Aiding and abetting a tyrant?
Perhaps. Her purpose in doing this was, first, for self-preservation, and second, based on her judgment of the original work, she felt that doing this might actually save more people.
Anyone who has watched Naruto knows what Orochimaru's dream is.
The human experiments he conducted were all for the advent of the technique for immortality.
Which is Living Corpse Reincarnation.
Based on this technique, Orochimaru could have infinite time to conduct scientific research.
Now that Amane specifically pointed the way for him, many experimental subjects directly kept their lives. Because in the step of Sealing a part of the flesh inside, those who were unsuitable wouldn't die, but would only show allergic symptoms.
These unneeded experimental subjects wouldn't be executed either; instead, they would be selected by Orochimaru's 'discerning eye.' He would see whether to apply a seal and then have them continue working for him, even with some benefits.
In this regard, Orochimaru really is much stronger than Danzo.
This is why someone thanked Amane in the corridor just now, and it was also one of the 'little tricks' Kabuto knew about.
"But there are also many problems. Relying solely on the DNA of some flesh, the modified [power] is far from enough, which is why it can only be maintained for a very short time. Do you have any good suggestions?"
Orochimaru's tone carried some expectation. Since this suggestion significantly advanced the completion of his technique, he valued the value Amane brought to him more and more.
Originally, Orochimaru's plan was for Amane and Kimimaro to be his future candidate bodies.
But now, Orochimaru was already a bit reluctant.
Compared to the important role Kabuto played in gathering intelligence for him, Amane was the only one who could provide him with huge help regarding the technique.
Even though he knew this was Amane's open scheme, the more her suggestions pushed the progress forward, the more uncertain it became whether this method would work on her in the future.
But what did that matter? The reason he, Orochimaru, sought eternal life was to learn all the Ninjutsu in this world and master the truth.
Faced with this, the best body that could provide help was the Uchiha's Sharingan.
And things like Bloodline Limits or special constitutions, which could be reproduced just by merging cells, were never Orochimaru's first choice.
[That's why Jugo's constitution of constantly absorbing Natural Energy is necessary...]
But Amane didn't have a suitable way to say this information out loud, so she could only say: "So it's because you intended to fill in more flesh that led to that horrifying scene just now. If you ask me, why don't you try Cloning?"
"Haha, a good idea, but the difficulty of this technology is no less than that of my technique. There are really too few people in this world with an investigative spirit like mine."
Orochimaru seemed to have stepped out of the gloom of the experimental failure and even took a sip of the tea Amane had just poured.
"Indeed, everyone always thinks about using this power for combat; almost no one thinks about how this power can make life better."
There are really too few people doing scientific research in this world. The reason is that Chakra is too convenient. As long as it's not a man-made disaster like war, it's basically impossible for natural disasters to cause fertile fields to yield nothing.
From this perspective, the Ninjutsu Sect established by the Six Paths Sage back then did indeed do a great deed.
But the problem lies here as well. Recovery after war is very fast; one can see this by looking at the frequency of wars in this world.
During the few months in Kirigakure, among the commissions given to students, many involved using Earth Release for land reclamation, Water Release for irrigating fields, or Wind Release for weeding.
One can only say that conflict is truly a biological instinct.
And Amane personally speculated that the Daimyo might also be happy to see it happen.
After all, reducing the number of Ninjas is beneficial for their so-called equal coexistence.
Seeing Orochimaru respond to this statement, Amane knew the time to reveal that information had come.
Karin and her mother might even be saved at this point in time.
"Oh? There are also Uzumaki Clan Members in the Hidden Grass Village!"
Upon hearing news of Uzumaki Clan Members other than Amane, Orochimaru's eyes lit up.
"Danzo asked me to investigate; the authenticity has yet to be verified. Senior Kabuto has already taken over this task for me just now."
This explanation didn't arouse Orochimaru's suspicion either, or rather, he didn't care about such things at all right now.
Orochimaru noticed Amane's expression as she spoke this information, and then smiled sinisterly: "Don't you care? Sending your fellow clansmen to me."
"Is it better to let them continue being used as medicine pills there, or be brainwashed into tools by Danzo?"
