Hinata turned her head, no longer paying attention to Sasuke, because she was afraid she would burst out laughing if she kept looking.
Don't laugh; anyone in her position wouldn't be able to keep a straight face either.
She refocused her attention on what was in front of her.
In the dim laboratory, only the faint glow of instrument screens and the shimmering light refracted from the liquid in the incubation tanks flickered.
The air was filled with the smell of disinfectant, nutrient solution, and a faint, ethereal sense of desolation left behind by dissipated Soul energy.
Orochimaru flicked his tongue in excitement, his eyes fixed on the screen where the data from the previous subject had finally settled, as if savoring the brief fluctuation of the Soul that had appeared.
Various possibilities constantly played out in his mind.
Hinata looked at the excited Orochimaru and timely proposed the next step.
"Since the proof of concept is complete, we now need a more specific framework for cooperation and to prepare for the actual 'resurrection' experiment."
Orochimaru forced himself to calm down, but the fanaticism in his eyes did not fade.
"Of course! We need to develop a detailed experimental plan. First, the selection of the target. We need an individual who is sufficiently powerful, has a clear Soul imprint, and whose power system we have some understanding of. Second, the preparation of the body, which requires time and my technology. Finally, we will use that miraculous power of yours."
For the next few hours, the two engaged in a "scientific discussion" that transcended the current level of understanding in the Ninja World, right there in that laboratory filled with bizarre instruments.
They drafted a rough but clearly directed experimental plan.
Phase One: Exchange of Basic Theory and Technology. Hinata would provide basic data on the characteristics of Spiritual Power for Orochimaru to analyze and study, in order to better understand the interaction between this energy and the physical body. Simultaneously, Orochimaru would grant Hinata access to a knowledge base of basic principles regarding Cloning Technology, Gene Editing, and the enhancement and modification of the Chakra Meridian System.
Hinata wasn't worried about Orochimaru fully understanding Spiritual Power. Setting aside the difficulty, even if he did figure it out, he lacked a Cultivation Technique. Furthermore, if he were to Cultivate Spiritual Power, Hinata would notice immediately.
Besides, he didn't have a Spiritual Root.
Everything was under her control.
Phase Two: Preparation of Advanced Subjects. Orochimaru would use his technology to attempt to Cultivate a more powerful and inclusive "base body" prototype. He also needed to obtain some Hashirama cells for further cultivation to prepare for what followed.
Phase Three: Full Soul Induction Testing. Once the body prototype was complete, they would attempt to guide a relatively complete and powerful Soul fragment into it, testing Fusion stability and rejection reactions, with Hinata leading the Spiritual Power harmonization.
Ultimate Goal: Based on the success of the first three phases, select a final target and attempt a complete "True Resurrection."
This draft was full of uncertainties, and every stage was fraught with difficulties, but at least it pointed the way.
Orochimaru was extremely excited to gain access to Hinata's strange power knowledge, while Hinata successfully gained access to Orochimaru's core biotechnology as she had hoped.
"Then, a preliminary agreement has been reached." Orochimaru extended a pale hand, his fingertips trembling slightly with excitement.
"I will immediately begin working on the theoretical foundation and material preparation. Miss Hinata, I hope you can provide the data on energy characteristics you promised as soon as possible."
"I will," Hinata nodded slightly.
"Preparing the Materials will take time, and I also need to return and make some preparations. Let's stay in touch."
With the basic framework of the cooperation finalized, Hinata prepared to leave. She turned toward the laboratory exit, but Uchiha Sasuke's face—filled with vigilance, confusion, and deep-seated hatred—involuntarily surfaced in her mind.
She paused for a moment. Since she had run into him, she might as well do something.
She turned back and looked at Orochimaru, who was about to dive back into the control console.
"Oh, by the way, before I leave, there's someone who should probably know the truth about a few things."
"Hmm?" Orochimaru looked up from a pile of genetic maps, sounding somewhat distracted. "Who?"
Uchiha Sasuke.
Orochimaru's movements paused, and then a playful smile appeared on his face.
