Hatake Sakumo pointed helplessly at Orochimaru, voicing his complaint without a sound.
He already turned you down like that. Why are you still agonizing over it?
Watanabe Ichiro rolled his eyes inwardly and tiptoed out of the Laboratory with Hatake Sakumo. Both sides were experimental areas, so they could hardly disturb anyone by talking.
Still, Watanabe Ichiro checked on the artificial human disguise he had left in the Laboratory along the way. Unfortunately, even after all this time, it still wasn't usable.
The ill-fated artificial human had yet to grow strong enough to bear the Rinnegan. To use the Rinnegan without worry in the future, Watanabe Ichiro would have to wait a little longer.
There was no rush. His Leaf Dragon disguise would hold out for quite some time yet, leaving plenty of time for the artificial human disguise to grow.
Outside the Laboratory, Hatake Sakumo let out a heavy sigh and turned a hopeful gaze toward Watanabe Ichiro.
"Leaf Dragon, as Konoha's best intelligence operative, what would you do if you were in my position?"
He had to admit, the Hatake Clan's stubbornness really did run in the family.
"I'd consider giving up. If even the professional researchers advise against joining the experiment, there's no need to be so stubborn about it. This isn't a mandatory mission."
"Besides, why are you so fixated on tailed beasts? You're already strong enough to handle most people in the Shinobi World, aren't you?"
"As things stand, there are only nine tailed beast jinchūriki at most. The chances of running into one on the battlefield are minuscule, so why take such a huge risk to participate in the experiment?"
They talked as they walked, leaving the Laboratory area.
When he looked up, the sunlight was just right, spilling over Hokage Rock.
The First