Chapter 36
Facing Tsunade's direct question, Orochimaru was momentarily caught off guard. If both of them were adults, perhaps he might have flirted back or even indulged in his darker thoughts. But now... he was still a child, and no matter how advanced his intellect or how strengthened his physique was, that didn't change his age. At least, not in ways that mattered for this situation.
He gave Tsunade a casual, dismissive response and changed the subject quickly. Together, they arrived at the village's well-known grilled chicken restaurant.
"Hey, look at that…," Tsunade muttered as they entered the shop.
As soon as they stepped inside, they spotted an acquaintance.
"Oh? Orochimaru? Tsunade? Haha! What brings you here? Come, come! Join me!" A young man with white hair, dressed in a white outfit, stood up from his table and waved enthusiastically at them.
"Hiruko? You're eating here alone?" Orochimaru asked as they approached.
Tsunade chimed in after him, "Where's Jiraiya? Didn't he come?"
Hiruko, laughed and replied, "That guy? He's off doing some 'special training' as usual, right?"
"Yeah, probably off somewhere trying to perfect that weird technique of his," Tsunade said with a casual shrug. While the three of them Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade were usually together for missions, their individual pursuits often kept them apart. Jiraiya was busy mastering sage techniques, something that had once been a closely guarded secret but had since become something of an open secret among their circle.
Hiruko smiled. "Well, I'm not eating alone. I came here with Dai he just stepped out for a moment."
As if on cue, a young man wearing bright green tights emerged from the restroom and walked over to their table. He was none other than Might Dai.
"Now, let me introduce you properly," Hiruko said, turning to the man in green. "This is Might Dai, a fellow shinobi!"
Orochimaru was momentarily taken aback. Of course, no introduction was necessary he already knew Might Dai. But what surprised him was the connection between Hiruko and Dai. The two seemed like such an unlikely pair. But then again, maybe it wasn't that surprising after all.
Hiruko, one year younger than Orochimaru, had become something of a follower of the Sannin trio ever since Jiraiya had once stood up for him. Meanwhile, Might Dai, despite his later legendary status, was known as the perpetual underdog during these early years, often teased for his lack of ninjutsu skills. It made sense that the two of them, both outcasts in their own way, would form a bond.
Orochimaru watched Might Dai closely, studying him. While Dai was known as a failure among his peers, Orochimaru knew better. This was the man who would one day master the Eight Gates and push his body beyond its limits to protect those he loved. His legacy would be passed on to his son, Might Gai, who would become one of Konoha's most formidable shinobi.
"Nice to meet you both!" Might Dai said, bowing respectfully. "I've heard a lot about you both please teach me!"
Tsunade, clearly a bit flustered by Dai's intense respect, scratched the back of her head awkwardly. "Uh, you don't have to be so formal! We're all comrades in the same village!"
"Thank you, Tsunade-sama!" Might Dai responded earnestly, making her even more uncomfortable.
Orochimaru, on the other hand, remained silent, observing the interaction.
"This party is something special!
Two 'dead last,' and two geniuses!
Two types of people who would normally never come together, but due to various circumstances, they've ended up sitting together by chance!
However, Orochimaru, who knows the storyline, naturally won't underestimate these two 'dead last'!"
"Might Dai, the founder of the Eight Gates Released Formation!
On the other hand, Hiruko was unwilling to remain mediocre. In order to catch up with the Sannin, he developed a forbidden technique called Chimera Jutsu!
This forbidden technique allows him to fuse ninjas or summoned beasts with his own body, and it can even integrate Kekkei Genkai.
It can be said that this is extremely similar to Orochimaru's genetic fusion!
Although his Chimera Technique is fundamentally different from Orochimaru's genetic fusion, the fact that he can achieve this on his own is undeniably impressive!
When Orochimaru first encountered Hiruko, he had already added him to his list of potential experimental subjects!
