Orochimaru, Pay Attention in Class

Often, misunderstandings arise between people because humans tend to overthink.

In Orochimaru's previous impression, Hinata was the kind of person who was very unreliable. Although Hinata was extremely talented and had outstanding strength, in reality, unless one faced Hinata directly, Hinata was not a big threat.

However, when Black Zetsu brought Hinata to Orochimaru completely overturned this idea.

At this point, in Hinata's mind, Hinata was the kind of scheming Orochimaru, manipulative woman.

On the surface, she pretends to be an innocent and harmless white lotus, but in reality, she is cunning, ruthless, and habitually uses her pure appearance to deceive others.

Especially this time, after Hinata revealed the Yamanaka Clan's Secret Technique, Orochimaru became even more determined in his heart.

Orochimaru: I have seen Hinata's true colors!

Hinata said she had no plan, and then proposed several options, asking Orochimaru to help her choose a target and formulate a reasonable plan.

However, Orochimaru naturally assumed that Hinata's only real goal was the last one... to attack the Three Great Sage Regions.

Actually, when Hinata handed the 'paper on Natural Energy's to Orochimaru already had this idea... Hinata had already taken a liking to the Three Great Sage Regions.

Orochimaru hadn't made a move against Ryūchi Cave because he was waiting for Hinata to come to him.

"Since we're going to discuss the next course of action, there's no need to keep hiding, is there?"

As he spoke, Orochimaru released the Impure World Reincarnation.

Hinata hasn't made a move yet, which means Orochimaru truly believes she has no intention of killing him. Otherwise, given Hinata's personality, Hinata would have attacked immediately, and wouldn't even have given him the chance to use 'Impure World Reincarnation'.

"Actually, I'm in Konoha right now."

Hinata said with absolute honesty, "I am talking to you through a remote chat."

"And I saw the whole process of your experiment just now. That orange-haired kid seems special; his body is full of Natural Energy. Where did you find it?"

Orochimaru's face, hidden beneath the human skin mask, had a slightly rosy hue.

Even Orochimaru felt extremely ashamed at this moment, realizing that he had been so frightened by Hinata.

However, at the same time, Orochimaru was also secretly shocked.

Orochimaru was absolutely certain that Hinata was in Konoha at that moment, because Hinata had no reason to deceive him.

But how did Hinata manage to do that?

"This shouldn't be Yamanaka Clan's Secret Technique, but rather a Dōjutsu of the eyes."

"Could it be that Hinata left a mark on me when we last met?"

Orochimaru secretly wondered what was going on.

The last time they met, Hinata Tenseigan and absorbed Orochimaru's Chakra, almost causing Orochimaru to suffer from kidney deficiency.

Orochimaru deduced that Hinata left her mark on him at that time.

"Damn it! I definitely need to get a thorough medical check-up when I get back!"

After a moment of random thoughts, Orochimaru said in a deep voice, "His name is Jugo. The Cursed Seal I left for Sasuke was a power extracted from his body."

"I found a village near Ryūchi Cave, and everyone in that village had these symptoms. Jugo's condition was the most severe; after going mad, he killed everyone in the village."

Hinata explained, "Yes! Jugo's situation is probably due to passively absorbing Natural Energy, which has affected his mind."

Orochimaru raised a question.

"Jugo's situation is very special. It's not the traditional Sage Mode. In Cursed Seal Mode, he transforms into a monster..."

Hinata completely embraced the role of a teacher; although she was sitting at home, she put on her glasses without lenses.

"Ahem! Orochimaru, pay attention in class..."

Orochimaru's face darkened.

Hinata's tone was serious and steady, almost as if she were about to tap the blackboard with a pointer.

"Jugo's situation is different from Sage Mode; it's more like the God Tree..."

"Ryūchi Cave is a center where Natural Energy converges. The Natural Energy inside Ryūchi Cave is vast and stable, but the external energy has been restless because it has not reached the critical value."

"The restless Natural Energy will naturally be absorbed by the human body, thus affecting both the physical and mental well-being."

Hinata paused, then continued, "But Jugo isn't the main point!"

"Orochimaru, you've studied Hashirama Cells for so long, you should know that Hashirama Cells contain an extremely large amount of life force."

"Through my years of research, I have found that the Sage Body is formed by using Natural Energy. The First Hokage's physique was that of Sage Body, but only the most basic kind."

"And those creatures living in the Three Great Sage Regions, because their bodies are nourished by Natural Energy all year round, have vitality that is different from that of ordinary people, even dozens or hundreds of times greater."

Orochimaru, a rigorous scientist, asked rationally after listening to Hinata's explanation, "The process of fusing with Hashirama Cells is extremely dangerous. If one were to rashly eat the flesh of those creatures, one might be completely devoured by their cells in an instant."

Hinata couldn't understand Orochimaru's thinking at all.

"Orochimaru, do you usually eat meat raw?"

"Anyway, when I eat meat, I always make sure it's cooked thoroughly."

Orochimaru: Damn it! The intelligence of the number one scientist in the Shinobi World has been scorned by Hinata! When it comes to eating, I, Orochimaru, declare you the strongest!

"Now comes the important part!"

Hinata said in a serious tone, "Besides eating them, snakes are the best for making wine."

"I have studied herbal medicine. If some medicinal herbs are added to the wine, it may be able to counteract some of the adverse factors and slowly absorb the vitality of those organisms."

Orochimaru nodded slightly; the idea of soaking the food in alcohol was much more reliable than cooking it and eating it.

Hinata was furious when she saw this. "This is important! Why didn't you write it down in a notebook? It'll be on the test later!"

Orochimaru: "..."

When to take action?

Orochimaru calmly said, "If your speculation is correct, then the Three Great Sage Regions should be closely linked. Before we can determine their specific effects, our actions must be kept secret."

"If I start from Ryūchi Cave, I won't be able to summon them; I'll have to capture them near Ryūchi Cave..."

Hinata thought for a moment, then said solemnly, "Orochimaru, once you're ready, go alone to Ryūchi Cave to gather intelligence. After you have concrete information, summon me there, and we'll work together!"

"Remember the order of this hand seal... Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai... As long as you form this hand seal, you can communicate with my spirit."

Orochimaru considered himself to be extremely knowledgeable, but Orochimaru after searching through all the Ninjutsu knowledge in his mind, he still couldn't figure out what the purpose of this hand seal was.

Hinata kept saying it was a summoning technique, but the hand seals had absolutely nothing to do with Summoning Technique.

There are also patterns between different techniques.

Orochimaru was once again certain that Hinata must have left some kind of mark inside him.

Hinata added earnestly and seriously, "This Ninjutsu is called 'Summoning Technique - Summon Sailor Moon.' Orochimaru, did you memorize it?"