A few days later, outside a research lab in Konoha.
"Lord Natsuhiko, this is Lord Orochimaru's lab."
A curvaceous kunoichi spoke to Natsuhiko beside her.
"I've told you, just call me Natsuhiko."
Natsuhiko scratched his head with mild exasperation.
Although he'd been staying at home these past few days, the visits from Kushina, Jiraiya, Fugaku, and others had kept him informed that he was now quite famous in Konoha due to his rumored relationship with Tsunade.
Because of this gossip, his personal information had been thoroughly uncovered. Even the fact that he was a disciple of Mito, once known only to a select few, was now widely known.
For most ninja, Mito was practically a legendary figure. As her final disciple, Natsuhiko naturally received heightened respect.
This was why the kunoichi before him treated him with such reverence.
However, Natsuhiko, who had always preferred to keep a low profile, missed the days when women admired him for his handsome face rather than his status.
"Alright, I can handle it from here. Thank you for showing me the way."
Ignoring her flirtatious glances, Natsuhiko expressed his gratitude and bid her farewell.
Once the kunoichi reluctantly left, Natsuhiko shook his head with a wry smile before knocking on the lab door in front of him.
Orochimaru had actually invited him here before, but Natsuhiko had been visiting Tsunade at the time and couldn't attend.
Natsuhiko, who initially thought of Orochimaru as a potential "tool," had planned to visit him eventually. He hadn't expected to receive another invitation so soon after returning.
The door to the lab creaked open a crack shortly after, and a small, familiar purple-haired head cautiously peeked out, inspecting him.
"Long time no see, little Anko," Natsuhiko greeted with a wave and a smile.
"Ah, it's the big bad guy—no, wait, the arcade owner!"
Recognizing him quickly, Anko widened the door in surprise.
During her break, besides learning sealing techniques in the lab, Anko had spent most of her time in the new arcade.
So, before Natsuhiko set off to find Tsunade, she had already met him several times and naturally recognized him.
However, she couldn't fathom why this arcade owner and academy teacher would appear here.
At that moment, soft footsteps approached from inside. Both looked toward the sound to see Orochimaru, who had just finished an experiment, walking over.
"I didn't expect you and Anko to know each other, Natsuhiko-kun. That saves us the need for introductions," Orochimaru remarked, removing his gloves with his distinctive voice, his gaze flitting between the two with interest.
Anko suddenly felt a sinking feeling, an ominous premonition rising in her heart.
Then she heard Natsuhiko laugh, "Haha, Lord Orochimaru, you might not know, but this little apprentice of yours is a regular at my arcade. She's especially good at Wood Release vs. Zombies."
"Oh? Wood Release vs. Zombies?" Orochimaru glanced at the now-stone-faced Anko with an amused smile.
"Anko, didn't you always complain about having too much homework and no time to rest?"
"Looks like you've been modest. Clearly, you can handle an increased workload..."
Anko opened her mouth, but as a five-year-old, she hadn't yet mastered the art of retort. She could only remain silent.
After Natsuhiko entered the lab, she drew circles in the air behind his back, muttering curses.
"Ugh, this big bad guy is my lifelong nemesis!"
Natsuhiko, noticing her antics, chuckled to himself.
Calling me a bad guy earlier, huh? Did you think I didn't hear that?
But Anko's misery didn't end there.
Orochimaru soon said, "Sorry, Natsuhiko-kun. I rarely host guests, so I don't have much prepared."
"—Oh, Anko, didn't you bring some snacks for afternoon tea?"
...
After assigning Anko a mountain of homework and dismissing her to complete it, Orochimaru and Natsuhiko sat down with two cups of green tea and some tri-colored dango skewers.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Orochimaru finally spoke.
"Tsunade—"
"Tsunade-sama and I are completely innocent!"
Before Orochimaru could finish, Natsuhiko interrupted him abruptly. He'd been asked this question too many times over the past few days and now reacted reflexively.
But Orochimaru merely chuckled hoarsely. "You needn't worry, Natsuhiko-kun. Tsunade has already told me."
"Still, be careful. Although Tsunade isn't young, she's still an icon to many in the village. If someone causes trouble for you because of this, I wouldn't be surprised."