He just hadn't decided yet whether Hiruko should be his test subject or his subordinate!
Of course, no matter which it is, now is not the time!"
After a lively meal, during which Hiruko insisted on paying the bill, the four of them left the restaurant together. As Hiruko and Might Dai waved goodbye and walked off, Tsunade nudged Orochimaru with her elbow.
"Hey, Orochimaru," she began. "That guy in green... why do I feel like I've seen him somewhere before?"
"We all live in the same village, Tsunade. It's not strange to run into familiar faces," Orochimaru replied casually.
"No, no... I mean, he seemed familiar in a different way..." Tsunade frowned, trying to remember where she had seen Might Dai before.
Orochimaru raised his hand to respond, but just as he was about to speak...
Whoosh!
Two ANBU shinobi appeared in front of them, seemingly out of nowhere. Their sudden appearance interrupted the conversation.
"Orochimaru, you've been summoned by the Hokage," one of the masked shinobi said, his voice monotone yet urgent.
Orochimaru smirked slightly, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "Looks like they've finally decided to acknowledge me," he muttered under his breath.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, confused. "What's going on?"
Orochimaru waved her off. "Don't worry. I've been expecting this."
With that, he followed the ANBU toward the Hokage's office.
Chapter 37
Hokage Conference Room!
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen, sat at the head of the table, draped in his Hokage robe, signifying his role as Konoha's leader. Flanking him were the three elders of the village: Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Danzo Shimura. Together, these four individuals held significant influence over the village's governance.
However, missing from the group were two prominent figures: Akimichi Tōfū and Uchiha Kagami, both disciples of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. Akimichi Tōfū, though respected, represented the interests of his clan, making him unsuitable for Konoha's upper political echelon. As for Uchiha Kagami he had perished on the battlefield. Even in life, despite his loyalty and being trusted by Tobirama, his Uchiha heritage would have barred him from truly entering Konoha's highest ranks. The Uchiha clan, long viewed with suspicion, was always kept at arm's length from positions of ultimate power.
The subject of today's discussion had finally shifted to Orochimaru, Hiruzen's prized pupil. After resolving the finer points of Danzo's newly established division, "Root," the focus turned toward the young prodigy's groundbreaking research.
"You're telling me that the potion developed by Orochimaru can give people an extraordinary recovery ability?" Danzo's expression was one of deep skepticism as he addressed Hiruzen. His voice, typically calm and collected, now betrayed a hint of incredulity.
Having been entrenched in diplomacy following the peace agreement with the Land of Lightning, and then dealing with the funeral arrangements for the Second Hokage, Danzo and the others had only just returned to normalcy. Now, Hiruzen was speaking of Orochimaru's latest discovery something that echoed the legendary regenerative powers of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
"Indeed. I wouldn't believe it myself if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes," Hiruzen said, his tone serious. "The recovery rate of ANBU members using Orochimaru's serum was remarkable. It didn't just heal minor wounds; it expedited the healing of deep injuries."
Koharu and Homura exchanged glances, clearly unsettled by the news. If true, this potion could revolutionize Konoha's medical practices and bolster its military might.
Danzo, however, remained unconvinced. "It's impossible. Hashirama's healing power was the result of his unique bloodline. Many researchers, even Orochimaru's seniors, have tried and failed to replicate that kind of ability. How could an eight-year-old boy accomplish what seasoned experts could not?"
Hiruzen sighed, understanding Danzo's reluctance to accept the truth. "You know I wouldn't bring this up lightly, Danzo. If you're skeptical, why not investigate it yourself?"
"I will," Danzo replied, his voice sharp, "I need to see this with my own eyes."
Hiruzen knew that Danzo's curiosity, mixed with his hunger for power, would push him to scrutinize Orochimaru's research thoroughly. Danzo was never one to let a potential weapon slip through his fingers.
Knock, knock, knock.
