"It tastes amazing. Indeed, Military Rations Pills can't fully replace real food. Hmm, maybe I should try developing a version that mimics texture and flavor."
Orochimaru muttered to himself while eating a Military Rations Pill.
He had become completely obsessed—even during meals, his mind would instinctively drift toward research topics.
Akaba covered his face, sighing helplessly while secretly admiring this level of dedication.
No genius without a touch of madness!
"What do you think about this idea?"
Orochimaru said, then shoved another piece of meat into his mouth.
"Whatever. But Military Rations Pills have side effects—you should eat fewer if possible."
Akaba sat there looking even more lifeless than Orochimaru.
Unfazed, Orochimaru nodded thoughtfully before casually flipping open a manga he hadn't read yet.
It had been a while since he last read it, and the beginning plot felt somewhat unfamiliar now.
But upon reaching chapter 66's illustrations and thinking back briefly, everything suddenly clicked in his mind.
"This Kabuto looks really shady—he reminds me of a venomous snake hiding in grass."
This chapter finally revealed Kabuto's true face.
Orochimaru's critique was spot on, though the strong sense of dissonance left Akaba momentarily speechless.
"This version of me—"
"So what do you think? Pretty surprising, right?"
Akaba replied calmly.
Orochimaru stared at the transformed "version" of himself for several seconds before frowning slightly and saying, "The surprise factor exists, sure. Although, thinking deeper—if Sharingan truly became extinct, and an opportunity arose where I could obtain one… I might actually do it."
"Extinct? Not necessarily. Considering your researcher persona, I'll definitely borrow it. In the story, you've surely studied the Sharingan already."
Akaba smiled faintly as he spoke.
"You wouldn't get it. There's a big difference between working with something alive versus something lifeless."
Shaking his head slightly, Orochimaru continued reading without dwelling further on the topic.
He still held firmly onto certain views despite agreeing not to interfere with specific matters—still, a promise is a promise. He wouldn't violate rules or betray his word.
Akaba chuckled but said nothing further.
Orochimaru flipped further into the manga, scanning each page rapidly—he'd already zeroed in on the parts that caught his interest within seconds.
Before long, he finished the entire volume, staring at the final page for quite some time.
"The manga version of me… actually seems quite impressive."
Cold-blooded and wicked.
A villain probably should be this handsome.
After a moment of contemplation, Orochimaru put down the manga and reached for the next volume.
Some people might care about their image or public perception, but currently, Orochimaru genuinely didn't.
Right now, uncovering every mystery was what he most desired.
"Oh right, you mentioned needing to discuss something—what is it?"
Having nearly finished eating and completing the chapters he cared about, Orochimaru now turned his attention fully toward chatting with Akaba and offering advice.
Only then could he perfectly utilize his time.
"I've managed to achieve a basic three-image composite genjutsu by simultaneously using Chakra threads required for Puppet Technique alongside drawing-based casting techniques," Akaba began explaining his situation and concept.
Orochimaru watched and listened at the same time, his mind already considering feasibility.
After a long silence, he put down the manga and paused briefly before speaking. "It's doable, but it doesn't seem as practical as your current combination."
"Hmm, really?"
Akaba fell into thought. He'd thought about the effects, but not how practical they actually were.
"We can't perfectly draw complex, detailed patterns from multiple angles without flaws. The more flaws, the greater the chance of being countered."
Orochimaru said calmly.
A flawed illusion is weaker than a perfectly seamless combination.
Akaba considered for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
Still, just stacking illusions doesn't add much value. But even simple combinations can yield solid results.
Orochimaru flipped open One Piece and continued reading its latest update.
Soon, he came across Zoro's battle against Kabaji.
"Perhaps chakra threads work better with weapons like swords. It requires precise control too. Gekko Nightdance has a technique called [Dance of the Sword] that could perfectly complement this technology."
Seeing this, Orochimaru quickly expanded his thinking.
"Nightdance has already learned it, but his control isn't sufficient yet. It'll probably take some hardship."
"There's nothing we can do about that."
Orochimaru slightly shook his head and continued reading his manga.
Chakra control is seven parts talent, three parts effort.
Of course,
basics like tree-climbing and water-walking are a given — those are the most fundamental aspects of chakra control.
It takes relentless dedication and years of practice to get anywhere.
"[Fission Fruit] surpasses even Kekkei Genkai, completely defying reality."
Orochimaru couldn't understand these fruits at all.
Limbs completely severed, yet still able to move freely and reattach?
Most terrifying was how, despite losing so many limbs, the bizarrely reassembled body didn't die!
Who is this guy? He's basically a puppet.
"Manga itself departs from reality. If it were exactly the same as reality, what would be the point?"
Everyone focuses on different things.
People like Sakumo and Gekko Nightdance paid more attention to Zoro.
Because Zoro's sword techniques are stylish and powerful, and they themselves are swordsmen.
For Orochimaru, reading manga was mainly about sparking new ideas for his experiments.
Like how the Rubber Fruit inspired him to think about Soft Physique Modification.
