Following the direction that Tsunade pointed him in, Orochimaru walked into the cathedral, all the while observing the architecture and style around him. However, the cathedral was quite large, and after walking for a few minutes, he still hadn't found Hibari. He couldn't help but think with a bit of helplessness, 'Couldn't Tsunade just help people all the way through?'
Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly saw a kid with gray-white hair in the corner, holding a broom and sweeping up dust. The kid also saw him.
Orochimaru then asked, "I'm looking for Senju Hibari-dono. Could you point me in the right direction?"
That kid was Hidan. After hearing what Orochimaru said, he was stunned for a moment, then said, "Looking for the High Priest? The High Priest is currently researching some secret jutsu, so it might not be a good time to see visitors..."
After hearing this, Orochimaru then said, "I have come from Konohagakure in the Land of Fire, with a request from the Third Hokage..."
As soon as Hidan heard that this guy was from Konohagakure in the Land of Fire, he nodded and said, "That's fine. The High Priest said that people like you can be taken to see him."
After saying that, Hidan waved at Orochimaru, then put the broom aside, turned, and went upstairs.
Orochimaru didn't say much and followed him. Led by Hidan, it didn't take long for them to arrive at a room.
Hidan reached out and knocked on the door, then said, "High Priest, there's a shinobi from Konohagakure who would like to visit you."
As soon as he finished speaking, Orochimaru heard Hibari's familiar and nostalgic voice from inside.
"A shinobi from Konoha? Please, let him in."
Orochimaru's mouth curled up slightly. He nodded at Hidan, then pushed open the door and gently walked in. Hidan didn't think much of it, turned around, and left to continue cleaning.
Hibari was currently contemplating matters regarding the Necro Cult's secret jutsu. After hearing the sound of the door being pushed open, he put down his work, looked up at the doorway, and wanted to see who from Konoha had come to find him.
When he looked up, he saw the figure of that kid, Orochimaru. This surprised Hibari a little, but after the surprise came delight. He had been thinking about when he could try to trick Orochimaru into joining him so that the kid could become one of the core members of their Necro Cult.
But now, he had just had the thought, but hadn't taken any action, nor did he have time to. This guy Orochimaru had traveled thousands of miles to come to him. How could this not be a pleasant surprise?
"Orochimaru? Long time no see. How have you been? What brings you here?" Hibari said with a laugh.
Although Orochimaru was also happy to see Hibari, he still maintained a calm and collected appearance on the outside. He said softly, "I have made some progress recently. I officially became a Chunin of Konohagakure a few days ago. I came to the Land of Hot Water to see you, Hibari-dono, this time for two reasons: on one hand, there are some things I would like to ask you for help with, and on the other hand, the Third Hokage and Hitenn Hyuga-dono have things they want me to relay to you."
"Hahahaha, no need for the 'dono' stuff. Let's not be so polite. A Chunin? That's great. I wish my Tsunade-hime was half as worry-free as you." Hibari said with a big laugh.
He then waved for Orochimaru to come and sit down and also said, "When you're here with me, just relax, as if you're at home. Don't be so reserved. The tea and everything is ready. Just pour yourself a cup and drink it."
Only then did Orochimaru show a slight smile. He then nodded and said, "Thank you, Hibari-aniki."
"You're a bit more 'human' than you used to be, kid." Hibari also said with a smile and a nod.
After Orochimaru poured himself a cup of tea, drank a few sips, and rested a bit, Hibari asked, "I'm a little curious as to why you came to me for help, kid. But let's talk about official business first. What did the Third Hokage ask you to tell me? And what's going on with that guy, Hitenn? Did something major happen in the Anbu again, and he wants me to go back and take charge? He really won't give me a break. Is it so hard for me to get a vacation?"
After hearing Hibari's complaints, Orochimaru shook his head and said, "It's not like that..."
When he said this, he turned his head and looked at his surroundings. Hibari also smiled and said, "Don't worry, nothing will get out. It's very safe."
Only then did Orochimaru nod and continue, "Hitenn Hyuga-dono asked me to pass on a message to you. He said that in three months, he will be fulfilling his marriage contract and holding a wedding banquet. And after the wedding, he will officially become the head of the Hyuga clan. He hopes that you, Hibari-aniki, will be able to take the time to go back and attend his wedding banquet."
Hibari also smiled when he heard this. He was about to make a joke about how that serious guy, Hitenn, was finally going to get his hands on his cousin, but then he suddenly remembered that he was pretty much the same. One big brother shouldn't make fun of the other big brother, lest he suffer retribution later.
Therefore, Hibari stopped himself from saying that and said with a laugh, "Then I will have to take the time to go back. Alright, I know about this. What did the Third Hokage want to tell me?"
Orochimaru's expression was a little more serious this time. He then said softly, "Not long ago, a new research project was initiated by Danzō-sama, the leader of the Root. This project has been approved by the First Hokage and the Second Hokage. Therefore, the Third Hokage, after some thought, also agreed to this research project. Reportedly, Danzō-sama also wanted to get your opinion, but since you were not in Konohagakure, and the project required a very high degree of secrecy, you were not informed. I came here this time on behalf of the Third Hokage to inform you of this news."
After hearing this, Hibari thought for a moment and seemed to have guessed something. He then said, "What kind of project is it? Is it that amazing? To require the approval of three Hokage?"
Orochimaru was silent for a moment, then said each word clearly, "It's the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai Research Project!"
