Hearing Yakushi Kabuto's words, Orochimaru's face grew a few shades gloomier.
It was indeed not good news that such a thing happened at this critical juncture. However, the occurrence of such events was within his expectations. Relative to the Research Institute's high-intensity experimental output, its management was actually very crude.
This inevitably invited the ambition of certain individuals—just like himself.
After pondering for a moment, Orochimaru said, "Handle the loose ends cleanly. There must be no problems with this internal review."
"Understood!"
Kabuto bowed and accepted the order.
Watching Kabuto's retreating figure, Orochimaru's eyes flickered.
If he couldn't escape the Research Institute's review this time, he had to prepare for the worst. He began to calculate his moves regarding Eida and Daemon. As soon as his secrets were exposed, he would immediately attack the siblings and claim their Shinjutsu for himself.
According to his own speculation, as long as he absorbed one or two more Shinjutsu, he should have the confidence to confront Shinji.
Of course, the later the fallout occurred, the more advantageous it would be for him.
In the following weeks, the Research Institute initiated the most rigorous review since its establishment. Every set of experimental data and every piece of experimental material had to undergo layers of scrutiny. Who accessed it, who used it—all had to be recorded and filed.
This investigation immediately unearthed a large number of embezzlement and dereliction of duty cases.
Because of Eida's 'Senrigan', once someone was suspected by the Research Institute, denial was impossible. Consequently, a large number of researchers were imprisoned. Just among the high-level group leaders, as many as four or five were involved, and nearly one-third of the Institute's personnel were implicated.
If they were all severely punished, it would inevitably affect the Institute's research progress. Therefore, after consultation, Amado, Orochimaru, Tsunade, Sasori, and other high-level officials decided to severely punish only those with serious crimes. As for those implicated or with minor errors, they were all given warnings.
Even so, dozens of people were sentenced, affecting every aspect of the Research Institute.
After completing the internal review, the Research Institute took this opportunity to launch a purge of various forces in the Shinobi World.
The Daimyo of the Land of Lightning wasn't the only one trying to corrupt and bribe the internal personnel of the Research Institute.
Daimyos of other countries, ninja villages, and even the leaders of some small factions had all made more or less petty moves. So, with this excuse, the Research Institute struck with thunderous force. In just a few weeks, they swept away these forces prying into the Research Institute, raising the Institute's prestige to another level.
Through this event, the Research Institute's sphere of influence expanded once again. Its manpower, financial resources, and material resources all skyrocketed, gradually moving from behind the curtain to the front stage!
World No. 3.
Sitting atop the God Tree, Shinji looked at the report sent by Amado.
He only briefly skimmed through the section regarding the Research Institute's internal review. For an organization like the Research Institute, which was cobbled together from personnel to equipment, funds, and technology, being able to operate normally and produce technology was already rare.
Therefore, the problems arising from its internal operations were not unacceptable to him.
What he really cared about right now was only the 'Artificial Otsutsuki Plan'; even the research on Shinjutsu had to stand aside.
According to his prediction, after absorbing the planetary energy in World No. 3, both of his God Trees would be fully stored with the energy needed to nurture 'Chakra Fruits'. By then, he would need at least two Otsutsuki sacrifices to nurture the fruits, so he could not allow the Research Institute to shut down.
This was the reason why the Research Institute did not continue with a deeper internal review.
Turning to the back of the report, Shinji's gaze focused slightly, and he let out a soft sound of surprise.
In the latter half of the report, Amado reported some matters regarding Orochimaru, such as Orochimaru being suspected of holding private rituals, and Orochimaru inflicting heavy injuries on Yamada Juichi.
"Heh, it seems he must have made some breakthrough in Shinjutsu!"
Shinji then chuckled lightly.
From these actions Orochimaru took, it wasn't hard to see that he must have achieved some breakthrough regarding Shinjutsu. Whether it was holding private rituals or privately injuring Yamada Juichi, the core of these actions revolved around Shinjutsu.
Putting down the report, Shinji began to ponder.
Orochimaru definitely awakened some kind of Shinjutsu; in Shinji's view, this was beyond doubt. However, he didn't plan to expose this matter immediately.
Firstly, he needed Orochimaru to help stabilize the situation at the Research Institute. Orochimaru was not only one of the main researchers but also one of the top combat powers on the surface. Moving against him would affect the Institute's scientific progress.
Secondly, he also wanted to use this opportunity to see what Orochimaru could come up with.
Shinji did not relax his wariness of Shinjutsu just because his own strength had improved. On the contrary, as he became stronger, his apprehension towards Shinjutsu increased rather than decreased. For instance, Owl's Shinjutsu 'Conversion' was still sitting untouched in his 'Daikokuten' dimension.
"I hope I'm not overthinking it..."
Shinji murmured.
The Otsutsuki clan's utilization of chakra was simply too advanced. Things like the Ten-Tails, Karma, and Chakra tools were the best evidence. And Shinjutsu was undoubtedly a higher level of chakra application, superior to the Ten-Tails and Karma.
If 'Karma' could carry consciousness and possess a host, what about Shinjutsu?
Rumble...
Just then, a thunderclap exploded in the distant sky again.
Shinji gathered his thoughts and looked over, finding that the distant sky seemed to have sprung a leak; the wind and clouds changed color, accompanied by lightning and thunder!
He sighed lightly: "It's getting faster and faster!"
A few weeks ago, the Bewitching Hegemon set its sights on World No. 3 and began a rapid corrosion. Like other targeted worlds, in just a few weeks, World No. 3 had fallen into a doomsday scene, with earthquakes, floods, and volcanoes occurring one after another, endlessly.
Withdrawing his gaze, Shinji rubbed his temples.
Since the last great battle with the Bewitching Hegemon, the noise in his brain had never ceased. Even now, whispers still echoed in his head.
These noises were naturally annoying to the extreme, but at the same time, Shinji keenly perceived that after this period of mental repair, the strength of his spiritual body had improved significantly. The Bewitching Hegemon's mental devastation had inadvertently helped him train his spiritual body.
Just as Shinji was preparing to continue repairing his mind, he suddenly sensed something. He jerked his head up and looked into the distance.
He saw a mass of dark clouds appearing on the horizon again—a dark cloud composed of an insect swarm.
The insect swarm had obviously discovered Shinji's existence. However, they didn't pounce impatiently like last time. Instead, they quickly moved away into the distance.