Little Snakey

In a laboratory at the Hidden Leaf Hospital filled with various instruments, Tsunade irritably tugged at her hair, staring at the mess on the table.

As the leading power in the Ninja World, the Hidden Leaf's technological level was second to none, far more advanced than the medieval-like Wizard World.

Compared to Lu Yan's crude setup of cauldrons, test tubes, and scales, Tsunade had a wealth of auxiliary equipment at her disposal.

Relying on her exceptional medical talent and advanced instruments, Tsunade had identified the materials needed for the Healing Liquid. However, the medicinal properties of many ingredients conflicted with one another, and just like the Uchiha clan's attempts, Tsunade's concoctions ended in explosions.

The difference was that Obito had clearly explained the refining steps to the Uchiha, while Tsunade had to rely on reverse-engineering the original Healing Liquid through trial and error.

This potion's reaction is far too complex.

I can only test different possibilities one by one. To reverse-engineer the correct refining process, it will likely take several years.

And to mass-produce it, current technology makes it impossible; it can only be done through manual labor.

Even if Obito knows the refining steps, how could he find so many people skilled enough to refine it?

Tsunade frowned in thought, but finding no leads, she simply turned and pushed the door open to check on Orochimaru's progress.

Unlike Tsunade's medical talent, Orochimaru was primarily obsessed with biological experiments.

He had his own private laboratory in the Hidden Leaf and had even begun using intelligence agents and ninjas from other villages for human experimentation. His aura grew increasingly cold, and his laboratory was notoriously bloody and cruel; Tsunade usually avoided it entirely.

However, since this potion experiment was primarily under the jurisdiction of the Hidden Leaf Medical Department, Orochimaru had not returned to his own lab but had instead occupied one nearby.

Pushing the door open, Tsunade saw Orochimaru standing by a table, lost in deep thought. She slapped him on the shoulder and asked with a grin, "How is it?"

"Impossible to reverse-engineer in the short term."

Orochimaru shook his head, then added with interest, "Obito is truly a genius. To think the Senju Tree contains such dense life energy—it's hard to imagine just how powerful Lord Hashirama was back then."

Tsunade smiled proudly, a hint of nostalgia on her face: "My grandfather was the God of the Ninja World, after all."

Orochimaru looked at the Senju Tree on the table and smiled regretfully, an indescribable heat flashing in his eyes as he said in a flat tone: "But even the God of Shinobi grows old and faces death."

"Who isn't going to die eventually!"

Thinking of the deceased Nawaki and Dan, Tsunade lowered her head, her face filled with sorrow.

After a moment of silence, Tsunade looked up with a wide, bright smile and shouted: "Since we can't make it in the short term, let's go report to Teacher Sarutobi."

"I've been stuck at the border for so many days; my hands have been itching for a game. I can't wait to clean up at the gambling tables."

Orochimaru silently packed up his experimental records and data, replying coolly: "Didn't you run off to the border to dodge your debts?"

"Hahaha!"

Tsunade rubbed her head in embarrassment, looking at Orochimaru with expectant eyes.

"I don't have any money!"

Orochimaru's expression remained cold as he turned to walk out.

"No way!!!"

Tsunade grabbed Orochimaru's hand, putting on a pathetic expression and fake-crying: "Little Snakey, can you really bear to see me chased by creditors and sleeping on the streets?"

A few black lines appeared on Orochimaru's forehead. He shook her off with a dark face: "Five hundred thousand ryo. And you are forbidden from calling me that name again."

"You got it!"

Tsunade's expression shifted instantly, and she beamed at Orochimaru.

Orochimaru took a deep breath, barely maintaining his composure, his voice tinged with helplessness: "I don't have it on me. I'll have someone send it to the casino later."

Tsunade's eyes lit up. She patted Orochimaru's shoulder in satisfaction and strode toward the exit, calling out: "You go handle Teacher Sarutobi. Remember to send the money quickly."

Orochimaru sighed, shaking his head helplessly at Tsunade's retreating figure, though a trace of warmth flickered in his eyes.

In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen set down the experimental records and looked at Orochimaru, saying in a deep voice: "So, it cannot be replicated in the short term?"

"Correct."

Orochimaru nodded slightly, his face expressionless.

"Sigh."

Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up his pipe, took a deep drag, and said hoarsely: "War is imminent. These potions could help Hidden Leaf ninjas gain a massive advantage. We don't have time."

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and suddenly chuckled: "Teacher, why not let me be responsible for the negotiations with the Uchiha?"

"You're interested in Uchiha Obito!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a large cloud of smoke, the light in his eyes hidden.

Orochimaru's smile remained unchanged, a strange glint flashing in his amber snake-like pupils as he said softly: "Such an interesting person—I'd like to observe him closely."

"Very well."

Sarutobi Hiruzen closed his eyes to ponder for a moment, then looked up at Orochimaru's smile and nodded, saying sternly: "I will have Danzo assist you in this matter."

In a corridor, Orochimaru walked with an expressionless face, completely ignoring the wails and curses echoing around him.

Beyond his public laboratory, Orochimaru maintained several secret ones where he researched things strictly forbidden by the Hidden Leaf. This particular lab was dedicated to researching the cells of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.

Orochimaru's collaborator and primary financier was Danzo, who invested vast sums of money and various precious experimental materials in exchange for sharing the technologies and special test subjects Orochimaru developed.

However, the partnership between Orochimaru and Danzo had recently hit rock bottom because the new funding and precious materials Danzo had promised never arrived, with the excuse given being that he had been robbed.

Orochimaru felt that Danzo was playing him for a fool. Since when did the Ninja World have such a formidable thief, one capable of stealing from even his Root organization, and even leaving an arrogant note: "I borrowed this on my own merit—Lu Yan."

Orochimaru didn't believe a single word of it, which was why he had recently had a falling out with Danzo.

Sighing, Orochimaru looked at his subordinate before him and said in a deep voice, "Send someone to deliver five hundred thousand ryo to Tsunade."

"Yes."

Orochimaru's subordinate knelt on the ground with a respectful expression, then hesitated before saying, "Lord Orochimaru, our funds are already insufficient for the next phase of experiments. Should we slow down the research?"

Orochimaru's mouth twitched. He nodded expressionlessly and said softly, "The experiments cannot stop. Speed up the progress; I will resolve the funding issue."

Watching his subordinate retreat, Orochimaru suddenly felt a sense of weariness. The Ninja World was always filled with endless wars and missions, and Orochimaru felt he never had enough time for his experiments.

Ever since his parents died, Orochimaru had understood that his ideal was immortality. After all these years, several experiments had begun to show results, but resources and time were strictly shackling the progress of his research.

"Damn you, Danzo!"

A murderous look crossed Orochimaru's face. That guy Danzo had taken so much technology from him, yet he dared to cut off the funding.

Thinking about how he had to find a way to raise funds, which would further delay his experimental progress, Orochimaru felt the urge to kill.

Looking at the dim night sky outside the window, Orochimaru sneered, "Danzo, I won't let you off!"