In the laboratory, Sasori and Orochimaru were recording data. Before them lay a dissected Sharingan.
As for the Rinnegan... they had studied it for a while, but progress was nonexistent. Unlike the Sharingan, the Rinnegan was a singular pair. They couldn't simply slice it into sections for research or perform any overly flamboyant experiments. Furthermore, the Rinnegan was of paramount importance to Diarmuid, so they didn't dare tinker with it too much. They were limited to basic observation and rudimentary testing. Without a second subject for comparison, progress on the Rinnegan remained at zero.
"Let's call it a day," Sasori said, snapping his notebook shut after logging the final data points.
Orochimaru paused his movements, glanced at the Sharingan samples on the table, and nodded. "Agreed."
"Any insights or breakthroughs today?" Sasori asked casually. After every session, the two would exchange thoughts and observations.
"Nothing extraordinary. However, it's safe to say Diarmuid was right: the Rinnegan is indeed the final evolution of the Sharingan," Orochimaru replied after a moment of thought.
"That aligns with my assessment. It seems we haven't made much headway lately," Sasori remarked with a sigh.
"Is that not the nature of research? A tedious process... but one I thoroughly enjoy," Orochimaru said with a thin smile.
"I am not quite as obsessive as you," Sasori stated plainly. He paused, then continued, "From here, the study of the Sharingan becomes repetitive. It will likely take a long time to fully decode the genetics and heredity before we can integrate Diarmuid's Wood Release cells. Since this phase won't be as mentally taxing, are you interested in starting a new project?"
"Oh? It sounds like you have something in mind." Orochimaru set his notebook down, walked to another table, and took a sip of tea.
Since Sasori was a Human Puppet, he had no such physical needs. He sat casually on the sofa as if "resting" and nodded. "Correct. Or rather, I've been tracking this field for a while, but I've hit a plateau recently."
"And what is it?" Orochimaru asked, his interest piqued.
Though their philosophies differed, their relationship was solid, certainly better than the mutual assassination attempts of the original timeline. They respected each other's scientific brilliance.
"Kekkei Genkai," Sasori said with a faint smile.
"You still haven't given up on your idea of a Kekkei Genkai Human Puppet army?" Orochimaru asked, amused. Sasori had pursued this before, only to meet failure during his research on Kagami. Apparently, he hadn't abandoned the dream.
"A minor setback, nothing more," Sasori replied dismissively.
"Actually, I have some thoughts on your ideas, and a few new concepts of my own. Interested?" Orochimaru raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? I've always valued your perspective. Speak." Sasori looked toward him.
"Don't pin all your hopes solely on existing Kekkei Genkai. Perhaps you and I could join forces to create new powers," Orochimaru said, his mouth curling into a predatory, snake-like grin.
"Explain," Sasori requested. While Sasori's technical skill rivaled Orochimaru's, scientific research required more than just technique; innovative thinking was vital. Sasori's mindset, while brilliant enough to invent the Human Puppet, was often confined to existing frameworks like bloodline limits. Orochimaru's mind, by contrast, was truly unconstrained. He was a polymath who dared to experiment with anything.
"Before I left Konohagakure, I established secret research bases in many small nations. I recruited individuals with exceptional physical constitutions and talent for biological experiments..." Orochimaru began.
"No need to be so subtle. I know exactly what kind of evil man you are. Get to the point," Sasori interrupted bluntly.
Orochimaru chuckled and shook his head. "It seems my image is irredeemable in your eyes."
"There is no need to change it, is there?" Sasori replied calmly.
Orochimaru nodded. "True enough. After all, this isn't 'righteous' Konoha." After that jab, he continued, "Fine. I have secret bases where I've conducted human experimentation to unlock latent potential and create new powers. This includes, but isn't limited to, 'Animalization,' 'Artificial Kekkei Genkai,' and inhumane experiments with Forbidden Jutsu. Since you already disregard the boundaries of life, death, and morality, you shouldn't be so conventional. Your thinking should be more... uninhibited."
"Wait," Sasori cut him off, sounding annoyed. "What do you mean I 'disregard the boundaries of life, death, and morality'?"
"Oh? That's an interesting question. Do your Forbidden Human Puppet Jutsus... respect those boundaries?" Orochimaru countered with a feigned look of innocence.
