"Coming out of Ryūchi Cave feels really unpleasant. It feels like entering a barren world."
While attempting sage transformation, he could absorb natural energy without restraint in Ryūchi Cave. But outside, absorbing natural energy became exceedingly slow—so slow it was infuriating!
It seemed he would need to stockpile natural energy before every battle.
Hearing Uchiha Yū's complaint, Orochimaru stopped and patiently explained, "The three great sacred lands possess an abundance of natural energy. To achieve Sage Mode outside, you need time to accumulate it."
"So you must prepare before a battle."
Besides being his disciple, Uchiha Yū was also an exceptionally valuable test subject. Orochimaru needed to use Uchiha Yū's Sage Mode to study the next stage of sage transformation and turn their theories into reality.
"Next, cooperate with me on some experiments. Let's explore sage transformation."
He could hardly wait to study Uchiha Yū's body. Obtaining the results he wanted without harming Uchiha Yū would take some time.
"All right, Orochimaru-sensei. I also want to understand how Radiation power affects sage transformation. There's something else I need to tell you in advance."
Yū explained the so-called side effects. Even when Uchiha Yū was not fighting, he continuously emitted radiation whenever he transformed, and even if he deliberately absorbed it, there was still danger. He told Orochimaru not to get too close.
"What a troublesome fellow. Still, compared with developing Sage Mode and the help it will provide for the experiments ahead, this level of risk is acceptable."
He led Yū to a hidden laboratory. No one knew how many laboratories Orochimaru had left beneath Konoha. Since certain secret experiments could not see the light of day, he could only research them alone. Now, with Uchiha Yū's help, he could have an assistant.
The laboratory contained many half-human, half-snake monsters,