Chương 97: Chp-97: Orochimaru: The Road Not Taken
Hyuga Satoru pressed his fingers against his chin, frowning slightly as he stared at the wriggling, strange life form in front of him.
Calling it a life form might be generous—it looked more like some kind of tentacle. Slimy and metallic, it was about as thick as his forearm. It stood up, twitched a few times, then flopped back down, motionless as if it had died.
He exhaled a long breath and recorded in the notebook on the table:
"Experiment #139: The concept of the 'core' was successful. This 'core,' similar to a programmed setting, indeed granted the metal biological activity. However, this activity is currently too fragile to be used as a weapon. The next step is to create more 'cores' and distribute them within the humanoid metal life form to serve as organs. The experiment continues."
...
Hyuga Satoru stretched, easing his stiff neck. Finally, when he shifted his focus to creating a life form similar to Sasori's, he achieved some results.
Contrary to Orochimaru's path, Sasori chose mechanical technology, abandoning his flesh to transfer his consciousness to a regeneration core, achieving mechanical ascension. This gave Satoru inspiration.
The 'core' was born. By combining nanometals with chakra and programming them like software, he could grant metals biological activity. It was somewhat similar to AI but fundamentally different—more like an organ, akin to Sasori's regeneration core.
In principle, Satoru could use his current nanometer-level electromagnetic power to modify his own body for mechanical ascension. But he wouldn't do that. His body was evolving, and each upgrade of his electromagnetic power would transform his physique, already surpassing most humans. This was why Orochimaru coveted his body. Giving up this nearly limitless evolution to join the mechanical god cult seemed unworthy to Satoru.
He could achieve the abilities of a nanomechanical body through clones. Like his current steps, creating a special nanometal life form to serve as his clone. His main body would ascend biologically, while the clone would ascend mechanically.
Isn't that better?
The creations Satoru made already had a certain degree of biological activity. The root was the terrifying memory characteristic of nanometals combined with the unscientific nature of chakras. Chakra could grant life to the inanimate, especially yang chakra. The Sage of Six Paths split the God Tree and used yin-yang release to create nine different tailed beasts. Chiyo developed the One's Own Life Reincarnation, which could even revive puppets into new life forms. The ultimate earth release, Earth Release: Resurrection of the Dead Soil, could create numerous clay life forms from the soil.
In the ninja world, creating life wasn't so strange. The key was to create powerful life forms, like the Sentinels. The direction was right; now, it was just a matter of continuous experimentation.
Just then, a knock came at the door. Satoru frowned, tidied up, and opened the door.
"Hyuga Satoru-sama, Orochimaru-sama requests your presence at his tent."
The messenger ninja's voice trembled slightly. After that battle, Satoru's reputation in the camp had soared, making him an idol to many.
"I understand," Satoru said calmly. He had something to discuss with Orochimaru too.
...
Creak!
The tent door opened. Orochimaru looked at the arriving figure with delight.
"Satoru, you're here."
"Yes, I heard you were looking for me."
"Indeed," Orochimaru mused. "The Hidden Sand Village has sent a ceasefire agreement."
"Oh," Satoru said, unsurprised. He had rendered Chiyo useless, publicly humiliated Rasa, and captured Shukaku. It would be foolish for the Hidden Sand to keep fighting.
"You played a significant role in this battle, but I advise you to be cautious going forward," Orochimaru said, staring at Satoru, his eyes conveying a deeper meaning.
Satoru nodded, understanding. Danzo? Or perhaps the Hokage? His displayed strength would likely make them uneasy. He didn't know what the higher-ups were thinking, but he could guess it was the usual power struggle. His branch family status might have given him some points, signifying absolute control. No one knew that his forehead seal was now just a decoration. The main family might have some thoughts, too. This problem needed a swift resolution. After this war, there would be much to do.
Satoru sighed.
"By the way, Orochimaru, do you have a soul-splitting technique?"
"I do, but what do you need it for?" Orochimaru asked, eyeing Satoru suspiciously. His Living Corpse Reincarnation required soul-splitting, but it hadn't been tested yet.
"I need it. If you have it, I can trade something for it."
"No need to be so formal, Satoru. Your contributions in the war already entitle you to a plethora of secret techniques," Orochimaru said, smiling. He opened his mouth and spat out a slimy scroll.
Satoru pinched it with two fingers, looking at Orochimaru with a hint of mockery.
"Orochimaru, have you ever considered transferring your soul to a more potent body?"
Orochimaru hesitated, then smiled awkwardly. "I didn't expect you to notice. I do have such thoughts. However, your strength now far surpasses mine, so I have no such designs on you."
"But have you ever wondered, if you replace someone else's body, are you still you?"
Satoru smiled, staring directly at him.
Are you still you?
Orochimaru frowned, pondering. Satoru's question echoed in his mind. It was a philosophical issue beyond his research scope.
Satoru continued, "In other words, have you considered cultivating a stronger body with your own and replacing it? You'd become stronger but still be you."
Something seemed to explode in Orochimaru's mind.
Cultivate a new body with his own? How? Splitting? Cloning? Or... a fertilized egg? What about the egg cell? Could he select powerful sperm through genetic screening? What about the egg cell? Would he need to change his gender?
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed, lost in thought. Gender wasn't an issue for him; eternal life was all that mattered. Female life forms often had longer lifespans. Cultivating a new body could avoid many drawbacks of body possession. The embryo could be grown in nutrient solutions, so age wasn't a problem.
I give birth to myself???
Orochimaru's expression turned strange. Satoru chuckled, leaving the tent.
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