The first time Orochimaru held the puppet, he knew it was unlike anything he had seen before.
No heartbeat!
Despite its lifelike appearance, the puppet crow had no essence of life, no pulsing energy. Yet, Orochimaru's fascination only deepened. Jingyi never invested all his effort into puppetry; for him, it was a stepping stone, not the endgame.
The smile on Orochimaru's face faded into awe.
"Is this truly a puppet?"
"Yes," Shinki replied, casually picking up his cup to show that he wasn't using chakra threads to control it.
It moved like a living creature but was completely autonomous, free from chakra threads. Orochimaru's eyes lit up. This puppet deserved deeper scrutiny.
Fascinating.
Though he wanted to claim it for further study, Orochimaru restrained himself. He reminded himself that the puppet was still Shinki's and that he had only been allowed to observe it, not take it. Taking it would come with a cost he wasn't sure he was prepared to pay.
"Haha, I was right about you, Shinki-kun. You're quite the interesting fellow."
"I think so too," Shinki said with a grin. He raised his hand, and the puppet crow leapt from Orochimaru's grasp, landing in Shinki's palm and tilting its head as if studying Orochimaru.
The snake-like Sannin felt his breath quicken. The puppet seemed alive. Orochimaru's desire for immortality made him feel as if he'd stumbled upon a hidden key to a new path.
This puppet must be examined further.
As he was about to speak, Shinki interrupted, "I'm short on money."
Shinki wasn't joking. Despite clearing some of Orochimaru's debt, his finances were tight. His wealth had been poured into acquiring parts and materials for puppets, an investment that was anything but cheap. Over the years, he had built countless puppets, preparing for a day when he could wield an army on his own. Sand Village's so-called puppet brigade, composed of multiple ninja, was nothing compared to the army Shinki envisioned—an army commanded by a single person.
If Orochimaru figured out anything valuable from studying it, Shinki could only commend him.
Orochimaru, however, was also strapped for cash. His income was swallowed by his research, his underground bases, and daily expenses. His financial state was no joke.
"I'll find a way," Orochimaru finally said, determination replacing hesitation.
After leaving the border camp, Orochimaru returned to Konoha in record time, traveling the two-day journey in a single day. He stormed into the Hokage's office, uninvited and slightly out of breath.
"Teacher," he said, shutting the door behind him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, looked up, surprised. "Orochimaru, what brings you here?"
The Third Hokage knew his prized student well. Orochimaru didn't appear unless it was important.
"About that research project you mentioned—I'm interested in taking it on, but I need the village's financial support. I need funding."
Hiruzen's eyes widened in pleasant surprise. He had long hoped Orochimaru would shift his focus to projects that could benefit the village. Orochimaru, with his genius and expansive knowledge, was a hexagonal warrior in every sense.
"Research project?" Hiruzen repeated, trying to hide his excitement. He had once suggested that Orochimaru work on developing technology for the village, projects that would benefit civilian life. Orochimaru had turned him down back then, uninterested in what he saw as mundane.
Seeing his disciple now willing to take it on piqued Hiruzen's curiosity. He didn't know what had changed, but he wasn't going to question it.
"If you're willing to take on this project, I'm pleased, Orochimaru. The funding will be arranged. The village has been looking for progress in this area for a while."
Details of the conversation were kept private, but soon Orochimaru was stationed at the village's research base. In less than a month, Konoha's first refrigerator, adorned with the symbol of the White Snake, hit the market. Villagers quickly embraced this new technology, thanks to the village's active promotion.
Orochimaru, involved in developing appliances for quick cash? Shinki could hardly believe it when he heard the news.
"Pffft... Hahaha!" Shinki laughed uncontrollably, picturing the legendary Sannin working on household appliances to fund his research.
The contrast was both hilarious and surreal. Orochimaru, wearing a white lab coat and meticulously working on civilian appliances, felt as out of place as Tsunade being the face of anti-gambling campaigns or Jiraiya writing heartfelt romance novels for youth. The irony was unmistakable.
Still, Shinki acknowledged that Orochimaru's move was brilliant. Once the refrigerator was completed, could other appliances be far behind? The idea of advanced technology making everyday life easier in the ninja world wasn't far-fetched anymore. Orochimaru's efforts might even herald a technological era for Konoha.
The "mountain barbarians" of the Land of Lightning had always been mocked for their simplicity, yet they were leagues ahead in technological advancement. It baffled Shinki why other nations underestimated them.
"I hope Orochimaru doesn't get too absorbed in civilian tech," Shinki mused. The financial returns were tempting, and research and development were addictively rewarding, unlike Orochimaru's previous costly biological studies.
What Shinki didn't know was that Orochimaru, filled with new purpose, was already diving deeper into electrical development, enthralled by the potential profits and impact.
Meanwhile, Tsunade, now freed from immediate duties, stopped by Shinki's station.
"Kushina's doing much better now," she said, accepting the glass of water Shinki offered.
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