The sound of knocking filled the room as Orochimaru, dressed in his casual attire, entered the conference room. He carried himself with a calm confidence, his eyes observing the room carefully.
"Teacher," Orochimaru greeted Hiruzen with a respectful bow, acknowledging the elders as well.
"Ah, Orochimaru," Hiruzen said with a warm smile, "I'm glad you've come. You probably have an idea of why we've summoned you today, don't you?"
"Indeed, teacher," Orochimaru replied smoothly. He had been waiting for this moment.
Hiruzen leaned forward, his tone more serious. "We've been discussing your remarkable work the healing serum you created. I must say, it's extraordinary. Your potential for research is beyond what any of us could have predicted."
Orochimaru's gaze remained steady. "Thank you, teacher. I have always believed that scientific research could open new doors for the village."
Danzo, who had remained silent, suddenly interjected, "Tell us, Orochimaru. How did you develop something that rivals the First Hokage's legendary healing power?"
Orochimaru expected this line of questioning. He had long anticipated that his research would attract the attention of Konoha's higher-ups. Maintaining his calm demeanor, he explained, "The serum's development came from extensive study of various herbs and medicinal plants. Some ingredients are rare, and while I have succeeded with this batch, the scarcity of certain materials might limit further production."
The room fell silent as the elders processed what he had said. Danzo was the first to break the silence, his eyes narrowing. "Scarce ingredients, you say? So, it's not something that can be easily mass-produced?"
Orochimaru nodded. "Correct. I've identified two specific herbs that are critical to the serum's effectiveness, and they are not easy to come by. Replacing them might reduce the serum's potency."
Hiruzen and the others felt a wave of both relief and disappointment. While the potential of Orochimaru's research was undeniable, its limitations were also clear.
Danzo leaned back in his chair, clearly still skeptical but intrigued. "We will have to investigate this further. For now, your research will remain confidential. You'll continue to develop it under the supervision of Konoha's top scientists."
Orochimaru gave a slight nod, accepting their decision. He had expected this. By keeping his cards close and revealing just enough of his abilities, he had secured a place within Konoha's inner research circle.
"Very well," Hiruzen concluded, "Orochimaru, you may return for now. We'll finalize the arrangements and let you know how we'll proceed."
With a polite bow, Orochimaru turned and left the conference room. As he exited the building, a faint smile tugged at his lips. Things were moving just as he had planned.
--
After Orochimaru left, Danzo excused himself as well, his mind still racing with possibilities. His first stop was to find Eagle, one of the ANBU members who had witnessed the results of Orochimaru's serum firsthand.
Eagle was patrolling the outskirts of the village when Danzo approached. "Lord Danzo," Eagle greeted with a respectful nod.
Danzo wasted no time, getting straight to the point. "I need you to confirm something for me. Two months ago, you accompanied Hiruzen on a mission to eliminate the Kumo Ninja Division, correct?"
"Yes, that's right, my lord," Eagle responded, his posture rigid.
Danzo's eyes narrowed as he continued. "And during that mission, several of your team members were injured. Orochimaru used some sort of serum to heal them. Is that correct?"
Eagle hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes, my lord. His serum was unlike anything I've ever seen. It sped up the healing process in a way that shouldn't be possible. Even deep wounds healed quickly."
Danzo's mind raced. Could it be true? Could Orochimaru have stumbled upon something revolutionary? If so, it was something Danzo wanted to control whether Hiruzen liked it or not.
"Very well," Danzo said finally, turning away. "That will be all."
As he walked away, a plan began forming in Danzo's mind. Whether Hiruzen realized it or not, Orochimaru's talents were far too valuable to be left unchecked. And if Hiruzen wasn't willing to take the necessary steps, then Danzo would.
After all, Konoha needed more than just light it needed the darkness, too.
Chapter 38
Danzo, after listening to Eagle's recount of Orochimaru's experiment, quickly formulated his own thoughts. He had to suppress the growing sense of amazement as he considered the implications. Without a word, Danzo left and made his way to the ANBU headquarters, where he found the injured fox.
