuki Mangetsu... hehehe... both fine jōnin from Kirigakure."
Chizan shrugged at Orochimaru's teasing, then pulled out the needle and walked over to the medicine cabinet.
"Sensei, I'm taking some of your medicine."
"Physique enhancers—good, taking them. Chakra activity boosters? What's the point of this? Eh, taking it anyway."
"This one... yeah, taking it..."
"Hey? Hey? Hey? Don't let your snakes bite me!"
"I'm out!"
The Flying Thunder God activated, and Chizan vanished with an armful of medicine.
Leaving Orochimaru and a cluster of snakes behind.
"Little brat, my medicines are precious! And you just take so much at once! Hmph!"
"If it weren't for the fact you brought me excellent experimental material, I'd have drawn another ten vials of your blood!"
...
Back at the daimyo's mansion, Chizan was grinning from ear to ear.
Every time he met Orochimaru, he managed to bring back plenty of good stuff.
Looking at the assortment of potions in his arms, he couldn't be happier.
"Rin, where are Kakashi and Obito?"
"Chizan-sensei, you're back. They went to train in the forest outside the city."
Chizan frowned slightly, his tone filled with resignation.
"Those two idiots aren't actually trying to do lightning-body training with the Lightning Blades, are they?"
"Yes, that's exactly what they said."
Chizan was speechless. Those brats really weren't afraid of death.
Lightning-body training... was that something normal people came up with?
A sudden crack! of thunder boomed in the distance, making the entire city turn to look toward its source.
Chizan could only shake his head helplessly and jog toward the outskirts.
...
Time passed quickly, and the mission to guard the daimyo's mansion came to an end. Chizan returned once more to the mansion.
"Daimyo-sama, our mission is complete. We'll be returning to the village shortly."
"I came to say farewell."
The daimyo smiled at him. He had been quite satisfied with Chizan's work.
"Chizan, do visit the mansion whenever you're free. You're always welcome here."
Well now—that was loaded with implication.
Yukimura had visited him plenty in recent days, whispering in his ear, and Chizan hadn't shown any sign of refusal.
Leaving the mansion, Chizan looked at Kakashi and Obito—both covered head to toe in black soot—and sighed.
"Kakashi, Obito, that's enough. Look at yourselves—do you still resemble bright, energetic young men?"
"Anyone who didn't know better would think I was abusing you."
Kakashi and Obito exchanged glances, and seeing each other's charred faces, both burst out laughing.
This was the result of their lightning-body training stunt. Those two troublemakers had decided to do it on their last morning here, but the lightning was too strong—it exploded, turning both of them into blackened messes.
Chizan couldn't help but think his disciples were each more trouble than the last.
"You two are putting lightning training on hold. Just look at yourselves—what a sight!"
"Especially you, Kakashi."
"Your father told you to progress step-by-step, not to go get struck by lightning outright."
"It's one thing to get yourself fried, but you dragged Obito into it too. Does he even train in Lightning Release?"
But before he could finish, both Kakashi and Obito jumped in protest.
"Sensei, lightning-body training is perfectly fine! I can feel my physique getting stronger already!"
Chizan: ...Hopeless... this man named Kakashi...
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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