Inside the medical equipment company's exhibition booth, Orochimaru examined the situation from a reverse-engineering perspective.
By analyzing the direction in which the Land of Lightning's medical equipment was evolving, he quickly realized that the nation's information technology was undergoing rapid iterative development.
Moreover, this was far from a normal technological progression.
It was more like a vast collection of technological theories that had already been prepared in advance, being mass-produced and released according to a predetermined schedule. The products were sold off to rapidly recover capital, which was then poured into developing the next generation of technology. The cycle repeated endlessly, driving the Land of Lightning's technology toward the ideal envisioned by its leading scientists.
From this, Orochimaru reached a conclusion—
The shinobi world was on the verge of a massive information technology revolution!
Orochimaru could not say whether that was a good thing or a bad thing. Nor did he know who the ultimate product the Land of Lightning was planning to create was intended for.
However, as he looked at the countless devices whose specifications were increasing explosively with each iteration—equipment designed to obtain complete human genomes, epigenomes, proteomes, connectomes, and most importantly, comprehensive neural connectome data and dynamic consciousness information—
NovaSeq X Plus ultra-high-throughput DNA sequencers, nanopore sequencers, mass cytometry flow analyzers, single-cell multi-omics sequencing systems...
An extreme, razor-sharp greed flashed through Orochimaru's eyes.
The Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique he was researching was, in essence, an ultimate forbidden technique created by combining multiple S-rank forbidden arts.
The Spirit Transformation Technique forcibly seized a vessel.
The Yamata no Orochi Technique engraved information.
Flesh Regeneration and the Orochimaru Style Soft Physique Modification allowed rapid adaptation and remodeling of a new body...
At present, Orochimaru had barely compensated for the physical aspect of immortality.
The real challenge lay in the adaptation, acquisition, and transfer of the soul.
And soul adaptation was the greatest obstacle within the entire forbidden technique.
The Spirit Transformation Technique theories researched by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, and recorded within the Scroll of Seals were nowhere near sufficient to achieve perfect control over a new body.
According to Orochimaru's optimistic estimate, even if he successfully created the initial version of the Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique with current theories, the reincarnation process would still damage the soul.
Or rather, not the soul itself.
The unavoidable damage would occur in the host body's brain during the process of forcibly seizing the vessel, preventing it from supporting the complete soul of Orochimaru after his transformation into the Yamata no Orochi.
To solve this problem, he would need to create a stable "consciousness-link" technology.
He would need to establish precise connections with every neuron in the host body's brain, effectively achieving the complete reading and overwriting of a person's "soul data."
And this direction overlapped heavily with the technologies currently being rapidly developed in the Land of Lightning.
Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say—
Orochimaru's Living Corpse Reincarnation was, in a certain sense, merely a low-end version of the ultimate product toward which the Land of Lightning's technology was ultimately headed: the "Wedge."
Orochimaru never lacked theoretical knowledge.
What had always limited him was the fact that the existing technology and equipment of the shinobi world simply could not meet his requirements.
But now, he suddenly realized something—
In the coming technological revolution, his greatest strengths would be amplified infinitely.
As the Land of Lightning continued its technological iterations, he could ride this wave and completely perfect the Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique, upgrading the Spirit Transformation component to its final form and achieving true, flawless immortality!
Furthermore, if he possessed sufficient capital, he could reverse the relationship and actively influence the Land of Lightning's process of commercializing technology, recovering funds, and upgrading products.
He could shape their equipment development around the needs of a major client.
Eventually, before the Land of Lightning completed its ultimate technology, he could surpass them technologically and personally lead the new era brought forth by this technological revolution.
At the thought of such a possibility, Orochimaru's breathing quickened.
A strange flush appeared upon his pale face.
At that moment, a timid voice pulled him back to reality.
"Lord Orochimaru, you've looked everything over and tested the equipment as well. What do you think?"
"Cough... Not bad."
Orochimaru immediately returned to his usual "cold and sinister" persona, making it impossible for others to guess his true thoughts.
The Land of Lightning merchant grinned and enthusiastically asked,
"So, which one would you like to order?"
"How many units?"
"Or perhaps..."
"...you intend to buy everything?"
Hearing that, Orochimaru's eyes narrowed.
His hand instinctively slipped into his pocket and gripped his bankbook.
But then he remembered.
There were only a few pitiful million ryō inside.
Even after borrowing money from Jiraiya and Tsunade, he still had less than twenty million ryō.
