In terms of pure Taijutsu, Hayashi was clearly no match for Orochimaru. Beyond the gap in strength, Orochimaru had a ten-year age advantage.
Even an ordinary person could rise to Jonin rank in that time, let alone a genius labeled by the Third Hokage as a once-in-a-decade talent.
But Hayashi was not to be underestimated either. He had risen from Genin to Jonin in only three months. Those who survived countless battles were either extraordinarily strong, destined for greatness, or, like Hayashi, benefiting from system-level cheat.
After Orochimaru executed his signature head-tilt strike, Hayashi pressed on, thrusting his kunai directly toward Orochimaru's face.
Orochimaru twisted unnaturally mid-air to evade, forcing Hayashi to pivot, using his right foot as leverage to deliver a whip-like kick. Orochimaru chuckled and landed, completely disregarding physical inertia, causing Hayashi's attack to miss.
Hayashi's Sharingan detected every movement, and he closed in again without hesitation. Though Orochimaru's body had fully matured, Hayashi's smaller frame granted him greater agility.
In an instant, Hayashi unleashed a five-hit combo, reversing his grip on the kunai for a precise thrust. The weapon cut the air with a sharp whistle, aiming for Orochimaru's waist.
Bang!
At the last moment, a kunai slid from Orochimaru's sleeve, blocking the strike. The impact shoved Orochimaru back two steps, and in an instant, the advantage shifted. Hayashi surged forward, pressing his attack relentlessly.
Metal clashed against metal as Orochimaru, intentionally or not, displayed the full extent of his Joint Softening technique combined with Taijutsu. Though forced back repeatedly, Hayashi refused to yield, dragging the fight on for several minutes.
A Shadow Clone hovering nearby signaled them to stop.
"Is that enough?" the clone asked.
"Mm, that's sufficient," Orochimaru replied, nodding.
A battle that required little chakra, yet tested skill and reflexes, had served as a warm-up for both. Orochimaru retrieved the recorded data from the clone, while Hayashi's gaze wandered to the scrolls scattered across the training ground.
"Joint Softening can only go so far," he murmured.
A sigh came from behind him. Orochimaru's tone carried ambiguity—it was impossible to tell if it was resignation or reluctance.
Finally, Orochimaru looked up and asked tentatively, "Hayashi, what do you think of human experimentation?"
In Konoha, the term alone carried a sinister weight. Yet the village had a history of it. The Second Hokage, hailed as the Great Inventor of the Shinobi World, pioneered such studies.
Techniques like Impure World Reincarnation required souls from the Pure Land, demanding human experimentation for research into summoning and soul control.
The Second Hokage's understanding of the Sharingan, even surpassing the Uchiha clan, relied on careful observation of living subjects. In this light, he could be considered the first in Konoha to conduct human experiments—the rest merely followed.
Orochimaru, however, was different. Orphaned at a young age, brilliant and diligent, he studied under the Third Hokage. Yet the repeated loss of loved ones instilled in him a fascination with life and death, and an insatiable thirst for knowledge and longevity.
Driven by curiosity and necessity, Orochimaru set up a rudimentary lab under harsh conditions, seeking to unlock the human body's mysteries. His advanced research angered Konoha's conservative leaders, who obstructed and eventually exiled him.
Still, human experimentation held undeniable value. Without it, techniques like Hashirama cell transplantation could not have been perfected. Sasuke might have been slain by Madara without the chance to awaken the Rinnegan, and the Shinobi World's balance could have collapsed.
Orochimaru's Soft Physique Modification, if mass-produced, could elevate Konoha's strength dramatically. Combined with the Nara clan's Shadow Imitation Technique, it might rival low-level Death Possession abilities.
The Third Hokage, however, could see only cruelty, not potential. Hayashi, observing the world pragmatically, concluded that human experimentation, when it did not harm villagers, was justified. Cloning reinforced this principle.
"I believe human experimentation is crucial for strengthening Konoha," Hayashi said. "The Third Hokage would oppose it, of course. Unless…" He paused, considering. "…unless, Sensei, you became the Fourth Hokage."
Hayashi felt like a salesman of the Hokage position. Every solution he offered revolved around one conclusion: becoming Hokage could solve the problem.
Orochimaru's eyes flickered. If he could ascend to that role, no one could hinder him. Otherwise, he would be at the mercy of whoever held the office.
"And only then," Hayashi continued, "can all ninjutsu be mastered and every truth in the world be grasped."
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