Chapter 50: Halfway There Already
In a forest on the outskirts of Konoha, under Shunhi's guidance, Orochimaru arrived at Umbrella Corporation's underground research base.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. consists mainly of the Avengers Division and the Justice League Division. Gray Wolf belongs to the Avengers Division under S.H.I.E.L.D."
"This is Umbrella's underground research base—The Hive. You can also think of it as the headquarters of Umbrella. There are fifty-five underground levels. Gray Wolf, you only have clearance for the first basement level," Shunhi explained as he activated the Hive's entrance.
To prevent Orochimaru from realizing that the entire Umbrella Corporation was just Shunhi alone, he had no choice but to say this.
An elevator emerged from the ground. Shunhi led Orochimaru into it and pressed the button for B1. After a brief infrared scan, the entrance to Basement Level One slowly opened.
"This is truly astonishing technology—at least fifty years ahead of the ninja world," Orochimaru said with a smile.
Elevators had long existed in the ninja world, but the technology for an elevator that rose from the surface didn't. Especially not the ability to construct such a massive, sci-fi-like base underground.
Even though Umbrella was currently just an empty shell, seeing the stunned admiration on Orochimaru's face told Shunhi that he'd made quite the impression. In other words, his performance had succeeded.
Of course, the biggest factor in convincing Orochimaru was still the appearance of the Hulk, along with Shunhi's tall tale about the Bio-Ghost Project and the Biohazard Incident.
Thanks to Shunhi's fabrications, Orochimaru had already mentally placed S.H.I.E.L.D. and Umbrella at an extremely high level—higher even than Akatsuki, Uchiha Madara, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, or Black Zetsu. Compared to S.H.I.E.L.D. and Umbrella, they were all just small fry.
Back in his own lab, Orochimaru had carefully studied the Hulk's battle with Yamato, Suigetsu, and Jūgo. In terms of defense and regeneration, the Hulk far surpassed a jōnin. He could even be considered a bloodline limit. His speed was chūnin-level, but with short bursts, he could reach jōnin speed.
Look at this Hulk—his strength is only at jōnin level, speed at chūnin, but his defense and regeneration are monstrous. You, Uchiha Madara, might be strong enough to kill thousands of ninja, but let's see you take down thousands of Hulks. Even if you somehow manage, I bet you'd be utterly exhausted.
Back in the day, Orochimaru had also experimented with physical enhancement—he even reshaped his body into something snake-like. But no human modification had ever reached the Hulk's level of power. And after the Fourth Great Ninja War, Naruto had outright banned him from conducting human experiments.
As for Naruto's ban, Orochimaru had always been resentful but dared not openly defy it.
Orochimaru knew very well that even he wouldn't have the upper hand facing ten or more Hulks. Yet to recruit him, Umbrella had provided five Hulks up front.
He had no doubt—if Umbrella truly wanted to, they could produce an entire army of Hulks. Such a terrifying organization was just a subsidiary of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Ever since fulfilling his dream of immortality, Orochimaru hadn't felt this thrilled in a long time. Even though he hadn't directly participated in the Bio-Ghost Project yet, he firmly believed that one day he would uncover all its secrets—and perhaps even join the project himself.
Led by Shunhi, Orochimaru entered Basement Level One of the Hive. The research equipment was fully stocked.
"So this is Umbrella's Hive," Orochimaru said, glancing around with keen interest.
"You're the only one on this level. You can use any of the equipment freely. Once there's an update on the Bio-Ghost Project, I'll contact you," Shunhi said.
"...This is the full documentation on the Bio-Ghost Project!" Orochimaru exclaimed in surprise. He hadn't expected that something supposedly still under development would be so easily accessible.
"In reality, this is just a general overview. Every member of S.H.I.E.L.D. is allowed to know this much. The deeper details require higher clearance," Shunhi replied casually.
"So that means, as the Deputy Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., you have access to more detailed information about the Bio-Ghost Project."
Shunhi nodded. In truth, he hadn't yet figured out how to spin the next part of the story, so he was just using 'clearance' as an excuse. After all, final interpretation rights rested with him. Maybe he could even draw a Terminator from the system later to spice things up.
"Let's see... the Bio-Ghost Project…"
Having arrived at what would be his new home, Orochimaru quickly found a computer and began browsing through the data.
Although computers were a recent invention and many older ninja who survived the Third Great Ninja War couldn't use them, Orochimaru was not among them.
He was always curious about new things. And something as simple as a computer? He was bored with it after just one week.
But upon reading the files, Orochimaru was truly shocked. He hadn't expected that the Bio-Ghost Project had already been in development for so long—or that it had already yielded substantial results.
First-Generation Bio-Ghost, Codename: Little Red.
Its stats were only slightly enhanced—roughly chūnin level at best.
The Hulk was created based on Little Red, with significant improvements in defense and regeneration, though speed remained unchanged.
"Their next research goal is to create Bio-Ghosts with bloodline limits?!"
Bloodline limits were the rarest powers in the ninja world. Almost every renowned and powerful ninja possessed one. Put simply, having a bloodline limit meant you were already halfway to becoming a top-tier ninja.
With his current capabilities, Orochimaru could transfer bloodline limits from one person to another—but to actually create one?
Yet Umbrella was attempting exactly that!
Shocked but intrigued, Orochimaru continued scrolling through the files. Soon, though, he began encountering "Insufficient Clearance" notices.
"Looks like you're really enjoying this place. I'll be heading off, then," Shunhi said.
Orochimaru didn't bother with pleasantries. If anything, he was eager for Shunhi to leave. He didn't like having others around while he was researching—unless they were the subjects of his research.
Unbothered by Shunhi's departure, Orochimaru excitedly continued browsing. "Let's see what else there is… This is—the Biohazard Mission Report!"
His wolf-like pupils widened. Staring at the computer screen, he felt a chill run down his spine. It had been a long time since he'd experienced such fear—but now, that feeling was back.
Whether it was because of his former identity as a snake or his current form as a wolf, or whether he truly felt genuine terror, Orochimaru wasn't sure. But he didn't mind it. In fact, beneath the fear… there was a twisted sense of excitement.
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