Orochimaru's Invitation

Uchiha Yato was not surprised in the slightest by what Orochimaru had said.

He had known long ago that Orochimaru was conducting human experiments.

Back then, Orochimaru had even fought Uchiha Yato. Unfortunately, although Uchiha Yato could not defeat the Kage-level Orochimaru of that time,

it had also been impossible for Orochimaru to kill Uchiha Yato. Just as Orochimaru had been about to flee,

Uchiha Yato had said, "What's the big deal? You're striving for science, after all."

"As long as you don't use those harmful human experiments on me, anything goes."

It had to be said that this viewpoint had pleased Orochimaru greatly.

Ever since he had begun conducting experiments, countless people had regarded them with incomprehension, disdain, and disapproval.

Danzo Shimura might have supported his experiments verbally, but he had never participated in them, much less understood Orochimaru's joy at uncovering the mysteries of the human body.

That had given Orochimaru an entirely new impression of Uchiha Yato.

At the very least, at the time, he had believed that he had found one of his own kind, and he had immediately invited Uchiha Yato.

Uchiha Yato had been remarkably straightforward. Without any hesitation, he had gone with him to one of his laboratories.

An open heart paired with decisive courage was enough to earn quite a bit of favor from Orochimaru.

At the time, Orochimaru had been utterly obsessed with Wood Release experiments.

Uchiha Yato had then put forth his own hypothesis.

"Throughout history, Hashirama Senju is the only member of the Senju Clan to have obtained Wood Release."

"We saw the power of his Wood Release and naively assumed that Wood Release must be the strongest. But is that really true?"

Those words made Orochimaru, who had previously been delighted by the progress of his experiments, feel rather uncomfortable.

He had argued somewhat defensively, "But you cannot deny that its power is unmatched throughout history."

Uchiha Yato raised another question.

"Madara Uchiha was strong enough, wasn't he?"

"Does that mean every person with the Sharingan can reach Madara Uchiha's level?"

That made Orochimaru's mind stall for a moment, because Uchiha Yato was right.

And that was indeed the truth. If every Uchiha could reach Madara Uchiha's level, then the ninja world as it was today would never have existed.

It made Orochimaru continuously ponder whether Wood Release truly was the strongest power and whether obtaining it was truly necessary.

Uchiha Yato explained his hypothesis about Wood Release.

"Generally speaking, there are only five basic types of chakra. Beyond those, there are also the yin and yang attributes innate to the body."

"So-called Kekkei Genkai are merely several kinds of chakra layered together. Much like composite ninjutsu, they react within the body and are then released."

"The Senju Clan's most fundamental chakra natures are water and earth, but I think there should be one more added to the mix."

Those few words instantly broadened Orochimaru's line of thought.

"You mean that either yang-release or yin-release chakra should be added as well?"

"The Senju Clan is renowned for its body, so Wood Release should be formed from yang-release chakra."

The moment he said it, even Orochimaru was startled.

He had not expected this half-grown child of the Uchiha Clan to bring him so many astonishing ideas.

Orochimaru then said, "But if that is the case, wouldn't combining three kinds of chakra be far too difficult?"

Uchiha Yato said, "Uncle Snake, you really do forget favors quickly."

"Doesn't that old man from the Stone Village and his teacher know a ninjutsu formed from three kinds of chakra?"

The old man from the Stone Village Uchiha Yato referred to was the current Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, along with his teacher—the Second Tsuchikage, Mu.

Orochimaru said in surprise, "Kekkei Tōta!"

In terms of power, Dust Release was indeed extraordinarily destructive, and the same was true of Wood Release.

In terms of difficulty, both required three types of chakra to achieve such effects, making them genuinely difficult for ordinary people to master.

(If the above hypothesis regarding Wood Release can be supported by evidence from the original work, then consider it supplementary material.)

(If not, then consider it an original setting. Thank you all for your support.)

These discoveries immediately thrilled Orochimaru. Originally, he had only intended to find an Uchiha brat and seize his Sharingan for research.

Yet he had not expected the brat to bring him such astonishing conjectures and ideas. From the looks of it, the feasibility and certainty of these ideas were extremely high.