Throughout the Third Shinobi World War, Orochimaru had spent most of his time conducting research in Konoha and had hardly accepted any missions.
The only S-rank mission he had completed was the one commissioned by Shimura Danzō, in which he secretly rescued Hyuga Yuu from the unnamed forest after the boy had been persecuted by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and the main branch of the Hyūga Clan.
To ordinary shinobi, his savings might have seemed substantial.
Compared to the enormous cost of replacing an entire laboratory's equipment, however...
It was woefully insufficient.
And with such a small amount of money, how could he possibly influence the Land of Lightning's future technological development?
Yet when Orochimaru turned back and looked at the rows of brand-new instruments that perfectly matched his needs, he felt a powerful reluctance to part with them.
Why?
Why?
How could he, a candidate for the Fourth Hokage position, be unable to afford these outstanding machines?
Were these beautiful, gleaming instruments really going to be handed over to fools conducting trivial and meaningless research?
Where was the money?
Where had his money—and Konoha's money—gone!?
At that moment, the merchant approached him.
Observing Orochimaru's silence, his attitude became noticeably less enthusiastic.
Frowning, he asked,
"Lord Orochimaru... don't tell me..."
"...you don't have the money?"
Orochimaru's expression darkened.
He pulled a card from his robes and handed it over.
"Send the high-field functional MRI system I selected earlier to these addresses..."
He paused.
Then gritted his teeth.
"I want ten sets."
"Eh? Only that little?"
"Hmph!"
Orochimaru's expression instantly turned icy.
He stared at the merchant as a terrifying killing intent erupted from his body.
The temperature throughout the exhibition hall seemed to plunge below freezing.
The sales staff hurried behind pillars, trembling in fear as they stared at the enraged Orochimaru.
"My laboratory requires the finest equipment in the entire shinobi world!"
"Your technology has only just barely caught up to the tail end of the Land of Earth's standards. What qualifications do you have to expect me to replace my entire laboratory?"
His narrow golden eyes narrowed further.
Coldly, he asked,
"Are you teaching me how to do my job?"
The merchant swallowed hard.
"H-Haha, you've misunderstood!"
"What I meant was—"
"What exactly..."
Orochimaru's tone grew heavier.
"...did you mean?"
At the same time, his narrowed golden eyes swept across the equipment beside him.
The merchant steeled himself and clenched his teeth.
"What I mean is this!"
"I'll make the decision personally."
"We'll give you one unit of every single piece of equipment here—an entire set, free of charge!"
"If, after using them, you find that they're no worse than the Land of Earth's equipment..."
"...then as the future Fourth Hokage, could you please consider purchasing Land of Lightning products the next time you upgrade your laboratory?"
"We guarantee we'll provide even better equipment in the future!"
Orochimaru instantly withdrew his killing intent.
A meaningful smile appeared on his face.
"Interesting..."
The merchant hurriedly wiped away the sweat on his forehead and respectfully presented a business card, bowing nearly ninety degrees.
"Please accept this small token of goodwill!"
The card bore the name:
Yozuki Satoru.
Orochimaru glanced at it and frowned slightly.
"You're a member of the Yozuki Clan of the Land of Lightning?"
Yozuki Satoru immediately nodded.
"Yes! Though I'm not a shinobi. I'm just an ordinary member of the family responsible for managing its business affairs."
Orochimaru asked,
"This company belongs to the Yozuki Clan?"
"No. We're merely investors."
"The true majority shareholders belong to a temple in the Land of Lightning. The monks pooled their funds to establish this biomedical equipment and pharmaceutical company."
"Monks... founded a pharmaceutical company?"
Orochimaru nodded thoughtfully.
Monks controlling vast amounts of wealth was hardly unusual in the shinobi world.
After all, they represented one of the largest groups capable of using chakra outside of shinobi.
The Fire Temple of the Land of Fire, for example, assisted the Fire Daimyō and many powerful nobles while controlling enormous assets throughout the nation.
Furthermore, the banking systems capable of exchanging currency among the Five Great Nations also maintained deep connections with temples.
To be more precise, "banking" was merely a modern term.
In earlier times, temples had fulfilled many of those same functions.
Still, monks typically invested in land acquisitions, real estate, mergers of profitable industries, or commodity speculation involving staples such as rice.
The fact that monks in the Land of Lightning had chosen to establish a cutting-edge biomedical company was highly unusual.
Orochimaru found it rather surprising.
After this matter was settled, he intended to dispatch Root operatives to investigate further.
