Core Technology

Hyuga Ao was in the process of undoing the fourth lock of the Caged Bird. After experiencing an epiphany the previous night, her Spiritual Power had increased, allowing her to easily undo the fourth lock with this breakthrough.

Just as she was about to take advantage of the breakthrough and test the fifth lock, Hyuga Ao was summoned to the laboratory by Orochimaru.

She had originally thought that the idea of Orochimaru building a laboratory wherever he went was merely something invented by fanfiction writers.

She had not expected it to be true!

After becoming his disciple, Hyuga Ao was eagerly dragged into the laboratory by Orochimaru, who examined her body and gave her a direct understanding of her physical data.

"Ao, you were right." Orochimaru organized his experimental records as he spoke.

After accepting her as his disciple that day, Hyuga Ao had told Orochimaru a great deal.

As everyone knew, transmigration could strengthen one's memory. That night, Hyuga Ao thoroughly explained the biology she had scored 87.5 out of 90 on in her college entrance examination to Orochimaru. (The full score was 90.)

In truth, high school biology did not contain anything particularly profound. What helped Orochimaru the most was the definitions of various concepts and the systematic organization of the knowledge.

Under their cooperative relationship, Orochimaru did not press her for details, but it was obvious that he had become much more sincere about working with her.

"Ao, you were right. Over the past few days, I managed to obtain genetic samples from the Uchiha Clan and the Senju. The Hyuga, Senju, and Uchiha truly originated from the same ancestor."

Orochimaru looked exhausted, but his eyes were filled with excitement.

"And your previous idea of awakening a Kekkei Genkai through Gene Activation won't work. At least, it won't work for now." As he spoke, Orochimaru took a genetic sample and placed it in front of Hyuga Ao.

"Take a look yourself. Use the Byakugan."

"This is!!!" Hyuga Ao could not help crying out when she saw the scene before her.

"That's right." Orochimaru rubbed his face. "All these fragments related to Kekkei Genkai gene expression have Chakra Encryption! To awaken a Kekkei Genkai, one must use a special type of chakra to unlock it."

Hyuga Ao found it hard to believe.

My Tenseigan! Hyuga Ao lamented inwardly. It's gone!

Her dream of awakening the Tenseigan by activating gene expression had been shattered. Hyuga Ao could only honestly search for the Moon Passage.

Hyuga Ao felt that something was off. Is that lousy author nerfing me?

I should give that guy a taste of the Great Mighty Heavenly Dragon and see if he still dares to pull something this malicious.

"Next is the Kekkei Genkai Disease you mentioned concerning Shikotsumyaku." Orochimaru handed the conclusion in his hand to Hyuga Ao.

Over the past few days, Orochimaru had gone all out. He was extremely interested in the things Hyuga Ao had given him and had barely paid attention to the camp. As for the Kekkei Genkai Disease of Shikotsumyaku, to ensure that his precious disciple would not suffer any harm, Orochimaru had worked overtime to reach a conclusion.

"So, under normal circumstances, Shikotsumyaku won't cause any problems as long as it isn't overused?"

"Yes." Orochimaru gave an affirmative answer.

"Every time Shikotsumyaku is used, Bone Cells are produced inside the body."

"The more Bone Cells there are, the stronger Shikotsumyaku becomes. However, an increase in Bone Cells will also compress your normal organs."

"If the Bone Cells spread throughout the entire body, Shikotsumyaku will reach its peak as well. But by then, the user's organs will have been completely eroded and crushed by Shikotsumyaku."

"That is the Kekkei Genkai Disease of Shikotsumyaku."

Orochimaru concluded, "Therefore, as long as you can remove the Bone Cells, you can control Shikotsumyaku's Kekkei Genkai Disease. For someone from the Hyuga with the Byakugan, that isn't a problem."

Hyuga Ao nodded. In all fairness, that was indeed the case.

My Snake is amazing!

He had researched so many things in just a few days. As expected of someone who had mastered core technology.

"Next, these are the reading lists for Sealing Jutsu scrolls and Medical Ninjutsu books. Just follow the numbers and read them in order. You can leave for now. I need to rest for a while." After quickly making the arrangements, Orochimaru disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Only Hyuga Ao remained standing there in a daze. Is this Uncle Snake's work efficiency? I love it!

After being thoroughly dazzled, Hyuga Ao returned to her exclusive single-person tent and began studying the fifth lock.

After undoing the fourth lock of the Caged Bird, Hyuga Ao could clearly feel that it had begun to loosen. Over the past two days, she had often felt her Spiritual Power and Byakugan suddenly twitch.

