Hinata had left a marker inside Orochimaru's base; with a Flying Thunder God flicker she appeared beside the scientific fanatic who was buried in an ocean of data.
"Orochimaru." Hinata interrupted the man who was clicking his tongue in admiration at a set of Spirit-energy versus Chakra comparison charts, apparently no less cheerful despite Sasuke's departure.
Orochimaru lifted his gaze from the screen; golden snake-eyes flashed irritation at the interruption, but when he saw Hinata the displeasure was instantly replaced by a smile brimming with research interest.
"Oh? Miss Hinata, have you made a new discovery, or do you have a fresh idea for the next step of our cooperation?"
He twirled the Jade Slip between his fingers. "The energy characteristics you provided— the deeper I study them, the more unfathomable they become."
"It's about the preparations for the next phase of our 'resurrection' project." Hinata cut straight to the point.
"Theory needs empirical support. To build a perfect body and test Soul Fusion we'll need large quantities of 'basic Materials' of varying strength and properties— I mean… the remains of powerful Ninja."
She made the request in the same calm tone one might use to order a box of lab glassware, not the taboo remains of the dead.
Orochimaru blinked, then broke into a peculiar grin that mixed "you've finally hit the nail on the head" with the delight of meeting a kindred spirit.
"Hmph hmph hmph… ha ha ha!" A low, delighted laugh escaped him as his long tongue swept across pale lips.
"Miss Hinata, you've come to the right person; we truly are the same breed. On the road to truth, the necessary 'Materials' are the cornerstone. As for the 'basic Materials' you mentioned…"
He stood and gestured with a theatrical flourish, looking as proud as a collector about to show off his treasures.
"My collection… is probably far larger than you imagine. Follow me."
Hinata followed Orochimaru through several heavily guarded corridors laced with barriers and Seals, until they stopped before a massive gate.
Orochimaru formed a series of complex Seals and channelled a Chakra key; only then did the ponderous door swing inward.
Beyond lay an immense underground vault kept at a constant, freezing temperature by Orochimaru's special methods.
Row upon row of towering metal frames stood like library shelves— but stored on them were not books, rather transparent culture tanks holding "specimens"!
A number of coffins also stood to one side, evidence that Orochimaru had already summoned plenty more.
This place was nothing less than a "corpse museum" of the Ninja World's elite.
Like an enthusiastic curator, Orochimaru led Hinata on a stroll, pride colouring every word.
"Over here." He pointed to a brawny corpse soaked in pale-green fluid— muscles knotted, skin bronzed.
"The previous Raikage's bodyguard captain, famed for his fierce Lightning Release body arts."
He indicated another tank.
"This holds tissue from a Hidden Mist Bloodline Limit 'Ice Release' Ninja. Unfortunately I couldn't obtain the full corpse, but it suffices."
"Ah, and this—" He stopped before a crystal sarcophagus glimmering with earthy yellow light. "An elite Jonin from Iwagakure, master of Earth Release."
Hinata followed his introductions, her Divine Sense clearly perceiving the residual Chakra fluctuations and life-energy imprints— some vast, some refined, some bizarre— within these bodies and tissues.
Orochimaru's hoard truly spanned every major village, style, and bloodline.
Yet the "tour" was far from over. He led her toward the vault's innermost recesses, where the preservation measures were visibly stricter and the energy pulses far more formidable.
"These are a few of my favourite collectables." His tone turned rapturous.
Hinata saw Ninja whose names still carried weight in the world, including the assassinated Kazekage.
At the very centre, on a platform ringed by multiple barriers, she spotted several samples of vigorously vital cells— the very same Hashirama cells she had "borrowed". Clearly Orochimaru's stock had been far larger than what she'd taken.
"Well, Miss Hinata?" Orochimaru turned, snake-eyes gleaming. "Do these 'basic Materials' meet your standards? Enough to support our Early Stage experiments?"
Hinata's gaze swept slowly across the grisly gallery.
"Quality and variety both exceed expectations; they'll suffice."
She even stepped closer, examining several perfectly preserved corpses with her Divine Sense, analysing the residual energy pathways inside them.
Orochamru watched her; most people would have been horrified, yet she showed neither fear nor disgust.
"Ha ha ha! Excellent! I admire you more and more, Miss Hinata! On the path to truth, the strong cast off moral shackles!"
His assessment of her rose again: this girl possessed not only mysterious power and knowledge but also a composure far beyond ordinary— the perfect partner.
"Then these 'Materials' are at your disposal for our joint project." With a sweep of his hand he granted access; he had duplicates hidden in secret labs throughout the land.
In the Ninja World, corpses were the one thing never in short supply.
Hinata nodded, discussed progress and ideas, ran a few small experiments, and finally left the base.
Orochimaru's collection had indeed saved her the trouble of gathering Materials herself.
[Ding! host has unlocked the hidden map "Orochimaru's Collection Vault", gaining vast quantities of Advanced experimental Materials!]
[Appraisal: Others tour museums for antiques; the host tours one to pick corpses. Such scientific zeal is admirable— if perhaps a bit ahead of its time. Reward: 5,000 points!]
[Current points: 85,550.]
The mighty of the Ninja World will never know that even in death their bodies would find no peace, instead becoming cold "Materials" for experiments, contributing their final worth to a plan that might overturn the world.
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