Orochimaru's direct, aggressive approach made Shindai's limbs start to disobey him, trembling uncontrollably.
Seeing Shindai's limbs shaking like that, Orochimaru unconsciously raised an eyebrow and said, "It seems you're quite afraid of me, aren't you? What? Worried I'll kill you?"
Shindai stammered, "No, no, no... it wouldn't come to that, right? I, I just know a tiny bit, really just a tiny bit, there's no need to kill me to silence me, right? Orochimaru-sama, I'm very tight-lipped. In all of Konoha... no! In the entire Ninja World, there's no one more tight-lipped than me!"
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed: "No one is more tight-lipped than you? Even though I've had almost no interaction with those companions of yours, I've pretty much learned all about them from your mouth. Kakashi Hatake is a repressed man, Uchiha Obito is an idiot, and Rin Nohara is a hanger-on.
Oh, and Minato Namikaze is henpecked and likes to be submissive, and his first kiss was when Uzumaki Kushina grabbed his collar and forced a kiss on him, right?"
Shindai's face went rigid.
Did he really say that?
It seems... he did, didn't he...
Shindai argued, "Those, those were just unimportant things. For important matters, my lips are sealed, Orochimaru-sama, you see, I know so many things about you, and I haven't said a single word, right?!"
Orochimaru looked at Shindai with a half-smile: "You just said you only knew a little bit about me, and now you're saying you know so much about me, Shindai, it seems you know a lot."
Shindai really wanted to slap himself.
But Shindai did actually slap himself, but it was a light one, no different from a caress.
Orochimaru tapped the table with his knuckles and said, "Alright, I can promise you I won't kill you, and I don't want to kill you, because your talent in scientific research is indeed very good. I am someone who cherishes talent, and there are very few people in this Ninja World with your kind of talent in this area.
However, I hope you can tell me your true thoughts. If you continue to joke around as before, then I cannot guarantee this promise."
Shindai's facial expression kept changing.
After a long pause, Shindai looked up at Orochimaru and asked, "What if what I say is not what Orochimaru-sama wants to hear?"
Orochimaru replied, "I said, as long as it's your true thoughts, then this promise is valid. Even if we can't be on the same path later, as long as you don't leak it, this promise will remain valid."
Shindai was silent for a moment again, then suggested to Orochimaru, "Orochimaru-sama, then I'll speak from the heart!"
Orochimaru immediately became a little interested: "Oh? Then begin."
Shindai asked Orochimaru, "Orochimaru-sama, do you believe science has morality?"
Orochimaru thought for a moment and replied, "No, in my opinion, science is cold and ruthless, unrelated to morality. Science itself does not possess any morality; it simply pursues objective facts and truth."
Shindai nodded, then said, "Indeed, science does not possess morality, but humans do. Our research all has strong intentionality. For example, my puppets are to help me in battle, and because humans themselves possess morality, I believe that when conducting scientific research, it is also endowed with the same attribute."
Orochimaru's expression became slightly serious as he replied, "However, ethics and morals can shackle scientific research, limiting creativity. In the short term, it may seem to not conform to certain moral standards, but in the long run, the benefits are immense."
Shindai retorted, "Excessively pursuing speed of breakthrough while ignoring ethical considerations may also lead to catastrophic consequences, and it will also be constrained. Since Orochimaru-sama doesn't want people to know about your research, isn't it because you're worried about being stopped if discovered?
Orochimaru-sama, in my opinion, science and ethics are not opposed; they are mutually promoting and complementary.
Orochimaru-sama, what is the purpose of the scientific research you are doing? Is it for yourself, for the Village, or for the Ninja World? Whatever it's for, doing research secretly is definitely restrictive, and that will also limit creativity.
I think, if you can get everyone's support, you can still do research with a clear mind, can't you?
For example, the research Orochimaru is currently doing could be conducted in a more legitimate way, by recruiting volunteers for human experiments, ensuring their lives are not at risk. Although the process would be more cumbersome, it could solve many problems.
But Orochimaru-sama has done nothing, just quietly conducting experiments alone, as if abandoning all ethics. In fact, sometimes I feel that Orochimaru-sama is not like a scientific researcher..."
Orochimaru gazed at Shindai and asked, "Like what?"
Shindai looked directly into Orochimaru's eyes with a frank gaze and said, "I think Orochimaru-sama is more like... a lonely and obsessive seeker of truth."
Orochimaru silently gazed at Shindai.
Shindai continued, "These are my true thoughts. I believe Orochimaru-sama is not truly a cold and ruthless person. In these past few months of being together, I've been able to feel that myself.
So, conducting research within an ethical framework is not impossible. Doing experiments without involving other people's safety is also more acceptable, isn't it?
I believe that in this way, Hokage-sama and the others would definitely support Orochimaru-sama's research. One person's energy is always limited, even if that person has infinite life. With everyone's support and help, it would definitely be easier, and you could also brainstorm, which might be even more helpful for research."
Orochimaru stared at Shindai and asked, "Are you trying to persuade me?"
Shindai scratched his head: "Huh? Not exactly persuading, well... it is a bit of persuasion. Orochimaru-sama has taught me so much, and I really want to continue learning knowledge from Orochimaru-sama. Speaking of which, Orochimaru-sama, do you want to become Hokage?"
Orochimaru asked in confusion, "Why are you suddenly asking that question?"
Shindai chuckled, "Just asking casually, because it seems many people in Konoha believe Orochimaru-sama will become the next Hokage."
Shindai recalled that the conflict between Orochimaru and Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to stem from the Hokage position not being given to Orochimaru, but to Minato Namikaze. It was said that Orochimaru harbored evil and ambition in his eyes, and that such an important responsibility could not be entrusted to Orochimaru, which caused Orochimaru to resent Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Shindai thought about helping Minato Namikaze scout for information, to see if Orochimaru had any intention of becoming Hokage now.
If Orochimaru didn't have that idea now, then perhaps he could help Minato Namikaze by reducing the number of competitors.
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