Hyuga Ao continued observing the fifth lock. At present, it appeared to be the lock whose chains were wound the tightest and covered the widest area.

Hyuga Ao guessed that once the fifth lock was undone, the Caged Bird should no longer pose a threat to her life.

The Caged Bird was a cage formed by numerous chains extending from the Byakugan and winding around one another.

When the Main Family cast the curse, they were actually pulling on the other ends of the chains from outside.

The chains tightening the cage were the reason the branch family members suffered headaches. If the curse was cast too forcefully, the cage would tighten and shrink, strangling and damaging the brain. Once the brain was destroyed, the person naturally could not survive.

As a birdcage, the Caged Bird's fifth lock was the final chain wound horizontally around the cage.

Four vertical and five horizontal chains: the four chains standing vertically formed the cage's framework, while the five horizontal chains wound around it and tightened it. Thus, if the fifth lock was undone, Hyuga Ao would be free.

The Sword of Damocles hanging over her head would finally be removed. She could pursue her own life without being controlled by the Main Family.

However, the fifth lock was difficult to undo. The remaining five chains were intertwined both vertically and horizontally. Hyuga Ao had to find a way to pull the lock head around little by little and separate it from the other chains before it could be considered unlocked.

But Hyuga Ao was not in a hurry. She could slowly grind away at it.

At dawn, Orochimaru found Hyuga Ao again.

"Orochimaru-sensei?" Hyuga Ao questioned him with her eyes.

"I've already discussed the Yin Seal with Tsunade. Go to her over the next few days. She wants to see what kind of person you are before deciding whether to teach you." Orochimaru spoke bluntly.

And so, Hyuga Ao began searching for Tsunade.

Am I supposed to check in with all three of the Sannin? Hyuga Ao teased herself.

She had been in Jiraiya's team, become Orochimaru's disciple, and would now spend a few days with Tsunade.

If I think about it this way, am I the ultimate slacker? Hyuga Ao thought.

She gave an embarrassed smile. It did seem that way. She had previously hung around Nawaki's team, and now she was hanging around Orochimaru.

But when it comes to a ninja's work, can you really call it slacking? Hyuga Ao thought. Then ideas such as cultivation doesn't count as slacking and investing in Orochimaru can't be called slacking emerged in her mind.

While Hyuga Ao was struggling with whether she was enjoying herself too much, she arrived at the department where Tsunade worked.

Konoha's recent movements were strange. It had been continuously increasing its troop numbers and transporting supplies, while the Rain Ninja and Iwagakure had also begun mobilizing their forces. Everyone thought Konoha was preparing to stake everything on a single battle and crush everyone at once.

However, from the perspective of Hyuga Ao, who was involved in the situation, Konoha seemed to be waiting for something. It had not begun mobilizing for a decisive battle, and the troops were not mentally prepared for one.

With her thoughts in turmoil, Hyuga Ao met Tsunade.

According to rumors—in this case, information from her previous life—Tsunade had once been a rich girl with a completely flat chest. Later, Jiraiya had foolishly mocked her, prompting Tsunade to reflect deeply, after which she devoted herself to mastering Medical Ninjutsu.

She had built two mountains atop that flat chest.

And after seeing her today, that was indeed the case.

Tsunade helplessly watched Hyuga Ao stare blankly at her chest the moment she entered. She used the opportunity to observe Hyuga Ao's expression.

Her eyes were indeed focused on the mountains, but her mind had clearly wandered elsewhere. Is this child staring blankly at my chest?

Tsunade was both amused and exasperated.

But she also relaxed inwardly. A dazed girl generally did not have a bad personality and was unlikely to be scheming.

Tsunade stood up and flicked Hyuga Ao on the forehead. She said crossly, "Stop staring. You'll have them someday too."

Hyuga Ao could not help imagining what it would be like if she had breasts as large as Tsunade's.

Hyuga Ao charged toward her enemy with tiny, pattering steps. Then, because the enemy crouched down and she could no longer see him, she struck wide and was counter-killed.

At the thought of that scene, Hyuga Ao shuddered and finally came to her senses.

Tsunade watched Hyuga Ao take so long to recover and wondered inwardly how Orochimaru had ended up accepting a disciple like this.

She wrote a note and handed it to Hyuga Ao. "Go find this person and learn Medical Ninjutsu from them. For the next few days, help out in the medical department."

And just like that, Hyuga Ao was pushed out by Tsunade as well.

Check-in complete? A thought surfaced in Hyuga Ao's mind.

It seemed that she had checked in with all three of the Sannin in a short period of time.

Hyuga Ao laughed and cried at the same time as she took the note and went to find the person who would guide her.