Upon returning home,
Orochimaru was seated in the living room, sipping tea. He had even shed his usual ninja attire.
Admittedly,
the tea at Kin's place was truly fragrant.
Konoha's tea selection was limited to just a couple of varieties, barely good enough to quench thirst.
"Orochimaru-sensei, do you really have this much free time?"
Kin eyed Orochimaru with suspicion. It felt like the man was present in his house 24/7.
His home was practically becoming Orochimaru's personal retreat.
"Shadow clones,"
Orochimaru replied, giving Kin a strange look. As if to say, Why bother with work when clones can handle it? His real self was perfectly content relaxing here.
"Right."
Kin smacked his lips. As someone who used shadow clones daily, he'd forgotten about that.
Shadow Clone Technique—a skill every Konoha chūnin and above mastered.
"So, how did your discussion go?"
Orochimaru asked curiously.
Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed willing to pay a hefty price, but just how hefty remained to be seen.
"I demanded the establishment of a Research & Development Department."
Pfft—!
Orochimaru spat out his tea. Kin dodged just in time, avoiding a direct hit.
The usually unflappable Orochimaru stared at Kin, his face a picture of unprecedented shock.
Seriously.
He'd expected Hiruzen to pay a steep cost, but an entire department?
No matter its purpose, a department head could cultivate their own private forces.
Take Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu's Administrative Department. Those two held their positions as Hokage Advisors not just because of Hiruzen's backing—their department had its own hidden power. It couldn't compare to ANBU or Root, but it was still a faction within the village.
Otherwise, why would the clans tolerate those two fools lording it over them?
And then there was Danzo's Root—another department.
Or the Uchiha Clan's Security Force, which could mobilize the entire clan at will.
The only department without a private force was the recently established Medical Department, solely because Tsunade had no such ambitions. If she did, it'd instantly become a new power bloc in Konoha.
Orochimaru had once considered creating his own department but knew the higher-ups would never allow it.
Tsunade was special. A single word from her could rally the entire village to her cause.
Yet Hiruzen had agreed to Kin's proposal?
Unbelievable.
This wasn't just bleeding resources—it was slashing an artery.
"And the Third Hokage insisted you become the Vice Minister,"
Kin added casually.
That part wasn't surprising. If a department were established, Hiruzen would inevitably interfere. Orochimaru was the perfect candidate to serve as his eyes and ears.
Though Orochimaru had a feeling he'd end up disappointing Hiruzen.
"Research & Development Department..."
Orochimaru licked his lips. This department offered significant flexibility—and immense benefits for his work.
Unlike some, Orochimaru shared Tsunade's disinterest in power.
Knowledge was what truly mattered to him.
His research on the fusion of souls and chakra had hit a bottleneck.
At most, he'd achieved body-swapping. True immortality, as theorized, remained distant.
Fortunately, the life-extending effects of the Foundation Internal Energy technique bought him time.
Conducting research openly, despite its restrictions, would likely accelerate progress.
But—
"Kin-kun, did you establish this for research... or to build a private army?"
Orochimaru studied Kin with keen interest.
The distinction was critical. If it was the latter, research would inevitably suffer.
"Primarily for research,"
Kin replied with a smile.
And a little manpower on the side.
"Good."
Orochimaru nodded in relief.
Just as the two shared a knowing look—
Poof!
A cloud of smoke erupted in the room.
A tiger-sized white cat lay sprawled on the floor, limbs splayed, tongue lolling, eyes glazed as it stared at the ceiling.
A massive serpent shadow materialized normally but tilted its head at the cat, clearly puzzled.
It was Little Miao and Little White—missing for who knew how long.
Kin poked Little Miao's cheek. No reaction, though faint mewling could be heard.
"Snakes... so many snakes... Damn Little White... Damn Orochimaru... Damn Uchiha Kin..."
Kin's face darkened instantly.
Wait.
Something was off.
He turned to Orochimaru, suspicion written all over his face.
"Orochimaru-sensei, are you hiding something?"
Why did Little Miao seem to hold such a grudge against him?
Orochimaru's gaze drifted to the ceiling, his expression suspiciously guilty.
Hearing Kin's question, Little Miao snapped upright, pointing at Orochimaru and yowling.
"I was just roughhousing with Little White! I just called him a stupid snake a few times! And this bastard sent me to Ryūchi Cave! Do you have any idea what I went through there?!"
The memory of being surrounded by snakes for days was now permanently etched into its mind.
A nightmare.
Some of those snakes had even tried to eat it.
Who knew how it had survived?
And that idiot Little White had been tricked by the other snakes into not bringing it back! How could a serpent be that dumb?!
"Get him, Kin! You don't know the suffering I've endured!!"
Little Miao wailed, lunging for a hug.
Seeing the massive feline—now larger than himself—barreling toward him,
Kin's shadow surged from the ground, wrapping around Little Miao and suspending it from the ceiling.
"I haven't settled accounts with you yet."
Kin glared at the cat.
It had cursed him earlier.
With Little Miao securely trussed up, Kin turned his stern gaze back to Orochimaru.
"I thought it was insulting me."
Orochimaru averted his eyes, refusing to meet Kin's stare.
After all, there had been two snakes in the room at the time. How was he supposed to know which one the cat was referring to?
"Ah! I just had an idea!"
Orochimaru's face lit up with sudden inspiration.
Poof!
He vanished in a puff of smoke.
A masterful escape.
Kin clicked his tongue.
"Lucky you ran fast."
The establishment of the Research & Development Department progressed slowly, taking nearly a month to gain approval.
Eventually, a small, remote building in Konoha was allocated to the department.
The moment the location was finalized, Kin moved in that very day.
Gazing at the sunlight streaming through the bright windows,
"Now this is a proper lab. Those hidden underground make experiments seem like some shady, illicit activity."
He sighed in satisfaction.
Most of Konoha's labs were buried underground. Finally, one had made it to the surface.
Nearby, Orochimaru—busy cataloging the department's equipment—gave him a deadpan look.
Weren't you the one who hid your lab underground too?
Besides, everyone's research was shady by nature.
"So, have you decided who'll join the department?"
Orochimaru asked. A department without personnel was useless.
...
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(End of Chapter)