Orochimaru stared intently at the drop of blood before him, his Adam's apple bobbing violently.
Those golden snake-like eyes reflected that crystalline shimmer of red.
He could feel it.
The energy contained within that drop of blood—that terrifying, pure vitality, as vast as the deep sea and as blazing as the scorching sun, almost overflowing from the container to rush at him.
His hands trembled slightly.
"The vitality in this drop of blood..."
His voice was hoarse and dry, carrying an undisguisable shock.
"It is not inferior at all to the vitality of the First Hokage's cells!"
Orochimaru's voice carried an undisguisable ecstasy.
And—
He narrowed his eyes, meticulously sensing another power flowing within that drop of blood.
Besides the majestic vitality, the depths of that blood also contained a faint aura of thunder. It wasn't ordinary electricity, but a terrifying power filled with the intent of destruction, as if it could tear everything apart.
It was completely different from Senju Hashirama's cells.
One governed life, the other governed destruction.
If these two powers could be combined...
Orochimaru's breathing became rapid.
"I hope you can research something useful."
Yang Jiu looked at Orochimaru, who was too excited to contain himself, and spoke indifferently with a smile.
His tone was as if he were talking about a trivial matter.
Orochimaru took a deep breath, barely suppressing the agitation in his heart, and turned to look at Yakushi Kabuto.
Yakushi Kabuto was already prepared.
He opened a sealing scroll and took out a specially made transparent container—one crafted from special materials specifically for storing precious samples.
Holding the container in both hands, he solemnly placed the drop of blood inside.
His movements were as gentle as if he were handling the most precious treasure in the world.
Once it was packed, he handed the container to Orochimaru.
Orochimaru took it and held it in his palm.
Then, he looked up at Yang Jiu.
In those golden snake-like eyes, an indescribable emotion surfaced for the first time—it wasn't reverence, nor was it fear, but a heartfelt... gratitude.
"Thank you."
His voice was very soft, yet very serious.
Yang Jiu looked at him and smiled.
"No need to thank me."
"This is what you deserve."
"Do a good job."
As soon as he finished speaking, a golden flash of lightning flickered.
Yang Jiu disappeared from the spot.
After watching Yang Jiu leave, Orochimaru stood there, staring at the container in his hand, not looking away for a long time.
In those golden snake-like eyes, an unprecedented fanaticism burned.
"Kabuto."
He spoke, his voice a bit faster than usual.
Yakushi Kabuto stepped forward: "Here."
"The mission to capture wolves is entrusted to you with full authority."
Orochimaru didn't turn his head; his gaze never left that drop of blood.
"Allocate as many people as you need. In one month, I want to see a sufficient quantity."
Yakushi Kabuto pushed up his glasses, his expression calm: "Understood."
"And—"
Orochimaru paused.
"Keep an eye on other matters in the Village as well. No one is allowed near the laboratory without my permission."
Kabuto nodded: "Rest assured, Lord Orochimaru."
Orochimaru didn't speak further.
He turned around and strode towards the recently completed laboratory.
His pace grew faster and faster.
By the end, he was almost running.
—
The laboratory door slammed shut.
Orochimaru stood in the dim interior, taking a deep breath to calm his pounding heart.
Then, he walked to the workbench in the deepest part and gently placed the container on the table.
The dim yellow light shone on the drop of blood, refracting a dreamlike red-gold light.
Orochimaru stared at it.
Staring at that smear of red, that thread of gold.
"Senju Hashirama's vitality... plus the destructive power of thunder..."
He murmured, his voice filled with obsession.
"If I can decipher the secrets within..."
He licked his lips.
"If I can fuse these two powers..."
He didn't continue.
Because he didn't dare imagine the result.
Orochimaru took a deep breath, put on gloves, and began preparing the experimental equipment.
Microscope, petri dishes, detectors, sealing talismans...
One piece of equipment after another was placed on the workbench.
His hands were trembling slightly, not from nervousness, but from excitement.
How many years had it been?
Ever since he obtained the First Hokage's cells, he had never felt this kind of accelerated heartbeat again.
And now, that feeling was back.
Orochimaru lowered his head, leaning in close to the drop of blood.
"Let me see..."
His voice was low and raspy.
"Just how many secrets are hidden within you."
—
Returning to Wolf Valley, Yang Jiu checked his points and experience.
He nodded in satisfaction.
The addition of Orochimaru and the Otogakure had contributed several thousand more points and experience.
Not bad.
Just then—
[Ding—New mission released!]
[mission Name: Charging Towards the Sacred Land!]
[mission Background: The Wolf Tribe has grown from a single lone wolf to a powerful clan with one hundred and fifty Ninja Wolves, controlling the entire Yufu Forest. The population of Wolf Ninja Village has surpassed three hundred, with over a hundred Ninjas, and the addition of Orochimaru and his Hidden Sound elites.]
[However, those who truly stand at the top of the Ninja World have never been ordinary clans, but those revered as'Sacred Lands'—Mount Myōboku, Shikkotsu Forest, and Ryūchi Cave. They have been passed down for millennia with deep foundations, serving as the contract lands dreamed of by countless Ninjas.]
[And now, the Wolf Tribe has also reached this step.]
[mission Objective: Make the Wolf Tribe the publicly recognized fourth great summoning beast Sacred Land!]
[This is a multi-stage mission; rewards can be obtained upon completing each stage.]
[Stage One]
1. Tribe population reaches 1,000, all possessing Genin strength (Current: 150)
2. The Wolf Tribe possesses at least 100 Elite Chunin combatants (Current: 3 (excluding Yang Jiu))
3. The Wolf Tribe possesses at least 10 Elite Jonin combatants (Current: 0 (excluding Yang Jiu))
[Stage One mission Reward: 50,000 Experience, 50,000 Points, Special Building: Wolf God's Protection (Barrier), life spring eye: Large (Potent Type)]
[Stage Two mission will unlock after Stage One is completed]
As the cold system prompts exploded in his mind one after another, Yang Jiu's eyes lit up.
"This mission... if it can be completed, the Wolf Tribe won't be considered weak in the Ninja World even without me!"
"Especially the barrier; this is something any large-scale power must have. The system is really timely!!"
Currently, neither the Wolf Tribe nor Wolf Ninja Village had a barrier. If a war truly broke out, they would be sitting ducks and could easily be breached.
If there were a barrier, the outcome would be different.
"But this mission is truly difficult..."
Looking at these mission requirements, Yang Jiu couldn't help but feel a headache.
The first point was fine; a population of a thousand wasn't hard.
But a hundred Elite Chunin, plus ten Elite Jonin, this...
Even the Five Great Hidden Villages would find it hard to produce such a lineup, right?
"It looks like another tough battle; I can only take it slow."
He shook his head.
[Ding, new mission released—]
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