The ability of a [Multiversal Traveler] to cross between worlds consumes massive amounts of energy every time.
Kei Yamanaka always acted with caution.
Unless the energy within his body was sufficient to support another dimensional jump, or unless he discovered a way to store large amounts of energy for later use,
He had no intention of rushing off to other worlds anytime soon.
After all, the Naruto world had become his main base of operations.
You clean your house before leaving.
Regardless of whether someone else could sneak in the same way he did,
Once the resources of the Naruto world were consolidated, even if problems arose in other worlds, Kei could rely on the strength of this world to quickly overcome them.
And even if he didn't need it, this place could still serve as a reserve supply station.
After leaving the stone chamber containing the Dragon Vein control panel,
In the queen's private chambers atop the central tower of Louran City, Kei used Medical Ninjutsu to examine Saaya and Sara's bodies.
Their condition wasn't that complicated.
Similar to the original storyline, where shinobi from Hoshigakure trained using the power of the "star." That unique chakra would then seep into their bodies,
Saaya and Sara's life energy had also been drained by the influence of the Dragon Vein energy.
After treating the mother and daughter with his Yin-Yang Release, Kei paused briefly before summoning Kushina and two Root ninja from Konoha's border camp to Louran via the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Through continuous training, Kushina's Blue-Tier Skill [Sealing Mastery] had evolved into the advanced Purple-Tier Trait [Sealing Master].
When it came to mastery of sealing techniques, there might not be more than a handful of people across the entire ninja world stronger than her.
Being someone who relied solely on massive chakra output for sealing techniques, Kei couldn't match her skill.
After merely listening to details about Saaya and Sara's condition and gaining understanding about the Dragon Vein energy,
Within half an hour, Kushina created a controllable composite seal for the mother and daughter using the special chakra of her Perfect Jinchuriki Mode.
Under normal conditions, this composite seal completely blocked the Dragon Vein energy's effects on the two women. When they wanted to access that power, a few simple hand seals would suffice to lift the seal, and afterward, they could reseal themselves voluntarily.
All of this happened within half an hour—a problem that had plagued the Louran royal family for centuries was solved in an instant by Kushina.
With the [Fate Mechanism Sundial], Kei checked their lifespans again—both had surged to nearly eighty years.
Assuming no unforeseen incidents, once all nations in the ninja world united,
Given the mother and daughter's status and the strategic importance of the Louran Dragon Vein, their lifespans were likely to keep increasing.
After all, even if Orochimaru's research wouldn't go mainstream, it would certainly be prioritized for high-ranking individuals considered important.
With matters in Louran settled,
Kei left the two Root ninja temporarily behind to act as guards for Saaya and Sara,
Then took Kushina straight back home to Konoha.
After gently kissing her forehead,
Kushina sensed the restless energy coming from her boyfriend. Blushing, she turned and headed to the bathroom to draw herself a bath.
Although she didn't know why her boyfriend had such a murderous look just from being apart for a few hours.
But… Well, it's not a bad thing at all~
————————————
Within the sterile confines of Konoha's Experiment Site Seven.
Orochimaru peered through the thousand-fold microscope at those powerful cells brimming with vigorous life force. With careful precision, he extracted the cells and placed them into the prepared culture dishes beside him.
After sealing the dishes into the incubator and adjusting the relevant data, he finally stepped lightly out the door of the sterile room.
After removing his sterile suit and gloves, he turned to face Kei Yamanaka, who stood silently in the corridor.
"There's still one White Zetsu remaining in Unit Two's storage. I haven't submitted a report yet. Since negotiations with Iwagakure probably won't require my involvement either, Kei-san, did you come here today to propose a new research direction?"
"Hmm… Not exactly. I just wanted to ask, Orochimaru-kun, what are your thoughts on differences between men and women?"
Kei rubbed the tip of his nose.
Back in Louran, his future self had used Genjutsu via the memories sealed within Sage Art Seal to warn his present self about becoming Orochimaru's matchmaker earlier.
Though he couldn't understand what happened in the future that made him bring up this topic specifically.
There was no way he'd sabotage himself, right?
"...With your eyes."
Orochimaru's expression tensed slightly. Without drawing attention, he took a subtle step backward.
If they were meeting for the first time, and faced with such a question, he would likely explain his understanding from biological, sociological, psychological, and even philosophical perspectives.
But he wasn't unfamiliar with this guy by any means!
Judging by the other's habit of doing nothing without some hidden benefit, there was definitely no reason for asking something like this randomly.
Yet now they should be considered comrades on the same boat. Logically speaking, the other had no reason to harm him.
Still, just look at Namikaze Minato, Nara Shikaku, Hayato Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi's experiences over the past few years.
This guy had absolutely no scruples when messing with people he knew well!
In fact...
The closer he was, the nastier he got!
"With your eyes... That means you don't really care, huh?"
"...Maybe worth paying some attention."
"No, no, this is fine. Perfect actually! I'll take off then~ Talk later!"
Kei watched as the Gray Skill Listing glowing light, visible only to him, vanished into Orochimaru. He decisively turned around and left.
He fully understood Orochimaru's research progress. He knew this guy had already created several immensely powerful clones modeled after White Zetsu.
And the gender distribution among them was nearly balanced fifty-fifty.
Once this guy discovered the anomaly within himself, considering his usual disregard for external things...
Yeah... He'd have to start calling Orochimaru "Hebihime" from now on.
As for Jiraiya...
"Not sure I can think of anything quite suitable! No idea if Hebihime likes silk-related stuff. How about giving Jiraiya the Silk-Tongued Taster?"
Kei Yamanaka stared at the thirteen remaining skill listings after gifting [Own Nothing] to Orochimaru, missing the lost [Bro, You Smell So Good] dearly.
Giving that keyword to Danzo was such a colossal waste!
If only he still had [Bro, You Smell So Good], would he even be in this predicament?
As for [Keyword Copy] opportunities...
Those were rare treasures he barely managed to obtain. Wasting them on this? Had he lost his mind?
"System, next time pull a relevant keyword. I promise I won't complain about you ever again."
Kei muttered inwardly.
Using [Flying Thunder God Technique], he vanished directly from Research Base No.7.
Orochimaru watched as Kei vanished.
While feeling slightly relieved, a flicker of confusion crossed his normally composed, indifferent face.
Three cryptic sentences...
What did they mean?
He stood there pondering for a moment, but with insufficient information, he remained utterly baffled.
Orochimaru decided not to dwell further, shifting his focus back to his experiments.
Just as he turned around to walk into the lab,
An odd sensation while moving caused his pupils sharply to constrict, an incredulous expression appearing on his face.
After one minute passed.
His expression darkened again as he glared at the spot where Kei had vanished.
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