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American Horror: Grind Edition
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American Horror: Grind Edition
"No, no, no. Isn't this one of the terms of our alliance? Orochimaru-san, honestly speaking, the help you've given me is far greater. In the future, I'll still need more of your support, Orochimaru-san. We are comrades walking the same path, aren't we? Orochimaru-san!"
Menma chuckled softly, his words laden with meaning.
After breaking away from the Hidden Leaf and gaining freedom—which might seem worthless or even foolish to others, but was a treasure to Menma—his heart had gradually changed.
Especially now, as he continuously strengthened himself through training and the progress of various experimental research.
The ambition in Menma's heart was growing infinitely.
Revenge was the initial and most fundamental goal.
But beyond that, stronger power, higher levels, and the "temptation of going home" were the purest ambitions buried deep within Menma's heart.
Since he could come to this dimension, this world...
Could he go back?
The answer was uncertain, but it definitely wasn't a hundred percent "no."
The purest bloodline and supreme power of the Otsutsuki clan could traverse the stars; that was Menma's goal.
He was Menma Uzumaki, but also that young man from his previous life.
He cared about the people and events of this life, but he cared even more about his past life.
Therefore, from this perspective, Orochimaru was truly Menma's most compatible ally. especially Orochimaru's scientific research capabilities, which were what Menma needed most. Under equal conditions, it was absolutely impossible for Menma to compare with Orochimaru in terms of research ability.
"You're right. That is indeed a provision of our alliance!"
In Orochimaru's snake-like eyes, it seemed as if only Menma's figure existed in this moment.
This wasn't just because of the items and information Menma provided.
It was also because of the words Menma had just spoken.
Having spent so much time together...
Orochimaru didn't believe Menma was unaware of some of his plans and intentions. Yet, for him to still say such things was proof enough that this young man truly had goals similar to his own.
This gave Orochimaru a long-lost feeling of boiling blood.
There are many difficulties in the world.
But a true confidant is the hardest to find.
Orochimaru still wasn't sure if Menma would truly be his confidant, but this beginning already surpassed everything else.
In this moment.
In Orochimaru's heart...
Menma's importance had risen to a higher level.
"Then, let me wish Menma-kun smooth sailing and continued success in his martial endeavors. If there's anything else you need in the future, feel free to ask, Menma-kun. This is also part of the alliance," Orochimaru said with a light chuckle.
"Heh, likewise. speaking of needs, I actually do have a small favor to ask of you, Orochimaru-san. I just don't know if you can agree to it," Menma said with a smile.
"Oh? Menma-kun can speak freely."
"I want someone from you, Orochimaru-san. I hope you can part with them."
Menma looked straight at Orochimaru as he spoke softly.
Causing Orochimaru to be stunned involuntarily.
"Someone?"
"Yes, just one person!"
Menma repeated with a very firm tone.
The retreating figure.
The faint aura left behind.
Orochimaru sat in his main seat, looking at the spot where Menma—who had already left—had been sitting. A faint look of contemplation flowed in his snake-like pupils.
"Lord Orochimaru, is it appropriate to let Menma Uzumaki take Suigetsu away just like that?"
From the side, Kabuto Yakushi, who had been hiding in the shadows like a ghost from start to finish without saying a word, stepped forward at this moment and asked softly.
Suigetsu Hozuki!
This was the person Menma had just requested to take away from Orochimaru.
It wasn't that Suigetsu Hozuki held immense value. Menma valued Suigetsu purely because among the group under Orochimaru's command, Suigetsu was the only one with a name and decent strength who held only awe and fear for Orochimaru, but no so-called loyalty.
To put it bluntly, in Orochimaru's power group, Suigetsu was the only "brick" Menma could pry loose.
As for whether Menma could truly win Suigetsu over for his own use, that depended on Menma's own methods.
And even more so on Suigetsu's own choice.
But right now, Suigetsu had clearly been "gifted" directly to Menma by Orochimaru.
