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After capturing Midorima, Orochimaru regained his vigor.
Unlike Kakuzu, he wasn't genuinely loyal to the Akatsuki organization. His cooperation was merely a reluctant arrangement to access the resources they gathered.
Capturing Midorima served two purposes: weakening Kakuzu's influence and securing an excellent "test subject" for himself.
What did "win-win" mean?
It meant he won twice.
However, as soon as he returned to his lab, he received a message from Danzo summoning him back to perform a surgery.
Orochimaru could only respond to Danzo with a dry chuckle.
He had defected from Konoha because the village disapproved of his experiments, yet some of Danzo's actions were even beneath his own standards.
Still, since Danzo was his primary financial backer—providing substantial funding for his research—Orochimaru had little choice but to comply with his requests whenever possible.
But the Akatsuki kept him on a tight schedule. How could he possibly make time to return to Konoha so easily?
Just as Orochimaru burned the letter, Danzo sent another message via a summoned cat: No need to return for now. Tsunade is back.
Reading the note, Orochimaru smirked inwardly. He hadn't planned on going back anyway.
He was far too busy.
Between researching clones and cultivating "vessels," his schedule was packed.
When Kimimaro came looking for him, Orochimaru was deep in data analysis—a task requiring absolute concentration. Kimimaro waited silently by his side for over half an hour before Orochimaru finally looked up, at which point the young man promptly handed him water.
"Lord Orochimaru, are you facing difficulties?"
"You can tell?" Orochimaru raised an eyebrow.
"If everything were proceeding smoothly, your gaze wouldn't linger on the data. But just now, you were fixated on one spot."
"Do you know what the hardest part of experimentation is?" Orochimaru asked.
Kimimaro shook his head. "No."
"I know there's an issue with the data, but I don't know why. Even if I force an explanation, it might not be the real cause." Orochimaru gave a bitter laugh.
"Is the data critical?"
"Yes. It's related to the test subject… By the way, why did you come looking for me?" Orochimaru nodded.
"That boy wants to see you," Kimimaro said coldly.
Orochimaru was slightly surprised that Kimimaro refused to even utter Midorima's name, but given Kimimaro's background, he understood the sentiment.
"The annihilation of the Kaguya clan is directly linked to Kirigakure. Since he's a ninja from that village, your dislike is understandable."
While it was debatable whether Kirigakure was solely responsible for the Kaguya clan's destruction, Kimimaro's hatred was justified—his entire family had been wiped out.
Even if Midorima was a Kirigakure rogue-nin now.
"No… it's not just that. I just find him repulsive," Kimimaro muttered, tense.
"That's fine. You'll need to get used to dealing with him. Soon enough, that body may belong to me." Orochimaru gently touched Kimimaro's face.
Kimimaro lifted his head, his frown easing slightly.
"Tell him I'm busy for now. Let him stew for a few more days." Orochimaru patted Kimimaro's shoulder, and the boy eagerly left the lab.
Exhaling deeply, Orochimaru rubbed his eyes and returned to analyzing the flawed data.
By keeping Midorima waiting, he could wear down the young man's mental defenses—giving him the upper hand.
---
Kimimaro pushed open the door to Midorima's cell, pointing at him with a haughty expression. "Lord Orochimaru has no time for you."
His face bore the triumphant look of a child who had just received praise.
Midorima couldn't even muster real anger.
According to the original story, Kimimaro didn't have many years left.
Even if the timeline shifted and he never fought Gaara in that legendary battle, his lifespan was still limited—dictated by his Kekkei Genkai.
If anyone in the shinobi world could save him, it would be Tsunade.
But Orochimaru hadn't sought her out, suggesting that even she might be powerless in this case.
Kimimaro's visit revealed two things to Midorima:
First, the door could be opened.
Second, he was in for a long, boring stretch of time.
Still, this gave him the perfect opportunity to study the "Curse Mark."
Curse Mark techniques were a form of ninjutsu designed to restrain the target, tied to chakra and cellular manipulation.
Coincidentally, Midorima's body housed the [Cell Laboratory]. Could he use this cheat to his advantage?
Previously, whether it was the [Catalysis Chamber], [Power Room], [Chakra Conversion Lab], or [Analysis Lab], they were all functional tools—he simply used them without deeper engagement.
This was the first time he actively tried leveraging the [Cell Laboratory] to solve a problem.
Naturally, the process was tedious.
In fact, he barely knew where to start.
Fortunately, Midorima had nothing but time.
Orochimaru, not wanting Midorima to starve, provided meals. At the same time, he deliberately avoided contact to maintain psychological pressure.
This meant Midorima had both ample time and an undisturbed environment.
After days of relentless analysis, he finally cracked the "Curse Mark."
When the [Cell Laboratory] relayed the results, Midorima nearly threw his bowl in frustration.
What he needed wasn't how to apply the Curse Mark—it was how to remove it!
The difference was massive.
It was like spending immense effort to replicate a poison when the goal was to develop an antidote.
No choice—he had to keep analyzing.
But Midorima understood that reversing the Curse Mark was an intricate process. Rushing was futile. He could only grit his teeth and continue.
After all, time was the one thing he had in abundance.
---
Orochimaru, after days of fruitless data analysis, hadn't even formulated a plausible hypothesis. The mental strain and lack of proper meals left him so drained that he had to lean against the doorframe just to leave the lab.
Kimimaro stared wide-eyed at the haggard, hollow-cheeked, and visibly weakened Orochimaru, momentarily speechless.
What had happened? Was he working on clones, or were the clones working on him? How had he deteriorated so badly?
"Lord Orochimaru, you—"
"Ah, it's you. Right… how is Midorima?" Orochimaru's thoughts circled back to the captive.
"You're in this state, and you're still thinking about him?" Kimimaro's voice carried a tinge of bitterness.
"Is he bored out of his mind? On the verge of breaking?" Orochimaru knew the importance of psychological warfare.
"No. He's perfectly fine—not the slightest bit impatient."
"Really? I don't believe it." Orochimaru's mind flooded with doubt.
Locking someone in a room with nothing to do was a surefire way to drive them mad.
"It's true. His appetite hasn't changed at all."
Orochimaru hadn't expected this outcome. It seemed Midorima's mental fortitude was exceptional.
"Let's go see him."
"But Lord Orochimaru, you haven't eaten yet!" Kimimaro reminded urgently.
"I'll eat in his room." Orochimaru took two shaky steps before his legs nearly gave out. He glanced back at Kimimaro. "…On second thought, maybe I should eat first."
"…"
*****
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