Orochimaru calmed himself and said, "The Uchiha Clan truly produces talents in abundance!"

"Your observations and hypotheses are enough to earn even my admiration."

Uchiha Yato said frankly, "My strength is still insufficient, and I also have Senju Clan blood running through me."

"I have some thoughts regarding Wood Release as well."

"I want to use your help, Uncle Snake, to realize my Wood Release, so please give me a hand."

From then until now, Uchiha Yato would occasionally visit Orochimaru to learn about the progress of his experiments.

Naturally, Orochimaru still kept some things in reserve regarding the experiment, but the person he withheld them from was not Uchiha Yato. It was Danzo Shimura.

Orochimaru still somewhat appreciated someone who shared his spirit of inquiry and did not reject his methods and actions.

Thus, he was willing to discuss some of his progress with Uchiha Yato.

The scene returned to the present.

Uchiha Yato said lightly, "I assume Uncle Snake didn't want to discuss things that outsiders shouldn't hear with me out on the street."

It had to be admitted that Uchiha Yato's command of language was truly profound.

With that one sentence, quite a few passersby who had overheard them immediately pretended to be blind and deaf.

Orochimaru did not fuss over such trivialities and quickly extended an invitation to Uchiha Yato.

The two of them swiftly arrived at Orochimaru's experimental base.

Of course, such matters still needed to be handled discreetly. After all, if Danzo caught them "cheating," it would be somewhat difficult to explain.

Inside the laboratory.

Orochimaru said, "You need not concern yourself with Wood Release. I have other ideas on my end."

"I only want to ask whether you can get your hands on Rasa's body."

Uchiha Yato said lightly, "Alright, you just want to study another village's Kekkei Genkai, don't you?"

"Why beat around the bush with me? If you have something to say, just say it."

Orochimaru said happily upon hearing that, "So you can do it?"

Uchiha Yato replied, "No."

The faint happiness on Orochimaru's face instantly turned into displeasure.

Hehe became not-hehe. (Interpret the expression yourselves; the author will provide more later.)

Uchiha Yato said, "Danzo is being punished now. If you make the Sand Shinobi cause trouble afterward, the ninja world will descend into chaos."

"You're still a strong candidate for the Fourth Hokage, after all. For the sake of your future resources and ambitions, take a step back."

Though there were few words, they struck directly at the heart of the matter.

Orochimaru still had ambitions of becoming Hokage. His deal with Danzo Shimura was also for Danzo to give him a push when circumstances allowed.

Seeing that Orochimaru was still unwilling to give up, Uchiha Yato continued.

"You haven't even figured out your own Kekkei Genkai yet, so why bother with someone else's?"

"Instead of wasting this opportunity, get two more Sharingan from Danzo and study those. Wouldn't that be better than Magnet Release?"

Hearing Uchiha Yato say that, Orochimaru finally relented. "Fine, but I expect there will be a match between you and Rasa later on."

"I'll settle for the next best thing. I want his blood. You should be able to get that for me, right?"

This time, Orochimaru did not use a negotiating tone, but spoke with the attitude of a partner certain of the outcome.

Uchiha Yato indicated that it would be no trouble at all, and the matter was put to rest.

Afterward, the two of them huddled together again, intending to discuss their hypothesis regarding Wood Release.

Orochimaru said, "Transplanting Hashirama's cells can grant Wood Release, but the failure rate is far too high. And once it fails, the subject turns into a tree."

"What do you think causes that?"

Uchiha Yato gave his thoughts.

"Wood Release wasn't the only thing Hashirama Senju knew."

"His sage arts were also perfected to an extraordinary degree. I believe that is why those test subjects turned into trees."

Orochimaru had considered this hypothesis before, but he had not wanted to acknowledge it.

Finding an experimental subject capable of sage arts was far too difficult!

To date, there had never been—not a single person in the ninja world capable of sage arts who was also unknown.

Uchiha Yato added, "I have an idea. I wonder whether Lord Orochimaru would dare to do it."

Normally, Uchiha Yato liked to call Orochimaru Uncle Snake, a form of address that conveyed both familiarity and respect.

But whenever Uchiha Yato started acting respectful toward Orochimaru, it meant he was up to no good.

He was about to stir up trouble!