Chapter 148: The Stirring Orochimaru
Land of Fields, Sound Ninja Underground Base.
The air was perpetually filled with the pungent scent of disinfectant and some chemical reagent, mixed with a cold dampness.
Pale white lights illuminated cold metal instruments and huge glass culture tanks, with distorted biological tissues soaking inside, slowly floating and sinking in eerie green nutrient solution.
Huge display screens on the walls streamed waterfall-like data flows, emitting a low hum.
Orochimaru stood with his back to the entrance, in front of a massive experiment bench.
The bench held complex instruments and several tissue samples of eerie colors.
A plain white loose kimono with black lining, purple shimenawa tied at the waist, golden snake pupils flickering with inhuman cold light in the dim light, pale fingers gently brushing the edge of a culture dish.
The space silently distorted for a moment.
Orochimaru’s movements did not pause in the slightest, as if he had already anticipated it.
“You’ve come.” A hoarse voice with a feminine magnetism rang out; he slowly turned around, his narrow golden slit pupils precisely locking onto the figure that abruptly appeared in the center of the room.
Orochimaru eyed the black miko robe: “Tsk tsk, this miko robe suits you well.”
Menma did not respond to his small talk; the gaze under the white three-eyed fox mask swept over the uncomfortable surroundings, finally landing on Orochimaru.
He raised his hand, casually tossing a fist-sized glass vessel sealed with special runes toward Orochimaru.
The vessel arced through the air, containing several small pieces of cellular tissue soaked in pale blue liquid.
Orochimaru’s golden pupils contracted sharply the instant the vessel flew toward him, like a venomous snake before striking!
His pale slender right hand shot out like lightning, transforming into a long snake, steadily catching it.
The icy touch from his fingertips, and the cold yet powerful vitality unique to the Uchiha Clan contained within the vessel, sent tremors through the soul of this scientist pursuing power and eternal life that he could hardly suppress.
“Mm…” A satisfied, almost groaning sigh overflowed from Orochimaru’s throat.
He carefully held the vessel up to his eyes, his golden slit pupils nearly pressing against the glass wall, greedily staring at the precious tissues inside as if appreciating the world’s most perfect artwork.
The corners of Orochimaru’s mouth uncontrollably curved upward, forming a wicked and fanatical arc.
Ecstasy! Pure ecstasy at discovering a priceless treasure! The power of the Uchiha, the secrets of the Sharingan, were now one huge step closer to him!
Although he could already clone one-tomoe Sharingan, those eyes always felt like they lacked a soul.
Only the pure natural cellular tissue from Uchiha clansmen possessed such unadulterated power!
However, this ecstasy lasted less than two seconds.
“I need Kabuto Yakushi’s information. Danzō’s ‘Root’ infiltration plan in the Land of Stars.” Menma’s cold voice was like ice water tempered in fire, instantly extinguishing the fanaticism on Orochimaru’s face.
The smile at the corners of Orochimaru’s mouth froze instantly, then gradually receded and vanished.
He slowly raised his head, shifting his gaze from the vessel in his hand to Menma’s mask; his golden slit pupils narrowed slightly, his expression becoming extremely complex.
The ecstasy receded like the tide, replaced by a cold displeasure from having his interest abruptly interrupted, like a venomous snake disturbed while feeding.
Kabuto Yakushi, that child who had shown astonishing talent at the Konoha Orphanage and whom he saw as a future capable assistant!
Snatched away first by this “Shura” standing before him?
Someone Orochimaru had his eye on had been intercepted again and again!
A strong anger mixed with frustrated possessiveness and a sense of being belittled quietly grew.
His carefully selected seedling was like a precious specimen in his laboratory—untouchable by others!
What made his heart jolt even more was that “Shura” specifically named Kabuto Yakushi and demanded information on Danzō’s conspiracy…
What did this mean?
It meant this “ninja from the future” undoubtedly knew Kabuto Yakushi’s future achievements!
What astonishing heights could that seemingly frail boy reach in the future?
To be so valued by the “Shura from the future,” even personally coming to demand information…
This alone proved Kabuto Yakushi’s potential far exceeded his previous estimates!
This realization made Orochimaru even more displeased, like someone else had appraised and bought his cherished rare treasure ahead of time.
“Heh heh heh…” Orochimaru let out a low, ambiguous laugh that echoed in the cold underground laboratory, carrying a hissing tail like a snake.
His fingers gripping the Uchiha cells vessel tightened slightly, knuckles turning white.
“I really have good taste.” The temperature in Orochimaru’s tone dropped to freezing: “Kabuto-kun… is indeed an interesting child. As for that old dog in the gutter, Danzō…”
He changed tack, forcibly suppressing the surging emotions in his heart; his golden snake pupils flickered with scheming light: “I’ll compile a detailed record of his little moves for you.”
For the Uchiha cells in his hand, and for greater future gains, this bit of displeasure and loss could be tolerated for now.
He carefully placed the vessel containing the cells in the safest spot on the experiment bench, then continued leisurely: “Speaking of experiments, Kimimaro, the child you took last time—surely you’re aware of his condition?”
Orochimaru licked his thin lips, his eyes reigniting with fanaticism for the unknown domain: “That ‘illness’ rooted in his bloodline is truly fascinating, and regrettable. Last time I also collected a few Kaguya children. But regrettably, they couldn’t withstand the initial fusion stimulation and all failed.”
He spread his pale hands, his tone carrying a hint of deliberate regret, but his eyes fixed tightly on Shura’s white three-eyed fox mask.
“The joint laboratory Guren established in the Star Capital should have quite complete equipment by now.” Orochimaru’s golden slit pupils flickered with unmistakable expectation.
“I want to go there, to conduct some deeper observations and research on Kimimaro. Perhaps, together, we can find a way to suppress or even reverse his tragic fate?” His voice carried a seductive allure.
“After all, for such a precious bloodline limit and constitution to perish like this would be too great a loss, wouldn’t it?”
Menma listened quietly, his mask concealing all expressions.
Orochimaru’s ecstasy and displeasure, greed and scheming, were as clear as open book pages in his eyes.
For Kimimaro, he did need Orochimaru’s research capabilities; although the transplanted Byakugan had temporarily suppressed the Yang Release chakra imbalance in Kimimaro’s body, Orochimaru’s involvement should help find better research directions.
Moreover, after obtaining Kibaku Nendo, Menma also wanted to see what effects it would have when used after implanting White Zetsu cells and Hashirama cells; Orochimaru’s participation could make the research twice as efficient.
“Fine.” Menma’s voice remained utterly calm.
A gleam flashed in Orochimaru’s eyes, and the corners of his mouth curved up again.
“However, my shadow clone will participate throughout.” The white mask turned slightly toward Orochimaru, its hollow eye sockets seeming to pierce the soul.
“Orochimaru, put away those improper thoughts. Kimimaro is now my man.”
The cold words carried a chilling warning, like a cold current sweeping through the entire laboratory.
The smile on Orochimaru’s face completely froze; his golden slit pupils abruptly contracted into a dangerous thin line, silently confronting the invisible eyes under the mask.
The disinfectant scent permeating the air, the laboratory’s pale white light, stretched the shadows of the two confronting figures long across the cold walls.
