"Aren't you planning to establish a village? How's that coming along?"
Orochimaru was about to ask about Itachi's peculiar expression when Itachi changed the topic.
This left Orochimaru slightly puzzled.
Itachi seemed to harbor significant secrets…
A feeling hard to articulate but impossible to ignore.
"There's no rush. It's still early," Orochimaru replied with a faint smile to Itachi's remark.
"Have you ever researched the Shikotsumyaku? That kekkei genkai is pretty extreme," Itachi asked, steering the conversation again as Orochimaru declined to engage.
"Shikotsumyaku? It's intriguing, but I haven't had much time to delve into it. Besides, the Kaguya clan is practically extinct now…"
Orochimaru's response caused a flicker of interest in Itachi's eyes as he recalled Kaguya's devastating All-Killing Ash Bones.
That technique wasn't ordinary—it was extraordinary.
Itachi, now preparing to evolve his Mangekyō Sharingan and transplant Hashirama cells, had already planned his path forward. Naturally, he wanted to dabble in and experience all things powerful, including the prerequisite Shikotsumyaku for the All-Killing Ash Bones.
"Judging by your expression, Itachi, it seems you're quite interested in Shikotsumyaku," Orochimaru chuckled lightly.
"Yeah, I find that kekkei genkai fascinating. Can you figure out a way to let me have it too?"
Despite Orochimaru's lighthearted tone, Itachi didn't hold back, speaking with confidence.
However, Itachi believed in reciprocity—he wasn't one to take without giving in return. Once he fused the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, he planned to share its secrets with Orochimaru.
But for now, Itachi had to remain cautious. Without completing his transformation, it wasn't the time to disclose this information.
Once he gained the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, such secrets would no longer matter.
Itachi also possessed extensive knowledge that could significantly aid Orochimaru's research.
"Itachi, while Shikotsumyaku is remarkable, it carries the risk of kekkei sickness. That disease is deadly and could easily claim your life," Orochimaru warned with a serious tone, responding to Itachi's curiosity.
"Actually, I'm also very interested in Hashirama cells."
Touched by Orochimaru's concern, Itachi subtly shifted the conversation.
"Oh? Itachi, are you suggesting combining Hashirama cells with Shikotsumyaku?"
Orochimaru froze momentarily at Itachi's words, then stood up abruptly.
Although he had already retrieved Kimimaro, the boy's condition…
Now, with Itachi suddenly mentioning Hashirama cells, an idea began forming in Orochimaru's mind. Hashirama cells, renowned for their immense vitality and chakra reserves, could greatly enhance immunity and resistance—potentially even against kekkei sickness.
Watching Orochimaru's sudden excitement, Itachi hesitated briefly but quickly grasped his thoughts.
"Perhaps you could try combining the Mangekyō Sharingan, Byakugan, Hashirama cells, and Shikotsumyaku," Itachi suggested, offering a direction without full disclosure.
In his mind, however, Itachi held certain reservations…
The Mangekyō Sharingan itself had no inherent flaws.
However, Indra's chakra was just Indra's chakra. The Mangekyō Sharingan was merely the Mangekyō Sharingan. To achieve the complete Ōtsutsuki chakra, the fusion of Indra and Asura's powers was essential.
Without the complete Ōtsutsuki chakra, everything else was a temporary fix.
This secret was something Itachi intentionally withheld.
After all, he hadn't yet obtained this power himself. It was a matter of self-preservation.
Perhaps one day, when he acquired the complete Ōtsutsuki chakra and his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan evolved into the Rinnegan, he would share this knowledge with Orochimaru.
For now, the information Itachi provided gave Orochimaru an incredible head start. Although Orochimaru would eventually hit bottlenecks, his current foundation far surpassed what he had in the original storyline.
"Itachi, can you elaborate on your thought process? Why do you have such a unique perspective? The Byakugan and Mangekyō Sharingan are both ocular kekkei genkai, yet they seem unrelated. Doesn't combining them seem meaningless?"
Orochimaru's curiosity was evident as he processed Itachi's words.
Itachi didn't quite understand why Orochimaru suggested including the Byakugan in the mix, leaving him a bit puzzled.
"Hehe, I remember reading somewhere that the Shikotsumyaku and the Byakugan are more compatible together," Orochimaru said, grinning.
Itachi didn't feel the need to explain further—sometimes, the more you explain, the more you risk revealing. And at this point in the timeline, a lot of things weren't supposed to be revealed yet.
"If the Shikotsumyaku and Byakugan are such a good match, why not just take out the Mangekyō Sharingan? Including it makes everything feel like an awkward mix," Orochimaru retorted.
When it came to research, Orochimaru was meticulous and relentless, never giving Itachi an inch. From his stance, it was clear he wanted to draw a concrete conclusion.
"Then focus on studying the Byakugan, Shikotsumyaku, and Hashirama cells first. If you can fully understand these three Kekkei Genkai, you'll discover a whole new world…" Itachi replied, a bit cryptically.
He couldn't just say it outright. Was he supposed to tell Orochimaru, "I've read the script"?
…
Even though Itachi seemed to have a good relationship with Orochimaru for now, he couldn't entirely trust him. It was always wise to keep a trump card.
Especially since Itachi himself didn't yet possess this kind of power, he had to tread carefully.
Of course, this kind of research would take a lot of time.
If Orochimaru could figure it all out in just a few days, Itachi wouldn't dare to share even this much information.
"Hehe, thanks, Itachi. Your suggestion seems pretty feasible. I'll give it some thought," Orochimaru said, licking his lips with a sly grin as he noted Itachi's slightly helpless expression.
From the gleam in Orochimaru's eyes and his expression, Itachi knew that this research prodigy was already hooked. It was likely that Orochimaru would be holed up in his lab for quite some time.
…
"Go ahead and research it, but prepare a highly purified sample of Hashirama cells for me. I want something potent enough to replicate Senju Hashirama's Wood Release abilities. And while you're at it, work on the Shikotsumyaku as well," Itachi said quietly, watching Orochimaru's expression.
"Huh? Power like Senju Hashirama's is heavily dependent on the individual. It's almost impossible for anyone to replicate his unique physique... As for the Shikotsumyaku, I'll see what I can do," Orochimaru replied, momentarily stunned. Itachi's ambitions were huge—wasn't he worried about his body not being able to handle it?
Achieving Wood Release on par with Hashirama's...
"Alright, fine. Do your thing," Itachi said, sensing that Orochimaru was feeling triumphant after seemingly solving a major problem. Itachi didn't press the issue further or argue with him.
"Then I'll get started. If you need anything, just let the others know—they'll carry out your orders without question," Orochimaru said, losing interest in explaining further.
In the end, the level of purity in the sample would be up to him, and whether the Hashirama cells could successfully integrate was another issue entirely. They would cross that bridge when they got there.
Still, if it were Itachi, even if the Hashirama cell fusion failed, Orochimaru would do everything in his power to ensure Itachi's survival.
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