Inspecting the fox's wounds, Danzo confirmed Eagle's account. A wound that had once been deep enough to expose bone now bore no trace not even a scar. Even the old, long-standing injuries had vanished, as if they had never been there. It was as though the serum had not just repaired the damaged cells but had somehow regenerated them entirely.
Regeneration at the cellular level?
Danzo's eyes narrowed. This was no ordinary medical achievement; it echoed the legendary healing abilities of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama. Orochimaru had somehow unlocked the secret to advanced regeneration, and at such a young age.
"Unbelievable…" Danzo muttered, barely able to contain his excitement.
In that moment, Danzo's view of Orochimaru shifted. He had already noted Orochimaru's intelligence and talent, but this? This was a breakthrough that could change the very nature of warfare. It had the potential to make Konoha invincible. Danzo was both in awe and deeply intrigued.
Danzo resolved to keep an even closer eye on the boy. Orochimaru's potential was too vast to ignore. If cultivated properly, he could become an irreplaceable asset to Konoha or to Danzo's ambitions.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru, walking through the bustling streets of Konoha, was lost in his own thoughts. Despite the admiration from Konoha's top brass, Orochimaru was not overly impressed with his own work. In truth, he considered the gene repair serum to be relatively basic compared to what the future held.
In the world of Naruto, there were many techniques that far surpassed the effects of his gene repair solution. The healing abilities of the Sage Body possessed by Hashirama, or the powers of Karin Uzumaki's bloodline, were significantly more advanced. There were also other abilities that could provide exaggerated regenerative effects which could resurrect someone even after a fatal injury. Not to mention the monstrous healing potential of Tsunade's Creation Rebirth technique, which could restore her even after catastrophic damage.
In comparison, Orochimaru's serum was just a stepping stone. But to the untrained eye, especially in a village like Konoha, it was nothing short of revolutionary. The village elders had no idea of the true scope of his plans, and for now, Orochimaru was content to keep it that way. His primary goal was to gain more resources and access to advanced materials for further experimentation.
As he wandered the crowded streets, Orochimaru sighed quietly. Konoha, despite its role in the recent war, was still full of life. The bustling markets, the laughter of children, and the chatter of the villagers filled the air. This village was not only the military powerhouse of the Land of Fire but also a symbol of peace and prosperity, built on the hard work of countless civilians and ninja alike.
In Orochimaru's eyes, however, the village was just a means to an end.
"Orochimaru! Orochimaru!" A familiar voice called out, interrupting his musings.
Turning around, Orochimaru spotted Tsunade waving at him from a nearby food stall, looking as excited as a child. She stood in front of a skewer stand, the savory scent of grilled meat wafting through the air.
He walked over, raising an eyebrow. "What is it now?"
Tsunade pointed eagerly at the skewers. "Can you buy me some skewers? Please!"
Orochimaru sighed, realizing what was going on. "I just left the Hokage's office, and you're already hungry again?"
Tsunade, in her usual straightforward manner, didn't even try to hide her hunger. "I didn't get enough to eat with Biri and the others earlier. You know how it is, I have to keep up appearances!"
Orochimaru let out a chuckle. He knew all too well about Tsunade's massive appetite. Even though she came from the prestigious Senju clan, she often ate like a commoner, especially when it came to her favorite foods.
With a resigned smile, he handed some money to the vendor and bought ten skewers. As he passed them to Tsunade, he turned to leave.
"Hey, wait up!" Tsunade called after him, running to catch up. "Aren't you going to eat some too?"
"I'm heading to the training grounds to practice ninjutsu," Orochimaru replied, brushing off her offer. "You can eat without me."
Tsunade grinned, clearly enjoying her meal. "Then I'll come too! Let's go!"
--
At the training grounds, Jiraiya lay on the grass, completely spent from his own training. He stared up at the sky, his brow furrowed in frustration.
