socalfunplaces Chapter 167 Emptiness, Bloodline, Spark
Chapter 167 Emptiness, Bloodline, Spark
Chapter 158 Emptiness, Bloodline, Spark
Outside Konoha Village, somewhere in the northeast direction, the shadow clone Aizen suddenly appeared. He sensed the location briefly and confirmed it.
"It's not far from Orochimaru's experimental base, only about ten kilometers away."
It was early December, and the trees had long since lost all their leaves, leaving only twisted, upright, withered branches that quietly awaited the next spring in the cold wind.
Aizen, the shadow clone, traveled swiftly to the vicinity of the base. The underground experimental base was already well-hidden, and any deliberate traps or warnings would only make it seem like a blatant attempt to conceal something.
After a moment's thought, he first left a Flying Thunder God mark on a nearby rock, and then walked towards the entrance.
The entrance is a gentle underground slope about three meters wide and nearly twenty meters long, with a bottom depth of about four meters and a two-meter-high rock gate.
Shadow clone Aizen reached out and touched the door, sensing a barrier made of sealing talismans inside. This barrier could block the detection of sensory ninjutsu or dojutsu, and also served as a certain degree of warning.
However, for him, who possessed the power of the three primordial forces and knowledge of advanced sealing techniques, breaking the seal was not difficult.
Two minutes later, he used his teleportation ability to disappear and pushed open the door to enter.
The deep underground passage stretched forward, with faint lights emanating from its depths. Numerous sealing talismans were affixed to the rock walls, forming a barrier that did not impede the perception of those inside.
As the shadow clone Aizen moved forward, he activated Kagura's Mind's Eye.
"Those neatly arranged chakra clusters must be the experimental subjects for the young children—the five moving around are members of Root, responsible for assisting or monitoring Orochimaru's research. The chilling chakra sitting quietly at the innermost level is Orochimaru himself."
Soon, he could see the interior of the experimental base.
Rows of cylindrical containers stood imposingly, their bottom lights shining upwards, making the emerald green nutrient solution appear eerily translucent.
Floating in the container were three- or four-year-old children, most of them fast asleep with their eyes closed, and a few who were awake, following the figures in white coats who were taking notes with their innocent eyes.
"Root has invested a lot of resources in this base," the shadow clone Aizen thought to himself. "Of these sixty children, will only one survive? If I had intervened, the outcome would have been very different."
With a slight thought, he quietly activated the system to investigate, trying to find the lucky one—"Yamato".
[Name: Heijiro]
[Disease: Invasion by foreign cells]
[Name: Daimaru]
【Conditional Information: ————】
Their gaze swept across the area, but they found no trace of "Yamato".
"No? Only the current name is displayed?" Shadow clone Aizen murmured to himself, his thoughts racing. "This person has three names in the original work—Ko, Tenzo, and Yamato. But before that, no one knows the true name given to him by his parents."
Just as he was pondering this, a notification suddenly popped up from the system:
[Numerous unusual symptoms have been detected due to human experimentation on young children. A side quest has been generated: "Treat the children suffering from human experimentation." Accept the quest?]
"Receive it." The shadow clone Aizen was slightly surprised, then confirmed, "Now we have no choice but to intervene in Orochimaru's experiments."
He looked at the five researchers walking through the base, raised his hand and flicked it lightly. Five chakra threads shot out silently, and Yin Release chakra seeped into their bodies without a sound.
Then, he deactivated his teleportation ability, revealing his true form, and calmly walked towards Orochimaru's office on the inside.
The five researchers continued to record their findings, completely ignoring the shadow clone Aizen who had suddenly appeared in their field of vision, as if he didn't exist at all.
Instead, the children who had woken up in the nutrient tanks looked at the strange visitor with curiosity and turned to look at him.
Aizen, the shadow clone, responded with a gentle smile.
Inside the office, Orochimaru, who was flipping through a heavy book, suddenly tensed up, looked up at the door, and almost instinctively activated the Earth Release: Substitution Technique, his true body disappearing underground.
Aizen, the shadow clone, sensed all of this, but simply smiled and didn't care.
He pushed open the rock door and faced Orochimaru, who was still sitting upright in the chair.
"You look unfamiliar. You're not a ninja from a ninja village, are you?" The substitute licked his lips with his tongue and asked with interest in a hoarse voice, his gaze lingering on Aizen's attire and demeanor.
"Nice to meet you. I am Aizen, Aizen Sousuke." The shadow clone Aizen's voice was magnetic and steady.
"Aizen-kun—it seems you're not an enemy. So, you've come to discuss cooperation?" The Stand's eyes gleamed with even greater interest.
"Of course. I am also very interested in Orochimaru's Hashirama cell experiments and have no intention of destroying this place," the shadow clone Aizen said slowly. "Therefore, Orochimaru no longer needs to hide underground."
