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Loran Town seemed to carry a unique vitality that flowed through the increasingly prosperous settlement.
Without attracting much attention, Chiya brought Orochimaru directly to the rooftop of a tall building in the center of the town, overlooking the bustling crowds and the streets that had already taken on considerable scale below.
"An interesting place."
Orochimaru's golden snake eyes swept across the entire town, his tongue unconsciously sliding across his lips with the curiosity of a scientist examining a new experiment.
"Rebuilding a barrier here would indeed be much easier than inside Konoha, where there are so many restrictions."
After a brief pause, he proposed his first idea.
"Chiya-kun, if we're aiming for efficiency and maximum coverage, the quickest method would be to link it with Konoha's large scale defensive barrier.
Konoha's barrier system has been refined over many years, and its foundation is solid. We would only need to establish a few energy transfer nodes here, then..."
"No need."
Chiya interrupted him directly, his eyes still fixed on the town below.
"Too many people know the core structure and entry methods of Konoha's barrier. It also has too many weaknesses.
What I need is a completely independent defense system that belongs only to Loran and is controlled only by us.
It must not only detect intruders, but also actively defend, identify, and even... eliminate anyone who invades."
His tone remained calm, yet carried unquestionable determination.
The barrier protecting Konoha in the original story was practically full of holes.
Anyone could come and go as they pleased.
Connecting Loran's barrier to Konoha's would be no different from having no barrier at all.
A trace of surprise flashed across Orochimaru's eyes before quickly turning into even greater interest.
"An independent barrier... one that also possesses such powerful offensive and identification capabilities.
Combined with the senjutsu requirements you mentioned before, this would require an extremely deep understanding and control of natural energy, integrating it with complex sealing techniques and perhaps even certain special ninjutsu...
The difficulty would be enormous, but it is also... incredibly fascinating."
He was almost instantly absorbed by this technical challenge.
"The difficulty isn't the issue. I'll provide whatever resources are necessary."
Chiya turned to face Orochimaru.
"What I need is results. A fortress capable of ensuring that anyone with hostile intentions never leaves alive."
"Hehehe... as you wish."
Orochimaru chuckled softly.
"For such a massive barrier, its core would inevitably require an enormous and stable source of natural energy, along with extremely precise control.
That will require...
Certain special mediums, or perhaps even living subjects, for the initial research and experiments needed to establish the energy channels."
He mentioned experimental subjects as casually as if discussing the number of test tubes required.
Chiya's eyes flickered slightly as a name instantly appeared in his mind.
Jūgo.
The boy who was born with the ability to absorb natural energy and enter Sage Transformation, the future source of the Curse Mark.
He was the perfect subject for researching the fusion of natural energy and the human body, and perhaps the key to solving the problem of controlling the barrier's core energy.
"Experimental subjects... I do happen to know of one extremely special individual."
Chiya spoke slowly.
"A boy who was born with the ability to naturally absorb and merge with natural energy.
His body is extremely unique. Whenever his emotions fluctuate, the natural energy inside him goes out of control, causing uncontrollable mutations. His condition is known as the Balance."
"Born with the ability to absorb natural energy on his own? Could it really be a Sage Transformation physique?!"
Orochimaru's breathing instantly became heavier. His golden pupils contracted sharply as nearly insane scientific excitement burst from his eyes.
This thrilled him even more than any forbidden technique or Bloodline Limit he had ever encountered.
It was a key that could unlock the very origin of life and the ultimate mysteries of energy.
"Where is he?! Where is this experimental subject?!"
Orochimaru eagerly demanded, even leaning forward in excitement.
"I don't know his exact location yet."
Chiya shook his head.
"I only know that he probably lives in a secluded settlement where natural energy is unusually abundant. It'll take some time and manpower to find him."
"Search for him! Send people immediately!"
The words escaped Orochimaru's mouth before he realized how excited he sounded. He quickly composed himself, though the eagerness in his eyes remained unchanged.
"Please find him, Chiya-kun! His existence will play a decisive role in barrier research and even in exploring life energy itself. It may even... exceed both of our imaginations."
"I'll arrange for people to search."
Chiya nodded, placing the search for Jūgo on his schedule.
"But in the end, he's still a person. When we find him, make sure he isn't harmed."
This was not only to satisfy Orochimaru's research needs, but also an important preparation for dealing with even stronger enemies in the future.
"Understood."
After calming down a little, Orochimaru thought of another issue.
"By the way, constructing such a complex barrier requires extensive preliminary measurements, energy node testing, and countless calculations and repeated experiments afterward. Working alone would be extremely inefficient and would greatly delay progress.
I need an assistant. Someone intelligent, meticulous, preferably skilled in medical ninjutsu, someone who can understand my thinking and carry out my instructions efficiently."
