Original world-Year One of the Shinobi World
After Mito Uzumaki was brought back through Impure World Reincarnation and went to Rōran to research the Dragon Vein...
Good news also kept pouring out of Konoha Laboratory.
Orochimaru carefully lifted the White Zetsu head before him. He had cut off its eyelids, leaving its hollow eye sockets exposed like deep black holes...
Orochimaru extended his tongue and licked his cheeks, which had grown so gaunt that his cheekbones protruded. Both his eyes were thick with fine blood vessels.
The researchers pressed against the Isolation Room's glass watched the busy figure inside with admiration and envy.
"Lord Orochimaru hasn't rested for half a month now, has he...?"
One researcher swallowed in shock. Even as he spoke, his entire face remained pressed tightly against the Isolation Room's glass, his gaze fixed on the White Zetsu head Orochimaru was holding.
"Lord Orochimaru and Director Hiruko modified themselves ages ago. If research didn't take such a toll on the mind and body, they could go half a year without sleeping!"
One of the subordinates from Hiruko's Isolation Room breathed a patch of condensation onto the transparent glass. He hurriedly wiped away the mist blocking his view and concentrated on watching Orochimaru work.
"Gasp..."
The other researchers gathered around drew sharp breaths.
"Half a year without sleep!"
"Just what you'd expect from them..."
"Ordinary people like us have to sleep once every three days. It's such a waste of time!"
"Ah..."
"Didn't that three-day guy end up on the operating table, making his final contribution to the project he worked on?"
"We can't compare to him, either. Two days is our limit!"
"Any longer, and we risk going from researchers to research material!"
"Ah... we don't have Lord Orochimaru's or Director Hiruko's talent for human body modification..."