"Perfect. Almost identical. I'm even starting to suspect they're capable of fusion and regeneration."
Orochimaru studied it briefly, then hurried back.
If it weren't for the fact that there were two Hokage and a black cat here, he might have continued his research on the spot. Unfortunately, none of those three were people he could afford to offend. Konoha currently had so many beautiful, fascinating research subjects, he had no intention of getting kicked out.
"Fusion and regeneration?"
The pipe in the Third Hokage's hand paused as he digested this piece of information.
That meant...
"They can combine and transform into a new form?"
Tsunade drew in a deep, steadying breath.
"That's my guess. And it's predictable that the enemy has definitely produced many similar creatures. They possess the traits of both living beings and plants, and can combine into large-scale weapons of war."
Orochimaru licked his lips.
His curiosity only grew: who had created these White Zetsu? Such creations were far too wondrous, completely beyond what normal human effort should be able to achieve.
Of course, now that he had a sample, getting more would be easy.
He could clone them or induce them to divide. Either way, he would obtain new individuals. And forcing them to divide seemed relatively simple. Based on his hypothesis, all it would take was introducing fresh Hashirama Cells.
"In that case, we need to quickly develop specialized countermeasures against them, or we'll be on the back foot when the time comes." Tsunade spoke solemnly.
"It'll be difficult. I'll need your cooperation, as well as the medical corps's. Also... I'd like research rights to the other one."
"No problem."
On this point, Tsunade and the Third were straightforward.
Two White Zetsu: one for shared research, one allocated solely to Orochimaru. That was perfectly reasonable. This thing was neither human nor ghost, whichever way you looked at it, it didn't resemble a normal lifeform.
"Meow~ What are you all so anxious about? For all you know, I'll catch a few more in a while."
Takeshi curled his lip.
This was Konoha's leadership?
Making such a fuss, totally lacking composure. Not mature or steady at all.
"..."
Tsunade fell silent.
Orochimaru let out a soft, voiceless laugh.
Indeed.
What if he really did catch a few more?
Besides, Orochimaru had already discovered the potential for division and regeneration. In the not-so-distant future, mass-producing White Zetsu might be entirely possible.
However, there was a problem: if he produced White Zetsu himself, who would they obey?
He sank into thought.
"Sensei, if I'm going to study this thing for a while, I need you to pacify the village for me. Especially the two elders, keep them pinned down. Don't let them come out pointing fingers and messing up the decisions I've made."
Tsunade warned him, her tone grave.
"Tsunade, Koharu and Homura mean well... Forget it. I'll tell them not to interfere."
Hiruzen had intended to lecture her, but halfway through, he realized it wasn't necessary.
This was just how Tsunade was.
In any case, the old should step down. Their thinking was different now, clinging to their positions wouldn't necessarily be good for the village.
He took a drag on his cigarette, then rose and headed out.
Once Hiruzen was gone, Tsunade tapped lightly on the table.
"Takeshi, you didn't come back to the village just to deliver a White Zetsu, did you?"
"Meow! I want to use Orochimaru to locate Ryuchi Cave."
Takeshi didn't hide anything.
Ryuchi Cave was connected to Mount Myoboku, but the most mysterious location, Shikkotsu Forest, was only known through Tsunade. If he wanted to get in touch with Sage Katsuyu, he had to give her a heads-up.
Fortunately, Sage Katsuyu had a gentle personality and was relatively easy to deal with. Takeshi figured there was room for communication and compromise there.
"Ryuchi Cave?"
Tsunade froze for a moment, then understood what Takeshi was after.
Challenging a Holy Land.
To gain recognition from one of the Three Great Holy Lands, the simplest and most direct method was to challenge it. If you defeated them or displayed sufficient power, you could be acknowledged and become the next Holy Land.
"Meow." Takeshi nodded.
Strength spoke loudest. That was true in every field.
Orochimaru was a little surprised but quickly regained his composure and said calmly, "Takeshi-kun, shall we begin now?"
Since they had already explained things to Tsunade, doing this in front of her was no big deal.
Orochimaru summoned a small snake. It wasn't large, but it already possessed rudimentary senjutsu chakra, clearly a snake that lived in Ryuchi Cave.
Takeshi inscribed a Flying Thunder God seal on it, then sent it back.
The seal was extremely well concealed. Even Orochimaru would have trouble detecting it, let alone a low-intelligence snake. There was practically no chance it would notice something was off and kill itself midway to avoid exposure.
Once it was sent back, Takeshi reached out with his senses.
Success.
A special location, no doubt Ryuchi Cave.
He still couldn't pinpoint its exact placement in the outside world, but once he was physically there, determining its general position wouldn't be hard. After that, handing Orochimaru the relevant intel would complete their deal.
From Orochimaru's perspective, he had lost almost nothing.
Ryuchi Cave might be a little affected if it understood the cause and effect, but without this, he would never get its location at all, and the attitude of the sages there would be meaningless.
Ninjutsu and knowledge, those were what truly mattered.
"Be careful. If it gets too dangerous, come back."
In Tsunade's opinion, Takeshi could easily wait. He was still young, with endless possibilities ahead of him. He could grow stronger, become more formidable, and seek out the Three Great Holy Lands later.
No Holy Land was built in a day.
But she respected Takeshi's decision. Since he'd chosen to go, she wouldn't stop him.
Takeshi warped to Ryuchi Cave using the Flying Thunder God.
It was dark around him, but fortunately, a cat's night vision was excellent, so he could still see clearly.
No sooner had he arrived,
"Hissss-"
A chorus of serpentine hissing rose up. The black cat glanced around to see countless snakes crawling over the rocks nearby. A few stronger ones lifted their heads, tense and wary, ready to strike.
He'd landed right in a snake den.
As expected.
Ryuchi Cave was a den of snakes, and since Orochimaru had used a small snake as the anchor, it would be strange if there weren't snakes all around.
Ignoring them, Takeshi walked straight through the writhing mass. Before any of the little snakes could touch him, they slithered back in a panic, the aura rolling off him was terrifying, far beyond anything they could contend with.
"A sneaky little rat slipping in here, huh."
The black cat padded out of the tunnel into a vast cavern, where he saw a colossal snake, and the other party had already "seen" him.
Purple from head to tail, with horns sprouting from its head.
Manda.
Takeshi recognized him at once.
Manda's status in Ryuchi Cave was considerable. He was the leader of the summoning snakes, apart from the sages of Ryuchi Cave who wielded senjutsu and a few individuals like the Three Sisters, he was the strongest.
Not only that, he was extremely arrogant. He didn't even show Orochimaru any respect. Naturally, Takeshi received no polite treatment either. The very first thing Manda did was call him a "rat."
Calling a cat a rat...
That really pissed a cat off.
Takeshi casually licked his paw, his eyes locking onto Manda as he spoke with lazy mockery:
"Hey, dumbass in front, mind moving aside? I've got business with your boss, the White Snake Sage."
===============
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