"By the way, your mention of the symbiosis and devouring modes reminded me of something."
After wrapping things up and instructing his subordinates to head to the Land of Whirlpools, Orochimaru seemed to recall something and spoke to Itachi.
"What is it?"
Hearing Orochimaru's words, Itachi, who was about to step outside to enjoy the sunshine, stopped in his tracks and turned to ask.
"I once conducted experiments with Hashirama cells, and one of the children survived. Based on what you said, it's quite possible that this child developed their own Wood Release. However, due to their poor innate talent..."
Seeing Itachi's curiosity, Orochimaru spoke softly.
Back then, funded by Danzo, he had many children participate in the experiment. The Hashirama cells injected during the experiment were minimal and highly diluted.
Listening to Itachi, Orochimaru realized that the survivor may have transitioned from symbiosis to the stage of devouring.
But because the child was so young and the Hashirama cells were so sparse, the acquired power was limited, good only for some basic greening abilities.
Looking at it now, after so many years, it was entirely possible that the child had completely absorbed the diluted Hashirama cells, granting their own cells the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai.
Of course, this was all just speculation.
Orochimaru had no interest in that child and had never bothered to investigate their condition in detail.
In his eyes, the child was merely a failed experiment.
For the Wood Release to manifest in such a feeble form was, in some ways, an insult to their predecessors...
---
After hearing Orochimaru's words, Itachi understood what Orochimaru was getting at. He shook his head gently and said, "That experimental subject was a failure. There's no need to waste time on them. What I've gained is entirely different from what they received."
A figure of Yamato appeared in Itachi's mind...
"Fine."
Hearing Itachi's response, the light in Orochimaru's eyes dimmed.
He had been considering finding that child to see if he could develop some sort of drug to help Itachi accelerate the absorption of Hashirama cells.
From Itachi's words, it seemed Hashirama cells weren't so simple.
They weren't just an overbearing and powerful Kekkei Genkai.
---
Watching Orochimaru lower his head in thought once again, Itachi didn't disturb him. Instead, he appeared lost in thought himself.
As he stepped out of the hideout, the sunlight bathing his body lifted his spirits, and he greedily soaked in the sun's warmth.
"Naruto..."
Gazing at the bright sunlight that he could barely look at directly, Itachi murmured Naruto's name as if recalling something.
Mentioning Naruto wasn't a simple matter.
On one hand, Naruto was the current reincarnation of Asura.
On the other hand, Naruto possessed the Uzumaki physique.
The Uzumaki and Senju clans were distant relatives, and the Uzumaki were renowned for their extraordinary chakra reserves, vitality, and sensory abilities.
Of course, not every Uzumaki body exhibited all three traits.
---
With this in mind, Itachi couldn't sit still. Whether it was Naruto, Yamato with his questionable utility, or his foolish little brother, Sasuke, Itachi decided he needed to make a trip to Konoha.
His steps headed straight toward Konoha, but after a few strides, he stopped. His current strength was significantly diminished...
A tinge of melancholy and hesitation flashed in Itachi's eyes.
But gradually, they filled with determination.
He wasn't going to cause trouble this time; it was merely a covert mission.
It was his acting skills being tested, not his strength.
Besides, this was the sort of thing best done sooner rather than later. Delaying it would only complicate matters.
Itachi understood all too well the principle that "delays breed danger."
---
Summoning a snake, Itachi sent it back to the hideout to inform Orochimaru before using Orochimaru's Facial Transformation Jutsu. His handsome face morphed into a plain, ordinary appearance.
The jutsu, which involved using another person's facial skin, was an extremely powerful disguise technique. Under normal circumstances, no one could see through it—flawless in every way.
As for the skin, Itachi wasn't the type to do such cruel things himself. He had obtained it from Orochimaru six months ago, who kept it as a reserve supply.
When Itachi's power wasn't diminished, he would never have resorted to using such measures.
His distinctively handsome face and formidable strength left no need for such disguises.
---
"Itachi is heading to Konoha? What's he going there for now?"
Hearing the small snake's report, Orochimaru muttered to himself.
The snake could deliver messages but lacked the ability for dialogue.
Thinking about Itachi's current weakened state, combined with the fact that he had stolen Danzo's eyes and taken a copy of the Scroll of Seals during his last visit, Orochimaru furrowed his brow.
From Itachi's words, it seemed he planned to stay in Konoha for a while.
This made Orochimaru quietly anxious.
---
However, when the image of Itachi and his always composed, calm demeanor came to mind, a sense of tranquility washed over me.
Itachi had always been so unflappable, as if nothing in the world could ever faze him.
This was undoubtedly an extraordinary kind of confidence.
"Sigh, I guess I've been worrying too much. I should focus on my own matters. After all, this body's time is almost up. Should I try reincarnating as a woman this time? Maybe experience what it feels like to be a woman? Life is full of variety, after all."
Pushing thoughts of Itachi aside, Orochimaru's lips curled into a smile as he muttered to himself.
Clearly, he had thought of something amusing.
Of course, it was nothing more than a passing thought.
...
"Oh, right. I seem to have something good with me."
Naturally, Itachi was unaware of Orochimaru's musings.
After traveling for three hours straight, he found a sturdy tree trunk and sat down to rest.
The sun was blazing hot. Walking under the relentless sunlight for so long had become tiresome.
At first, he found it rather refreshing—after all, it had been half a year since he'd last walked in the sun.
Before long, Itachi pulled out a vest and mask, putting them on to alter his appearance completely.
He carried a standard-issue longsword on his back.
This was the uniform of Root.
He planned to find Danzo first. That old man was clever in certain areas, and Itachi intended to meet with him.
...
Before long, Itachi came across an adorable little creature.
By the riverbank, after some skillful movements,
Itachi wrapped the small animal in a large tree leaf and wet mud.
He dug a large pit, gathered some branches, and lit a fire. Once the flames reached the desired intensity,
he tossed the mud-wrapped animal into the fire.
He was preparing to make a beggar's roast animal.
...
He covered the fire completely with dirt, stomping on it a few times to seal the heat.
After some time had passed, Itachi enjoyed his meal, wiping the oil from his lips.
He drank a few sips of the refreshing river water,
then put his mask back on, tidied his clothing, and left the area.
Only a messy scene was left behind on the riverbank.
The small fish in the river, sensing the absence of danger, swarmed toward the entrails Itachi had discarded downstream.
High above, a bird swooped down, skimming the river's surface before soaring back into the sky with a fish clutched in its beak. Swallowing it whole, it let out a cheerful cry.
...
...
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