บท 141: Chp-141: The New Nine-Tails Incident
Konoha.
Inside the Hokage's office, Orochimaru was earnestly discussing Konoha's future direction with Hyuga Satoru. Satoru was seated on a chair next to the Hokage's desk, occasionally fiddling with the white snake figurine on the desk.
For some reason, he always felt uncomfortable if he didn't play with it whenever he visited.
One had to admit Orochimaru had a knack for governance. After all, in the original story, after defecting from Konoha, he had quietly established the Sound Village in the neighbouring Land of Rice Fields, gathering a bunch of excellent ninjas. Compared to Minato, who was relatively inexperienced in politics, Orochimaru's political acumen was vastly superior.
Although Minato didn't become the Hokage, Orochimaru still valued and utilised him, subtly indicating a desire to bring him under his command.
This made Hyuga Satoru admire Orochimaru. If Orochimaru truly focused on governing Konoha, how powerful could the village become in the future? This was something he eagerly anticipated.
"Orochimaru, how is your biological laboratory coming along?"
"Not bad. With the authority of the Hokage, things are much easier," Orochimaru replied with a raspy laugh.
The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, was known throughout the ninja world not only as a Hokage but also as a master of forbidden techniques. Orochimaru, confident in his own abilities, believed he wouldn't be inferior to Tobirama now that he had become the Hokage.
"Orochimaru, I must remind you," Satoru said, his tone growing serious, "human experimentation is absolutely forbidden in the village. You've only just become Hokage. Any rumours could cause significant problems."
"I understand, Satoru," Orochimaru nodded.
Seeing this, Satoru sighed in relief. In the original timeline, Orochimaru had turned to human experimentation after failing to become Hokage. In this current timeline, he has not yet been involved in such activities. If experimentation was truly necessary, they should only use ninjas from other villages. Any internal mishaps would have severe repercussions.
"Satoru, how is your research on the chakra conversion device going?"
"It's progressing. At least converting chakra to electricity isn't a problem," Satoru replied with a smile. The chakra conversion device was designed to convert chakra into natural energy. The Hyuga clan's electromagnetic sniper rifles utilised this device. By injecting chakra, the device could convert it into high-voltage electricity, which wasn't lightning release but pure natural electricity used for electromagnetic projection.
With advancements in this technology, combined with other scientific innovations, they might even create ninja mechs! A bunch of Hyuga ninjas in mechs mowing down enemies—that image alone was exhilarating.
Unlike Orochimaru, who focused on biological science, Satoru was interested in technological science. His electromagnetic abilities gave him a natural advantage in these areas of research.
"Orochimaru, have you ever considered that chakra might be a form of energy similar to wind, fire, or solar energy in nature? Since I've managed to convert chakra into energy, couldn't we also convert energy back into chakra?" Satoru's eyes sparkled with excitement.
This wasn't just wishful thinking—his clone, Zero, had already accomplished it.
Orochimaru took a deep breath, evidently stunned by Satoru's idea. If it could be done, could they build wind-chakra generators around Konoha, continuously converting wind energy into chakra? What about fire-chakra or hydro-chakra generators? Creating a perpetual chakra machine would lead Konoha into an era of unlimited chakra.
The unification of energy theories?
Orochimaru gazed at Satoru with excitement. "Satoru, you always surprise me!"
Satoru smiled faintly. Technically, chakra was an alien energy introduced by Kaguya. However, by mastering senjutsu, one could harness natural energy to perform techniques similar to natural disasters, which even the Rinnegan couldn't absorb. This demonstrated a connection between chakra and natural energy.
After noting down this research direction, Orochimaru's expression grew slightly more serious. Hesitantly, he spoke, "Satoru, there's something you need to know."
"What is it?"
"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is pregnant. She's currently under the strictest protection."
"Is that so?" Satoru fell silent.
Kushina was pregnant? That was indeed the timeline he remembered. It seemed that Minato not becoming Hokage hadn't altered this event's course. After all, Naruto was the child of destiny. It would be tragic if he didn't exist because of such changes. Asura would weep.
However, Satoru's expression grew more solemn. It seemed the Nine-Tails incident would still happen as expected. Given the numerous changes in the ninja world caused by his actions, this Nine-Tails incident would likely differ greatly from the original timeline.
He wasn't too worried, though. With a spy in the Akatsuki, he could keep tabs on their movements. He even had some fun flirting with Konan.
Satoru's expression turned peculiar. It had been days since he last saw Nagato. How was he doing?
Seeing Satoru's changing expression, Orochimaru assumed he was worried about the Nine-Tails situation and reassured him, "Satoru, although the seal on the Jinchuriki weakens during childbirth, rest assured, there won't be any accidents. I've arranged for ninjas to protect her. Even the old man has started taking action. Given the importance of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, past grievances will be set aside for the greater good."
"Accidents are inevitable!" Satoru silently rolled his eyes.
"Orochimaru, the village's security must be tightened during this period."
"Additionally," Satoru hesitated, "tell me Kushina's due date."
Orochimaru hesitated. Kushina's due date was one of Konoha's top secrets, known only to a few high-ranking officials. However, considering Satoru's combat power, knowing the due date could be crucial in case of any emergencies.
He replied, "We've only recently discovered her pregnancy. The rough estimate for the delivery is around September or October."
"I see." Satoru's eyes glimmered.
Naruto's birthdate was October 10th, so it seemed that hadn't changed.
...
In Konoha, in a somewhat luxurious house, a figure in a black cloak was crouching on a large tree in the courtyard, peering through the window at the Minato couple flirting in the bedroom.
Kakashi felt helpless. It is such a waste of precious training time on these meaningless tasks.
Just like in the original timeline, he had been assigned to protect the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki around the clock, but this time by Orochimaru's order. Since he wasn't Hokage, Minato spent most of his time with Kushina, completely ignoring Kakashi outside, often leading to scenes unfit for print.
Kakashi's face turned slightly red. Minato-sensei must know I'm out here, right? Surely...
Damn it, who wants to do such a boring job? Training is much more interesting.
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