Bang!
In a small conference room in the Hokage Building, Mitokado Homura slammed the table hard, causing the documents on it to shake and scatter slightly.
Mitokado Homura's face was full of anger, Utatane Koharu, Shimura Danzo, and Hiruzen also looked displeased. The other two, Orochimaru and the somewhat immature Tatsuma, showed no signs of joy either.
Mitokado Homura looked at the two of them and said, "Two years! It took you two years to research this?! The village entrusted you with researching Wood Release, with creating Wood Release ninjas, and this is what you've done?!"
The experiments on mouse limb reattachment, anti-rejection drug research, genetic testing, multiple gene loci testing for paternity testing, somatic cell mutagenesis, research on the maximum number of cancer cell divisions, and using mice as carriers for cultivation—what are you researching?! How is this related to Wood Release?!
The Daimyo has given you so much money, the village has provided such great support, not for you to play around! In two years, how much progress have you made related to Wood Release?!
You've stripped away a few sets of gene sequences related to Wood Release, is that it? What about the replication work? What about the transplantation work? What about human trials?!"
Tatsuma frowned and said, "Lord Hiruzen, about..."
As Tatsuma began to speak, Orochimaru's hand suddenly landed on his about-to-rise hand. Seeing this, Tatsuma closed his mouth, frowned, and remained silent.
Cough, cough~
Hiruzen cleared his throat and looked at the angry Mitokado Homura, saying, "Homura, don't be too hasty. Such complex projects inevitably require some preliminary research."
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen looked at Orochimaru and asked, "How much more preliminary research is needed?"
"Still a lot," Orochimaru replied vaguely. He didn't give a clear answer because he knew none of the people present understood, and further explanations would be unnecessary. Simply stating that there was still much to do was sufficient.
Upon hearing Orochimaru's evasive response, Homura, already somewhat displeased, furrowed his brow and asked, "Can you tell me then, how much longer until we can conduct a real Wood Release experiment?"
"About five years, maybe longer to ensure success," Orochimaru calmly replied. His answer caused the faces of Homura and the others to darken once again.
Danzo tapped the table and said, "The Daimyo has only given us five years. After a year of preparation, you've wasted two years. Now you're telling us it will take another five years before the real experiment. How many more years until the experiment succeeds? How many years to train a Wood Release ninja capable of suppressing a Tailed Beast? And how much over budget will we be?"
Upon hearing Danzo describe his past two years as "wasted," Orochimaru lifted his head and stared at Danzo in silence.
Utatane Koharu also spoke up, saying, "Orochimaru, while you are the lead on this project and the village has given you ample freedom, you need to produce results to continue receiving support from the village and the Daimyo."
"The research that Tatsuma and I have conducted is enough to advance the medical standards of the shinobi world by thirty years. If this isn't enough to impress you all, then I have nothing more to say," Orochimaru replied impatiently, his tone on the brink of erupting into anger.
Seeing this, Hiruzen raised his hand to calm Orochimaru down before saying, "The thirty years you mentioned only apply if there is no intervention from Medical Ninjutsu and medical ninjas, both of which can replace much of your research. Of course, not all of your work is in vain. However, what the village currently needs most are research results related to Wood Release. Spending two years just stripping away a few sets of gene sequences isn't enough.
During the previous project discussions, we collectively set a timeline: gene sequence extraction within three months, human trials within six months. Yet you took two years to accomplish what should have been done in three months, didn't you?"
"If it were just about sacrificing lives, I could complete gene sequence extraction in a month and human trials in two. But that would be meaningless. Why should I spend so much time on research that can be replaced by Ninjutsu? It's because the shinobi world has never valued it! Without this foundational groundwork, it's impossible to successfully recreate Wood Release ninjas."
Even facing his sensei, Orochimaru directly refuted. His earlier intervention with Tatsuma wasn't about swallowing his pride; Tatsuma simply isn't suited to handle such pressure and anger.
Seeing Orochimaru's rare display of disregard for decorum, Hiruzen felt perplexed and extremely uncomfortable. It was unsettling to see his disciple starting to rebel.
Taking a deep breath, his tone turning icy, Hiruzen said, "This interim report isn't acceptable to the village, let alone to the Daimyo. Submitting such a report will only damage the solid bond between the village and the Daimyo's estate.
You should go back and rest for now. I will arrange for someone else to make some progress and submit achievements to the Daimyo before the deadline for the interim report."
"Sensei, are you planning to strip me of my position as lead?"
At this moment, Orochimaru looked coldly at his sensei. Hiruzen, who was about to nod, froze at Orochimaru's faintly mocking smile.
"Is this your intention, Orochimaru?"
Hiruzen suddenly became alert. He had always known that Orochimaru was dissatisfied with being in charge of this project, a sentiment Orochimaru had expressed from the beginning. Reflecting on the past three years, including the year of preparation and establishment, Orochimaru had indeed been diligent. However, no matter how diligent he was during this process, it would not tarnish his reputation.
Over the past two years, Orochimaru's work in the entire experimental process had been superficial. For Orochimaru, the exposure of this work would also be harmless.
Even if he now rashly lets others take over, any mishaps caused by the new person handling the project would only make Orochimaru appear more stable, and his reputation would soar even higher.