"Heh, it doesn't matter. The Hozuki clan's bloodline limit is just so-so; it's not as meaningful as the Kaguya clan's Shikotsumyaku. Besides, you know Suigetsu's personality, Kabuto. Letting him go is no problem at all," Orochimaru chuckled lightly, speaking nonchalantly.
Although Suigetsu's current combat power already surpassed most of the cannon fodder under Orochimaru, and the potential of the Hozuki clan gave Suigetsu a higher future ceiling... that was about it. With a Kekkei Genkai lacking significant research value and insufficient loyalty to Orochimaru, Orochimaru naturally didn't care much about Suigetsu.
Giving him away didn't cause even a shred of hesitation.
Almost immediately after his initial surprise...
Orochimaru agreed directly.
Compared to what Menma had given him, the value wasn't even in the same tier. Orochimaru also understood clearly why Menma did this.
He really values me, Menma-kun. Heh, interesting, truly interesting...
Orochimaru smiled lightly, his gaze becoming incredibly profound.
Although Kabuto on the side hadn't seen what intelligence Menma had shown his Lord Orochimaru in that scroll, it was foreseeable that its value was no less than that of the Rinnegan.
Only such things could truly move his Lord Orochimaru.
"Kabuto, the Rinnegan experiments need to be moved up. Remember, use Wood Style cells directly for testing this time; no need to use other cells anymore. Also, dispatch more personnel to keep a close eye on the Leaf. Lock onto any Hyuga clan main house members leaving the Leaf recently!"
Orochimaru turned to Kabuto. The first part of his instructions was fine—it was the focus of their experiments anyway, and Kabuto was already aware. But the second half caused a look of surprise to appear on Kabuto's face.
The Hyuga clan?
Was his Lord Orochimaru targeting the Byakugan?
Although the Byakugan's value wasn't low, it shouldn't be within his Lord Orochimaru's plan, right?
But doubts were doubts; Kabuto wouldn't show them on the surface. Instead, he bowed and responded respectfully, "Yes, Lord Orochimaru, I understand!"
Although main house members of the Hyuga clan rarely left the Leaf, it didn't mean they never left. The clan head, Hiashi Hyuga, had also left the village for missions when he was young. In the original story, Hinata Hyuga left the village multiple times. These were all precedents.
Therefore, capturing a main house member was just difficult—extremely difficult—but not completely improbable.
If Orochimaru were dead set on playing the "stalking game," there was indeed a certain probability of catching a main house member.
"Mhm. Prioritize capturing a few branch house members first. Remember, they must be captured alive. Do you understand!?"
Orochimaru paused, then issued another order.
Although the branch house's Byakugan was restricted by the Caged Bird Seal, as long as the person was still alive, the eyes wouldn't be destroyed automatically.
They still held considerable research value.
At least for the current Orochimaru, it should be enough.
As for whether he really needed to obtain a pair of true Byakugan later, that would depend on the results of the research.
"Yes! Lord Orochimaru!"
Different circumstances and different characters making different choices would inevitably lead to different developments. As the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Menma had already significantly altered the plot of the original story in the few months since defecting from the Hidden Leaf. Kakashi lost his Sharingan; Onoki, representing the Hidden Stone, reached a "special alliance" with Menma; Menma joined the Hidden Waterfall Village; and Orochimaru's personal research trajectory changed.
This had already set the ninja world on a path toward a different future.
And in the future, Menma was bound to bring even more differences.
This was something no one, including Menma himself, could predict. From this moment on, the plot of the original story could no longer provide Menma with accurate predictions. All he could rely on was his own strength and judgment.
The only "prophetic" advantage remaining was simply intelligence on those overt and covert potential enemies.
Therefore.
Menma had to accelerate the pace of his strengthening.
For example!
Starting with fully mastering the Nine-Tails' chakra.
