Preparations for Kekkei Genkai Research

Orochimaru loved researching forbidden techniques.

He had scientific research carved into his very bones, so even after just experiencing a major battle and suffering severe physical exhaustion, he did not have the slightest thought of taking a break and immediately threw himself back into his work.

Ao felt inferior by comparison; at the very least, after a battle, the thing he wanted most was to eat a good meal.

Ryūchi Cave was located deep underground.

Aside from snake eggs, he did not see any other ingredients.

He wondered if his teacher had anything at home.

"Teacher, is there anything to eat at home?"

Ao scanned the items in the room; there were not many daily necessities to be seen.

Most of the space was packed full of books and scrolls.

Several bookshelves were completely filled with various scrolls and books.

Only the bedding and pillow on the tatami mat indicated that someone lived here; otherwise, it would be hard to argue that this was anything other than a study.

"Are you hungry?"

"There are some dry rations in the next room; you can just boil some water and eat them."

Orochimaru answered without lifting his head.

He had no particular pursuit when it came to food; as long as it could fill his stomach and satisfy his body's needs, it was enough.

Upon hearing this, Ao stood up and headed to the next room.

The room was furnished very simply, with a stove, though the firewood beside it had already rotted.

In the cold and damp Ryūchi Cave, such wood could not be preserved for long.

The only things that lasted a long time were the Sage's temples, which were mostly built of stone and wood and were mainly nourished by the Natural Energy of the White Snake Sage, allowing them to be preserved for hundreds of years.

Orochimaru's residence here clearly looked like it had been set up only recently.

Ao searched around the room and finally found about ten pounds of white flour in a jar.

On the shelves, there were also some strange beans, some salt, and sugar seasonings.

According to descriptions in his memory, these should be ingredients for making natto.

These beans were currently in the process of fermenting.

In the corner, there was also a pile of eggs, though he did not know how long they had been sitting there.

Ao simply processed the flour to start the fermentation, then went out to the next room to ask Manda for a few snake eggs.

Manda had no reason to refuse.

He easily obtained ten snake eggs.

He simply steamed some buns.

It was a pity there was no yeast, so he could only make unleavened buns.

Then, he used the snake eggs to make egg pancakes.

They were all relatively simple preparations.

It took just over an hour to finish.

Although it was very crude, it was much better than what he had eaten while learning Snake Script from Zuijinji.

Over at Zuijinji's place, there was no white flour, only snakes that would occasionally bring over some raw meat.

Most of it was animal meat.

One day, they even brought him a human hand.

It left him drinking only water for the rest of that day.

"Teacher, would you like to eat something?"

Ao brought the unleavened buns to Orochimaru, along with a plate of about five or six egg pancakes.

He had already eaten his fill in the kitchen.

Orochimaru smelled the aroma, put down his scroll, and glanced at them... bread?

It was a food he had never seen before.

It was whiter than bread.

He picked up a bun and took a bite.

The taste was slightly sweet.

Did he add some sugar?

The hot food entered his stomach, feeling warm.

It felt quite good.

Orochimaru felt as though he hadn't eaten a proper meal in a very long time.

He hadn't expected Uchiha Ao to possess culinary skills.

Had he discovered yet another one of his specialties?

"The taste is quite good."

Orochimaru nodded in satisfaction. Compared to cold rations and dry food, this bread-like snack was acceptable. After finishing it, he picked up an egg pancake from the side.

"Teacher, those are snake eggs inside. You don't mind, do you?"

Ao reminded him, worried that Orochimaru might have reservations, given that his soul had already transformed into a White Snake.

But Orochimaru didn't answer, simply picking up the egg pancake and taking a gentle bite.

"Ao, your skills are not bad at all."

After tasting it, Orochimaru's eyes lit up, and he praised him happily.

He was clearly very satisfied with the egg pancake.

He finished one pancake in a few bites and quickly took another from the bowl.

After a simple meal.

Orochimaru pulled two apples from his sleeve, handed one to Ao, and took a bite of his own.

