All the candles lit up.
Light up this corridor.
Instantly.
Araki could clearly see that the corridor led deep underground, with the staircase extending very far down.
As for how deep it is, from his current position, he simply cannot see it.
Let's go.
Orochimaru took the lead and walked down the corridor, followed by Araki. In the dim candlelight, the only sounds in the corridor were their footsteps and the occasional dripping of water.
Not long after.
Araki followed Orochimaru to a flat area.
This staircase has been going down for a long time, so it's certain that it's very deep below ground. It will take some time to build, and the sounds coming from inside would be impossible to hear on the surface.
Before them lay a deep corridor, surrounded by rooms, each with its door tightly shut, like a group of sleeping wild beasts.
Orochimaru led Araki to the innermost room, where, as the lights came on, the atmosphere transformed completely.
Bottles and jars were everywhere.
There are test tubes, beakers, and some precision instruments.
In Araki's memory, he had only seen these things in his previous life in the chemistry lab, where he did the simplest experiments from the textbook.
This is my laboratory.
Orochimaru spread his hands, a smile on his face. Along the way, there were many rooms in the corridor, each containing different things, but he had brought Araki to this laboratory specifically because he felt that Araki was like him, with a very strong thirst for knowledge about the unknown.
"This... here..."
Araki surveyed the enormous laboratory. Even though he was mentally prepared for Orochimaru's lab, he was still deeply shocked when he saw it with his own eyes.
This is the ninja world!
Especially around the time of the Second Shinobi World War.
The civilization level here is extremely backward, completely unlike the modern world of Boruto's era, yet there is such a complete laboratory here.
No wonder Orochimaru is so confident!
Araki didn't know what the different colored liquids in those test tubes were, nor did he know if the chemical reactions in the real world would be applicable here. But at the very least, he knew that this laboratory might produce something that would shake the ninja world.
You must be very curious about what I'm researching!
Orochimaru seemed to see through the doubt in Araki's eyes, and a slight smile appeared on his lips. Throughout this process, he kept his eyes on Araki's face, trying to see the changes in the latter's expression clearly.
There was no time for Araki to react.
Orochimaru spoke again.
"This is a biological experiment!"
"So..."
"Over the next period of time, I will teach you some basic biology until you are able to conduct experimental research independently."
"In this way, we can together unravel the mysteries of life and explore the truths of the world!"
Orochimaru spoke persuasively, making his words sound as captivating as possible to win over Araki.
Araki remained silent, but his heart was indeed stirred.
Biological experiments.
If I were to expose myself.
Wouldn't that mean I'd become the experimental subject in these test tubes?
perhaps...
On the way.
Inside those houses.
It probably contains all sorts of different experimental subjects!
In the same eerie and terrifying laboratory, the lives of those who conduct experiments here and those who become experimental subjects are completely different.
"I see."
After a long pause, Araki lowered his voice and said, deep down he was quite shocked. This matter was indeed not as simple as he had imagined. However, as long as he could keep his position, his short-term safety was guaranteed.
Orochimaru must be short-handed for this!
Araki silently speculated in his mind, the main reason being that he had not found any other people in this base, or perhaps there were, but definitely not many.
For the next period of time.
Araki's life cycle has changed to some extent.
Every morning, he still attended classes at the Ninja Academy, but during class time, he would sneak in some extra scrolls to study, all of which were related to biological experiments.
Araki discovered that these biological experiments had some overlap with medicine. Although there weren't many, the connections were so strong that he didn't find them too difficult to learn.
He never imagined that he would have to study so hard in the ninja world after transmigrating there, having never studied diligently in the real world. It was simply unbelievable.
The afternoon was spent at Tsunade's house again. The medical lessons with Nawaki were progressing very smoothly. Not only was Nawaki learning more basic medical knowledge, but he was also constantly consolidating his own knowledge and had begun to read more advanced books.
After leaving Tsunade's house, Araki went straight to the grove, then to the small hill, and entered Orochimaru's laboratory.
Orochimaru isn't there every day; he's absent for about a quarter of the time. Araki is gradually becoming able to conduct some experimental trials independently.
