Inside the Research Department.
Orochimaru stared with shining eyes at the smooth, flowing precision of Tobirama's every movement.
Calibrating research instruments, transcribing experimental abstracts, accurately labeling data, carefully preparing reagents...
The many complicated stages of the experiment flowed through Tobirama's hands with the ease of a master butcher carving an ox.
Everything advanced steadily in perfect order, methodical and precise.
Tobirama was currently conducting a directed breeding experiment involving the kikaichū.
Using larvae provided by the Aburame Clan as the base, he was attempting to induce a specific reaction within the insects toward the harmful substances contained in Tomie's blood.
The goal was to create insects capable of precisely targeting and eliminating the toxins, ultimately achieving a complete blood replacement throughout the body.
This was not a field Tobirama specialized in. He understood "humans," not "insects."
He was only managing to push forward through solid fundamentals and an exceptional ability to transfer his thinking into unfamiliar disciplines...
But in Orochimaru's eyes, this was already extraordinarily impressive!
After all, "Seisui" was merely a teenager. If he had immediately handled everything flawlessly from the start, that would have felt far too unnatural...
What Orochimaru did not know was—
Precisely because Orochimaru was watching him, Tobirama had already deliberately slowed himself down considerably and had even intentionally made several classic beginner mistakes.
After all, he had even managed to fool Uchiha Izuna...
If his own disciple's disciple noticed something strange, where would he put his pride?
Still, Tobirama did hold a favorable impression of Orochimaru. The name carried weight in his mind.
The technique Tobirama had used to transfer his soul after being revived—the Living Corpse Reincarnation—had been invented by Orochimaru...
Tobirama had very high expectations for this grand-disciple of his.
Back in his own era, among his students and bodyguards, there had been very few people who could truly discuss research with him...
Practically none.
Even the younger Sarutobi Hiruzen had merely been someone who learned ninjutsu extremely quickly, rarely engaging in the development of original techniques himself...
Although the current Hiruzen could now even synthesize Kekkei Genkai, there was already a thick barrier separating the two of them.
Not only was there a difference of more than thirty years in age, but one of them was a freshly graduated genin while the other was the overworked Hokage managing countless affairs every day.
Hiruzen simply did not have the time to constantly gather together with him as "Seisui."
He was busy.
Tobirama understood that, and he did not wish to interfere with his beloved disciple's work either...
Fortunately, the current Konohagakure now possessed a properly established Research Department, meaning Tobirama could look for companions on his own...
And today, Orochimaru had practically followed the scent straight to him.
'I originally intended to use my own research abilities to leave this boy completely stunned and make the nail Danzō planted inside the Research Department retreat in the face of difficulty...'
'But this level of talent and ability truly exceeded my expectations.'
'He's an excellent seedling!' Orochimaru could not help but feel the urge to nurture talent.
Research-oriented shinobi were naturally drawn toward one another because that type was simply far too rare within the shinobi world.
Finding companions who shared common topics was incomparably more difficult than it was for combat-oriented shinobi...
And so Orochimaru silently observed from the sidelines.
This was a test of Seisui's psychological stability.
If someone immediately became stiff and flustered the moment they were being watched, it meant their mental composure was inadequate.
Without composure, it was extremely difficult to survive the endless cycles and constant setbacks inherent to scientific research...
Yet Orochimaru discovered something astonishing—
"Seisui" treated him as though he were air itself, not caring in the slightest.
Immersed in his research, Tobirama casually opened his three-tomoe Sharingan, using its extreme powers of observation and dynamic vision to analyze the materials before him.
'The feeling of working on research projects carefree and without worries... I haven't experienced this since I was fifteen years old... Now I'm not only using the Sharingan, I can even use that bastard's ocular power!'
Tobirama sighed sincerely in his heart.
'This is truly enjoyable...'
Back when he had been a teenager, Tobirama had indeed enjoyed two good years of unrestricted research.
But once his terrifying talent fully revealed itself, even Senju Butsuma could no longer endure it and harshly reprimanded Tobirama for needing to maintain at least some basic moral boundaries...
It was not because Butsuma was compassionate.
Rather, techniques that crossed too many lines might grant temporary advantages, but they would also cause the Senju Clan to become hated by the entire shinobi world and eventually attacked from all sides...
From that point onward, Hashirama began controlling Tobirama's research.
Even after Hashirama died and Tobirama himself became Hokage—
Things only became more troublesome once Mito inherited that responsibility...
Looking back on his previous life...
Despite being the second-in-command of the Senju Clan and later the Second Hokage, there had barely been a single day when Tobirama had not been monitored by someone!
Ironically, it was only after becoming an "Uchiha youth" that he rediscovered a long-lost sense of freedom.
Even when Mito had previously noticed him, Hiruzen had guaranteed on his behalf with the words:
"I trust Seisui. There's no need to monitor him excessively."
