At dawn, Orochimaru sealed everything useful into a scroll, left the Root base, and strode into the morning mist of the forest.
"Looks like you've really ticked Danzo off this time."
The Genie poked his head out, glanced at the fog behind them, and chuckled. "From now on, it'll be hard for you to run experiments in the Root base."
Orochimaru was officially one of Danzo's men, a member of Root, but in truth the two were partners.
He worked as an outside contractor, helping Danzo solve certain experimental problems in exchange for research funding.
Now that he had split from Danzo, it meant losing an important source of money.
"It's not a big deal. I was already planning to leave Root soon."
Orochimaru didn't seem concerned. "Lately, Danzo's support has been getting smaller. He might have noticed something. I've been using all that money to develop the Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique."
Skimming funds for personal projects—no matter the world, that's a skill every researcher needs.
The Genie laughed in surprise, then said, "You don't need to worry about money. If I'm right, before long we'll have another big sponsor."
Orochimaru nodded, not asking and not bothering to guess who this sponsor might be.
In truth, Orochimaru had backup plans and was ready for this situation.
Raising funds was an important part of research and of his pursuit of immortality.
That didn't mean he liked it, or wanted to waste energy on it.
The Genie's earlier actions had proven his skill, and Orochimaru was happy to slack off a little and be free from this kind of work.
"As for the location of the new lab, there's no rush. The Nine-Tails destroyed a large area of Konohagakure. The village leaders might use the chance to win over or divide the ninja clans and reorganize the settlements."
He said it casually, but his tone was firm.
After the Nine-Tails incident, during the reconstruction meetings, the village leaders pushed the Uchiha clan even further to the sidelines. It was a big event with long-lasting effects—there was no way he remembered it wrong.
"You're sure? Well, yeah, that does sound like something the old man would do."
Orochimaru stopped in front of a big tree, thought for a moment, then nodded. "Then we should put this on hold too."
For the new lab, secrecy was the top priority. But if it was inside the village, it was even more important to avoid people who could detect it.
Like the Uchiha's Sharingan, the Hyuga's Byakugan, or the Aburame clan's insects.
Especially the last two—they were hard to guard against.
Until he confirmed their range of activity, the new lab location would be put aside.
Orochimaru gave a half-smile. "So you're saying I have nothing to do today?"
He didn't need to think about raising funds. With a new research direction, he had no interest in repeating low-level experiments, and the Wood Release boy and the hundred million yen would still take some time to arrive.
Today—or rather, until the Wood Release boy showed up—Orochimaru's schedule would be wide open. For someone used to being busy all the time, this felt strange.
Getting a good deal and still complaining!
The Genie smirked. "You could help your teacher, who's probably drowning in work right now, and earn some goodwill. Or, you could thank me more—like giving me a live demo of your ninjutsu."
Orochimaru ignored the genie's request and smiled. "I'm curious, what's the principle behind your copying ability?"
It was a blunt question. Prying into the secrets of someone's power was the easiest way to stir up resentment, even turning partners into enemies—just like with him and Danzo.
But Orochimaru didn't think the genie would care. They weren't even the same kind of being. From the genie's point of view, Orochimaru was no threat at all.
"Well, explaining it is a bit tricky."
The genie rubbed his chin. "In the ninja world, you have machines like computers, right? Then you should understand the idea of hardware and software."
Orochimaru nodded.
"To me, the host's body is the hardware, and their abilities are the software."
The genie spread his hands. "All I do is record the information from the moment the host uses an ability. That's like copying the host's software, and then I transfer it to the next host."
It sounded simple, but at the same time unbelievable.
Orochimaru thought for a moment. "Then if you want to master an ability, don't you need to record it many times?"
Take ninjutsu, for example. A little more chakra or a little less changes both its power and its form. Ninja adjust on the spot depending on the situation, but the genie could only copy what he had.
Orochimaru felt the genie's copying was a bit inefficient.
"Not really. I only record one standard sample."
To his surprise, the genie denied it. Orochimaru asked, "Why?"
"Simple. Because I don't need to."
Orochimaru froze for a moment. The genie continued,
"Adapting to situations, that's the host's problem. I only replay the example. Whether the host learns it or to what level, that's entirely up to them."
"Even if the host dies, at most I lose some time. And for someone who lives forever, time is the last thing to worry about."
Orochimaru was stunned, then grinned. "That's a pretty cold answer."
"I just don't want you to misunderstand." The genie shook his head. "I can help you, but if you rely on me, you'll die very quickly."
The air grew a little heavy. Even though he half-expected it, Orochimaru was still surprised at how straightforward the genie was.
Still, that freedom, that way of speaking without holding anything back, was something to envy.
After a pause, Orochimaru suddenly said, "Genie, if your copying only needs a standard sample, that means you're not actually using the ability again and again."
"That's right. What are you getting at?"
"In battle, abilities are always influenced by the environment, a bit distorted, not as pure as a proper demonstration."
Orochimaru smiled. "If I perform my ninjutsu from start to finish in a controlled way, you'd save effort, and what you get would be more precise."
The genie nodded. "You're right. That would help me."
A hungry look flashed in Orochimaru's eyes. "So what price will you pay for me to do that?"
"That's simple. You want to see the power of another world—I'll show you."
The genie spoke with meaning. "Orochimaru, it seems you finally understand what you should be doing."
Orochimaru curled his lips into a smile but stayed silent.
Yes, tonight he had gained plenty—Rikudou Sennin's secrets, a flood of research funds, the wood release material he'd dreamed of…
He was already satisfied.
But the genie clearly wasn't. To him, Orochimaru's appetite seemed too small.
The biggest, richest cake was right there, and instead of fighting for a slice, Orochimaru had the nerve to say there was nothing to do.
Orochimaru felt a little ashamed, and at the same time he understood the genie better.
This guy spoke gently, acted calm, but deep down he was a ruthless businessman.
He pushed desires, fed hunger, driving Orochimaru to create more value.
The genie didn't fear wasting his own time, but he didn't want Orochimaru wasting his.
But… if this was a trap, then the bait was far too tempting.
Orochimaru licked his lips. He couldn't say no.