"A sensory ninja, huh?" The substitute's eyes narrowed, and after a moment of silence, it turned into a clump of dirt. Orochimaru's real body, on the other hand, slowly rose from the ground.
Under the office lights, the shadow clone Aizen always wore a warm, sunny smile.
"Can Aizen-kun explain why you've come?" Orochimaru asked directly.
"Does Orochimaru believe that this world has a master? Are there other civilizations beyond this planet?" The shadow clone Aizen posed two grand and abrupt questions.
"Oh?" Orochimaru paused, a strong thirst for knowledge flashing in his eyes. "It seems Aizen-kun can give me the answer?"
"Of course. Consider this answer a gift for Orochimaru-kun," said Aizen, the shadow clone. "This world once had a master, and he still watches over our ninja game."
Orochimaru's mind raced, and he recalled a legendary figure, asking with slight hesitation, "The Sage of Six Paths?"
"As expected of Orochimaru-kun, he deserves my personal invitation," the shadow clone Aizen praised. "The Sage of Six Paths' real name is Hagoromo Otsutsuki, who founded Ninshu," bestowing upon the world chakra and the inheritance of ninjutsu. He saved this world and still exists in a special form, silently protecting it.
Orochimaru wasn't particularly interested in the Sage of Six Paths' life story; what he cared more about was the method by which this legendary figure achieved "immortality."
"The enemy that the Sage of Six Paths fought to save the world is the answer to the second question," the shadow clone Aizen continued. "The Otsutsuki clan from beyond the stars."
"Otsutsuki?" Orochimaru's pupils contracted slightly. "The Sage of Six Paths was also an outsider?"
"Although he possesses the bloodline of the Otsutsuki, he identifies himself as belonging to this land and is determined to protect it with his life—that's the key," the shadow clone Aizen emphasized.
"Now, I formally invite you to join the 'Void' organization." His voice deepened. "'Void' is dedicated to propelling humanity's life and civilization to new heights, and scientific research is the key means and driving force. So, Orochimaru-kun, are you interested?"
"Sounds quite interesting—I'll join." Orochimaru said casually, licking his lips again. "I look forward to seeing a different side of the organization."
During the conversation, a system notification appeared at the opportune moment. Aizen, the shadow clone, didn't open the interface and continued, "The Hashirama cells that Orochimaru-kun is currently researching also originated from the bloodline of the Sage of Six Paths, so I'm also very interested in your research. The organization will assist you in completing this experiment; I believe Orochimaru-kun wouldn't mind sharing the results, would he?"
"Besides the Senju clan, are there any other families that inherit the bloodline of the Sage of Six Paths?" Orochimaru didn't answer directly, but instead asked a question that seemed to be going off on a digression.
"The organization will gradually guide you forward on your scientific research path," the shadow clone Aizen responded. "We have ample resources to share, and our ultimate goal is to lead human civilization into the stars."
"Since the organization values sharing, I don't object to joint research on Hashirama cells," Orochimaru said after a moment's thought. "However, you should be aware that this project is backed by Konoha's 'Root'—Shimura Danzo's character."
"We will not appear before Danzo Shimura, nor will we interfere with your cooperation with him. The organization will only provide you with a broader stage." Shadow clone Aizen said calmly, "Until we have accumulated sufficient power, we will not intervene in the politics and wars between ninja villages and nations."
Orochimaru nodded upon hearing this, thinking to himself: This organization's style is quite suitable for me.
"The Hashirama cell experiment is the first project we've collaborated on. If successful, the organization will guide you into deeper areas." Aizen, the shadow clone, paused slightly before adding, "However, I must remind you: the Sage of Six Paths is a benevolent and powerful figure; you can consider him a more powerful Hashirama Senju."
"He still cares about the world. Therefore, even in human experimentation, life must be respected. We must do everything we can to ensure the survival of all sixty children."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed, and he immediately understood the deeper meaning behind the other party's words.
His human experiments might have fooled Konoha's Anbu, but they couldn't escape the Sage of Six Paths' notice. If the organization truly achieves its so-called human leap, it will inevitably cross paths with this legend in the future.
"If the organization can provide enough data, I won't have to rely on human experiments to slowly accumulate data," Orochimaru said in a deep voice.
"Hmm." Aizen, the shadow clone, nodded, and after a moment's thought, said, "That's enough for today. Orochimaru-kun can organize the existing experimental data first, and I'll come again next time."
Before Orochimaru could respond, a flash of black chakra appeared around him, and his figure gradually disappeared into his personal space. He then deactivated himself and transferred his memories back to his main body.
"Space-time ninjutsu—" Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, muttered to himself, and then fell into deep thought.
