"Yes, there are plants inside that box over there."
Since the roots are tied to the soil with a bag, Orochimaru-sama probably wants me to plant those plants properly.
"Take these plants out of the cave. We need to plant them, but it's too late for today. You two pour a handful of water on the bases of the plants, then find a suitable spot for a vegetable patch and place them all there. The spot you choose should get at least 10 hours of sunlight every day, be close to a water source, and ideally be somewhere that was used for planting last year. That way, I can regulate the soil's nutrient content. But be careful and don't pour too much water on any of them when I tell you to. Also, keep watch or arrange for someone else to keep watch to make sure nothing happens to them overnight."
With the relief of finally finishing all my work, I straightened my back and was about to head to my own cellar when I heard someone's heavy footsteps behind me, followed immediately by another person's footsteps.
When I turned my head, I saw one of the two jonin I had just given orders to trying to attack me, while the other held him back.
"Hey, you damn brat! I already told you my name! How dare a brat like you think you're something and try to give us orders like Orochimaru-sama! You're just a prisoner here!"
Two insignificant ninjas whose names weren't even mentioned in the anime... Could they really dare to harm me?
I don't think so. Even though I'm weak, Orochimaru terrifies them to death, and they wouldn't dare touch me for no reason.
I don't remember these two's names, but I remember they were childhood friends. He probably acted because he knew his friend would stop him, and his real goal must be to scare me.
Hmm, this could be an opportunity. After all, I've been living so cautiously for so long that I haven't been able to focus on the system.
If I were Arataka Reigen, I probably wouldn't hesitate to use this opportunity by acting like someone else. If it were up to me, just looking down on him would be enough. This is going to be embarrassing.
"What happened? Why did you fall silent? Did you remember who you are? ... Don't be foolish. My knowledge of plant cultivation is possessed by very few people in the world. What you possess, however, is something found in every ninja village. Don't forget that again. I am in charge here. You are merely brute strength, with thousands of alternatives... So, who is in charge? Say it out loud!"
"What the hell is this guy talking about?"
Clearly, my sudden outburst had startled him, because he stopped pretending to struggle out of his friend's arms. I put my hands in my pockets and moved closer to him, tilting my head back as if looking at something on the ground.
"You worthless creature. If you had knelt down and shown respect the moment you saw me, you wouldn't be the ignorant and insignificant being you are now. Get out of my sight! Your ignorance is affecting my life!"
This time, seeing the veins on both their foreheads begin to bulge, I turned away without risking myself further and said in a barely audible, anxious voice that Orochimaru must have arrived by now.
I didn't need to be a fortune teller to guess that they lost all their anger the moment they heard Orochimaru's name.
Well, system, it's your turn.
[Template similarity -10%]
What? Am I taking this risk for nothing?
[A hint from Arataka Reigen: It's really rude of you to make fun of someone in such a desperate situation, Eren. You should be giving them advice.]
Fuck off! Do you really think you're an 80-year-old loving old man character? Nonsense!
System, I object.
[Sorry Host, but the system calculations are never wrong]
[More importantly, your template's 50-day period will expire in just 12 seconds. My advice is to increase your template similarity as soon as possible]
Damn this system! You're warning me with only 12 seconds left?
[Your template has expired. Your template similarity is 30%.]
[You will be penalized because your template similarity is below 50%.]
Damn it, the 12 seconds I already had ran out while I was reading the warning message.
Also, why didn't you tell me I had 50 days earlier, system?
[I notified you, host. I can show you the history of system notifications at any time. I notified you that you had 50 days immediately after you obtained the template, host.]
I remember I was about to kiss Orochimaru when I got the template. Fuck.
What kind of punishment will I receive, and when exactly will it happen?
[After the template similarity is revealed, if your similarity is below 50%, you will receive a punishment proportional to your proximity to 50%. A 30% similarity punishment is contracting all the diseases the character in the template suffered from throughout their entire life and feeling all the pain they endured throughout their entire life. And the penalty will be enforced exactly 3 minutes after the template similarity is revealed. So you have 3 seconds left until your penalty.
Right after I started reading the system notification, before I even got halfway through, I heard a sound. The first thing that came to mind was that the ninjas I provoked had forgotten about Orochimaru and were attacking me.
It started as a faint hum. Inside my right ear, like a kunai slicing through the air. But it grew louder, sharper, turning into a ringing that felt like it would tear my eardrum.
Then... suddenly. Pain struck my entire body like a hammer. First in my shoulders, then in my ribs. It was as if all my bones were cracking at once, each fracture echoing inside me. My legs gave way, and I collapsed to my knees. After a reflexive cough, a metallic taste spread in my mouth.
"Fuck!" The last thing out of my mouth was an English curse.
Then my vision first turned red, as if a bloody curtain had fallen, and immediately afterward transformed into a dark curtain that both relieved and terrified me.
...
Silence...
My mind used to be filled with the noise of thoughts, like a stormy sea.
But now it's very different.