Orochimaru's rare schadenfreude expression shifted as he added meaningfully, "But I doubt anyone aside from a certain white-haired fool could trouble you now, Natsuhiko-kun."
"After all, I've heard you went toe-to-toe with the infamous bounty hunter Kakuzu—a remarkable feat..."
"It seems you've improved significantly since our last sparring match. Such progress is astounding. Is Mito-sama's teaching truly that excellent?"
Natsuhiko humbly waved his hand. "You flatter me, Lord Orochimaru. I only relied on a few unconventional techniques to barely hold off Kakuzu's onslaught. If not for Tsunade-sama's timely arrival, you might not see me here today."
Orochimaru chuckled noncommittally, then continued, "Still, I didn't expect you to encounter Kakuzu while seeking Tsunade."
"I'm particularly curious about the rumored immortality he possesses."
"Since you've faced him directly, could you satisfy my curiosity?"
"Of course, I'd offer you information in return."
Natsuhiko finally understood that Orochimaru's earlier remarks were a prelude to this request.
Seeing how adept Orochimaru was at brokering such exchanges, Natsuhiko knew this wasn't his first rodeo.
It made sense—Orochimaru, dedicated to mastering all ninjutsu, couldn't possibly develop each one from scratch. Trading techniques or information was an efficient alternative.
Coincidentally, Natsuhiko had come here with a similar mindset, so the two quickly reached an agreement.
Natsuhiko began recounting his battle with Kakuzu, though he omitted key details about his own actions, focusing on aspects relevant to understanding Kakuzu's "immortality."
Even with only partial information, Orochimaru's golden pupils gleamed in the dim lab as he licked his lips in fascination.
"To gain immortality by taking others' hearts—what an intriguing concept."
"This world still holds so many secrets I've yet to uncover. Should I feel thrilled or disheartened?"
After mulling over Natsuhiko's account, Orochimaru mused aloud, "If your observations are correct, Kakuzu's black tendrils aren't mere ninjutsu..."
Natsuhiko nodded. "Indeed, they seem more like a symbiotic organism coexisting with Kakuzu, akin to—"
"The Aburame clan's insect techniques," Orochimaru finished.
Natsuhiko nodded again, affirming his thoughts.
Both techniques involve hosting a foreign entity within one's body, creating a bizarre symbiosis through chakra as a medium."
Understanding Kakuzu's immortality lessened Orochimaru's interest. This incomplete form of immortality wasn't what he sought.
"Kakuzu's immortality might be genuine, but achieving true longevity seems far more challenging..."
Fixing his gaze on Natsuhiko, Orochimaru asked, "Do you know why?"
After a brief hesitation, Natsuhiko replied, "The soul?"
Orochimaru's eyes lit up, and he chuckled.
"Ah, as expected of you, Natsuhiko-kun. Few realize this truth."
"Just as the body ages, so does the soul. Most people die long before their souls reach their limits, leaving this phenomenon unnoticed."
"Even in this world of purported immortality, none have ventured into the realm of the soul."
"Living for centuries through bodily immortality alone, one would still succumb to the soul's decay. True immortality eludes us."
As Orochimaru dissected Kakuzu's immortality, Natsuhiko felt an odd sense of déjà vu.
Was this... Aunt Snake's Green Tea and Dango Philosophy on Immortality?
Unperturbed, Natsuhiko sipped his tea.
"Orochimaru-sama, I haven't given such long-term matters much thought. I'm not even twenty yet. Immortality feels too distant."
"And you're only in your thirties, surely there's no rush?"
"Hehe, waiting until old age to ponder such things would be too late..."
Perhaps sensing his earlier loss of composure, Orochimaru ended the topic with this remark.
After sipping his tea, he smiled slowly.
"That said, the information you provided is fascinating, Natsuhiko-kun."
"Now, it's your turn. What would you like to know?"
Finally, it was his turn.
Natsuhiko considered probing for details about cursed seals, but with the scroll Mito had given him, there was no need to take that risk.
Instead, he asked the question he had prepared beforehand:
"Lord Orochimaru, have you ever heard of a technique that absorbs chakra?"
(End of Chapter)