Research on the Caged Bird

Shinichi Hyuga walked over and snatched the Byakugan from Orochimaru's hand. Its ocular power and all its tissues had been completely destroyed, but Orochimaru should have figured out some of the patterns in it.

He had absorbed some of Haibara Ai's research talent, but when it came to mysterious fields he had only just begun exploring, he still couldn't match Orochimaru.

After using a low-grade version of the Conan Transformation Pill to win Orochimaru over with his strength, he had gained some support from him.

Part of that support involved helping him research the Caged Bird, but most of it came from Orochimaru's connections and influence.

After all, Orochimaru was one of the Konoha Sannin. He had once had a chance to compete for the position of Hokage, and had even commanded in war. He also wielded considerable influence within the Hyuga Clan.

Now Orochimaru no longer sought power. Instead, he was filled with a yearning for technology.

Some of Orochimaru's ideas had awakened far sooner than they had in Shinichi's memories.

Orochimaru smiled as he responded to Shinichi. He was especially respectful toward people who possessed genuine knowledge and strength equal to his own. In human genetics, Shinichi even surpassed him.

When Shinichi had taken out that bottle of medicine, their conversation had given Orochimaru insight in certain areas.

He had already realized that Shinichi's research talent in some fields was greater than his own.

Orochimaru's mouth twitched slightly. He walked over to a nearby control panel, pulled out a thick stack of documents, and raised them as he spoke.

"Looks like you've already made your own plans. Then, let me tell you about my research.

"I've currently found several ways to remove the Caged Bird mark.

"First: kill the person who placed it. This would require killing everyone who can control the Caged Bird mark, rendering it useless. But there's a risk: the person who placed the mark can take your lives at any time. The Caged Bird is so secure precisely because the person who placed it can quickly destroy the mark.

"Second: use Sealing Jutsu to block the controller from activating it. The mark would still exist, though, and if the seal ever weakened, you could still be killed. This would require a higher-level Sealing Jutsu.

"Third: reincarnate into another body. I have a decent technique for that. Want to give it a try?"

Orochimaru set down the documents and stared intently at Shinichi.

This was the research Shinichi had asked Orochimaru to help him with before he acquired the Ajin bloodline.

The results concealed some of Orochimaru's own ulterior motives.

None of these methods was what Shinichi wanted.

The first two were possible, but came with serious risks. As for the last one, Orochimaru's method of reincarnation seemed to be an attempt to control Shinichi.

Now that Shinichi had acquired the Ajin bloodline, he didn't need to worry about the Caged Bird on himself at all. The only one he truly cared about was his daughter.

He needed a more reliable solution. Frowning, he took the report from Orochimaru, deeply dissatisfied with the results.

"Is this all you've accomplished over the past few months?

"Looks like you haven't put your mind to the task I gave you at all!"

Shinichi stared intently at Orochimaru. He clenched his hand, crushing the Byakugan to fragments, and absorbed its ocular power into his own Byakugan.

Orochimaru had taken the benefits Shinichi offered, yet all he had to show for it was this laughably useless research.

"The Caged Bird is the Hyuga Clan's most important Cursed Seal. It's not easy to research."

Orochimaru's gaze darted aside. He stuck out the tip of his long tongue and ran it over the corner of his mouth as he made excuses.

The truth was, he hadn't paid much attention to the Caged Bird Cursed Seal because it had little impact on him.

At the same time, the seal held little value as a reference for his own research. His only real gain had been the research payment Shinichi gave him.

The main purpose of that payment was to get the Hyuga Clan jonin who had once served under Orochimaru to support Shinichi at the clan meeting. So Orochimaru didn't feel he owed Shinichi anything.

Now that the Third had interfered in the Hyuga Clan's meeting, Orochimaru's former connections had slipped out of his control.

The two of them would have to weigh up their thoughts and the value of their partnership before deciding how to work together in the future.

"Is that so? Looks like you've found a new research subject!

"Let me guess. Wood Release? And your partner is Danzo?"

Shinichi began to pace, his gaze sweeping around the room.

A lot of new experimental subjects had appeared since his last visit a few months ago. The smell of fresh activator in the air led him to several subjects Orochimaru often worked on.

Each of them was covered in white, tumor-like pustules that continued to grow even in the nutrient solution and activator.

Putting together what he remembered, Shinichi realized that Orochimaru had already begun researching Hashirama Cells.

Judging by Orochimaru's behavior, he had still ended up on the same path as before.

"Interested?"

Now that Shinichi had called him out, Orochimaru stopped trying to hide it.

If Shinichi joined him, his experiments would make progress and break through their bottlenecks. Judging by Shinichi's past performance, his research in human physiology was already on par with Orochimaru's, and his perspective was even more unusual.

"I don't work with someone twice if they can't keep their word."

Shinichi looked at the light shining in Orochimaru's eyes and made a few guesses. Perhaps Orochimaru's current situation had something to do with the Third.

The Third had held his student back and chosen the younger Minato Namikaze to become the Fourth Hokage.

Orochimaru must have received some compensation from the Third.

That compensation would have included some of the Second's research materials, along with tacit approval on certain matters of power—including research on the First's cells and the bodies of the Senju Clan.

The Third believed he had everything under control, but in the end, it would all come back to bite him.

Shinichi turned and prepared to leave.

Orochimaru looked surprised. He couldn't understand why Shinichi was so decisive.

He had known Shinichi before. Though the young man was extraordinarily talented, he had always been somewhat hesitant.

"Wait. My reputation speaks for itself."

A faint curve lifted Orochimaru's lips. This version of Shinichi suited him even better, so he called out to stop him.

As he spoke, he summoned a giant snake. A box that looked quite old emerged from its mouth.

Orochimaru tossed it straight toward Shinichi.

With his one remaining hand, Shinichi struck out with his palm. The force of his blow spun the box through the air and cleaned it, removing the disgusting liquid coating its surface.

Though puzzled, he opened it.

A strange smell rushed into his nostrils—the scent of the preservative used during the Sengoku era to keep objects from rotting.

Inside was a stack of yellowed research notes documenting the Caged Bird technique.

Shinichi flipped through a few pages, his eyes lighting up. His heart leapt with joy.

A smile crept across his lips. With this technique, he could control all the members of the Hyuga Branch Family.

"That contains the Second's research on the Caged Bird. I believe it'll meet your needs," Orochimaru said with a smile, looking at Shinichi.

The two of them smiled in tacit understanding, their earlier unpleasantness forgotten.

That was how smart people worked together: everything came down to mutual benefit.

"The master of forbidden techniques really was an extraordinary man."

Shinichi put the box away. He couldn't help admiring the Second, who had been unmatched in the field of forbidden techniques.

The techniques he left behind had even provided technological support for several wars in the future.

Shinichi had a suspicion that Orochimaru might already have started researching Impure World Reincarnation by now.

He stopped and turned toward a protective suit nearby.

He needed to make himself appealing enough to keep Orochimaru on his side. That would make his future plans go much more smoothly.

Orochimaru's earlier halfheartedness had made Shinichi feel like a mere substitute. That was why, when Shinichi proposed the project, Orochimaru had weighed the pros and cons.