"We'll make a special trip to thank Lord Orochimaru. Our Hyuga Branch Family's descendants will remember both your kindnesses for all eternity."
Tokuma interrupted Hyūga Kō and gave Xuandou a grateful smile.
"Why does he keep trembling whenever he hears Orochimaru's name?"
Xuandou grew interested and watched Hyūga Kō with amusement.
Hyūga Kō froze, then said awkwardly, "Well... Lord Xuandou..."
"To answer your question, Lord Xuandou, Hyūga Kō previously served as Hinata's bodyguard. A few years ago, he accompanied Hinata to Azure Tide Port, and Lord Orochimaru developed his New Cursed Technique through him."
Tokuma hurriedly explained:
"We just don't know why he suddenly developed this strange illness that makes him tremble all over whenever he hears Lord Orochimaru's name."
"It never happens at any other time. Please be understanding, Lord Xuandou."
Feeling humiliated, Hyūga Kō flushed and lowered his head to study the teacup on the table.
Though Tokuma had put it tactfully, Xuandou already understood. Hyūga Kō had been Orochimaru's test subject.
Xuandou knew Orochimaru all too well.
That fellow had a pathological possessiveness toward people with special kekkei genkai, desperately wanting to discover how combinations of two chakra nature transformations could be passed down through bloodlines.
Hadn't the cells all over Hyūga Kō's body, his blood, his hair...
Every organ must have been thoroughly studied by Orochimaru, leaving him psychologically scarred!
But Orochimaru had actually found a Hyuga Branch Family member to help him study the Caged Bird Seal. No wonder his new cursed seal was so effective-it was the result of targeted experiments!
Xuandou soon collected himself:
"If you don't mind, I can help you get rid of this aftereffect."
For a ninja, having such an obvious weakness was no small matter.
It made it all too easy for a weaker opponent to defeat them, even