Naruto casually surveyed the surroundings and the people who had come to receive them. His gaze moved to the buildings dedicated to experiments as he calmly asked Orochimaru beside him, "Most of the funding allocated to you by the Land of Rice Fields is being poured into these experiments now, isn't it?"
Orochimaru nodded, not at all surprised that Naruto had guessed as much. "Truly, nothing can be hidden from you."
"Yes, the funds have indeed been used mainly for experiments."
"As a result, the number of regular ninja in the village has remained low. Most of those who remain are subordinates personally loyal to me, or those willing to undergo experiments and modifications in exchange for power."
"Of course, I have also bestowed some power upon them, making them stronger—and more loyal to me."
Hearing words like "experiments" and "modifications," Uchiha Hikari frowned instinctively.
Having once been used and studied by her clansmen as a weapon, she felt an instinctive disgust and resistance toward such matters.
Naruto said directly, "For now, release all of your current test subjects."
"Those who are willing to stay and are mentally sound can become the village's regular fighting force."
"Those unwilling to stay should be compensated and allowed to leave."
"As for your research, it should shift away from human modification and the exploration of Forbidden Jutsu, toward more practical technologies that can be applied on a large scale."
This decision made Uchiha Hikari glance at him from the side.
The approval in her gaze toward Naruto deepened by several degrees.
A trace of struggle flashed across Orochimaru's face.
Some of the experiments had taken countless efforts to advance to their critical stages. Abandoning them now was truly a pity.
But Orochimaru's golden eyes flicked rapidly between Naruto's calm face and Uchiha Hikari's