A Weighty Token of Affection

Forest of Death, underground laboratory.

Orochimaru and Hanma were discussing a scroll of experimental data.

Their relaxed, friendly expressions made it clear that they had been getting along very well lately.

A month ago, Hanma had sought out Orochimaru and lent him the "Star" for research. Their friendship had advanced by leaps and bounds ever since.

Although Hanma was not a professional scientist, his deep understanding of the Naruto world meant that his theories always gave Orochimaru fresh insights. In a sense, he could participate in the research as well.

As the remains of the Ten-Tails, the "Star" possessed an extremely high level of Chakra. It was highly effective at inducing mutations in living creatures and could also help Orochimaru study the mysteries of genes, bringing him closer to his dream of immortality.

Later, at Orochimaru's invitation, he took the initiative to show Hanma the Wood Release experiments he and Danzo had recently conducted.

When he saw that Hanma's expression remained unchanged and that he asked about the details of the experiments with great interest, Orochimaru silently placed Hanma in the "friend" category in his heart.

However, because of Nawaki's presence, Orochimaru had gained much more human warmth. His entire temperament had gradually drifted away from that of the future Cold Lord, and he would occasionally reveal a smile with a faint trace of sunshine.

The experiments he was currently conducting also strictly followed the Third Hokage's standards. No matter how many times Danzo hinted otherwise, he never crossed the line.

Hanma carefully examined Orochimaru's experimental data. Ever since the First Hokage's death, Konoha had never stopped researching Wood Release.

Wood Release was not only Konoha's symbol, but also possessed the remarkable ability to control Tailed Beasts. It was simply too important to Konoha.

Hanma closed the scroll and recalled the origins of Wood Release.

Asura could use Wood Release, and Hashirama could use Wood Release. That meant Wood Release was a power belonging to Asura's lineage.

It could be acquired through transplantation. That meant Asura's Chakra was not a necessary condition.

A flash of inspiration struck Hanma, and he slowly said,

"In pursuit of Wood Release, nearly a hundred volunteer shinobi have already died. If this continues, the losses will outweigh the gains."

"As a Kekkei Genkai, there is no reason for Wood Release to have such a low inheritance rate. That means the direction of the research is wrong."

Orochimaru nodded lightly. In truth, this method had merely been one of the Second Hokage's hypotheses.

Yet the Third Hokage and Danzo had forced Orochimaru to continue down this path simply because they had heard a few scattered remarks from the Second Hokage.

And the greatest taboo in scientific research was having amateurs direct professionals.

Orochimaru smiled and said, "My original hypothesis was that Wood Release is a Kekkei Tōta. Even if it is a Kekkei Genkai, the awakened individual would still need sufficient Yang-nature Chakra to adapt to it."

"However, since Teacher Sarutobi wants to use such a crude method, I do not particularly care. I will gladly accept the remaining funding, though."

Orochimaru snorted coldly. It seemed he was also dissatisfied with the Third Hokage's constant interference.

Hanma's face darkened as he silently marveled at Orochimaru's immense resentment, then changed the subject.

"How is the research on the Star going? Has it been smooth?"

At the mention of this, Orochimaru became excited. He walked toward a hidden door and showed Hanma the results.

"This stone has an aura very similar to that of a Tailed Beast, but its violent nature far exceeds that of a Tailed Beast. It can even affect the genes of living creatures."

"And most importantly, its biological properties lean more toward plants than animals."

"This may be the origin of the Tailed Beasts, perhaps even their parent body. Based on my hypothesis, these so-called Tailed Beasts are very likely products artificially catalyzed by someone!"

"Historical records only place the Tailed Beasts' existence within the last thousand years. But a thousand years is not enough for plants to evolve into animals. That is absolutely impossible!"

"Something major must have happened in the Shinobi World more than a thousand years ago. Perhaps even the Sage of Six Paths truly existed!"

At that moment, flames of curiosity flickered in Orochimaru's eyes, and his expression finally carried a faint hint of madness.

Hanma was genuinely shocked.

What did it mean to be the intellectual pillar of the Shinobi World?