[Fission Fruit]
No way, I can't handle that kind of thing.
"Alright, I'll leave these manga for you. I'm heading back now."
Akaba packed up his belongings, preparing to leave.
He wasn't really comfortable in such a dim place.
"Wait a moment."
Orochimaru, having eaten enough and recovered much of his energy, recalled something.
He squatted down and pulled out a relatively large bracer from beneath the table, placing it on the table before saying, "I've also studied the last piece of equipment in your manga. Although its effect isn't as strong, it should have about half the power."
"You mean Dosu's equipment?"
Akaba picked it up, carefully examining this piece of armor.
Its appearance was simple, but judging by the elaborately carved holes, Orochimaru had clearly put considerable effort into it.
"Great. Have you told Teacher about it yet?"
Akaba asked.
With the three components ready, if they could be mass-produced, the offensive capabilities of average and low-ranking ninja would definitely level up.
"I haven't gotten around to it yet. Recently I've been researching that sound detection technology you mentioned earlier."
On a nearby table sat a bell alongside various strange-looking tools.
When it came to technological matters, Akaba could offer little more than theoretical comments. Attempting real assistance would only create chaos. Therefore, he took one glance and then looked no further.
He carefully studied the armor for a moment before murmuring thoughtfully, "This hole seems deliberately designed."
"The size and number of holes affect the quality of sound waves. Here are detailed experimental data. The model in your hand is the best combat-oriented type I've matched so far."
Improper use of sonic weaponry could cause damage even to its user—for example, Orochimaru's ears clearly showed signs of chakra-induced treatment.
"File these records properly—preferably locked away separately. I'll take care of writing the report."
Akaba lifted the armor slightly, feeling its heaviness. It was obvious ordinary Genin would have to forget about using this weapon.
"Oh! That's a great idea! When we establish the research institute later, we can set up an archive room specifically for storing experimental data like this. Then whenever we're developing new ninjutsu or ninja tools, we won't have trouble finding reference materials!"
Orochimaru's eyes lit up. He grabbed his pen and quickly scribbled down this idea on paper.
Once done writing, he raised his head to look at Akaba.
He didn't say anything, but his meaning was clear without words.
Akaba fell silent. Back then, he'd only ever been an art student—his knowledge about labs was practically nonexistent.
He didn't know much to begin with, and now he really had nothing else to add.
After racking his brain for quite a while, he finally spoke again: "It might also be good to introduce a patent system—for instance, when your village wants to use someone's newly developed jutsu, they should offer them benefits. The same goes if a certain clan wishes to use it."
"A patent system?"
Orochimaru was clever—he immediately grasped the advantages such a system could bring.
Developing techniques wasn't easy. Not everyone was as gifted or privileged as Orochimaru—as a favored pupil of the Hokage—who had access to endless resources and funding.
Such a system protected commoner ninja (those without noble or bloodline lineage) and weaker clans who developed their own techniques.
Thinking further, he suddenly questioned, "By that logic, since I created some techniques inspired by your manga, wouldn't I also owe you patent fees?"
"If a certain jutsu has already included fairly complete theoretical explanations and conceptual outlines from me, and you develop it based on those theories and ideas, then part of the patent belongs to me. Also, registering patents would help prevent redundant development efforts."
Akaba wasn't exactly sure about the legal details himself—he didn't even major in law, for starters—and his grasp on it was pretty basic.
But even if it was just a rough idea, it was more than enough for the younger Orochimaru.
Nodding continuously, Orochimaru jotted notes down while listening intently. Then he added enthusiastically, "That's a great idea indeed. Recording registered jutsu patents will avoid wasting researchers' time developing techniques already existing elsewhere."
"Mm, as long as you understand."
Secretly relieved, Akaba exhaled inwardly. If the conversation went deeper into patent details, he really wouldn't know what to say anymore.
Half a bucket of crap really sucks.
Orochimaru had been excited, but seeing Akaba's expression, he knew Akaba was truly out of ideas and regretfully put away his notebook.
Inside this notebook were his initial thoughts and concepts regarding the establishment of the research institute.
"Alright, I'll head out first. Let me handle the report for this ninja tool, and give me this set of data too—the hole sizes, quantities, arrangements, and so on."
Akaba packed up his things, carefully placing the ninja tool into his bag.
Then he copied down the data and finally prepared to leave.
"Next time add more vegetables—this meal got a bit greasy toward the end."
Orochimaru added with a shout.
Akaba's steps stiffened slightly. He had only decided to bring food and drinks on a whim, so how come now it felt like ordering takeout?
These gadget guys...
Come to think of it, once the research institute gets off the ground, he could even have Yunlang Sakuma set up a takeout delivery system.
[Hokage's Meituan Takeaway!]
"A great idea, but we lack internet infrastructure. It wouldn't be very efficient—this service would be Hokage's Meituan Takeaway."
Akaba walked along, shaking his head in regret.
If there was internet, why go through all this trouble? Just like distributing manga, you could just publish them online and be done with it.
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