And this was the most important, direct, and significant personal strength enhancement Menma had always been obsessing over.
Training in other areas couldn't achieve immediate results.
Only the Nine-Tails' chakra...
Once fully mastered, whether it was the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode or full Tailed Beast Transformation, Menma could be considered to have stepped into the Super Kage tier.
Konoha Year 61, January 1st.
Hidden Waterfall Village.
Outside the northern wilderness.
In a most secluded clearing stood a somewhat simple but spacious flat-roofed building. This was Menma's personal laboratory. Shibuki had originally intended to build something more complete, but for Menma, having complete facilities was enough; there was no need to care about so-called luxurious configurations on the outside.
It is worth mentioning that all the facilities and equipment here were paid for out of Menma's own pocket, not taking a single cent from the village's finances. This research belonged solely to Menma, not the village. Menma didn't intend to treat the Hidden Waterfall Village as a blood bank, but rather wanted to set down roots solidly.
Attention still had to be paid to some basic details.
Whether he could successfully master the Hidden Waterfall Village was another matter, but at least Menma definitely had to strive toward this goal.
In the innermost room of the laboratory.
The special barrier jutsu and sealing jutsu clearly deployed around it, while not the top tier in the ninja world, made it impossible for ninja below Kage level to break in easily.
At this moment, in this room, the figures of Menma and Karin appeared.
Since returning from Orochimaru's place over ten days ago...
Apart from appearing on necessary occasions, Menma had stayed in this laboratory the whole time. It was now Konoha Year 61. At most, there was a little over two years until the so-called Shippuden plot erupted in the original story. Not to mention that with the plot already deviating, Menma had to consider whether some events would arrive earlier. Therefore, the sense of urgency regarding time was strong; Menma had to speed up the pace on certain matters.
Today.
Here.
What Menma wanted to do was attempt to break the Eight Trigrams Sealing Style within his body.
"Are we doing this experiment now? Menma, isn't it a bit too rushed? We've only just completed fifteen groups of comparative tests. Although supported by data from Orochimaru, the differences between human bodies are still significant."
With all experiment preparations complete, Karin still looked at Menma with some worry.
"Heh, no need to worry, Karin. The previous tests have already verified our hypothesis. Not to mention this is built on the foundation of Orochimaru-san's experiments. This bottle of cell activation serum will definitely enhance my cell activation ability and physical strength. I won't act recklessly. The worst result is just not reaching the expected value; there's no need to worry too much."
Menma smiled and shook his head, speaking gently.
To break the Eight Trigrams Sealing Style binding the Nine-Tails chakra within his body, firstly, Menma needed corresponding ability in sealing jutsu.
Enough to crack the jutsu.
After all, Menma didn't have the key; that key was still with Jiraiya.
However, after pondering for this period and combining it with the plot of the original story—especially the sealing knowledge learned from Orochimaru—Menma came up with a method that wasn't really a method. Whether it would succeed was hard to say, but it was worth a try.
Secondly, Menma needed to be able to withstand the full volume of the Nine-Tails' chakra. Originally, if he just proceeded step-by-step, as time passed, Menma—as a top-tier Uzumaki—would absolutely be able to adapt to the Nine-Tails' chakra completely.
But what Menma lacked now was time.
He didn't want to wait any longer.
This bottle of special cell activation serum could further stimulate Menma's cell activation rate, strengthening his various bodily functions to enhance his overall physical quality.
The reason it could be developed in such a short time was that most of it was Orochimaru's research results. Menma and Karin just applied it and converted it into components compatible with his bloodline.
The previous fifteen groups of comparative tests were to test the corresponding values.
More tests should have been conducted.
But Menma felt it was enough.
Continuing comparative testing would at most reduce the risk by another one or two percentage points; essentially, there wasn't much difference.
This indeed smacked too much of a gambler's mentality.
But Menma had no choice. From the moment he decided to defect from the Leaf, he could only constantly force himself forward!