Danzo's Interrogation

At the Biological Research Institute, Orochimaru looked over the newly issued data report.

His tightly furrowed brow gradually relaxed as he read it.

"It seems Mito Uzumaki's cell fusion serum is basically complete. It's still somewhat unstable, but well within tolerable limits."

Orochimaru compared the two sets of data before him. One belonged to the earliest No. 7, while the other belonged to the final No. 35.

No. 7 had been the first to receive Mito's cells. Before he had obtained the system formula, it had suffered severe rejection. Though the cells were not as overbearing as Hashirama Cells, the test subject had been left barely recognizable.

The final test subject, No. 35, had been injected with a preliminarily formulated Mito Uzumaki cell fusion serum. Its physical attributes had improved across the board.

However, the improvements were still unstable. The wildly fluctuating data showed that the serum was not yet perfect, though the test subject had not displayed any severe rejection symptoms.

Orochimaru had personally handled both test subjects and their data reports. He had no intention of making public the fact that he was using collective resources for private matters.

"Next comes perfecting the serum."

Thinking of the experiment's imminent success, Orochimaru felt a measure of anticipation.

Just as he was studying the two data reports, a researcher knocked on the office door.

"Lord Orochimaru, Lord Danzo has arrived."

At the mention of Danzo, Orochimaru's brow furrowed again.

"Why is that old schemer here?"

After putting away the data reports, Orochimaru headed out to the laboratory.

The moment he stepped out of his office, he saw Danzo continuously inspecting the test subjects, occasionally circling them as he examined them.

"Lord Danzo, what brings you here?"

Orochimaru knew this old man's character all too well. He spent all day stirring up trouble under the banner of acting for Konoha's sake.

In Orochimaru's eyes, Danzo was an out-and-out egoist. The Root he had founded was entirely loyal to him and existed solely to serve him.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that whether Konoha was in chaos or not depended entirely on Danzo.

At this stage, Orochimaru had no intention of falling out with him. He still had to play along, at least keeping up appearances.

"Orochimaru, how is the progress?"

Seeing the fake smile on Orochimaru's face, Danzo did not beat around the bush and directly asked the question that concerned him most.

There was more than a hint of interrogation in his tone.

"Lord Danzo, you overestimate me. You expect me to decipher the First Hokage's cells in less than a year? If it were that simple, Konoha would have succeeded long ago!"

Orochimaru was not exaggerating. Even with his doubled comprehension and the Second Hokage's research materials, he had only managed to tackle some basic projects over the past half year. The most critical parts were still far out of reach.

"Hmm! Can't the progress be accelerated further? Those of us in Konoha's upper ranks are under considerable pressure as well."

If those words had come from the Third Hokage, Orochimaru might have believed them a little. But Danzo, under pressure? Even if every one of these test subjects died, he probably would not blink an eye.

Of course, he could not say such blunt truths aloud. Instead, he took an experimental report from the side.

"Take a look at this first."

Danzo accepted the data report Orochimaru handed over and began reading it carefully.

"Uchiha blood has a suppressive effect on Hashirama Cells?"

The further he read, the brighter Danzo's eye became, as though he had seen hope.

"The data does indicate that. However, even when Uchiha blood of the same type is injected into the test subjects, the suppressive effect is less than 3%."

Danzo did not understand experiments, but the plainly displayed data was easy enough to grasp. People might lie, but data would not.

"Do you have any new ideas?"

As he spoke, Danzo's single eye gradually narrowed, waiting to see what Orochimaru intended to say.

Orochimaru made his signature gesture, his long tongue slowly sweeping around his lips.

"I believe Lord Danzo knows what I mean. This is merely a hypothesis; the specifics will still need to be verified through experiments."

Orochimaru did not state it outright. What did the Uchiha possess that others would covet? Only their clan's Kekkei Genkai—the Sharingan.

He could hardly openly tell Danzo to bring him a pair of Sharingan. If he did, the Third Hokage would probably know by tomorrow. Not every researcher here was a loyal subordinate of his.

"Hmph!"

After hearing this, Danzo said nothing more. He merely snorted coldly and walked out.

He took the experimental report with him as well. Who knew what that old man intended to do with material he could barely understand.

Unlike in the Original Work, Orochimaru was not obsessed with the Sharingan. Rather, the Sharingan was indispensable for researching Hashirama Cells.

Only by combining the Sharingan with Hashirama Cells could he determine the underlying principles. What factors suppressed Hashirama Cells? Aside from the Sharingan, could those factors be replicated through other external conditions?

All of these questions needed confirmation and research. With a successful example in hand, working backward to deduce the principles would become far easier.

As for where to find Sharingan and how to acquire them, those were not matters Orochimaru cared about. He was only a researcher. He merely needed to do his work well; someone would naturally deliver the necessary materials to him.

"Danzo is starting to get anxious. It seems that old man still wants to come out and stir up trouble!"

Orochimaru remembered that the Hokage election would be held again in a few years. When Danzo realized he had no hope of winning, he would push Orochimaru forward to take part in the election.

By then, Orochimaru had already begun secretly cooperating with him, continuing his experiments in the shadows.

Danzo also wanted an extra Hokage subordinate of his own. If he could not become Hokage, then he would become the Hokage's leader instead. His way of thinking was truly astonishing.

"Want to transplant Hashirama Cells early and come out to stir up trouble ahead of time? Keep dreaming."

Orochimaru no longer paid attention to Danzo's affairs. Unlike in his original life, he had no need to ask Danzo for anything, and Danzo's authority was not enough to command him.

Even if Danzo was one of Konoha's higher-ups, Orochimaru was not someone like Konoha's White Fang, who would stubbornly trap himself in a dead end. If Danzo wanted to control him, then at worst, he would defect from the village early. Before leaving, he would definitely teach him a lesson.

"Go. Inject Formula 2 into experimental subjects No. 7 and No. 35."

Orochimaru summoned a researcher and had those two experimental subjects included as well.

His cell-fusion formula for the Uzumaki Clan had basically been completed. Next, it was time to test other formulas.

Formula 1 had been prepared according to the system formula Orochimaru obtained by imitating Hashirama Cells. Formula 2 used Uchiha Clan cells, while Formula 3 used Hyuga Clan cells.

Orochimaru would not let those two live safely just like that. That would also make others suspicious; a simple investigation would reveal that he had concealed something.

As for whether they lived or died, before the experiments began, they had already received a considerable settlement payment. Most of those who came were elderly, weak, sick, or disabled, and Orochimaru had no right to change the choices others made.

To the original Orochimaru, the process was merely a means. Whether it was cruel or violated morality, he did not care.

Orochimaru was not someone who killed for the sake of killing. He did not enjoy that kind of process.

The current Orochimaru was not as extreme as his former self, but he respected everyone's choices. Besides, as the insignificant leader of a research group, he was merely a tool in certain people's hands.