"Why… why am I working so hard?" Jiraiya muttered to himself. Every ninja needed a reason to fight money, power, love, or something more personal. But Jiraiya, at that moment, was struggling to find his own motivation.
Suddenly, the memory of Tsunade's casual dismissal came to mind. She had told him, more than once, that Orochimaru would make a better boyfriend than him. The words echoed in his mind, stinging more than any punch or kick.
"Tsunade… she really likes Orochimaru…" Jiraiya clenched his fists, a look of realization crossing his face. "Then the answer is simple!"
He leaped up, his face lighting up with determination. "I'll become the strongest ninja! I'll make Tsunade and every other girl admire me!"
Just as he was about to dive back into training, he noticed something in the distance Orochimaru and Tsunade walking toward him, side by side. Tsunade was happily munching on a skewer and occasionally offering a piece to Orochimaru, who accepted it reluctantly.
Jiraiya's heart sank.
"Ah… why… why do you always do this to me, Tsunade?" Jiraiya groaned, dropping to his knees in despair as he watched the scene unfold before him.
Chapter 39
Jiraiya was on the verge of going mad.
"Orochimaru, I challenge you!" he shouted, his voice full of determination.
At the Konoha training ground, Jiraiya, with his wild white hair, stood fiercely in front of Orochimaru. His face was twisted in frustration and determination, his eyes burning with the desire for a duel. Orochimaru, on the other hand, looked calm, almost indifferent.
It didn't take much for Orochimaru to piece together what had happened. Jiraiya must have seen him and Tsunade together just moments ago, with Tsunade teasing him as usual. The sight had probably triggered Jiraiya's burning need to prove himself, and here he was, demanding a fight.
Jiraiya clenched his fists. "Orochimaru, fight me like a man!" His voice was full of passion, reminiscent of their days at the Ninja Academy when he would challenge Orochimaru almost daily.
Before Orochimaru could even respond, Tsunade, who was lazily munching on a skewer, scoffed, "Jiraiya, give it a rest. With your current strength, you're no match for Orochimaru."
Tsunade's words hit Jiraiya hard, but his determination didn't waver. "I don't care! I'll fight him, no matter what!" Jiraiya's stubbornness had fully kicked in. He was in full second-year syndrome mode, shouting dramatically, "Orochimaru! Come on, let's settle this right now!"
"Idiot," Orochimaru muttered under his breath. He had no interest in humoring Jiraiya's ridiculous challenge. He knew exactly what was going on in Jiraiya's head jealousy, insecurity, and a desperate need to prove himself. But there was no point in indulging this.
"Come on, Orochimaru!" Jiraiya yelled again, determined not to let Orochimaru walk away. He stepped forward, fists raised. "Hit me! Fight me like a real ninja!"
Orochimaru sighed. He knew Jiraiya wouldn't give up unless he got what he wanted. As Jiraiya lunged at him, Orochimaru sidestepped smoothly, dodging his punch with ease. With a swift counter, Orochimaru delivered a sharp kick to Jiraiya's midsection, sending him flying backward. It was the same move he had used against Uchiha Ji before, but with Jiraiya, he held back, not intending to cause any serious harm.
Jiraiya crashed onto the ground but quickly recovered, landing on his feet with a hard slide that left a trail of dust behind him. "Damn… he's stronger than I thought." He clenched his arm, still feeling the numbing force of Orochimaru's kick.
"Give it up, Jiraiya," Orochimaru said coldly. "You're not ready for this fight."
Jiraiya's face twisted in frustration. "No way! I've been training hard these past two months! I'm not the same person I was before!"
With newfound resolve, Jiraiya quickly formed a series of hand seals. "Fire Style: Flame Bullet!"
A massive stream of fire erupted from Jiraiya's mouth, a blazing inferno that shot toward Orochimaru. The sheer heat of the flames warped the air around them, and the roaring fire raced to engulf Orochimaru.
