Simu looked at the girl on the ground with the excitement of one facing the unknown. By now, the Black Beetles that had been coiled around her were completely petrified, assimilated into a part of nature.
Fortunately, before they were fully petrified, they had successfully cleared away the mutated layer on the girl's surface. Her clothes had completely vanished, yet Simu felt no sense of beauty in the sight. Her skin had entirely festered under the gnawing of the Black Beetles, leaving bloody muscle and fat exposed to the open air. Only the slight rise and fall of her chest and the faint sound of breathing from deep in her throat proved she was still alive.
Even Simu couldn't help but remark, "What resilient life force."
Simu pondered a question. According to Orochimaru's research records, an ordinary person should be assimilated by nature the instant they come into contact with Natural Energy. This Subject No. 0, however, was able to endure the erosion of Natural Energy for a longer period and even gain power far exceeding that of a normal person during that time.
To solve this mystery, Simu immediately scanned through all the data in his mind regarding Experimental Subject Zero. He discovered only one point that differentiated this girl from the other subjects: she was from the Uzumaki Clan. The vibrant red color of her hair seemed to be the best proof of her lineage.
So... this is the special constitution of the Uzumaki Clan?
Simu rubbed his chin. Unfortunately, his understanding of the Shinobi World was not yet deep enough. It seemed he would have to find an opportunity to enter a hidden village to obtain more information. Orochimaru's base only stored research data and ninjutsu scrolls, lacking general information about the wider world.
As Simu was thinking, Hidan rushed over in a panic. Seeing that Simu had only lost a hand, he breathed a sigh of relief, and his anxious expression instantly turned to one of contempt.
"Tch, bastard Simu, looks like your strength isn't all that. You actually got hurt dealing with a small fry like this," Hidan said with a disdainful glance at the stump.
"Heh, I wonder who just lost a contest of strength to a little girl," Simu retorted just as sharply.
Hidan's face turned red at a visible speed. "Damn you, bastard Simu! If you hadn't stopped me, I would have sent this broad to see Lord Jashin long ago!"
"That doesn't change the fact that you're weaker than a little girl."
Simu's calm expression nearly drove Hidan to madness. It was infuriating that he couldn't kill this guy! However, seeing that Simu was now missing a hand, Hidan wondered if he should try his luck. If he succeeded, he could lord it over Simu from now on...
Seeing Hidan's daydreaming expression, Simu sighed and shattered his fantasy. "Don't worry. Even if I lost both hands, I could still crush you using only my feet."
Hidan froze. "Huh? How did you know what I was thinking?"
Simu sneered. "With your brain capacity, I could figure out what you're thinking with half a butt cheek."
"Bastard Simu! I'll kill you!"
Seeing Hidan get riled up, Simu smiled with satisfaction and patted his head. "Don't be so upset, don't be so upset."
"Aaaah!!!!"
Just as Hidan was about to explode, the girl on the ground suddenly let out a muffled groan. Both men turned their attention back to her. To Simu's surprise, the skin on her body was healing at an incredible rate. He had never seen such a healing speed in any human before.
Well, Hidan didn't count.
Is this the power of the Uzumaki Clan?
Simu revealed a smile. These magical powers of the Shinobi World were truly fascinating. The girl opened her eyes and instinctively scrambled backward. Despite the pain, she arched her back like a cornered wild animal.
"Don't be nervous. I am not a bad person."
Simu adjusted his glasses, a peaceful and indifferent smile appearing on his face. Hidan watched the kindness radiating from Simu and curled his lip in disgust.
If this guy is a good person, then I, Lord Hidan, am a saint!
The girl first looked at the shattered test tubes and destroyed equipment before slowly assessing Simu and Hidan. The one with glasses looked clean, refined, and quite polite. He radiated a sense of kindness that made one instinctively want to trust him; he didn't seem like a bad person. As for the one behind him with the silver slicked-back hair—his expression was arrogant, and his clothes were stained with blood. He looked like a villain at first glance.
With just one look, the girl had already labeled the two men.
"You guys are..."
The girl had just started to speak when she saw Simu suddenly pull off his trench coat. She instinctively thought he was going to attack, but to her surprise, he simply threw the coat over, covering her body. Only then did she realize she had been completely naked! Her face flushed instantly.
"Put some clothes on first."
Simu adjusted his glasses and turned around. If this were the Simu of his previous life, things might have been different. Unfortunately, the Simu of this life was no longer human. While he wasn't completely devoid of desire, he didn't crave it like an ordinary person. At most, it was a lingering instinct from his memories.
Simu didn't reject actions that brought pleasure, but he wouldn't go out of his way to seek or obsess over them. By comparison, exploring the truths of this world was what brought him the greatest mental exhilaration.
As for Hidan? He had no reaction at all. The guy was single-minded about killing. Women? They would only slow down Lord Hidan's decapitation speed!
Soon, with panicked movements, the girl finished dressing.
"Thank you. May I ask who you are?"
From the surroundings and Simu's recent actions, she could infer that these two were not Orochimaru's men. This was undoubtedly the best news for her.
Simu saw through her thoughts and confirmed them. "Don't worry. We aren't Orochimaru's people. We were just passing through and decided to step in."
"I am Kamizuki Simu. How should I address you?"
The girl looked a bit shy under Simu's gaze. "Um... My name is Rie Uzumaki. You can just call me Rie."
"Is that so?"
Simu gave his glasses a gentle push and said calmly, "I would like to perform an examination on your body, Rie. Is that alright?"