Because of that, even this final set of shackles had mostly been removed...
'Orochimaru is amusing too. Do you really think I care about you standing there watching me?'
Tobirama's thoughts moved while his hands never stopped, continuing the experiment as he laughed inwardly.
Back in his day, who had been the people constantly investigating his research?
Butsuma. Hashirama. Mito!
In Tobirama's eyes, Orochimaru merely standing there silently was no different from a decorative bonsai. He was completely incapable of interfering with him.
And Tobirama's conduct only deepened the admiration growing in Orochimaru's eyes.
What an outstanding seedling with a heart as steady as stone!
'Seisui, as Danzō's disciple, cannot possibly be unaware of the grievances between Danzō and me...'
'So he should naturally be wary of me.'
'And yet even so, he can remain this relaxed. That means his psychological endurance is exceptionally strong... Looking at it this way, perhaps he truly possesses the talent required to research Kinjutsu!'
That was what Orochimaru thought to himself.
And suddenly, he felt a trace of regret!
Like Hiruko, Orochimaru had previously assumed from the start that the Uchiha Clan could never produce researchers...
History had already proven what kind of minds they possessed. Scientific research simply was not in their nature.
Yet Seisui's performance had thoroughly taught Orochimaru a lesson.
Mutations truly did exist!
Labels attached to a group were not always reliable when applied to individuals...
"Seisui..."
"You're conducting a specificity experiment involving kikaichū, aren't you?"
"Interested in hearing my thoughts on it?"
Orochimaru steadied himself and, taking advantage of a pause in Tobirama's work, stepped forward and spoke.
Tobirama nodded.
"Go ahead."
"I can tell that your overall approach is correct."
"But insects and human bodies are fundamentally different in their biological structure. There are several critical points where you're taking unnecessary detours," Orochimaru said seriously.
"Could I take a look at your research outline? This happens to be one of my areas of expertise."
Without hesitation, Tobirama handed it over, somewhat surprised internally.
His grand-disciple seemed to have an unusually broad range of knowledge.
After reading through it once, Orochimaru roughly understood the situation.
Snakes and insects were both ectothermic organisms, especially among the chakra-enhanced varieties.
Their metabolic systems, neural transmission, fluid regulation, and stress responses to foreign substances all operated on highly similar underlying principles.
For someone who had developed techniques where "I spit out snakes, and snakes spit out me," Orochimaru's research into chakra-based animals was exceptionally profound. He was one of the foremost experts in the field.
"For pheromone induction, you should use chakra in this manner..."
"Kikaichū are very similar to the most primitive snake summons. Instinct governs most of their behavior, so if you want them to selectively remove toxins, the logic behind how you preserve the other components of the blood should follow this line of thinking..."
Orochimaru patiently explained everything to Tobirama, offering genuine insights and practical knowledge.
Research shinobi—at least in modern Konoha—did not care much about seniority.
If you wanted to earn someone's sincere respect, you had to bring real expertise to the table and prove your ability.
Tobirama listened with complete concentration.
He had never believed that starting earlier in research gave him the right to look down on other people's accomplishments.
After all, more than thirty years had passed since his death, and the shinobi world had continued advancing during that time...
Besides, Orochimaru had already proven his capabilities to Tobirama through the creation of the Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique.
Orochimaru simply didn't know it.
Yet Tobirama's attitude left Orochimaru quietly astonished.
Wasn't the Uchiha clan supposed to be arrogant?
And as Danzō's disciple, shouldn't he, at the very least, display some resistance toward him out of loyalty to his teacher?
Otherwise, if word got out, wouldn't Danzō throw a fit and complain that his disciple wasn't showing him proper respect?
Yet Tobirama had absolutely no such thoughts.
Show Danzō respect?
The fact that he wasn't openly giving that brat the cold shoulder was already generous enough!
"I understand now..."
Tobirama let out a long breath before speaking sincerely.
"Thank you for your help. I already have several new ideas."
"The Uchiha clan will remember this favor. This research is intended to treat a bloodline illness affecting a member of the clan."
Orochimaru blinked.
This was far too polite.
Not Uchiha-like at all...
'No...'
'I'm making assumptions again.'
'Seisui and Danzō may not actually be that close. Seisui even impeached him before.'
'For him to agree to become Danzō's disciple, I'm afraid Sensei must have played a role in arranging it...'
'After all, Danzō is practically like Sensei's troublesome younger brother. Given Sensei's soft-hearted and generous nature, he was probably worried that Danzō's reputation would become too damaged after the impeachment. That's why he arranged this reconciliation between Danzō, the Uchiha clan, and Seisui...'
A trace of realization flashed through Orochimaru's mind.
It was as if he could see an invisible pair of hands manipulating the relationships between the various factions within the village, smoothing out their conflicts wherever possible.
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