Tsunade, who had moved off to the side to watch, raised an eyebrow at the sight. "Huh, looks like Jiraiya's not holding back."
Despite the intensity of Jiraiya's attack, Tsunade remained calm, almost bored. She knew Orochimaru far too well to be worried. In fact, she was so unconcerned that she sat down on the grass to watch, as if it were a casual show.
The flames engulfed Orochimaru entirely, creating a massive wall of fire that seemed almost impenetrable. Jiraiya watched the fire rage on, but he didn't relax. He knew Orochimaru wouldn't be taken down that easily.
As the flames slowly died down, there was no sign of Orochimaru.
"Where did he go?" Jiraiya muttered, his eyes scanning the training ground.
Suddenly, his instincts kicked in. Without thinking, Jiraiya leapt forward, narrowly avoiding a sneak attack from beneath the ground. Orochimaru's figure emerged from the earth, rising out of the dirt like a phantom. He had used Earth Release to burrow underground and avoid Jiraiya's fire attack entirely.
"Earth Release?" Jiraiya frowned. Orochimaru had mastered the multi-element jutsu of their teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi, long ago. He knew how dangerous Orochimaru could be with that knowledge.
"It seems I won't get any peace until I defeat you today, huh?" Orochimaru sighed, shaking his head.
"That's right!" Jiraiya grinned, biting his thumb and quickly forming seals again. "Summoning Jutsu! Orochimaru, remember this day! This is the day that I, the great and handsome Jiraiya, defeat you once and for all!"
A loud bang followed by a puff of white smoke filled the air. When the smoke cleared, a large toad stood beside Jiraiya, its face twisted into a frown of annoyance.
"Jiraiya! Why do you always summon me during my nap time?" the toad grumbled.
"Quit complaining! I need your help to defeat Orochimaru!" Jiraiya shouted back, full of confidence.
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed as he saw Jiraiya summon a toad from Mount Myoboku. "So, you're serious about this," he murmured to himself. Without hesitation, he clasped his hands together, preparing his own summoning.
"Summoning Jutsu!" Orochimaru called out.
Another bang filled the training ground, and out of the smoke appeared a massive flower patterned python, even larger than the toad. Its scaly body shimmered in the sunlight, and it hissed ominously as it coiled itself beside Orochimaru.
Tsunade, watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but laugh. "Oh great, they've both gone all out now," she said, taking another bite of her skewer.
Chapter 40
Orochimaru didn't recognize the name of the toad Jiraiya had summoned, nor did he know its specific species. He only knew one thing no matter which toad Jiraiya managed to call upon, it wouldn't stand a chance against his snake. After all, snakes were the natural predators of toads.
Unless Jiraiya could somehow summon the two Great Sage Toads, Fukasaku and Shima, from Mount Myoboku, no matter what toad he summoned, it would only get beaten. Sure enough, when the flower patterned python behind Orochimaru hissed and flicked its tongue, the toad that Jiraiya had summoned began to tremble, sweat dripping down its forehead.
The toad seemed to regret being summoned, internally cursing its fate. In its mind, Jiraiya was sending it into the lion's den or rather, the snake's den. It had already endured plenty of training sessions with Jiraiya, but now, being thrown into a fight against Orochimaru's snake was far from ideal.
"Why do I always get dragged into these battles?" the toad muttered internally, bracing itself for the inevitable.
--
Onlookers around the training ground couldn't help but gasp in astonishment as they watched the clash between the two young ninja prodigies.
"At their age, they're already summoning creatures with ninjutsu?" one student exclaimed.
"That's Orochimaru, right? He used to be in our class!"
"Yeah, he's always been incredible, but Jiraiya? I didn't think he had it in him to summon something like that!"
