Wood Release Yamato

Konoha Year 42

"Here is the list for this round of experiments!"

The female researcher named Ling handed a list to Orochimaru, while Orochimaru gave her an experimental report.

This had been the routine lately. Every so often, Orochimaru would submit research reports to Danzo, while Danzo was responsible for obtaining all kinds of materials needed for the experiments.

The research base had also been moved from Root to another secret base in Konoha.

That place was ultimately Danzo's stronghold. There was no way he would let Orochimaru establish his base there. If anything happened, Danzo could also distance himself from it immediately.

Orochimaru naturally understood perfectly well that Danzo wanted to enjoy the results without taking any risks.

Still, he did not mind. He did not want to conduct research under Danzo's surveillance all day long either. At least this gave him a certain amount of freedom.

"Hm? Tenzō?"

This was interesting. He had not expected the gears of fate to bring them together after all.

That was right. This was Yamato, the only person who would survive after fusing with Hashirama Cells.

In the Original Work, Orochimaru had thought the experiment was a failure and abandoned him. Unexpectedly, Yamato had endured through sheer will to survive, was discovered by Danzo, and was eventually absorbed into Root.

Orochimaru's research into Hashirama Cells was now far more advanced than it had been in the Original Work. The success rate of the Hashirama Cell fusion serum he had developed had greatly increased.

He simply had not revealed it under normal circumstances. The experimental reports he handed to Danzo were likewise censored versions.

Now that Yamato, with his special physique, had appeared, Orochimaru naturally intended to go all out.

Not only would he make sure Yamato survived smoothly, but he might even enhance him further in the future.

With that in mind, Orochimaru began preparing the serum.

Some time later, at a training ground in Konoha.

Minato was training in ninjutsu, sweating profusely. On a large tree some distance away, Jiraiya was writing something with a wolf-hair brush.

Suddenly, a Little White Snake crawled onto the tree trunk in front of Jiraiya.

"Holy shit, Orochimaru."

Seeing Shiro hanging there, Jiraiya jumped in fright and instinctively blurted out Orochimaru's name.

Shiro flicked his tongue at him, then crawled in a certain direction.

Jiraiya frowned at Shiro's gesture.

"What is Orochimaru up to now, acting all mysterious?"

Muttering to himself, Jiraiya did not even inform Minato before following Shiro directly.

After winding through the dense forest at the edge of Konoha, Jiraiya saw Shiro stop and climb up a tree.

The next moment, a human silhouette suddenly emerged from the thick trunk. Before long, the figure fully emerged—it was Orochimaru.

"Say, Orochimaru, what is so important that you could not discuss it outside? Did you really have to be this secretive?"

Jiraiya spoke while picking his nose.

"This matter is of great importance. I had no choice but to act this way!"

Seeing Orochimaru's serious expression, Jiraiya's face also turned solemn. He rarely saw Orochimaru look like this. The matter was clearly not simple.

"I need you to raise a child for me!"

At those words, Jiraiya was first stunned, then utterly incredulous.

"You... you... did you do something shameful? How do you already have a child?"

The sudden news startled Jiraiya into stumbling backward repeatedly. Supporting himself against the tree trunk, he stammered as he spoke.

Seeing his reaction, Orochimaru knew he had misunderstood.

"This child is not mine. I cannot tell you his origins for now, and it is inconvenient for me to raise him myself."

Only then did Jiraiya let out a small sigh of relief, but his brows soon furrowed again as he asked in confusion,

"Why is it inconvenient? Don't you have Shizune and Tsunade? Wouldn't it be enough to have them take care of him? I have never raised a child before. How could I possibly care for one properly?"

Orochimaru knew that a few simple words would not be enough to persuade Jiraiya. Their friendship had not reached the point where Jiraiya would casually agree to help raise a child.

After pondering for a moment, Orochimaru spoke again.

"He can use Wood Release!"

Those few simple words made Jiraiya's mind roar once more. Wood Release—what was that? It was the Kekkei Genkai unique to the First Hokage.

Since the First Hokage's death, no one in the Ninja World had been able to use Wood Release, aside from Uchiha Madara lurking in the shadows.

For so many years, Konoha had tried every possible method to artificially create shinobi capable of using Wood Release through experimentation, but there had not been a single successful case until now.

At that thought, Jiraiya suddenly realized something.

"Could it be... he successfully fused with Hashirama Cells?"

When he saw Orochimaru nod lightly, Jiraiya's mouth hung open in shock.

"That cannot be right. I remember that research project had already..."

As he spoke, Jiraiya's voice grew quieter and quieter. It was as though he had figured something out.

This must have been the product of Orochimaru's own secret experiments. But even if Orochimaru had succeeded in secret, why did he need to hide it so carefully?

Was he afraid of being punished by the Hokage? And why could he not raise the child by his side? Why did he need Jiraiya to help raise him instead?

The string of questions made Jiraiya realize that this matter was not so simple. Seeing him sink into thought, Orochimaru said,

"His identity cannot be made public right now. Report this to the teacher only when he is eight or nine years old, or after he graduates from the Ninja Academy."

It was not that Orochimaru had not considered raising him himself. But if a child suddenly appeared by his side, Danzo would know what was going on without even having to think.

By then, forget Yamato—even whether Tenzō could escape Danzo's control was uncertain. Orochimaru would also inevitably be pushed out by Danzo early to take the blame.

As for after Yamato turned eight or nine, Orochimaru would have already left Konoha by then. Why would he care if the world went to hell?

It was somewhat abrupt to have Jiraiya raise him, but at least it would not be so conspicuous. There were plenty of homeless orphans these days. What was so strange about Jiraiya, an old man who had been single for over thirty years, adopting a child?

Besides, with the way he chased after women everywhere and his less-than-stellar reputation, no one would find it too strange if he brought a child back from outside.

"What exactly are you doing?"

Faced with Jiraiya's question after he came to his senses, Orochimaru sighed helplessly.

"I know what I am doing. I hope you can keep this matter secret for me. Please!"

In Jiraiya's impression, Orochimaru rarely begged others, especially not in such a tone of entrustment.

Seeing the fleeting hint of pleading in Orochimaru's eyes, Jiraiya, who had wanted to say more, opened and closed his mouth. In the end, it became a helpless sigh.

"Fine! Where is the child?"

Upon hearing Jiraiya agree, Orochimaru vanished from where he stood. He soon returned, but there was now a child around two years old in his arms.

The child was sleeping soundly, completely unaware of the changes in the outside world.

"His original name was Yamato. You can give him another name if you wish!"

Carefully placing Yamato in Jiraiya's arms, Orochimaru finally let out a sigh of relief.