"Oh? Sasuke-kun... Hehehe, that is interesting indeed. What 'truth' do you want to tell him?"
His tone carried a detached playfulness. With the new research direction Hinata had brought, the appeal of Uchiha Sasuke's body had diminished considerably.
"The truth about the Uchiha Massacre, about Danzo Shimura, and about Uchiha Itachi," Hinata said bluntly.
The smile on Orochimaru's face deepened, carrying a hint of cunning and inquiry.
"Oh my, Miss Hinata, you certainly know a lot... I'm becoming more and more curious about your information sources... This isn't something the Young Miss of the Hyuga Clan should know."
His words were full of probing, but even more so, intense interest.
Orochimaru didn't know the specifics, but he could make a rough guess. Combined with Itachi's later appearance to threaten him against touching Uchiha Sasuke, he could discern quite a bit indirectly.
He didn't want to stop her; instead, he wanted to see what Hinata was up to and how Uchiha Sasuke would react to hearing these things.
To Orochimaru, this in itself was like an impromptu social experiment.
Just then, the laboratory door was slammed open with a "bang"! Uchiha Sasuke stood at the doorway, his face deathly pale, his Sharingan activated uncontrollably.
He had slipped into a spot where it was easy to eavesdrop at some point, and he had clearly heard the most crucial parts.
"What... did you just say?! Danzo?! The truth about Itachi? What truth??"
His gaze was locked onto Hinata and Orochimaru.
Orochimaru leisurely crossed his arms, glancing between Hinata and the nearly breaking Uchiha Sasuke, as if enjoying a sudden theatrical performance.
He even added fuel to the fire, slowly speaking in his characteristic raspy voice.
"Sasuke-kun, you've been living in a carefully woven lie. The brother you view as your mortal enemy might never have targeted you at all, but rather... protected you, this little seedling. Though the method was laughably twisted, hehehe..."
His parting shot was like rubbing salt into Uchiha Sasuke's bleeding wounds.
Uchiha Sasuke's body trembled violently, his eyes filled with confusion and wide with shock; he could hardly believe what he was hearing.
"What is he saying? What is this guy talking about?"
Seeing Uchiha Sasuke's bewildered expression and the "brainstorming" look on his face, Hinata felt like she could add the Interstellar BGM and a subtitle above his head.
[Born of Mother]
Hinata spoke up, slowly adding more.
"To put it simply, the Uchiha Clan conspired to revolt, and the Konoha Leadership decided to purge them. Danzo Shimura forced Uchiha Itachi to make a choice: if he did it himself, your life would be spared and the Uchiha name would remain intact. If Konoha did it, the Uchiha would be completely wiped out, including you."
"Uchiha Itachi chose the former. He took on the name of a traitor, slaughtered the entire clan, joined the Akatsuki Organization, and accepted Danzo's constraints. The prerequisite for all of this was a private agreement with Danzo—that Konoha must ensure your safety."
"Shut up! If you dare say another word of nonsense, I'll kill you!" Uchiha Sasuke roared in disbelief.
If this was all true, then what was the point of his Cultivation driven by hatred? He had been working hard with the sole conviction of killing Itachi, and now someone was telling him it was all a lie—that he actually loved him most. How could he accept this? Wouldn't it mean he had been played like a fool, like a clown?
"He made you hate him to provide you with the motivation to live and the drive to become stronger. The path he chose for you was the only way he believed you could survive and grow powerful in such a desperate situation—a path filled with hatred."
Hinata ignored his pain and continued speaking. The truth was laid bare, cruel and direct.
Uchiha Sasuke seemed to have all his strength drained away. He staggered back, his spine slamming hard against the cold wall.
The tomoe in his Sharingan stopped spinning, leaving only hollow and shattered light. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out; his entire world was falling apart before his eyes.
Orochimaru watched with great interest and even offered a comment.
"What profound love, so beautifully twisted."
His laughter echoed through the silent laboratory, exceptionally piercing.
Hinata glanced at Uchiha Sasuke, whose mental world had been turned upside down, and then at Orochimaru, who seemed to thrive on chaos.
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