An assistant...
Someone proficient in medical ninjutsu...
Another name immediately appeared in Chiya's mind.
Yakushi Kabuto.
In the original story, he had been Orochimaru's most important assistant.
"There's a child named Yakushi Kabuto at Konoha's orphanage. He's my disciple."
Chiya mentioned him casually.
"He has good talent, especially in medical ninjutsu and memory. He's worth training.
Go meet him. If he's suitable, let him study under you."
"Yakushi Kabuto..."
Orochimaru silently remembered the name, the corner of his lips curling into an interested smile.
"If Lord Chiya personally mentioned him, then he must possess exceptional qualities. I'll keep an eye on him."
He had already begun planning how he would evaluate and cultivate his future assistant.
Just as the two finished deciding on the direction of the barrier research, the search for the experimental subject, and the choice of assistant...
A series of hurried yet cheerful footsteps approached from the distance, accompanied by several voices calling out with barely restrained excitement.
"Chiya!"
"Chiya!"
At the end of the street, several beautiful figures hurried toward them.
Leading them was Sara. She had changed out of the simple dress she usually wore while providing free medical treatment and was now dressed in a light purple outfit better suited for movement. Her cheeks were slightly flushed from running, and her bright eyes sparkled with joy.
Beside her was Nii Yugito, her long light brown braid swaying behind her. Her expression remained somewhat cold, but her pace was no slower.
Following them was Pakura, who had rushed over the moment she heard the news. She was still dressed in ninja attire and covered in travel dust, yet her smile was as bright as ever.
Three beautiful women with completely different styles now shared the same destination.
The moment they spotted Chiya standing on the rooftop, they almost completely ignored the cold presence of Orochimaru beside him.
"Chiya! Why didn't you tell us you were coming?!"
Sara was the first to arrive below the building, looking up at him with a slightly complaining tone.
"Exactly! If the members of the Police Force hadn't told us they saw you coming this way, we wouldn't have known either!"
Pakura placed her hands on her waist, smiling brightly as she looked at Chiya.
Yugito remained silent, but her eyes never left him, and the slight curve of her lips revealed an almost imperceptible sense of anticipation.
The scene caused Orochimaru to raise an eyebrow as understanding and amusement flashed through his eyes.
Very tactfully, he gave a slight bow.
"Chiya-kun, since you have other matters to attend to, I'll take my leave.
I'll begin the preliminary barrier development immediately and wait for news regarding that special experimental subject."
With a quiet chuckle, he disappeared using the Body Flicker Technique.
He deliberately left the space entirely to Chiya and the women who cared about him.
Chiya lightly jumped down from the rooftop and landed in front of the three women.
Looking at the undisguised longing and happiness in their eyes, a gentle smile naturally appeared on his own face.
"I just finished dealing with a few things, so I stopped by while passing through."
Sara proudly lifted her chin before naturally stepping forward and wrapping herself around his left arm.
"Since you're here, you're not allowed to leave today! We were just getting ready for a barbecue! Sister Pakura caught the freshest lamb, and Miss Yugito even found several special spices!"
Pakura laughed as she wrapped herself around his right arm.
"That's right! We have to celebrate properly today!"
Her enthusiasm was as direct and warm as the desert sun.
Yugito looked at Sara and Pakura holding onto Chiya's arms.
After hesitating for a moment, she quietly stepped forward without saying a word.
She simply reached out and carefully held onto a corner of Chiya's clothes, lowering her head slightly as the tips of her ears turned red.
The three women, who appeared graceful, cold, or heroic before everyone else, now revealed the shy side of young women as they gathered around the same man.
Looking at them, Chiya finally allowed himself to relax.
The urgency that had weighed on his heart seemed to fade away before this warm scene.
"Alright."
He smiled and nodded.
"I'm not going anywhere today. I'll finally get to taste your cooking."
"Great!"
Sara and Pakura cheered together as they happily escorted Chiya toward Sara's residence from both sides.
Yugito still held onto the corner of his clothes as she quietly walked beside him, a faint smile barely visible on her lips.
The setting sun stretched their shadows across the streets of Loran Town as laughter and cheerful voices filled the air, creating a warm scene overflowing with everyday happiness.
From the shadows in the distance, Orochimaru quietly looked back at the harmonious sight.
A complicated light flickered through his golden snake eyes.
This Uchiha Clan Head truly possessed extraordinary methods and charisma.
Perhaps by following someone like him, he really could glimpse truths that had never been seen before.
"Barriers... senjutsu..."
"What kind of enemy is he preparing for?"
Orochimaru muttered softly.
Without stopping again, his figure completely disappeared into the shadows as he went to begin his new research...
Meanwhile, the evening in Loran Town was destined to become especially lively and long because of Chiya's arrival.
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