In Tsunade's office, Xingyuan Qian Shuo's main body had already activated the system notification:
[The host created "Void," an outer organization of "Star," dedicated to elevating humanity's level through scientific research to counter the Otsutsuki clan. Rewards received: Bloodline Scroll *1, Spatial Power +10%, Chakra +20000]
"Bloodline Scroll—is this to further enhance bloodline constitution?" Xingyuan Qianshuo was delighted, thinking to himself, "'Star' is the core organization, pursuing peace in the ninja world; 'Red Cross Society' is responsible for charitable medical care, accumulating prestige and improving the image of ninjas; 'Sky' focuses on scientific research, and could be used to establish a technology company in the future. According to the plan, what's still missing is a media company to control public opinion—"
He calmed himself down and collected the reward.
Considering the Thousand Hands physique evolving within him, he decided not to use the "Bloodline Scroll" for the time being.
With a slight thought, he opened the organization section.
Three organization names are now listed in the section. In the "Empty" organization category, Orochimaru's information has been added:
[Name: Orochimaru]
Age: 31
Chakra: 40121
[Attributes: Fire, Wind, Thunder, Earth, Water, Yin, Yang]
[Skills: Ninja Art: Snake Mouth Binding, Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, Hidden Shadow Multi-Snake Hands, Wind Release: Great Breakthrough, Wind Release: Wind Slicing Technique]
——】
"Orochimaru doesn't seem to have mastered any of the ninjutsu, secret techniques, and forbidden techniques from the original work yet?" Hoshigen Chisaku wondered to himself. "Do I have to train him?"
"However, many of Orochimaru's abilities are too personal and not suitable for me to learn. Only a few forbidden techniques are somewhat attractive—I'll find an opportunity to spar with him in the future and see if I can acquire them through system rewards."
Soon after, the shadow clone's memories returned. Xingyuan Qianshuo sorted through them with great interest.
"This encounter was quite fruitful, especially the Bloodline Scroll reward."
He opened the shop interface and, sure enough, saw the newly added "Bloodline Scroll" exchange item, priced at 30,000 reputation points.
"Let's try using it after the Thousand Hands physique has fully evolved."
"In addition, I have taken on a side mission this time—how to treat these sixty children still needs careful consideration."
"The key is that the interstitial cells are too vigorous, which can erode the experimental subject and lead to two results: one is that the interstitial cells burst and die, and the other is that the experimental subject produces a strong rejection reaction, causing its own system to collapse and die."
"Since Yamato survived, it shows that Orochimaru's current experimental approach still has merit. If we could find Yamato, we could compare his physique to see if there are any differences."
"Also, perhaps we could try using Yin Release power to balance the Yang Release life force of Hashirama's cells —"
Xingyuan Qianshuo's thoughts surged, and time quietly slipped away.
Soon after, Tsunade left the Hokage's office and returned to the hospital.
"How was it? Judging from your expression, the result was pretty good?" Hoshino Senju looked up at the radiant Tsunade and asked.
"Hmph." Tsunade smugly hummed twice, a smile playing on her lips. "Ten percent of the profits, all of Konoha's casinos."
"Oh? For all casinos, you'd have to negotiate with several families, right?"
"No, I had the old man handle everything. Anyway, he agreed," Tsunade said casually, a hint of slyness in her voice. "Your 'charity foundation' plan really worked, Chisaku." The old man had originally thought he could stop me from winning money at the casino with empty words—what a joke! Once I explained my plan to establish a charity foundation, he immediately lost his nerve.
"That's also due to your exceptional luck and gambling skills, Tsunade, which forced the casino to concede," Hoshino Senju praised with a smile.
"Of course." Tsunade accepted the compliment without hesitation, her eyes shining brightly.
"Chisaku, the old man wants you to write up the bylaws for the charity fund and give them to him. You were the one who suggested it, so you'll be the one to write the bylaws." Tsunade said, casually sitting on Chisaku's lap and putting her arm around his neck, her tone relaxed yet affectionate.
"Sigh—okay, I'll write it." Xingyuan Qianshuo felt the warm and elastic touch on his legs and had no choice but to agree.
"Also, the charity fund will be a hassle in the future. I'll just keep the name on it, and you can find someone to manage it." Tsunade shifted slightly and added.
"Alright, I'll find it." Xingyuan Qianshuo sighed softly, pondered for a moment, and asked, "What should the fund be called? Do you have any ideas? Should we use your name directly, or the Senju surname?"
"How about 'Spark'?" Tsunade pondered for a moment and replied, "I'll just lend my name to block some of the opposing voices."
"Your suggestion is to use your first character, plus the character for 'fire'."
"A single spark can start a prairie fire," Xingyuan Qianshuo murmured, a smile appearing in his eyes. "This name is really good, then I won't refuse."
"Mmm," Tsunade responded softly, resting her chin gently on his shoulder, her breath warm.