However, Yozuki Satoru's words had reminded the severely cash-strapped Orochimaru of something.
Konoha's money sat in banks.
But its true origins lay with temples.
With international merchants.
With nobles.
And even with the Fire Daimyō himself.
Recalling various rumors he had heard recently, along with Root Commander Shimura Danzō's large-scale mobilization of Root funds to support Tennin's campaign for the Fourth Hokage position, Orochimaru suddenly sensed something amiss.
Although politics generally bored him, his intelligence allowed him to immediately identify the problem.
His brow furrowed.
"Danzō separated Konoha's finances from the Hokage faction..."
"...to support Tennin."
"...that Hyūga brat?"
"No."
"That's not it."
"He's using this opportunity..."
"...to seize power from the old man!"
"That old fox's timing is impeccable."
"He deliberately joined forces with the wealthy after the collapse of Kirigakure's position."
"Now the momentum has already formed."
"Unless that Hyūga brat makes a catastrophic mistake, even the old man can't stop it anymore."
"No wonder the old man wanted Minato to participate in the peace negotiations with Iwagakure..."
"That was the final opportunity."
"But Minato chose to save his students."
At this point, Orochimaru's expression became serious.
"In other words..."
"...all of Konoha's money is now in Tennin's hands."
"Or more accurately, in Shimura Danzō's hands."
"Under these circumstances, the Fourth Hokage election is no longer about prestige, reputation, military achievements, or even strength."
"Whoever gains the support of that Hyūga brat gains control over how that enormous sum of money will be used in the future."
"And therefore..."
"...has the greatest chance..."
"...of becoming the Fourth Hokage!"
"And with the postwar reconstruction of the mission system, that fortune will eventually grow into tens of billions, hundreds of billions, perhaps even trillions of ryō!"
A sharp gleam appeared in Orochimaru's eyes.
Truthfully, he had never cared that much about becoming Hokage.
From a political standpoint, his succession to the office of Fourth Hokage was currently Konoha's most logical choice.
If the old man chose him, he would at least maintain a certain bottom line and perform the role properly.
And if the old man chose someone else, Orochimaru could rationally understand the reasons behind it.
Of course...
How he would feel about that was another matter entirely.
But now, after sensing the undercurrent emerging from the Land of Lightning—an undercurrent destined to sweep across the entire shinobi world and transform the world itself—
After realizing that his personal interests and his life's work were about to become inseparably linked—
Orochimaru finally found a reason why he had to become Hokage.
Only by becoming Hokage could he gain control over Konoha's finances.
Only then could he drive the Land of Lightning's technological development in the direction he desired.
And only then could he realize the perfect immortal technique he had dreamed of his entire life.
With that thought, Orochimaru strode out of the exhibition hall.
Bathed in sunlight, his narrow golden pupils settled upon the Hokage Rock, where the faces of the previous Hokage were carved into stone.
A cold smile slowly curved across his lips.
The moment Orochimaru shifted even a fraction of his terrifying intellect away from scientific research and toward politics, he immediately saw the situation with crystal clarity:
The struggle over the Fourth Hokage position stemmed from two major issues.
First, the conservative old guard behind him refused to surrender their power.
Second, the enormous military-achievement faction behind Minato Namikaze desperately desired either wealth or authority sufficient to change the course of their lives.
Orochimaru quickly calculated the outcome.
To achieve his goals, neither faction could be satisfied.
To become Hokage, he needed Tennin's support.
Yet both Danzō and Tennin clearly intended to exchange money for political power.
Therefore, if Orochimaru took office, he would inevitably turn against his own supporters and deal with the old guard first.
But once power had been distributed to Danzō and Tennin, Orochimaru would still require enormous amounts of money.
That meant he would be unable to cash in the massive wartime achievements accumulated by Minato's faction.
This would lead to two consequences.
First, Konoha's political balance would collapse entirely, plunging the village into chaos.
And amidst that chaos, Tennin—Hyuga Yuu—becoming the Fifth Hokage would be virtually guaranteed.
Second, the military-achievement faction behind Minato would become dissatisfied with its treatment.
Sooner or later, they would rebel and create unrest.
As for the solution to these two problems—
Orochimaru suddenly frowned.
A look of uncertainty flashed across his eyes.
"Danzō..."
"...did he actually calculate even this far ahead?"
"Now that Hyūga brat has already grown into someone capable of suppressing an entire nation..."
"...Tennin."*
The title carried immense weight.
And for the first time, even Orochimaru seemed to feel its pressure.
————
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