Amane shrugged. At the same time, she couldn't help but wonder why Karin and her mother thought of going to the Hidden Grass Village back then instead of Konoha? Weren't the two hidden villages allies?
Could it be... Conspiracy theories inevitably rose in her mind again.
"Is my side better? Your values are truly twisted enough." Orochimaru looked at his experimental table from just now; such a bloody scene was seen by an 8-year-old girl, yet she was not only unmoved but also told him the information about her clansmen in the next second.
Orochimaru even felt that he was more normal than Uzumaki Tian Yin.
To this, Amane held up a finger and said directly: "If you make me choose between you and Danzo, I choose you. This is the truth.
Although you disregard human life, you don't glorify the evil deeds you do. On this point alone, you are far superior to that bastard Danzo, who acts under the banner of Konoha but is actually entirely out for his own profit."
Everyone has obsessions in life, and it's human nature to realize those obsessions. Orochimaru can manage not to make excuses for himself, which is why Amane doesn't dislike him.
Of course, this is provided that Amane herself, or the people she cares about, don't become his prey.
But that's a separate matter. There's nothing to say if they end up trying to kill each other directly.
"So I don't think you, Uncle Snake, will mess with them; in fact, their lives might be much better than in the Hidden Grass Village.
And you will use the same method you used on me and Kimimaro, using sweet words to make them willing to work their lives away for you.
You won't take their lives until you feel there is a need. In this Ninja World, this should be considered preferential treatment."
After Amane finished speaking, she silently waited for Orochimaru's reaction.
In fact, speaking like this, Amane was also taking a big risk. But if the person was Uncle Snake, she felt that this might instead gain a lot of favor.
"Heh heh heh... Amane, I sometimes really wonder if you are truly the child of those two... No, Minato wasn't pedantic either. If you can't contact Konoha and can only choose between me, the Hidden Grass Village, and Danzo, making such a choice is indeed correct."
After nodding slightly, Orochimaru immediately changed the subject and asked:
"Amane, what is your dream? After you achieve your return to Konoha and reunite with your brother, what will you pursue?"
"Power. I want revenge on that Masked Man."
The corner of Orochimaru's mouth curled up, but Amane hadn't finished speaking.
"If I succeed, I will spend the rest of my life studying techniques, exploring the myriad changes and limits of power."
This was also the truth.
The end of the Naruto world isn't that far off compared to general cultivation. Those Ōtsutsuki can even travel between planets.
And for the so-called becoming stronger, the first thing you must do is understand the rules of this world. In this Naruto world, it's naturally the energy rules like Chakra.
Over the past year, Amane had also sincerely asked Orochimaru for advice and learned a lot.
And since it was sincere, Orochimaru naturally couldn't see the slightest falsehood in Amane's eyes.
[She's actually serious.]
Orochimaru's golden vertical pupils flickered with an inexplicable expression.
He wasn't stupid.
Not to mention that he had already observed Amane's nature for a long time.
Since she came here, saw his experiments, and knew his desires and cravings, this girl had been going along with him, and her purpose was simply self-evident.
But it didn't matter.
If she could really lend him a hand in this matter, Orochimaru wouldn't mind seeing how far this interesting daughter of an old friend could go.
But he didn't expect that Amane seemed to harbor a dream in her heart that was somewhat similar to his back then.
Orochimaru laughed sinisterly. The scene of Hiruzen Sarutobi looking at him that day suddenly appeared before his eyes.
"Then let me ask you another question. Amane, what do you think is the meaning of life?"
"To fulfill one's desires."
An immediate answer.
But it was a good answer, very concise! It even made Orochimaru unable to resist clapping in approval!
Orochimaru seemed to be in an increasingly good mood. He walked toward Amane, lowered himself to eye level with her, and continued, "You are truly excellent. If those two are received by me, you will be responsible for them. This also fulfills your wish, doesn't it?"
Amane smiled, not feeling embarrassed at all about being seen through.
A few days later, Kabuto's intelligence came back, proving that there were indeed two Uzumaki Clan Members in the Hidden Grass Village.
Their names were Momohime and Karin.
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