After hearing this definitive answer, Hibari also let out a long breath, then shook his head helplessly and said, "No wonder they had to get approval from my Hashirama-jiisan and Tobirama-jiisan, and they still wanted to ask for my opinion. So it's this thing..."
Orochimaru didn't say much. He just sat there quietly, holding a teacup, seemingly waiting for Hibari to digest the news.
Not long after, Hibari smiled and said, "But I had long thought that there might be a day like this, so it's not too surprising. Since the First Hokage, the Second Hokage, and our Third Hokage have all approved it, I have no objections. After all, it's for the development of Konoha, so let them research it. But this thing isn't that easy to research, you know."
Orochimaru still didn't say much. After all, he only knew that there was such a project. He was just a messenger and didn't know many of the details, so it wasn't appropriate for him to comment.
He was just a little surprised by Hibari's generous attitude. After all, the Wood Release kekkei genkai was one of the Senju clan's trump cards. Given the relationship between Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Hibari, he at least knew that his 'Hibari-aniki' could use this Wood Release kekkei genkai.
In other words, the village was researching one of his bloodline limits and trump cards, yet his 'Hibari-aniki' seemed completely unconcerned. Could he be considered noble?
But when he thought about it more, it seemed reasonable. Senju Hibari was supposed to have this kind of magnanimity.
He didn't think about these things too much, as they had nothing to do with him. Instead, Orochimaru's attention was keenly focused on the books and scrolls on the desk in front of Hibari.
After Hibari had digested the news, he didn't think it was a big deal. As he had said before, the Wood Release kekkei genkai research wouldn't yield any significant results. It wasn't his money being wasted, nor was it his life being sacrificed. He might as well just do them a favor. So, he planned to write a letter expressing his support for the matter and send it to Hiruzen, the Third Hokage.
After he had made up his mind about all this, Hibari looked at Orochimaru, who was staring intently at the books and scrolls on his desk. He then smiled, shook his head, and said, "You haven't changed at all in this regard, kid. If you're interested, feel free to take a look."
After hearing Hibari's words, Orochimaru didn't hesitate or act polite. After all, he had already taken so much advantage of Hibari when it came to books, so there was no need to be shy at a time like this.
He then quickly picked up one of the books and opened it. It was about the classification of the Necro Cult's secret jutsu branches. His eyes lit up, and he began to read.
"Edo Tensei? Jiongu jutsu?" Orochimaru first looked at some of the descriptions inside and murmured softly.
After reading the book for a while, the look in his eyes became more and more surprised. He then looked up at Hibari and asked in shock, "Hibari-aniki, are you trying to use the foundation of the Necro Cult to create a brand-new ninjutsu school?"
When Hibari heard Orochimaru's words, he was very happy and said with a big laugh, "You caught on quickly, kid. I like that. That's right. The thing I've been busy with lately is organizing and refining these things. I want to create a brand-new ninjutsu school called 'Shiryōjutsu' and pass it down. This way, I can be considered a founder of a new school. Pretty cool, right?"
Hibari didn't hide anything and rattled off his thoughts and philosophies to that kid Orochimaru, as well as the jutsu related to Shiryōjutsu.
Orochimaru was already very interested in these thoughts and philosophies. After hearing about the amazing Shiryōjutsu, his heart was surging, and he couldn't calm down for a long time. He wanted to research those mysterious ninjutsu even more. Things like reviving the dead, immortality, an indestructible body, and the Walking Corpse Jutsu constantly excited his heart, which longed for mysterious ninjutsu.
Hibari looked at Orochimaru's increasingly excited expression and smiled inwardly. It seemed that these things were indeed very attractive to this kid Orochimaru. So, it was very likely that he could get him to join.
Therefore, after finishing his topic, Hibari pretended to be a little regretful and said, "But these are all just my wishful thinking for now, and they're not that easy to do. First of all, I lack like-minded people. As the saying goes, two heads are better than one. I don't know when I'll be able to find someone who is willing to participate in this endeavor with me."
As soon as Hibari finished his feigned lament, Orochimaru, who couldn't resist being 'enticed,' immediately said, "I'm willing. I'm very interested in these things. It's just that my abilities might not satisfy you, Hibari-aniki, and my knowledge and related reserves are still lacking..."
When Hibari heard what Orochimaru said, he immediately responded, "Are you really willing?"
Orochimaru nodded without hesitation. At this time, he was like someone who had discovered a new world. In addition, he trusted Hibari very much. After all, Hibari had taken care of him since he was a child. Although he might have some ability now, he was still nothing compared to Hibari. So there was no way Hibari would try to trick him, right?
Therefore, he didn't even think about it and was ready to join Hibari's 'great ambition.'
Hibari grinned when he saw this and said with a smile, "Great. I really admire your thirst for knowledge and your decisiveness, kid. You never procrastinate and you make decisions quickly. As for your abilities, they're not that important at this stage. You have the talent in this area, and you can definitely be trained. I know that very well, and I'm very willing to believe that you'll be of great help to me in the future. So I won't have any requirements for you in that regard. The key is to be like-minded. Since you like it and are interested in it, we are like-minded and can progress together!"
Orochimaru was very happy to have Hibari's approval and affirmation. He also smiled, then seemed to remember something and asked, "Then, can I learn the ninjutsu that you have currently summarized, Hibari-aniki?"
Hibari waved his hand grandly and said in a very generous tone, "Of course you can! As long as you're interested, I can teach you anything you want to learn!"
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