"The research involving Kekkei Genkai is coming up next. How are your preparations? Once you return from your mission, we will need to begin..."

"Are you confident?"

Orochimaru asked. Research into the power of bloodlines like Kekkei Genkai was not his primary focus.

It was merely a side project in his pursuit of eternal life.

Ao took the apple and bit into it; it was quite sweet.

"Teacher, in my view, research into Kekkei Genkai is not overly complex. During the time I spent reviewing the data, I discovered that they can be divided into two main categories."

"The first is the nature transformation type. This is when a ninja simultaneously manipulates two basic Chakra attributes and completes a fusion of their natures to produce a brand-new technique, which can then be called a Kekkei Genkai. Examples include Ice Release, Lava Release, and so on."

"The second is the physical or organ mutation type, which arises from the guidance of special bloodline powers or mutations in organs, such as the Sharingan, Byakugan, and the Uzumaki Constitution."

"I believe the former has no need for research at the moment; it involves talent in Chakra mastery and holds little scientific value. The latter is the key to our research. Studying bloodline powers can help us understand as quickly as possible how human bloodlines influence talent."

"Moreover, the heritability is high, and the reproducibility is relatively high as well."

"Once we have thoroughly researched the bloodline-talent type of Kekkei Genkai, it might be much easier to study Chakra talent later."

Ao answered methodically.

Ao poured out all the insights he had gathered during this period in one go.

Orochimaru chewed his apple, nodding from time to time to show his approval.

"Very good. It seems you have put in a fair amount of effort."

"Chakra has been passed down since the era of the Ninjutsu Sect, and ninjutsu has emerged endlessly throughout ninja history. Yet, every Kekkei Genkai that can be inherited is without exception related to bloodlines."

"Mastering one nature transformation of Chakra is enough to be called a Jonin, and mastering two is already considered elite status in any ninja village."

"Researching them is indeed troublesome."

"However, I must remind you of one thing: the fusion of Kekkei Genkai is extremely complex. You must be fully prepared before proceeding, lest you waste experimental materials. I currently have no source of income, and every piece of experimental material is extremely important."

"Which direction do you intend to start from?"

Orochimaru cautioned him.

He still needed to build a platform to earn money to ensure that his research wouldn't be interrupted by a lack of funding.

"I understand, Teacher."

"As for the specific direction, I have settled on the Hyuga bloodline, which I am relatively familiar with."

Ao replied solemnly.

"Hmm... the Hyuga, is it!? Aren't you more familiar with the Uchiha bloodline... Since you have already made your judgment, then you must handle it yourself."

Orochimaru felt like this kid was implying something about him.

But he didn't take the bait.

He had no time to go stir up trouble with the Hyuga clan right now.

He had more important things to do.

"I understand. Teacher, I have one more question. Do you know about Sage Art?"

Ao nodded and posed a question to Orochimaru that had been buried deep in his heart.

"The White Snake Sage gave me a legacy of cultivation. I have only just begun to understand a little, but I have encountered some new problems."

He did not hide the gift from the White Snake Sage, though he omitted the details regarding the Sage's Snake Slough.

He confessed it directly.

Orochimaru looked him over with surprise, his tone astonished: "Sage Art? The Sage once told me that this is a brand-new power distinct from Chakra, but I have no interest in it."

"Besides, the White Snake Sage also said that I lack the talent to practice Sage Art."

"Since she thinks highly of you, then you should give it a good try... However, you need to be careful; Natural Energy is extremely damaging to the body. If you notice anything wrong, stop immediately."

A flicker of envy flashed in the depths of Orochimaru's eyes.

In truth, the White Snake Sage had once taught him Sage Art, but his body could not withstand Natural Energy, and he was forced to give it up.

It was only later that he was compelled to develop the Cursed Seal, a shortcut to boost one's strength by borrowing Natural Energy.

Natural Energy is the key to performing Sage Art.

The greater one's affinity, the more powerful the Sage Art one can wield.

The stronger Ao becomes, the greater his help will be in the future.

Orochimaru would not hinder Ao's cultivation in this regard.