"Danzo-sama, Orochimaru recently made contact with the Iburi Clan."
In the Root base, a Root Ninja knelt on one knee, reporting Orochimaru's recent movements to Danzo Shimura.
Orochimaru's routine was simply too predictable; Root Ninja didn't even need to deliberately follow and monitor her to know her daily whereabouts.
"The Iburi Clan... The Second Hokage once researched their Bloodline Limit."
Danzo Shimura thought of the gains brought to him by Orochimaru's improved soldier pill formula. If there was a way to fix the biggest flaw of the Iburi Clan's Bloodline Limit, or a way to make this flaw controllable.
Danzo Shimura was very covetous of the Iburi Clan's Bloodline Limit.
The Iburi Clan's Bloodline Limit was unparalleled by any Ninja, whether for infiltration to gather intelligence or for assassination.
It would be great if Orochimaru's research results could be used by Root.
Danzo Shimura couldn't help but imagine the Iburi Clan joining Root.
"Hokage-sama gave Orochimaru the scroll containing the Second Hokage's research data on the Iburi Clan's Bloodline Limit."
"What?!"
Danzo Shimura shot up, realizing that Hiruzen Sarutobi had the same intentions as him.
Hiruzen, are you thinking the same thing?
Danzo Shimura was certain that Hiruzen Sarutobi was eyeing the Iburi Clan, intending to absorb them into Konoha and then invite them to join Anbu.
Anbu, as a direct unit of the Hokage, once the Iburi Clan joined... Danzo Shimura looked at the report that had arrived on his desk not long ago. He felt that he would have an even harder time in the future, and everything he did would be known by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The thought of everything he did being known by Hiruzen Sarutobi made Danzo Shimura clench his fists. He absolutely could not let Orochimaru's research results fall into Hiruzen Sarutobi's hands.
Even if he couldn't get it, Hiruzen Sarutobi shouldn't even think about getting it!
The Root Ninja, sensing the aura emanating from Danzo Shimura, looked at the ground with hollow eyes, trying to empty their minds and think of nothing.
At this moment, they were all emotionless tools.
"Continue."
Danzo Shimura quickly adjusted his emotions and motioned for the man to continue.
"Orochimaru contacted Akimichi Torifu, the head of the Akimichi Clan, and seems to have obtained something from Akimichi Torifu, very likely the Akimichi Clan's Three-Colored Pills."
Contacted the Akimichi Clan... Why would Orochimaru contact the Akimichi Clan?
Did she give up on researching the Iburi Clan to research the Three-Colored Pills instead?
No, that shouldn't be the case.
Danzo Shimura didn't believe Orochimaru was someone who would give up easily.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru, unaware that her designated subordinates were being targeted by Danzo Shimura, arrived at the cave where the Iburi Clan lived.
Among the Iburi Clan, all but the young children whose Bloodline Limit was still stable had donned the airtight protective suits provided by Orochimaru. Living in such thick protective suits was not so difficult for them, as it allowed them to leave the cave and be active in the outside world.
Compared to the possibility of dissipating into smoke and dying at any moment, they were already very satisfied to be able to live.
You guys are a bit off, aren't you?
Orochimaru felt that the Iburi Clan members were looking at her as if she were a "god," and being looked at in such a way made her feel uncomfortable all over.
"Orochimaru-sama."
Chiriu walked up to Orochimaru and respectfully knelt on one knee.
Chiriu, whose body was on the verge of uncontrollably dissipating into smoke and dying, had survived. The protective suit prevented his smoke-like body from dissipating, and he gradually controlled his smoky form to re-condense into a human shape, successfully surviving. This also proved the feasibility of Orochimaru's method; wearing the protective suit truly worked.
The protective suit was great, but some privacy issues were troublesome, especially concerning bodily functions.
Orochimaru didn't have a better solution for this at the moment; she was very busy. Not only did she have to train with Tsunade and Jiraiya, but she also had to continue her Chakra nature transformation and shape transformation training, as well as the development of skincare products.
Of course, her research on the Iburi Clan was not put aside. She would make time to examine the bodies of the Iburi Clan members, collect blood samples, and gather various data about their bodies.
"Chiriu, you can't take off the protective suit now, can you?"
Orochimaru examined Chiriu's body.
"That's right, my body has reached its limit."
Chiriu nodded. He had shown extraordinary talent at a very young age. Such talent, if it appeared in other Ninja clans, would be called genius, but in the Iburi Clan, it was a death-snatching rope slowly tightening around one's neck.
"This is a test subject. You can try it; it might alleviate your bloodline illness."
Orochimaru took out a pill. Her relationship with the Akimichi Clan was quite good, and this pill was the result of her research into the Akimichi Clan's Three-Colored Pills.
The Akimichi Clan's Three-Colored Pills were secret medicines suitable only for the Akimichi Clan, capable of greatly enhancing the user's power.
That is, they boosted the Yang Release Chakra within the body to increase the power of their ancestral secret techniques.
