For someone like Orochimaru, all his research eventually circles back to "ninja" and humanity—back to his ultimate pursuit.
Though the current Orochimaru might not yet be clear about exactly what he's pursuing, there's no doubt he's moving in that direction.
So even though he's currently studying aquatic cloning, one day he will inevitably progress to human cloning.
The things rooted deep within a person's character aren't easily changed. Orochimaru isn't some ordinary brat who could be calmed down with a couple beatings. Though his body may be light and supple, his twisted mindset cannot be altered by anyone—perhaps he'll become increasingly warped himself, but this "twist" cannot be forcibly corrected by others.
Haseo had never considered trying to change Orochimaru. For one thing, it would be extremely difficult, and for another… there was simply no need.
If possible, Haseo actually wanted to suggest Konoha destroy all remaining "physical information" of the First and Second Hokage, since such a suggestion would be more feasible. But what position did he have to bring up such a matter? Konoha wouldn't possibly agree anyway.
The First Hokage was synonymous with power. In some sense, the cells of the First were even equivalent to the Nine-Tails. Perhaps Konoha currently had major research initiatives based on those cells—who could possibly justify abandoning them?
Maybe for the village's future development, the First and Second Hokage had both already donated their cells during their lifetimes, like organ donations.
Now comes the problem—several years ago, Haseo had already burned the Second Hokage until nothing remained. But then, could the Hokage still be reincarnated through Impure World Reincarnation?
Let's hope not—imagine someone being controlled after death by their own forbidden jutsu. That kind of cruel irony really was quite ridiculous.
Haseo remembered that the Impure World Reincarnation required three conditions: first, part of the target's physical body to obtain sufficient genetic information; second, a living sacrifice as a vessel; third, the target's soul wasn't sealed away.
The key point was exactly how much of a physical sample was needed—would even a single dandruff flake suffice?
In a world without Haseo, the Second Hokage would have simply vanished completely. His body was never found—even in the end—so how was he ever reincarnated?
From this perspective, Haseo had every reason to suspect Konoha was preserving the "physical samples" of both Hokage generations, potentially including but not limited to scraps of scalp, calloused skin, strands of hair, or fingernail clippings.
Fortunately, right now Orochimaru was merely "Little Orochi" or at most "Middle Orochi." His energy was limited, and his research fields hadn't yet reached those profound, cutting-edge levels… So for now, Haseo could safely bring him over to help raise fish.
Haseo and Orochimaru left the latter's snake den and returned to the underground base beneath Kagenami.
This was Orochimaru's first visit here, so his gaze kept shifting around the vast subterranean space… Naturally, Haseo wouldn't easily bring Orochimaru here. Fireproofing, theft-proofing, and Orochimaru-proofing—he understood them all too well.
"Don't even bother looking. If you could see through this barrier so easily, you wouldn't be a genius—you'd be cheating."
The more massive and complex a barrier, the more it could only be understood through systematic study. [Experience] was something that could surpass even sudden bursts of [insight]. Before it, there wasn't much difference between a genius and an amateur.
"Haseo, with defenses this tight around your place, are you protecting something?"
Orochimaru ignored Haseo's warning. Even if he couldn't decipher this barrier, his curiosity and thirst for knowledge remained unchecked.
"Guarding... some forbidden knowledge, I suppose."
This response made Orochimaru's eyes gleam with interest. "Then, would it be possible for me to—"
"It's not mine to give away anyway. But if you can properly complete the task I'm about to give you, I might try asking on your behalf whether there are any 'study materials' available for you."
Haseo casually said, intending to use some [lure] to keep Orochimaru hooked. After all, sweet bait works better than blunt threats.
Yes, well-behaved kids who loved studying were always good kids. A young Orochimaru who hadn't gone off the rails yet was still a promising serpent.
Deep beneath the underground base in Kagenami, many Uzumaki Secret Arts were indeed preserved—but they all belonged to the Uzumaki clan, and Haseo had no authority over them. However, he did possess numerous research documents left behind by the Senju clan. He could simply pick out a few that looked powerful but were actually useless in practice and pass them to Orochimaru as "classified research materials"—thus making their deal mutually beneficial.
Giving the least investment while encouraging others to work the hardest—that made Haseo the new generation blackhearted capitalist of Konoha.
Sure enough, Orochimaru got fired up.
However, this sense of confidence didn't last long—he soon saw what Haseo wanted him to replicate. Just moments ago, Orochimaru thought the "salted fish" Haseo mentioned was just a metaphor, but now he realized he was staring at an actual dried-up old fish.
"What is this?"
You gotta be kidding me! Fish can spawn more fish, but can metal multiply like that?
As he spoke, Haseo picked up his Black Cat and brought it over. "It's one of the Seven Ninja Blades of Kirigakure—the Samehada. This piece of junk is actually a living creature. Supposedly, it used to be a wild little fish following Isobu years ago, constantly sucking Tailed Beast chakra until it became a powerful chakra-based lifeform.
Later, Kiri caught it. No one knows why they turned it into a sword rather than keeping it as a summon... Though maybe heartbreak from separation from its lover drove it to willingly become this pathetic mess."
In Haseo's understanding, the relationship between Isobu and Samehada resembled the symbiosis between rhinos and oxpeckers—a leftover memory from his old elementary school textbooks.
Haseo's Black Cat seemed to be scratching its mouth constantly. As he rambled random explanations to Orochimaru, he skillfully pinched the cat's cheek and forced its mouth open, revealing some bleeding inside… Hmm, gingival bleeding. Nothing serious.
"Are you planning to mass-produce weapons like this?"
Orochimaru inspected Samehada with a sharp gaze, instantly penetrating Haseo's intent. If this were the Orochimaru of several decades from now, he probably wouldn't give Samehada a second glance. But the current Orochimaru was still inexperienced, so he took the bait.
"That's true, but I don't have the means to do this myself — that's why I'm asking for your help."
"Seven Ninja Blades… I vaguely recall hearing something about them."
"Yes, Samehada absorbs other people's chakra. It makes things pretty annoying to deal with, in a way."
Orochimaru mused, "Absorbing chakra, huh. But from what you just said, this thing must've developed under harsh conditions. It was probably various coincidences that gave it its characteristics."
"So even if we replicate it now, how can you guarantee it'll retain those traits without such an environment? We might end up with nothing more than a fish farm."
"You just focus on your part. I have ways to handle the rest… And even if it fails, turning it into a fish farm actually sounds good. It would generate income for Kagenami."
Haseo added — all he needed was for Orochimaru to replicate Samehada.
"Then I'll give it a try."
Feeling the blade's sharpness and the chakra far exceeding ordinary standards, he ultimately agreed. After all, the young Orochimaru couldn't help but be intrigued by such strange artifacts.
Just then, Haseo's eyes narrowed slightly. One hand gently scratched under Black Cat's belly, drawing out deep, contented purrs — her mood had lifted again.
"By the way, Orochimaru… Are you interested in eternal, infinite chakra?"
Amid the cat's soft purring, the devil's whisper slipped in like poison.
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