Orochimaru's Support

Shinichi Hyuga implanted the heart into the test subject.

He made the test subject turn over, then implanted the remaining First Wood Release Cells into its spine.

Using the same method, the cells merged with the test subject.

The entire process flowed smoothly. The most crucial part was getting the chakra ratio of the Wood Release Cells right and suppressing the original will within them.

Shinichi Hyuga had long since turned all of this into a standardized procedure.

After putting the heart back in,

he activated the experimental equipment to monitor the test subject's changes.

Orochimaru was once again stunned. Even after weakening the Wood Release Cells many times, he still hadn't been able to overcome their ability to devour everything. And now, it had been solved so easily?

Those deft movements just now had all been performed without any equipment. The most important factor was his understanding of the Wood Release Cells.

Now Orochimaru could be sure that Shinichi Hyuga had told the truth when he said he'd once recreated Wood Release.

And not just once.

During the Third Shinobi World War, the two of them had briefly crossed paths on the battlefield. Back then, Shinichi Hyuga hadn't seemed like someone with research experience. He'd had neither the time nor the facilities.

Shinichi Hyuga really was mysterious—and powerful!

Beep, beep~~

A series of shrill beeps came from the machine beside the laboratory, jolting Orochimaru out of his thoughts.

"It has a life reaction!" Orochimaru gaped, his eyes wide.

He acted in a way that was completely unlike his usual unflappable self, hurrying to the operating table and fiddling with the equipment.

Shinichi Hyuga wore a mysterious smile. Fortunately, he'd studied White Zetsu closely while in the Land of Rain and conducted detailed research on Wood Release.

Otherwise, this would have taken a lot more effort.

Orochimaru had asked him to show off today, and it just so happened to be right in his area of expertise!

He'd wanted to show off, only to walk straight into the line of fire.

The Wood Release Cells had now been transplanted into the test subject. Once it had enough time to develop and a fragmentary soul emerged, they could use the subject as a growth medium to create a Wood Release shinobi.

Its power would be limited, and so would its potential. Its foundation was too poor! Perhaps it would be nothing more than a mindless vegetable.

But they had already solved the rejection response to the Wood Release Cells—the most difficult hurdle in the entire experiment.

For now, that was enough to whet Orochimaru's appetite, as well as Shimura Danzō's.

Orochimaru was still recording something. At last, his gaze settled on the operating table.

The test subject's normal skin had turned white, and something like spores had begun growing on it. But it was alive!

"Shinichi, you really are a genius! That 'little bit' you mentioned is far beyond my expectations. I need the detailed chakra ratios for Wood Release, along with the information you mentioned!"

Orochimaru turned around, greed in his eyes and a tremor in his voice. He made no effort to hide his ambition.

Orochimaru had only understood a small part of the procedure, but the results spoke for themselves.

In Orochimaru's eyes, Wood Release Cells—which remained active decades after their owner's death—offered a path toward immortality.

It fit perfectly with his future plans for eternal life through the soul.

If he could obtain a body as powerful as the First's with every reincarnation, just how strong would he become?

All of this depended on Shinichi Hyuga being willing to share his knowledge.

"You still haven't understood what I meant. Simple Wood Release is useless to people at our level.

"Let's deal with my business first, then we can discuss the next step. You also need time to sort out the path you want to take."

Shinichi Hyuga headed for the changing room to get ready to leave. Orochimaru followed close behind.

By now, Orochimaru's interest had been thoroughly piqued. At the clan meeting a month from now, he would do everything he could to help Shinichi Hyuga get the outcome he wanted.

Orochimaru stopped, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. It was good that Shinichi wanted something; that meant there was room to bargain.

"I'll give you my full support. I should be able to keep the Third occupied during the clan meeting, right?"

Orochimaru offered his help without being asked, agreeing to keep the biggest variable, the Third, in check for Shinichi Hyuga.

"That's not enough. Everything depends on how you perform. We're supposed to be the closest of partners, aren't we? You'll have to show enough sincerity.

"This test subject will need three months to develop. After that, it'll develop a simple consciousness. We can discuss the next step then."

Shinichi Hyuga smiled with satisfaction as he carefully washed the smell off himself and changed back into his original clothes.

He'd achieved his goal. He could continue working with Orochimaru, as long as Orochimaru gave him his full support.

He quickened his pace and left the laboratory. Unlike Orochimaru, he wasn't alone in the world.

Orochimaru didn't stop him. He returned to the operating table and sealed the test subject away.

He picked up the experimental data and began studying it, hoping to find a clue in its pages.

"Chakra? Kekkei Genkai? Sage Body? And Sage Mode for Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze? This is all so exciting!"

Orochimaru murmured under his breath, then let out a quiet laugh without realizing it.

In the empty laboratory, the sound was eerie and unsettling.

He'd discovered that there was still so much about this world he didn't know. Those unknowns could bring him new discoveries and make up for his past regrets.

Now he could be sure that Shinichi Hyuga understood this world far better than he did.

Three months from now, he would come into contact with the truth of this world.

What was wrong with supporting Shinichi Hyuga? He no longer had any desire to compete for the title of Hokage. He could use all his political capital to secure Shinichi Hyuga as the perfect partner.

In one month, the Hyuga Clan would hold a meeting to decide on the Hidden Branch Main House!

In three months, the Main Branch would perform the Caged Bird sealing ceremony!

Those were the times when Shinichi Hyuga needed him to show enough sincerity.

Orochimaru began to understand. What Shinichi Hyuga had revealed to him was a bargaining chip.

He could give up the so-called power of the Third in exchange for Shinichi Hyuga revealing the truth of this world. Now he could see the path he was meant to take.

A path he'd longed for since childhood! Without realizing it, he touched his earlobe.

Sealed inside was a white snake's shed skin, something he'd found in front of his parents' tomb and had been moved by countless times.

A smile returned to his face. For some reason, the Third's face surfaced in his mind.

"Sensei, I should thank you! Because you meddled, I got the chance to see the side of Shinichi Hyuga that he'd been hiding."

Let the good-natured Minato Namikaze take the Hokage's hat!

I, Orochimaru, have already seen the path I'll take.

Near dusk.

Shinichi Hyuga walked through Konoha's bustling streets and arrived at his home.

It wasn't near the Hyuga Clan's compound, but on the outskirts of Konoha, near Training Ground No. 6.

It was a small detached house he'd bought with his own savings.

Back then, he'd been thinking of bringing Uzumaki Tomoko to live in Konoha. Now Reiko Hyuga lived here.

"I'm home!"

He pushed open the wooden door and saw the little one waiting for him at the entrance.

She was curled up in the rocking bed where he took his afternoon naps.

Beside the bed was a Black Ghost that only Shinichi Hyuga could see, carefully protecting Reiko Hyuga.