Naruto wasn't interested in what kind of experiments Orochimaru and his group were doing; he was only interested in the results.
"I didn't tell you guys to study these boring things," Naruto said expressionlessly.
Yakushi Kabuto's face froze for a moment, and he said apologetically, "Sorry, Lord Naruto. Although we got many irrelevant experimental results, these research results are unavoidable mistakes in the process of experimental investigation."
"Since they are mistakes, why are you telling me about them so proudly? Or do you think I should reward you for some mistakes in your experiments?" Naruto said coldly.
"No... I wouldn't dare!"
Hearing Naruto's dissatisfaction, Yakushi Kabuto felt like he was sitting on pins and needles, sweating profusely!
Fortunately, Naruto didn't pursue his verbal errors.
"Let's go, don't waste time here, take me to see Orochimaru!"
"Yes, Lord Naruto!"
On the way forward, Yakushi Kabuto didn't dare to say anything more, afraid that he might accidentally say something wrong and offend Naruto.
Now Orochimaru wasn't the boss of Otogakure Village, he was just a follower of Uzumaki Naruto's follower, so he had to be careful in everything he said and did.
Laboratory Number One,
"Orochimaru-sama, Lord Naruto is here!"
Yakushi Kabuto led Naruto into the laboratory and said to Orochimaru, who was intently staring at the experimental subject inside.
Hearing that Naruto had arrived, Orochimaru immediately focused his attention and respectfully came before Naruto, "Lord Naruto!"
Naruto nodded and looked at the experimental subject Orochimaru was experimenting on.
This was a strangely shaped person, and no matter how many times Naruto looked at it, he found it strange and didn't know how to describe it.
If he had to define it with one word, Naruto thought it should be—male, female, old, and young!
Like a boy, yet like a girl, like a young person, yet like an old person...
"This is the one hundred and sixteenth experimental subject for research on the Gral Stone, code name A14. Among the hundreds of experimental subjects I've used, most of them have a rejection reaction to the power of the Gral Stone, either unable to fuse with the power of the Gral Stone, or they turn into monsters after fusing... I believe you've already seen them on the way here."
Orochimaru licked his lips and smiled, "A14 is one of the few people who have fused with the power of the Gral Stone without turning into a monster, and most importantly, A14 was originally an old man in his fifties!"
"He became younger?" Naruto asked in surprise.
"You could say that."
Orochimaru explained, "His physiological functions are sometimes good and sometimes bad, in a very strange critical point. I estimate that some of his special characteristics activated the life force of the Gral Stone. As long as we can find its special aspects, perhaps we can unlock the secret of eternal life contained in the Gral Stone!"
Seeing that Orochimaru had made some progress in his research, Naruto nodded in satisfaction, "Good job, Orochimaru! If you can help me unlock the secret of eternal life, I promise to help you heal your hands!"
Hearing that Naruto had a way to heal his hands, Orochimaru's eyes lit up.
"Thank you, Lord Naruto! It is my duty to work for Lord Naruto!"
Orochimaru's heart was very dark. If it were before, he would definitely have started plotting how to force Naruto to restore his hands.
But now he couldn't even entertain the thought of opposing Naruto. Facing Naruto, he was genuinely respectful from the bottom of his heart and dared not offend him!
Yakushi Kabuto, who was standing beside him, had long been used to seeing Orochimaru listen to Naruto so obediently. Although he felt some loss that Orochimaru was completely controlled by Naruto, Orochimaru was still Orochimaru, and his methods and calculations when dealing with others were still worthy of Yakushi Kabuto's following!
Of course, the most important thing was—Orochimaru was his spiritual pillar!
After killing Nono Yakushi, Orochimaru gave him a new direction and identity. He didn't know what the meaning of his life would be without Orochimaru.
After verbally encouraging Orochimaru, Naruto formed hand signs on the spot.
"Summoning Technique!"
Poof!
As a cloud of smoke dissipated, a cage emitting golden light appeared out of nowhere.
Inside the cage was a mass of black silicone material.
"What is this?" Orochimaru asked in puzzlement.
"A part of Black Zetsu's body, captured from the Akatsuki Organization."
Naruto explained, "This guy has lived for a thousand years. I suspect he can live forever, so I'm giving you an extra experimental subject."
"A thousand years??!!"
Hearing this, Orochimaru's eyes lit up, Yakushi Kabuto looked shocked, and Black Zetsu's body part was shocked and confused.
"Who the hell are you? How do you know my identity?" Black Zetsu, who had been pretending to be dead and silent, opened his mouth.
Naruto ignored Black Zetsu and said to Orochimaru, "This guy is very good at bewitching people. Be careful not to be tricked by him when you do experiments. Also... this guy has the ability to possess people. As long as he latches onto it, any living thing will become his puppet!"
"A parasite?" Orochimaru licked his lips, not feeling afraid of Black Zetsu's terrifying abilities, but rather a little excited!
Compared to its value, what is the danger of being a parasite?
In the next few days, Naruto stayed in Otogakure Village to help Orochimaru build a laboratory specifically for imprisoning and experimenting on Black Zetsu—Laboratory Number 0, experimental subject Black Zetsu, code name 01!
To ensure that Black Zetsu wouldn't escape from here, Naruto and Orochimaru each used some sealing techniques and traps to seal the laboratory!
No one except Orochimaru and Naruto could enter or leave.
And if Orochimaru was controlled, this room would automatically lock down, ensuring that not even a fly could get out!
After doing all this, Naruto left Otogakure Village and returned to Konoha.
...
Konoha, Hokage Building,
After learning the news of Naruto's return, Tsunade summoned him immediately.
But Naruto refused Tsunade because he wanted to sleep in, and only went to the Hokage Building the next day.
"Naruto, you even ignored my summons, do you still see me as the Hokage or not!" Tsunade angrily said as soon as she saw Naruto.
"You're already so old, don't get angry so easily." Naruto threw two gourds of wine to Tsunade and said calmly.
Tsunade took the wine and smelled it, the corners of her mouth rising uncontrollably, but she forcibly suppressed it.
"Ahem, how's Jiraiya? Why did you come back alone?" Tsunade asked Naruto, secretly hiding the wine gourd in her wide clothes while Shizune wasn't paying attention.
"Jiraiya hasn't come back yet?"
Naruto was a little puzzled, but didn't pay too much attention, "He might still be in Amegakure Village..."
Naruto told her about how he and Jiraiya infiltrated Amegakure Village, defeated the leader of the Akatsuki Organization, Jiraiya and Nagato recognized each other as master and disciple, and then Jiraiya succeeded with his talk-no-jutsu.
After listening to all this, Tsunade only had one thought in her mind— I lost the bet again!