Bab 106: Chapter 106 : Half Year Later
"Look at the sword! Slash!"
"Orochimaru-!!"
In a training ground, Orochimaru and Falcon were engaged in a fierce sparring match, showcasing their Kenjutsu skills. It was a satisfying exchange for both of them.
"I never expected the captain's Kenjutsu talent to be this formidable. He's reached the Initial Accomplishment realm in just half a year!"
Falcon thought to himself. Initially, Orochimaru had relied mainly on his physical and mental strength to force a draw during their test, but now his sword skills were on par with Falcon's own impressive speed and technique.
Truth be told, Orochimaru's flexible physique was well-suited for mastering Kenjutsu. Moreover, the sinister, unconventional, and deadly techniques he had learned from Kōza Kubisaki's scrolls added a unique dimension to his combat prowess.
"Kenjutsu : Shadow Strike!"
Orochimaru contorted his body at an extraordinary angle, evading Falcon's attack, and then rapidly shortened his stature, moving as if he were about to fall. His legs, resembling those of a jointed snake, skated across the ground as he closed in on Falcon.
"Oh no!"
Each time Orochimaru executed such inhuman manoeuvres, Falcon's heart skipped a beat. His only thought was to create distance between them as quickly as possible.
"Leap back!"
Falcon hastily retreated, attempting to regain his footing, but Orochimaru pressed on without relenting. His waist seemed to elongate as he bent forward to dodge Falcon's attack. A flash of snow-white blade swept through the air, narrowly missing a few strands of black hair, and reflecting in Orochimaru's icy pupils.
Falcon felt a chill run down his spine. Orochimaru's left hand pressed against the ground, propelling him towards Falcon.
The pursuit was too swift, and Falcon hadn't fully landed yet.
A myriad of sword flashes coalesced into a dense curtain of blades that enveloped Falcon, a mix of real and illusory strikes. Unable to evade, Falcon was forced to block with all his might.
"Swoosh-swoosh-swoosh!"
Finally, Falcon landed, but his balance faltered, and three spots on his clothing were ripped simultaneously.
Orochimaru reverted to his original stance, gazing at Falcon with a faint smile.
"Time's up. Our captain – the Black Snake – wins!"
Nightingale, an observer of the battle, leapt down from a tall tree with a chuckle. A massive leaf appeared beneath her, carrying her to the ground.
"Hey, the captain's Kenjutsu is completely unconventional and not what regular people would expect!"
Falcon grumbled, feeling somewhat frustrated. His sword techniques were grounded and integrated with Chakra-enhanced slashes, but he still struggled to present a significant threat to Orochimaru.
At this juncture, Orochimaru's blade was not a Kusanagi sword; continuous sparring with such a weapon would inevitably damage it.
"If I had a bit more time, I might be able to perfect the Rasengan, which could significantly accelerate Jiraiya's growth."
Orochimaru sheathed the seword he had acquired from Kōza Kubisaki's Castle, preserving the sword's ability to channel Chakra.
"Captain, word has it that the new Anbu reserves have almost been fully recruited, but they seem to be training separately from us!"
Nightingale glanced at Orochimaru before conveying her observations.
"Indeed, it seems we're being kept apart."
Orochimaru sneered. Hatake Sakumo was said to have joined Anbu as well, but Orochimaru hadn't had the chance to witness it yet. He looked forward to seeing Sakumo's progress and his Kenjutsu.
In addition, Kato Dan had also joined Anbu, although Orochimaru remained uncertain about his eventual assignment. Currently, Dan was also a substitute. This confidential piece of information had been shared with Orochimaru by Hiruko in secret.
Hiruko had yet to relinquish his ninja aspirations, but time was ticking. As Orochimaru selflessly assisted him, he hoped Hiruko would soon pivot towards scientific research, albeit out of desperation.
Danzo's three disciples were far from ordinary. They were becoming detached in their own right.
After six months of rigorous training, Orochimaru's power had become more steadfast. Whether it was wielding the five elemental attributes in ninjutsu or honing his Kenjutsu, Orochimaru had transformed his capabilities into combat prowess.
Every journey begins with a single step. Following the creation of Chidori, Orochimaru's progress in refining the technique accelerated significantly. Yet, there were more pressing matters on Orochimaru's agenda at the moment.
"Since certain individuals are actively obstructing those of us who shouldn't be alive right now, we'll keep bettering ourselves and make them take notice."