In this way, Orochimaru has not only joined the project, fulfilled the village's trust, and made significant contributions, but also ensured that no final blemishes would stain his reputation.
In an instant, Hiruzen suddenly felt that everything Orochimaru had done over the past three years had been calculated.
Normally, Hiruzen should have felt relieved that his disciple could extricate himself from this situation. However, under the pressure from the Daimyo's constant inquiries and his dissatisfaction with being outwitted by his disciple, Hiruzen found himself on the verge of anger.
"Orochimaru, has the fire in your heart burned out?"
He whispered inwardly, but outwardly, Hiruzen forced a smile and said, "It's just surface work to appease the Daimyo. The follow-up of this project still requires your leadership. Take this time to rest, but the village won't forget your efforts. All achievements will be credited to you."
"Hmph!"
Upon hearing this, Orochimaru snorted coldly. Danzo and the others looked somewhat bewildered at Hiruzen. Had the old monkey really shown such favoritism towards his disciple?
Ignoring the reactions of others, Orochimaru stood up directly and said, "In that case, I will go rest. I look forward to the day I can return soon."
Seeing Orochimaru leave, Tatsuma also stood up, suppressing his discomfort, and bowed before leaving. After exiting the Hokage Building, Orochimaru headed straight towards the Senju Clan's territory.
Perhaps noticing Tatsuma's change in mood, Orochimaru smiled and said, "It's been a while since I've seen Nawaki. I wonder how he's doing now."
Tatsuma didn't believe a word of it. While Orochimaru might deceive Nawaki, Tatsuma knew without a doubt that Orochimaru's purpose in going to the Senju Clan's territory was to let Tsunade know he had been "kicked" out of the project.
If any mishaps occurred with the project in the future, don't blame him for it.
After walking a bit further, Orochimaru asked, "Tatsuma, what do you think of the village environment?"
"The natural environment is beautiful, the cultural environment is decent, but as for the research environment, I'd rather not mention," replied Tatsuma in his hoarse voice during his voice-changing period, which oddly resembled Orochimaru's.
Upon hearing this, Orochimaru smiled and said, "Indeed, a bunch of short-sighted fools! No, even the contributions of mice to research are greater than theirs."
After sighing, Orochimaru continued, "These past two years have delayed your growth."
Tatsuma shook his head and replied, "No, I've also learned a lot. Your insights into techniques have been very helpful to me."
Tatsuma wasn't just being polite. Over these two years, due to his constant involvement in the project, Tatsuma's potential improvement had been quite limited. However, he had steadily and surprisingly fulfilled various talents. Especially in the mastery of Ninjutsu and Seals, under Orochimaru's guidance, Tatsuma not only learned a great deal about Cursed Seal techniques but also underwent a profound re-evaluation of the Ninjutsu he had mastered.
With Orochimaru's assistance, Tatsuma thoroughly deconstructed and reconstructed all the Ninjutsu he had mastered. His understanding and mastery of techniques deepened significantly, and the additional amplification from the Seals, "Return to Origins," also made a leap forward.
Tatsuma reorganized the intricate and rigid seals into simpler and more efficient ones. Especially with insights from Tobirama's notes on Water Release, most of Tatsuma's Water Release Ninjutsu now could be performed with a snap of his fingers.
Furthermore, Tatsuma made great progress in the Nature Transformation practice of various Chakra attributes, all thanks to Orochimaru's guidance.
Interestingly, Orochimaru himself, during these two years, sparred with Tatsuma numerous times. Orochimaru increasingly used less of his release techniques, instead focusing more on Snake-type Ninjutsu based on the principles of the Ruychi Cave Sacred Land.
In their most recent sparring session, Orochimaru completely abandoned his release techniques and relied solely on Snake-type Ninjutsu, along with some Ninja Arts like Body Flicker and Summoning Jutsu, covering all dimensions of long-range, mid-range, close-range, offense, defense, and support.
Seeing that Tatsuma wasn't really concerned, Orochimaru nodded with a smile. After returning to the Senju Clan's territory, Tsunade was still absent, but Nawaki had returned from his training.
Nawaki, now fifteen years old, had developed faster than his peers due to years of Taijutsu training. His physique resembled that of an adult ninja, but his personality still resembled that of a child.
Upon seeing Orochimaru, Nawaki immediately complained about Orochimaru not visiting him for so long. Orochimaru, with ulterior motives, restrained the urge to punch this green-skinned junior disciple and explained what he had been busy with over the past few years.
Upon hearing that Orochimaru had been kicked out of the project by the village for the sake of project security, Nawaki indignantly began criticizing the village's decision. Seeing this reaction, Orochimaru smiled; his purpose had been achieved.
Orochimaru didn't need to see Tsunade directly; Nawaki would relay the news he heard from Orochimaru to her.
Before dinner, Orochimaru left. Mito, who had visibly aged over the past two years, didn't try to keep him. Her physical skills were also rapidly declining, and now the village had sent people to take care of her daily life.
After dinner, Tatsuma chatted with Mito for a while. After helping her to bed, he returned to his own home. Upon entering, Tatsuma spoke up:
"Mandrill Senpai, is there something I can help with?"
In the darkness, a figure emerged—it was Mandrill. He looked at Tatsuma and said, "Hokage-sama requests your presence."
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