"You need to ask them more about the 'outside world,' about the origin of chakra, about whether any other power systems have ever appeared… Watch their reactions. Listen carefully to how they explain."
Tsunade stared straight at Jiraiya, her voice heavy.
Jiraiya fell silent. He felt as though his spirit had been shaken—by Tsunade of all people.
He suddenly realized… perhaps he did not understand her as well as he thought.
At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke slowly, his aged voice steady with authority.
"Jiraiya, Tsunade is right. This isn't distrust—it's necessary caution."
"The Heavenly Screen's impact is too great. We must reexamine every existing relationship and assumption."
"You will still serve as the bridge between Konoha and the Sacred Land. But now, on your shoulders rests not only Konoha's hope for truth—but the entire shinobi world's concern for safety. A little more caution can never hurt."
After speaking, Hiruzen looked at Tsunade and sighed.
"Tsunade… you have become a qualified Hokage."
At the praise, Tsunade merely gave a faint, sardonic smile.
Jiraiya remained quiet for a long time.
In his mind flickered the lush mountains and rivers of Mount Myōboku, the toads' teachings, and the profound gaze of the Great Toad Sage.
At last, he exhaled deeply. His shoulders slumped slightly—then straightened again.
"…I understand." His voice regained its composure, though a complex weight lingered in his eyes. "I'll go. And I'll… be more careful."
The last words were difficult, yet unmistakably clear.
He knew something had changed—irreversibly.
"Take care," Tsunade said, patting his shoulder. This time, her concern was genuine.
Jiraiya nodded, said nothing more, and left the Hokage's Office. His back looked somewhat lonely—yet resolute.
Tsunade watched him depart. When the door closed, her gaze sharpened like a blade.
"All right. We can't fall behind either."
Under Tsunade's unprecedentedly firm orders, Konoha's machinery roared to life with unmatched efficiency—and unprecedented internal scrutiny.
Orochimaru's Hidden Base
In a secret underground laboratory, Orochimaru stepped out of his core research chamber, its interior packed with precision instruments and grotesque specimens.
His complexion was nearly translucent pale—a sign of intense mental focus and heavy physical expenditure.
Yet his golden, serpentine eyes were calm… even intrigued.
"Orochimaru-sama, all data extracted from Karin's blood samples have been analyzed."
Kabuto Yakushi adjusted his glasses and handed over a thick report, his usually composed tone tinged with rare confusion.
"There are no abnormalities. The so-called 'Demonic God power' appears as though it never existed."
"This defies reason. The crimson-black energy Karin released in battle was visible and devastating. How could it leave no trace at the biological level?"
Kabuto frowned deeply.
Orochimaru skimmed several key pages. Instead of disappointment, a more amused smile curved his lips.
"Finding nothing… is precisely the most fascinating discovery, Kabuto."
His voice was low, almost delighted.
"If this so-called 'Demonic God system' were so easily detected—so easily analyzed by me—then its value would hardly be extraordinary."
"And that… would disappoint me."
He set the report down lightly, golden eyes drifting toward the void as though peering beyond physical laws.
Kabuto nodded knowingly, his gentle smile returning.
"Indeed. The greater the challenge, the greater its value—and the greater the… conquest."
"What shall we do next?"
"If static, microscopic observation yields no breakthrough," Orochimaru murmured, his tongue unconsciously brushing his lips, "then we proceed with dynamic, macroscopic intervention."
"Live experimentation."
He paused, a trace of regret surfacing.
"Of course, the ideal scenario would be real-time monitoring while Karin's internal energy is active."
"Unfortunately, once that crimson-black energy leaves her control, it dissipates rapidly. It cannot be preserved."
"And that unruly child would hardly sit still for research."
He truly regretted that.
"Then I'll prepare suitable test subjects immediately," Kabuto said. "When would you like to begin? Any specific requirements?"
Orochimaru pondered briefly.
"First, I should speak with Karin."
Aside from blood, it would be ideal to obtain additional tissue samples.
However—
His disappointment came swiftly.
Through operatives at another base, he learned Karin had left several days earlier.
"She said she was going to find 'Wangcai' from the Heavenly Screen."
"…Several days ago?" Orochimaru pressed his fingers to his temple, feeling a dull ache. "To find… Wangcai?"
He could practically see Karin's impulsive, reckless excitement.
That yellow dog's displayed abilities had nearly overwhelmed a darkened Naruto, a Rinnegan-wielding Sasuke, and a Tenseigan-awakened Neji. A true "natural enemy of chakra."
The danger spoke for itself.
Karin was already unstable.
Add a chakra-devouring dog to the equation…
He dared not imagine it.
"Orochimaru-sama, shall we retrieve her?" Kabuto asked calmly.
Orochimaru fell into brief silence, expression shifting.
Logic dictated that Karin's volatility posed severe risk. Left unchecked, she might trigger catastrophe—or disrupt long-term plans.
But the researcher within him burned with curiosity.
A natural enemy of chakra.
The research value alone was immeasurable.
Would it truly be such a waste… not to draw a vial of blood?
The calculation lasted only a moment.
The Heavenly Screen had made Wangcai's destructive potential unmistakable. Karin's emerging "demonic child" traits were already apparent.
If those two met prematurely within the shinobi world—
"…We should go and take a look," Orochimaru finally sighed, a rare trace of reluctance in his voice.
"With Karin's temperament, who knows how many irreparable disasters she might cause otherwise."
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