"I am very grateful, Kakashi-senpai."
After the test concluded, Arima officially offered his thanks to Kakashi Hatake.
The masked Kakashi scratched his head with a bit of helplessness. What exactly is the point of me wearing this mask? Nevertheless, he waved his hand and said, "Don't mention it. You should have a relatively relaxed life for a while now."
Kakashi looked at the one-armed youth before him. "However, knowing your personality, I doubt you will truly let yourself relax."
Arima ran a hand through his hair. "Next, I plan to diligently practice Ninjutsu. I want to see if I can combine Ninjutsu with my Quinque. Of course, Taijutsu practice will also be very important."
Kakashi did not doubt the boy's words. Over the past few months, he had witnessed Arima's staggering willpower firsthand.
It was because of this grit that he had achieved such rapid progress.
One had to remember that even with the support of a Quinque, just a few months ago, Arima was nothing more than a frail, pampered noble youth.
Thinking of this, Kakashi added another remark. "Rest assured, Itachi Uchiha possesses terrifying talent in the way of the shinobi. Furthermore, he is very helpful."
Out of appreciation for Arima, Kakashi had recommended a reliable candidate.
Someone with great talent and a gentle personality.
However, perhaps because of that talent which far exceeded normal limits, the boy harbored a sense of compassion and worry that didn't match his age.
But overall, he should be a good and patient teacher.
Arima smiled slightly. "If Kakashi-senpai recommended him, I am at ease."
Suddenly, Kakashi's exposed eye shifted to the side.
"Yo, speak of the devil."
As the words fell, a handsome youth wearing casual clothes walked out from the woods.
"You got here fast, Itachi."
Kakashi was a bit surprised. Itachi was still serving in the Anbu, and at this time, he should have been performing surveillance duties.
Appearing here so quickly proved that after receiving the Third Hokage's orders, he had immediately removed his mask, changed out of his Anbu uniform, and rushed over.
A gentle smile appeared on young Itachi's handsome face as he looked at Kakashi and Arima.
"Since Itachi is here, I'll leave Arima in your hands. I'll take my leave first."
Kakashi did not linger. He was about to leave the village for a mission, and before that, he had less than an hour to go to the village's largest bookstore to purchase the latest issue of Make-Out Paradise.
I absolutely cannot miss it...
Watching Kakashi vanish, Itachi could only offer a helpless smile. He turned to Arima and said, "I am Itachi Uchiha. You must be Arima-kun, right?"
Arima nodded hastily. "Yes. I will be in your care, Itachi-kun."
"Please, the pleasure is mine," Itachi responded quite politely.
It had to be said that although he was hailed as a "genius ninja just like Kakashi," Itachi carried no air of arrogance. He was the definition of approachable.
In this first meeting, Arima's favorability toward him was already at its peak.
"If Arima-kun isn't in a hurry, I can take you to taste Konoha's specialty, Three-Color Dango," Itachi suggested suddenly.
Arima paused before answering, "Of course. Do you like sweets, Itachi-kun?"
Itachi smiled. "Yes. After all, sweets always bring a sense of joy."
Arima smiled back. "Compared to sweets, I actually prefer coffee."
"Oh?"
"With coffee, the taste feels a bit more real."
Hearing Arima's words, Itachi lifted his pitch-black eyes and looked at him.
Such deep darkness and hatred.
As an elite ninja, Itachi had not only changed his clothes and mask during the trip from the Anbu headquarters, but he had also taken the time to read all the intelligence regarding his mission target.
This mission wasn't just about teaching Arima Ninjutsu; it was more about Itachi protecting this "sample."
After all, Arima was the first person to master the use of a Quinque. If this information leaked out, the spies lurking within the village would likely become restless.
Appointing a protector was a necessity.
Because he understood Arima's background, Itachi could fully comprehend the darkness in the boy's heart.
After all, the entire Hidden Steam Village was gone. It was only natural to want to drive those monsters out of this world entirely.
However, Itachi still felt a trace of irritation in his heart.
Must this hatred simply continue to perpetuate itself forever?
As Itachi fell into a silent reverie, Arima also closed his mouth. He silently followed Itachi to the dessert shop, bought a snack, and then went to buy two cups of coffee.
"I also want to taste the 'real feeling' you spoke of, Arima-kun."
Itachi smiled lightly and took a sip of the coffee through the straw.
Immediately, the bitterness flooding his tongue allowed him to clearly feel the meaning Arima wanted to express.
However, Itachi showed no outward reaction; this result was entirely within his expectations.
After a quick bite to eat, Itachi led Arima to the lakeside training ground, and the Ninjutsu cultivation officially began.
As Arima's Ninjutsu training gradually moved onto the right track, Simu, far away in the Land of Rain, suddenly snapped his eyes open.
It was done.
Under the focus of all his computing power and a massive amount of time spent on analysis, he had finally reached 60% in his analysis of Hashirama's cells.
Although he couldn't reach 100% due to the lack of samples, this level was enough for him to replicate the Wood Style ninja that Orochimaru wanted.
While the power certainly wouldn't compare to the legendary God of Shinobi, it would be enough for now.
After all, if Simu could truly recreate the God of Shinobi using just a tiny bit of cellular tissue, that title would have to change hands.
Three tentacles carrying three bodies extended from the Blood Pool, landing in front of Simu.
The first was a body for Orochimaru. Simu had transplanted the Wood Style gene into it. Once Orochimaru reincarnated into this vessel, he could use his own Water Style and Earth Style chakra to fuse into Wood Style chakra.
From now on, Orochimaru could also become a Wood Style ninja.
The second was a new body Simu created for himself. Its appearance was identical to one of Danzo Shimura's experimental subjects. His goal was, naturally, to use this identity to successfully infiltrate the Hidden Leaf Village.
The third body was an unexpected surprise from Simu's experiment.
He was one of the experimental subjects sent by Danzo. Because of his unique physical makeup, he was actually able to withstand the erosion of the Hashirama cells through his own strength.
He had contributed significantly to Simu's ability to create a Wood Style clone so quickly.