Orochimaru placed the scroll aside, his pale fingers moving unhurriedly. He picked up a notebook from the desk and casually flipped through its pages, his golden pupils scanning the dense lines of text.
"My purpose in coming to the company this time," Orochimaru said calmly, "is related to the Limb Regeneration Technique. This technology will allow the company to establish a firm and unshakable foothold in the ninja world."
Kakuzu paused for a moment, recalling the various experiments and data he had seen in Orochimaru's laboratory.
"Isn't the Limb Regeneration Technique a degraded version of the Regeneration Technique you're currently researching?"
"That's correct," Orochimaru replied without hesitation. "The perfect Regeneration Technique is not something I would allow outsiders to use. Only our own people are qualified."
He closed the notebook, picked up another, and flipped through it rapidly—reading nearly ten lines at a glance.
"Kakuzu, you've been a ninja for decades. Surely you understand this principle. Battles between ninja are battles of exposure. The more hidden cards a ninja possesses, the greater the probability of achieving ultimate victory."
Kakuzu nodded slightly, but then recalled another piece of intelligence.
"I recently heard some rumors," he said. "About you nearly killing the Third Tsuchikage with a surprise attack. Ōnoki is someone who mastered Dust Release—the Kekkei Tōta—and survived the era of Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara."
Orochimaru stopped flipping pages and looked up in mild surprise.
"Has that information already spread?"
"It's already circulating on the black market," Kakuzu replied. "Quite widely, in fact."
"In that case," Orochimaru said indifferently, "the conclusion is simple. I failed to kill him."
He showed no regret whatsoever.
Ōnoki's life was insignificant compared to the value of Dust Release.
"Lady Orochimaru," Aokawa spoke cautiously, "isn't it risky to promote the Limb Regeneration Technique on a large scale? Once this technology spreads, the Four Great Shinobi Villages will inevitably benefit. Wouldn't that be equivalent to healing our enemies?"
Orochimaru glanced at him.
"This technology is already being used in Konoha," he said coldly. "Whether it spreads to the Four Great Villages makes no difference. It won't change the direction of the war."
He knew exactly what Aokawa was worried about.
"It doesn't matter if crippled ninja recover and return to the battlefield," Orochimaru continued. "Those who've neglected their training for too long, those who haven't fought in years—such people are useless in battle."
"They only drag their comrades down and die meaningless deaths."
With that, Orochimaru pulled out a scroll and handed it to Setsuryu.
"This contains all data related to the Limb Regeneration Technique," he said. "Along with the Zero-Tails Beast Cells I developed specifically for it."
He then placed several culture vials on the table. Inside them floated pale, writhing substances—the Zero-Tails Cells, modified for safe application.
"Please rest assured, Lady Orochimaru," Setsuryu said solemnly. "We will handle everything properly."
Although the parchment in his hand was light, it felt heavier than iron.
"What about the war orphans on Orphan Island?" Orochimaru asked.
"Please rest assured," Aokawa replied immediately. "The orphans are well cared for by professional cooks and caretakers. We've also established a Ninja Academy on the island. Any child with talent will not be overlooked."
Aokawa had taken it upon himself to create a specialized academy—indoctrinating war orphans from a young age and cultivating loyalty to the company.
A Ninja Academy…
Orochimaru hadn't even suggested such a thing.
In that regard, Aokawa's foresight exceeded his expectations.
"Very good," Orochimaru said with a faint smile. "You've done excellent work."
"Yes, Lady Orochimaru!" Aokawa replied excitedly. Nothing pleased him more than receiving her approval.
"War inevitably creates rogue ninja," Orochimaru continued. "Pay close attention to every village. If you encounter any worth recruiting, bring them in."
"Rogue ninja rarely survive unless they prey on civilians."
Orochimaru had no illusions about war. It would continue, and more rogue ninja would emerge. The useful ones would be absorbed. The useless—and dangerous—would be eliminated.
"And those not worth recruiting?" Kakuzu asked, sensing there was more.
"Assist the villages we cooperate with," Orochimaru replied vaguely.
He didn't need to elaborate.
"I understand," Kakuzu said with a chuckle, shaking his head.