Sasori's puppet face twitched slightly. "Fine. Let's assume that's the case. What is this 'uninhibited' thinking you speak of?"
"Most of those experiments were failures. Some did grant superhuman power, like the Animalization research, a project intended to grant humans the traits of powerful beasts. It 'failed' in the sense that while they gained power, it exhausted their lifespan and potential. They were essentially one-time-use fodder. However..." Orochimaru looked at Sasori, smiling.
Orochimaru had indeed done this. The base he once took Anko to involved similar work, like the Sea-Folk. Similarly, Mizuki, the villain from the start of the story, was a product of this research. Through a crude, low-quality Curse Mark, Orochimaru induced Mizuki to drink an Animalization potion that turned him into a tiger-man. It didn't last long before the side effects ruined him.
"I see. Experiments that the living can't survive... can be handled by the dead. Or rather, by my Human Puppets?" Sasori realized, his eyes gleaming.
Orochimaru nodded. "Exactly. Your Human Puppets retain the physical characteristics of the living. I theorize that if you turn these subjects into Human Puppets before they break down, you could stabilize and maintain the powers that would otherwise collapse due to the strain on their lifespan and potential."
"The answer is currently unknown," Sasori said, though his voice grew serious. "But it is highly research-worthy."
"Of course. I find creating new powers far more technically satisfying than hunting for existing Kekkei Genkai. Naturally, I'm still interested in your proposal too. I have my own designs on Kekkei Genkai. My Living Corpse Reincarnation requires a new vessel every three years. Finding a powerful vessel with a strong Kekkei Genkai would be immensely beneficial to me, both for research and for personal power," Orochimaru said wickedly.
"Naturally," Sasori agreed.
Orochimaru was right. Research on the Sharingan had hit a bottleneck. One way to break through was the slow, methodical repetition Sasori suggested, constant analysis until the accumulated knowledge broke the barrier.
But Orochimaru believed there was a faster way.
Through the Living Corpse Reincarnation, if he took an Uchiha vessel, he could experience the power of the Sharingan firsthand. That instinctive, natural connection would be invaluable. He felt that once he truly "lived" as an Uchiha, his understanding of the Sharingan would shatter any existing limitations.
This logic was sound. Given Orochimaru's genius, experiencing it personally would yield massive dividends. In the original story, his obsession with finding powerful vessels wasn't just for power, fundamentally, Orochimaru didn't just crave power; he craved Truth. The vessels were tools to help him viscerally understand the forces he was studying.
Soon, the two "Evil Scientists" reached an agreement: they would capture ninja with Kekkei Genkai while simultaneously conducting secret research into forbidden, man-made powers.
After chatting a while longer, Sasori glanced at the clock on the wall. "We can discuss the details later. I need to go cook dinner now."
Orochimaru checked the time. It was indeed dinner time, but he still couldn't wrap his head around Sasori's bizarre hobby. The man was a Human Puppet, he couldn't even eat, yet he insisted on cooking dinner every day. It was beyond absurd.
Still, he said nothing. The two walked out together. As they reached the corner of the laboratory floor, they ran into Diarmuid walking toward them.
"Ah, Orochimaru. I figured you'd be finishing up, so I came looking for you," Diarmuid said with a wave.
Sasori nodded to Diarmuid and asked, "What do you want to eat?"
"Steak?" Diarmuid suggested.
"Understood. I'll go prepare it. I won't interrupt your business," Sasori nodded and walked away naturally.
Orochimaru turned to Diarmuid. "What is it? Also... I heard this afternoon that you met Tsunade?"
"I did. She's already left. Isn't it strange? She knew you were here, yet she left without seeing you," Diarmuid teased.
"Not strange at all. If she saw me, she probably wouldn't be able to resist trying to kill me," Orochimaru replied calmly.
"Hahahaha! You really do know her well," Diarmuid laughed. He flicked his wrist, and a scroll appeared in his hand. "The Spirit Transformation Technique is ours. I assume you'll be needing this?"
Surprise flashed in Orochimaru's eyes. Not surprise that Diarmuid had the technique, as he knew that with Diarmuid's strength and methods, obtaining it was a foregone conclusion.
He was surprised that... Diarmuid seemed to have seen right through his secrets and weaknesses.
"It seems... you've noticed?" Orochimaru asked, his tone shifting.
"Noticed what? You mean your soul?" Diarmuid's mouth curled into a grin.