Other students, standing at a safe distance, marveled at the spectacle. Witnessing two kids barely out of the Ninja Academy engaging in such advanced techniques left them in awe. Most of them were only beginning to master basic jutsu, and seeing summons at play was a sight they couldn't even dream of achieving anytime soon.
Among the crowd, some of the more timid students began to back away, intimidated by the sight of the giant snake that Orochimaru had summoned. Its scales shimmered ominously in the sunlight, and its gaze was fixated on the toad with predatory intent.
--
Meanwhile, in the trees surrounding the training ground, two shadowy figures observed the battle with heightened interest. Hidden by the dense foliage, they blended seamlessly into their surroundings, wearing the signature animal masks of the ANBU Black Ops.
One of the ANBU operatives held a monocular up to his eye, keeping a close watch on the ongoing fight.
"It's unbelievable that these two are still just genin," one of the operatives murmured in amazement.
"Yeah," the other replied. "Most chuunin can't pull off what these kids are doing."
"It's no wonder Danzo-sama ordered us to keep a close eye on them. With power like this at their age…"
"Wait, something's happening!" The first operative interrupted, noticing movement.
--
Back in the middle of the training ground, Jiraiya gritted his teeth. He had just leaped through the air, riding on the back of his summoned toad, but the giant flower patterned python swung its tail with terrifying speed, knocking both Jiraiya and the toad through the air like ragdolls.
As they flew through the sky, the toad voiced its frustrations. "Jiraiya, if you summon me again for a fight like this, I swear I'm done with you!"
Before the toad could say anything else, it disappeared in a puff of white smoke, leaving Jiraiya to crash-land into the ground, creating a shallow crater upon impact.
"Ugh… Damn it… Orochimaru's too strong…" Jiraiya groaned as he sat up, rubbing the back of his head.
He hadn't expected Orochimaru to use genjutsu on him and the toad so suddenly. Although the illusion had only lasted a moment, it was enough for the snake to take advantage and deliver a devastating blow. Jiraiya had barely managed to break the illusion and defend himself, but the snake's strike had left him dazed and in pain.
--
Orochimaru stood calmly, observing the outcome of his genjutsu. Using a basic illusion technique like Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique had worked well enough against Jiraiya, but he knew that such simple illusions wouldn't be effective in a real battle against stronger opponents.
"Genjutsu is all about disrupting the opponent's chakra flow and creating a window of vulnerability," Orochimaru mused. He recalled the principles taught by his sensei, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen. Genjutsu required great spiritual power to interfere with the chakra system of the target. The stronger the caster's spiritual energy, the more effective the illusion.
However, when facing high-level opponents especially those with vast amounts of chakra simple genjutsu wouldn't suffice. It would take far too long to disrupt their chakra flow, and in the meantime, they could easily break free or counterattack.
"The true masters of genjutsu, like the Uchiha, use their Sharingan to amplify their spiritual power, making their illusions far more dangerous." Orochimaru's thoughts wandered to legends like Uchiha Madara and the unimaginable power of techniques such as Tsukuyomi and Izanami illusions that transcended the normal limitations of genjutsu.
Still, for now, using genjutsu against someone like Jiraiya was enough.
"Alright, you can go back now," Orochimaru whispered to the snake in his mind.
The python flicked its tongue before vanishing in a puff of white smoke, leaving Orochimaru standing alone in the middle of the training ground.
As the snake disappeared, an idea sparked in Orochimaru's mind. "Since I've already signed the blood contract with the snakes of Ryūchi Cave, most of them obey me unconditionally… Could I use my genetic research to create a more powerful snake? A snake even stronger than Manda? Perhaps something a hundred times more formidable?"
He could already picture it a snake with monstrous strength, one that could surpass even the greatest summons in the ninja world.
"System, is there any genetic technology that allows me to create a custom-made summoning beast?" Orochimaru asked in his mind, his curiosity piqued.
"Yes, host," the system replied.
"Really? What is it?"
"Biological Genetic Evolution Fluid," the system answered.
...
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