So they'll be killed outright.
He found this arrangement extremely satisfying.
Mangrove Forest
Orochimaru arrived at the Mangrove Forest to inspect the Chimera Beetle swarm. Compared to the early days, their numbers had increased more than fourfold.
Because Chimera Beetles fed primarily on chakra, they posed little threat to the ecosystem. They rarely hunted living creatures. Instead, many organisms sought them out, hoping to receive their "gifts."
"Lady Orochimaru!"
Mu, who was sitting atop a Chimera Beetle, rubbed his eyes vigorously upon seeing her. After confirming that it was indeed Orochimaru, he hurriedly jumped down.
Splash!
Mu fell straight into the water.
Orochimaru stared at him, her expression filled with question marks.
She vaguely remembered that Mu was responsible for overseeing the Chimera Beetles.
The beetle swarm had grown accustomed to him over time. In the Land of Waves, provoking Mu was like kicking a steel plate—countless Chimera Beetles would rush to his defense.
Still…
He seemed unreliable.
"Lady Orochimaru! It's an honor to meet you!"
Mu scrambled out of the seawater, rushed over, and bowed deeply. As he did so, a small crab flew out—only to be caught between Orochimaru's fingers, spinning helplessly.
Mu noticed it a moment too late and apologized repeatedly, bowing again and again.
The Chimera Beetle he had been riding couldn't even bear to watch. It raised its claws to cover its eyes, deeply regretting ever forming a contract with this human.
"That's enough," Orochimaru said calmly. "You've taken good care of the Chimera Beetles. Thank you."
She casually tossed the crab back into the sea and patted Mu on the shoulder.
"Receiving your praise is the greatest honor!"
Mu felt as though today was his luckiest day.
"I'll walk around alone," Orochimaru said. "Continue what you were doing."
"Yes, Lady Orochimaru!"
Mu bowed deeply, watching her figure disappear into the mangroves.
A song drifted faintly through the forest.
As Orochimaru walked deeper into the dark mangroves, she heard a melodious voice—like a siren's song. She placed a hand on a tree trunk and sensed a familiar chakra in the distance.
"Hm?"
Uzumaki Chigusa, carrying a basket while gathering herbs, immediately sensed someone nearby.
Kagura Shingan!
The chakra was familiar—yet subtly different.
Orochimaru?
When did she arrive in the Land of Waves?
Chigusa leapt through the trees, closing the distance in an instant.
"Chigusa," Orochimaru said calmly, glancing at the basket. Inside lay a rare medicinal plant unique to the mangrove forest. "It's been a long time."
"The war isn't over yet, is it?" Chigusa asked, hugging her. "How did you find time to come here?"
Through chakra alone, Chigusa sensed Orochimaru's low mood—and found it strange.
"Sustained wars still have intermissions," Orochimaru replied dryly.
"I heard Konoha is chasing Iwagakure forces! Orochimaru, that's amazing!"
Chigusa hadn't received the latest intelligence.
"It's not just our effort," Orochimaru said. "Logistics determine victory."
On the battlefield, supply units were primary targets. Without protection, many would have fought on empty stomachs.
Chigusa blinked, then teased, "That sounded just like something a Hokage would say."
"Hokage?" Orochimaru scoffed. "That joke isn't funny."
"I'm not interested."
She had no intention of wasting her life buried in paperwork.
"Still," Chigusa smiled, "I knew you'd say that."
"Orochimaru," Chigusa said gently, "you seem unhappy."
"I'm not a child," Orochimaru snapped, pushing her hand away. "Stop treating me like one."
Chigusa laughed softly. "You've always been mature."
She paused. "Is this why you're in a bad mood?"
Orochimaru remained silent for a long moment.
Then she spoke of confessions—from Uchiha Hikari, Tsunade, and Hyuga Mio.
"Confessions?!"
Chigusa's hand trembled. The basket fell from the branch.
Orochimaru moved instantly. A white snake shot from her sleeve, coiling around Chigusa as she caught the basket and every falling herb.
"It's rare," Orochimaru said calmly, "but not impossible. Is it really that shocking?"
Chigusa stared at her, speechless.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)