"Tsk, tsk… Orochimaru-sensei's laboratory is hidden in this kind of place?"
The mountain before them showed no abnormalities whatsoever.
No cracks. No seams. Nothing suspicious.
Yet Orochimaru had stopped here.
Ran immediately understood—this mountain itself concealed the laboratory.
Orochimaru was an exceptionally intelligent and ambitious shinobi. Over the years, he had constructed numerous laboratories for his research into immortality.
This was merely one of them.
The entrance lay hidden within the rock face.
Before the mountain stretched a dense, verdant forest. Orochimaru formed a series of hand seals, then pressed his palm against the stone wall.
In the next instant—
The entrance revealed itself.
Ran froze.
Good grief… is this a fingerprint lock or something? Orochimaru's personal black tech?!
"Ran-kun," Orochimaru said calmly as he led the way inside, "do you know this? The human body is an immeasurable treasure. And researching such a treasure inevitably means… studying people themselves."
As Orochimaru spoke, he casually described taboos that would chill most people to the bone.
But Ran had revealed his strength for precisely this reason.
He wanted to draw the attention of both the Third Hokage and Danzō—so that he could gain access to the greatest "scientist" in the shinobi world.
Orochimaru.
Ran had only ever watched Naruto. He knew that the Mangekyō Sharingan traditionally awakened through intense hatred and grief.
Unfortunately—
With the zanpakutō Fleeting Life, Like a Dream in his possession, he simply couldn't produce emotions of that kind.
Even without Bankai, the Shikai alone was already powerful enough.
So he needed another path.
And Orochimaru—Ran firmly believed—could provide a method to elevate the Sharingan to the Mangekyō through science.
This was respect for a scientist.
Once the principles were understood, even the Mangekyō Sharingan was just another problem to be solved.
"Orochimaru-sensei," Ran said openly, "you're talking about human experimentation, right? I don't have any prejudice against it. On the contrary, I'm very curious about the relationship between chakra, kekkei genkai, and the Uchiha—especially the evolution of the Sharingan and Mangekyō."
"Subarashii~!" Ran's tone was unmistakably excited. "The unknown is always mysterious—and irresistibly fascinating."
"Oh?" Orochimaru glanced at him in surprise. "You really are unexpected, Ran-kun. I always thought students of someone like Yūhi Kurenai would be extremely rigid."
As Orochimaru pushed open a door—
Rows upon rows of human bodies suspended in nutrient-filled tanks were reflected in Ran's eyes.
"…Magnificent," Ran said softly. "These are all shinobi with kekkei genkai, right?"
Seeing that Ran showed no shock at all, Orochimaru smiled.
"Ran-kun, you really are my kind of person. A seeker of truth."
"Do you know why the human body is considered an endless treasure?" Orochimaru continued, noticing Ran's focused gaze. "Because it contains countless hidden powers and resources."
"Among them," he said slowly, "chakra and the human body share an intimate and mysterious connection."
Chakra was the manifestation of physical vitality and spiritual energy.
It could be trained, refined, and manipulated.
Through cultivation and mental discipline, chakra could develop elemental attributes—Fire, Water, Wind, Lightning, Earth—each with its own unique properties and applications in combat, healing, and creation.
"Orochimaru-sama," Ran interrupted impatiently, "all of this is already recorded in my clan's archives."
He wanted the real point.
"Don't rush, Ran-kun." Orochimaru stopped before a particular tank.
Inside floated a single human silhouette.
"This is a user of the Ice Release kekkei genkai."
A cruel smile curved Orochimaru's lips.
"How pitiful," Ran commented casually. "If experimentation is necessary, couldn't it be done more gently? Blood sampling, perhaps?"
Orochimaru shot him a strange look.
"You can ignore the taboo of human experimentation, yet you feel pity for them?" he asked. "They've sacrificed themselves for immortality—and for the unknown."
"Of course," Ran replied sincerely. "I'm kind-hearted. I don't like seeing people suffer."
Orochimaru rolled his eyes and continued.
"Kekkei genkai are special hereditary abilities, usually found only in specific bloodlines. They are powers that transcend normal limits—enhancing physical capabilities or granting control over unique elements."
"The relationship between kekkei genkai and the human body is intricate and profound—a phenomenon rooted in genetic mutation and clan inheritance."
As he spoke, his tone grew increasingly fervent.
"I believe that by excavating and utilizing kekkei genkai, we can surpass ordinary limits—perhaps even alter our own genes and achieve immortality."
"So your current focus is kekkei genkai research?" Ran asked, glancing at the experimental subjects in their tanks.
"Indeed," Orochimaru replied. "Chakra and kekkei genkai influence each other in subtle ways. This interaction turns certain individuals into vessels of infinite potential. Once I fully grasp this relationship, I'll be able to wield far greater power."
As he spoke, Orochimaru guided Ran through the entire biological experimentation zone.
This area housed various biological experiments—gene modification, cloning, and preservation. Massive glass containers held strange organisms and experimental samples, including the human subjects Ran had seen earlier.
This place—
Would also become Ran's primary research facility.
Beyond the biological zone lay the laboratory's main control room.
The heart of the entire complex.
A massive screen displayed streams of experimental data and charts, allowing Orochimaru—and soon Ran—to monitor every project in real time.
What truly stunned Ran was this—
There were computers.
Actual processors?
"Fire-Nation technology really is unhinged…"
Beneath the laboratory lay an even deeper, sealed area—accessible only to Orochimaru himself.
That underground section housed his most critical experiments and backups of his research data.
Orochimaru did not mention it to Ran.
The entire facility was protected by advanced security systems, requiring specific identity verification and passwords for access.
Living quarters and a medical recovery zone were also integrated into the complex.
As Ran flipped through experimental records, he finally spoke again.
"Orochimaru-sensei… aren't these experiments still a bit shallow?"
"Steel Release, Boil Release, Ice Release—these don't seem particularly useful."
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