Although Orochimaru's hypothesis still had a few flaws, he had nearly deduced the thousand-year secret of the Shinobi World from nothing more than a fragment.

Hanma absolutely had to keep this friend!

Seeing Hanma's expression, Orochimaru assumed that he had been stunned by his hypothesis and gave a soft laugh.

"In terms of current applications, the Aburame Clan's insects are the best mutation test subjects. Their Kikaichū have unstable genes and reproduce rapidly, greatly increasing the chances of mutation."

"After several generations of selection and breeding, cultivating more powerful insects is practically certain."

"This project could completely win over the Aburame Clan and perhaps even make them your staunch supporters."

Orochimaru spoke frankly to Hanma. This too showed that he regarded Hanma as a friend.

This war was bound to create heroes, and Hanma was already walking ahead of everyone else.

The Third Hokage was no longer young. It was very possible that the Uchiha Clan would put forward Hanma to compete for the position of Hokage.

Orochimaru inwardly sighed as well. Being born into a powerful clan came with its own lack of freedom.

To his surprise, Hanma waved his hand indifferently.

"There is no need for that. When I was in the Anbu, there was an interesting kid named Aburame Shikuroo. You should step forward and make a deal with the Aburame Clan to bring him under your command."

Aburame Shikuroo, Aburame Torune's father, possessed the ability to control nanoscale poisonous insects, as did his son. Both had enormous potential for growth.

Unfortunately, they had ended up in Danzo's hands, where their abilities could not be fully utilized at all.

Orochimaru looked at Hanma in surprise. It seemed Hanma was not constrained by the Uchiha Clan, nor did he have any intention of competing for the position of Hokage.

Orochimaru had only recently grown close to Hanma, after all, and did not know much about his past.

Within the Uchiha Clan, who with any status had not suffered a beating from Hanma? The clan head had it worst—he had been beaten and scolded alike.

Seeing Hanma's carefree expression, Orochimaru felt his own mood improve as well.

He patted Hanma on the shoulder and handed him a strange Explosive Tag.

"This is a product Nawaki and I made while researching the Mutual Multiplication Explosive Tag technique. He asked me to give you one."

Hanma looked astonished. He had not expected that kid's talent to be so good. Did he actually have the makings of the Second Hokage?!

With a helpless expression, Orochimaru explained,

"The reason no one has successfully mastered Mutual Multiplication Explosive Tag all these years is that no one could sense the Explosive Tag space within the technique. Yet on Nawaki's very first attempt, he successfully summoned Explosive Tags."

"In fact, there is nothing difficult about this technique. I suspect the First Hokage personally added it in back then."

"The so-called Explosive Tag space was simply a place where the Second Hokage stored a massive quantity of Explosive Tags he had made himself."

"As long as one makes special Mutual Multiplication Explosive Tags, one can master this technique. Even a Chunin can accomplish that."

Hanma suddenly understood, and a scene of conversation between the First and Second Hokage surfaced in his mind.

"Brother, I invented a ninjutsu. It is quite useful."

"Is it Water Release?"

"No."

"Then ban it."

Orochimaru looked at Hanma and emphasized solemnly,

"Nawaki divided all the Explosive Tags in that space into three portions before making these three Explosive Tags. He only gave one to you and one to me, keeping one for himself."

"It could be said that these are the last three chances to use the Mutual Multiplication Explosive Tag technique."

"I estimated this technique's power. Blowing away half of Konoha would not be a problem. Although your body is far from ordinary, you must still use it carefully."

Hanma accepted it solemnly. It was not merely a powerful ninja tool; more importantly, it contained Nawaki's feelings.

Then he asked strangely, "He kept one for himself and gave one each to us. Did he not give one to Tsunade?"

A brilliant smile appeared on Orochimaru's lips. "No, and because of this, Tsunade gave him a beating."

The instant he finished speaking, hearty laughter erupted through the underground laboratory.

"Ah, what a pleasant atmosphere."

Orochimaru watched Hanma laugh so hard he bent forward and backward, and the smile on his own lips grew brighter.

Please keep reading—do not stockpile chapters! Everyone, give me the energy of continued reading!! ДO