At night, after leaving the laboratory, Araki would go to a Taiseki and practice carving motions to improve his physical fitness. In between these exercises, he would also make Explosive Tag.
Every day was incredibly fulfilling.
Without realizing it.
A year and a half has passed.
Three more days.
It's time for the graduation exams.
Once they pass the Ninja Academy's graduation exam, they will officially become Genin) of Konoha.
" Araki!"
Just as Araki and Kushina walked out of the house that morning, a clear voice rang out. The owner of the voice was very familiar; it was none other than Tsunade-sensei.
" Tsunade-sensei!"
Araki immediately turned around and Teuchi Tsunade. Tsunade had been away on a mission for some time and he hadn't seen her for a while.
" Araki, I have something to tell you." Tsunade glanced at Kushina beside her and gave her a subtle wink.
" Kushina, you go to school first, I'll be there soon." Araki said with a smile to Kushina beside him. During this time, Kushina had grown a lot taller and looked even more beautiful.
Don't be late!
Kushina glanced in Tsunade's direction, then pouted and left unsatisfied. Of course, she knew Tsunade was Araki's teacher, but she just didn't like Araki being alone with other women, even Tsunade. She felt an indescribable sadness in her heart.
immediately.
Kushina quickly left.
Heading towards the Ninja Academy.
A pair of eyes watched Kushina quietly from a distance behind her, but did not make any other move after Kushina Araki.
Even Minato himself couldn't remember how long he had been in this state. Starting from a certain day, he did this every day, following behind Kushina. To put it nicely, it was called silently protecting her; to put it bluntly, it was stalking and spying.
Araki followed Tsunade toward another path.
" Araki, when I came back last night, I found that Nawaki's Yin Seal was complete. When did this happen?" Tsunade asked.
"Finished?" Araki was stunned for a moment, then said in surprise, "He didn't have it when I was teaching him yesterday. Did he succeed after I left?"
"It's about time," Tsunade nodded and said, "I guessed you might not know, so I came to find you in advance. What are your plans for the future?"
"What are your plans?" Araki asked, puzzled.
"Should we release Nawaki?" Tsunade asked, pursing her lips. If others saw her like this, they would be shocked. The only female ninja among the legendary Konoha Sannin, a well-known strong woman in Konoha, was actually showing the demeanor of a little girl in front of a boy.
"Release him." Araki said without hesitation, "Now that Nawaki has mastered the Ninja Art: Creation Rebirth: Strength of a Hundred Technique, there's no point in keeping him locked up any longer. I'll check on his future this afternoon; things might have changed by now. As long as he doesn't want to die, it'll be very difficult for an ordinary person to kill him."
"I'm confident that my life is assured. It's just that it's easy to dodge a spear in the open but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark. I still can't figure out who wants to harm Nawaki." Tsunade was still a little worried, after all, Nawaki was her only brother.
"Now that Nawaki's Yin Seal is complete, he has a large amount of Chakra stored within him, and he can use the Ninjutsu: Creation Rebirth: Strength of a Hundred Technique, those who want to target him will definitely take this into consideration. They will be wary and won't act rashly to avoid exposing their identities. In comparison, we can have far fewer worries." Araki quickly analyzed. The current situation has changed from the historical trajectory of the past. He couldn't very well say that Nawaki was harmed by Dan Katō, especially since Dan Katō, who had been missing for a long time, had been forgotten by Konoha.
"You make a good point. So this afternoon, you can make the decision. I just came to discuss it with you." Tsunade nodded.
"Understood!" Araki smiled slightly.
"It's alright, you should go to school now, don't eat it." Tsunade with a smile, and as she waved, the two mounds shook up and down.
"Um."
Araki nodded, then turned and left, heading towards the Ninja Academy.
Tsunade silently watched Araki's retreating figure, a complex expression on her face. Even she herself didn't know when she had become somewhat dependent on Araki, and had completely adapted to life with Araki in his presence.
In the past, she never needed to ask for other people's opinions or listen to their suggestions when making decisions.
But things are different now...
She felt uneasy if she didn't ask about Araki.
at the same time.
The Hokage's office building, second floor, Hokage's office.
Thump thump thump...
A knock sounded on the door.
"Enter."