"Wow, Captain, your words are truly inspiring!"
Hyuga Kazuki exclaimed dramatically.
In reality, Orochimaru was merely toying with the idea. The separation between them and the other Anbu members might be orchestrated to ensure that Orochimaru's influence within their generation remained limited. Yet, Orochimaru remained indifferent.
"I won't be frequenting the training ground in the near future. The rest of you should train diligently. I'll be spending some time in the lab."
Orochimaru packed his belongings, preparing to depart.
"Captain, if you develop anything remarkable, make sure to share it with us!"
Even the usually reserved Falcon brimmed with excitement upon learning about Orochimaru's upcoming experiments.
Over the past six months, Orochimaru had made considerable strides in drug development.
To start, Orochimaru had cultivated Wood Release Chakra and cells in significant quantities, albeit diluted and mixed with other components. This new substance, dubbed "G Medicine," was formulated to catalyze and heal.
Wood Release's corrosive properties were formidable. Orochimaru, who had traversed time, understood the number of Konoha volunteers who perished after receiving injections of Hashirama's cells.
While Nightingale's wood-style proficiency was relatively weak, her powers still couldn't be directly applied to the human body before dilution.
Orochimaru approached this challenge differently. He introduced G Medicine into herbal ingredients, transforming them into a concoction while the plants absorbed Wood Release's influence. This resulted in a blend that retained some of Wood Release's unique effects, triggering the body's vitality without negative repercussions.
Medicinal herbs served as conduits for Wood Release's power, much like wolves refrained from eating grass but consumed rabbits that had fed on it.
Though the outcome was limited, this marked the first successful application of Wood Release Chakra.
All members of Orochimaru's team had incorporated body fluid from the G Medicine, substantially enhancing their physical prowess. As a result, they were entranced by Orochimaru's advanced techniques.
Orochimaru also offered some to Tobirama, who was ecstatic with the results.
Additionally, Orochimaru had enhanced Chakra Pills, improving their composition. The earlier version of Chakra Pills had unfavorable side effects, particularly on female ninjas, causing accelerated aging. Orochimaru's modifications were presented to Tobirama as well, although he retained the patent for G Medicine.
Orochimaru's intentions weren't solely driven by his love for Konoha. These inventions proved highly valuable for ordinary ninjas but had limited application for the powerful.
More importantly, Orochimaru's successes elevated his worth and relationship with Tobirama. The better Orochimaru performed, the more lenient Tobirama became. This opened doors for future "in-depth" experiments.
A certain potion, the "Blood Pill," was acquired during Orochimaru's first mission from a band of thieves. One robber had ingested it on the brink of death and erupted with newfound strength. However, the side effects were extreme.
Orochimaru meticulously analyzed the formula through research and experimentation, then enhanced it using his acquired knowledge. The dosage of each ingredient was deciphered after numerous trials, with a fair share of "guinea pigs."
Indeed, hidden masters resided in the world. While the "Blood Pill" carried significant side effects, its potency was unmatched. Likely the creation of a lost "old medicine," such pure pharmacological wisdom was unknown to contemporary ninjas. This elixir was a rare gem, even in the future ninja world.
Though Orochimaru had improved the formula, ordinary users still faced death. Yet, its duration and power when triggered had been amplified.
Orochimaru refrained from reporting the Blood Pill to Konoha. He wasn't exactly a devout patriot. In fact, Orochimaru considered selling these inventions on the black market, ideally distributing them to other ninja villages.
Maintaining equilibrium among the five great nations required Konoha's strength to be tempered.
Orochimaru's intentions were far from being conceited. As he grew more potent, the narrative might undergo drastic change, disrupting his established plans.
While these individuals might not all meet their end due to Orochimaru's intervention, he wished to avoid certain outcomes. Jiraiya's survival was a priority. To ensure the narrative remained unaltered until Orochimaru's developments, he needed to take certain discrete actions.
Orochimaru intended to sell his inventions to external forces. The more tumultuous the ninja world, the better Orochimaru's chances of exploiting chaos.
Whether his actions would be construed as betrayal was beside the point. As long as others remained preoccupied, Orochimaru could thrive in his self-interest.
After locking the laboratory door, Orochimaru instructed his assistants to refrain from entering during his experiments. Finally, Orochimaru was prepared to venture to the Ryuchi Cave.
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Status Power Mingguan
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