When Orochimaru expressed to Akimichi Torifu her desire to research the Akimichi Clan's legendary secret medicines, Akimichi Torifu's condition was that the formula should not be leaked, and most importantly, he hoped Orochimaru could reduce the side effects of the Three-Colored Pills.
The Green Spinach Pill and Yellow Curry Pill were fine, but it would be great if the side effect of the Red Chili Pill wasn't death.
After receiving Orochimaru's assurance, Akimichi Torifu handed her the formula for the Three-Colored Pills for research.
The side effects of the Akimichi Clan's Three-Colored Pills, the Green Spinach Pill and the Yellow Curry Pill, were both pain—one was full-body pain, and the other was severe pain with every movement.
The most severe side effect was the Red Chili Pill. After taking the secret medicine, one would gain extremely powerful strength. It was said to grant a hundredfold increase in power, but in Orochimaru's opinion, this claim was clearly exaggerated. Even if all the fat of the entire Akimichi Clan were combined, it would not be possible to achieve a hundredfold increase.
After Akimichi Clan members take the Red Chili Pill, they can use their ancestral calorie control method, where all accumulated calories in their body are converted into Chakra, forming Chakra butterfly wings on their back.
This is why the "Chō" (butterfly) in Ino–Shika–Chō refers to the Akimichi Clan.
"I'll try it now."
The moment Chiriu opened his mask, smoke wafted from his body. Without hesitation, he swallowed the pill and closed his mask.
A warm power spread throughout his body. Chiriu felt his body become stable. He tried opening his mask, and no smoke wafted from him.
"Orochimaru-sama! You, you succeeded!"
Chiriu was overjoyed to the point of tears, an indescribable ecstasy.
"It seems my research direction is correct."
Orochimaru was very pleased with her research results, and fortunately, she had Senju Tobirama's analysis data, which saved her many detours.
"I don't know how long the medicine will last. Tell me next time I come."
Orochimaru patted Chiriu's shoulder and walked past him.
"Orochimaru-sama, the medicine Chiriu just took..."
Aokawa, the head of the Iburi Clan, hesitated to speak, his face showing unconcealed excitement.
"Aokawa, calm down. That was just a test subject. Chiriu's situation is special, and only he is suitable to be a test subject for the medicine."
Orochimaru chose Chiriu as a test subject because of his special situation. Even if someone volunteered to be a test subject, she still found it a bit difficult to go through with it.
In this regard, she was different from the Orochimaru in the original story.
"I apologize, Orochimaru-sama, I was too excited."
Aokawa lowered his head, wishing time could pass faster. If he used to feel time passed too quickly, now he felt it passed too slowly. He just wanted to see the medicine Orochimaru-sama developed for their clan sooner.
"I understand."
Orochimaru smiled, took out a scroll, and opened it. Sealed within the scroll was a briefcase full of money. When she unsealed it, the briefcase appeared in her hand.
"Aokawa, I want to build a Laboratory underground for your Iburi Clan, and I also need you to purchase some scientific equipment on my behalf."
"Orochimaru-sama, please rest assured and leave it to me."
Aokawa took the briefcase and the list Orochimaru handed him. Feeling the weight of the briefcase, he showed no surprise, as if it was exactly as it should be.
He no longer doubted Orochimaru's words. It was Orochimaru who gave the Iburi Clan hope, and they, the Iburi Clan, would not disappoint their savior.
"Konoha's Chunin Exams are about to begin. For the next period, I will be preparing for the Chunin Exams. I'm leaving the Laboratory matters to you, Aokawa."
Orochimaru formed a hand seal, and her figure distorted and disappeared.
"Orochimaru-sama, rest assured!"
Aokawa respectfully looked at the spot where Orochimaru disappeared, his eyes firm.
That night, at the Root base.
Orochimaru, at Danzo Shimura's invitation, came here once again.
"Danzo-sama, long time no see."
Orochimaru greeted Danzo Shimura with a faint smile on her cool and serene face.
"Orochimaru, you're here."
Danzo Shimura looked at Orochimaru with a kind gaze, as if he were looking at a precious treasure.
"I've heard about the Iburi Clan's situation. If you need any help, just ask, and I will satisfy your needs. Konoha is a Village that loves peace, and the Iburi Clan lives in a forest very close to Konoha. We, Konoha, must have the magnanimity of a great Village."
Orochimaru, this research project of yours is excellent. I, Danzo Shimura, am investing! Tell me, how much research funding do you need!
Orochimaru's mind automatically translated Danzo Shimura's words into overbearing rhetoric.
Something's not right, very not right. You're not trying to steal my achievements, are you?
Orochimaru looked at the kind and amiable angel investor, always feeling that he had ulterior motives.
However, faced with Danzo Shimura's incredibly generous words, her heart was moved!
Not long ago, Orochimaru, who had spent her long-saved money to have the Iburi Clan help build a Laboratory, didn't have much money left. Why refuse money that's offered to you?
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