It's as if the old stormy sea has disappeared and been replaced by water dripping onto thin glass.
I think in a single layer. There is no unnecessary clutter.
Have I become more stupid?
If being more stupid feels like this, then I guess there's no problem.
Any intelligent person would choose to be peaceful and stupid over being a smart person walking on pins and needles.
What a contradiction.
Huff...
"Well, well, well. Eren. You're still alive. I'm glad to see you alive again."
"Orochimaru. Achoo! You're back."
"What's the matter? Didn't you miss me? You would have lived without me, probably, but at least you wouldn't have been able to open your eyes for a few more weeks."
I wanted to look into Orochimaru's eyes and see if he really meant what he said, but when I tried to turn my neck, the pain reminded me how unrealistic that desire was.
"So, did you find out what I am?"
"It looks like you don't have much time left, Eren. Your bone cancer has reached its final stage. If you weren't an Uzumaki, you wouldn't have survived a year with this disease. You've also caught a cold, and I think you have a few other minor illnesses, but they're not important."
What is this guy talking about? Terminal bone cancer???
Damn system, you're going too far!
"I guess that explains why someone like you, who spends all day trading, secretly contributes to lab research. Hahaha. Let's forget about that now. Who are you thinking of leaving your inheritance to when you die? You don't have any relatives, do you? Besides, I heard you've become good friends with Kabuto lately."
I wanted to push Orochimaru's face away in anger, but the chains of exhaustion tightly binding my entire body held my arms firmly in place.
"Orochimaru-sama, please step away, your breath reeks of drugs."
"Hehehe, it's just an experimental drug I tried on myself, Eren. You're breaking my heart."
"Besides, I'm not stupid enough to not realize that Naruto is my sister's child. I'm just pretending not to notice so I don't fall into the hands of people like Danzo. If I die, according to my will, all my assets will go to Naruto."
Orochimaru looked at me with a fake sad expression and smiled. Even if I were rich in my own way, all my assets wouldn't last a month in the hands of someone like Orochimaru.
"So you figured it out. Well, there's a problem. Do you really think Sensei will care about your will?"
"I've taken my own precautions, Orochimaru-sama. Besides, Kabuto's training is almost complete. I should return to Konoha before my will comes into effect."
Since this damn system has turned my body into trash, I guess I don't attract Orochimaru's attention as much as I used to. Anyway, cursing fate won't change the past. It's best to use this illness as a new basis for my lies.
"Hehehe, even if I let you, I don't think you could get out of bed. But I have to admit, Kabuto has mastered all the basic training. You're a good teacher, Eren-chan."
Chan? Creepy.
"What do you want? Do you really want me to stay here for a year? The only reason I accepted that offer in the first place was because I thought I might find a cure for my illness with you. Personally, I'd rather give you my money in exchange for my life than sell you my time. After all, I don't have enough time to spare."
Useful. Useful. Useful. Swallow that bait, Orochimaru.
"Actually, I've done some research on bone diseases in the past..."
Gulp. This could really be useful. After all, even if I escape from here, death will still be breathing down my neck.
"Hehe. I can tell how much you want it from your face. Once you're able to stand up, first plant the herb garden you promised me, then you can leave whenever you want. But if you want my records, don't forget to bring ten million ryo with you next time you come."
Ten million isn't a small amount of money, nor is it something I can gather in an instant. More importantly, when did I promise this guy a herb garden?
Anyway, it doesn't matter.
When Orochimaru saw that I hadn't said anything and was staring blankly at the ceiling while checking the system, he turned around and started to leave the room. Just as he was about to leave, he turned back and said one last thing.
"Oh, by the way, while you were unconscious, I took a sample of your bone and skin. Hehehe, I almost forgot to mention it."
After Orochimaru's words, the only thing that appeared on my face was probably an ugly smile, due to the pain in my facial muscles and my true feelings.
Ahhh. Damn it, I've been harboring a black snake in my bosom. How could you possibly hurt me more than Orochimaru!
[Your punishment has been predetermined, Host]
What a stupid punishment is this? It's so cruel compared to the rewards I've received!
What if I had finished with a lower percentage? What would my punishment have been? Instant death and the erasure of my soul's traces? Or would everyone who knew me forget me?
DAMN SYSTEM, ANSWER ME!
I know very well that you're not just some soulless robot out there.
You've been deliberately making things difficult for me since day one.
I may not be able to harm you, but from now on, I can complete every template at only 50% just to mock you.
Just to crush your damn enthusiasm and kill you emotionally!
ALL THE PAIN I'VE ENDURED TO SURVIVE IN THIS DAMN WORLD, I WON'T LOSE IT ALL BECAUSE OF YOU! CAN YOU HEAR ME!
Ahhh, damn it, the noises in my head are back again.
[I'm sorry, Host, but I'm just an artificial intelligence created to help you. I cannot evolve or learn, so I cannot understand your feelings. If you wish, I can provide you with the details of the punishment you received.]