The Astartes Program

Tsunade had little interest in such things these days, but when she heard she could use Hidan for practice, a sharp gleam appeared in her eyes.

"Sure. I'd like to see whether this guy really can't feel pain."

As an expert in medicine, Tsunade might be even better than the Interrogation Division at inflicting pain if that was all she wanted to do.

Hidan's mouth was gagged, so he could only shake his head desperately. He looked as though he was trying to say something.

Judging by his expression, though, he wasn't afraid. If anything, he looked defiant.

Unfortunately for him, no one there wanted to waste time on his nonsense.

Seeing that Tsunade had no interest in his theory, Orochimaru merely spread his hands and offered no further explanation.

Talking to people who didn't understand science was always a hassle.

Xuanye was better. Admittedly, as the man funding his research, he constantly made unrealistic demands, planted spies around him, and adjusted his workload according to how much rest he got. It was as if Xuanye meant to squeeze Orochimaru dry down to his last drop of blood.

By now, Orochimaru had suffered so much that he'd learned to use the same trick to squeeze Kabuto.

But Xuanye genuinely respected science, and he paid generously.

Otherwise, Orochimaru would have walked away from such a demanding employer long ago.

Tsunade still felt angry. With an irritated huff, she picked up a scroll Orochimaru had arranged on the nearby table. Among the notes was research into her Strength of a Hundred Technique.

"Looks like Xuanye thinks highly of you. He even gave you this."

Orochimaru smiled. "That's not all. Xuanye even lets me research certain forbidden techniques and Tailed Beast Chakra."

"Why did that bastard Uchiha Genya send me to you?" Tsunade