Chapter 10: Longevity, Longevity, and More Longevity
Tsunade suspected that this power was the power of the Devil Fruit.
Every time a Devil Fruit user activated their ability, the fruit's power would draw energy from the cells to fuel the technique.
This was also the reason why Devil Fruit users consumed stamina when using their powers.
Because their cellular energy was being siphoned by the Devil Fruit's power, their physical stamina would naturally drain.
The interesting part, however, was that this siphoning didn't cause cell death. Once the user consumed a large amount of food, the energy within the cells would be replenished.
It was truly miraculous.
Tsunade wanted to research this Devil Fruit power seriously, but she realized that with her strength alone, achieving results in a short time was impossible.
She might need someone's help.
After making her decision, Tsunade quietly destroyed the records of the examination and all the test results. Once she was certain no one would find any issues, she led Yumesaki and Nico Robin out of the hospital.
Not long after, the group arrived at Ichiraku Ramen.
"Lady Tsunade."
Just as Yumesaki stepped into the Ichiraku Ramen shop, he heard a familiar voice.
He turned to look and found a few familiar faces sitting at one of the tables.
One was Tsunade's assistant, Shizune.
Alongside Shizune were Kakashi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Anko Mitarashi.
The call had come from Shizune.
Once Kakashi and the others saw Tsunade, they immediately offered their greetings, addressing her as Lady Tsunade.
They were all Tsunade's juniors after all. Anko Mitarashi, in particular, had to call Tsunade "Auntie Teacher" (Shi Gu) before Orochimaru's defection.
As for Kakashi's seniority, it was even lower.
Anko was, after all, Orochimaru's student, while Kakashi was the student of Jiraiya's student.
"Oh, it's you guys."
Fortunately, Tsunade didn't care about such formalities. Her gaze swept over them briefly. "I didn't expect you to be eating here as well. Shizune, I have a task for you."
Shizune immediately replied, "Lady Tsunade, please give your instructions."
"After you finish eating, find a ninja named Kabuto Yakushi. Tell him to meet me; I need his help with something."
"Kabuto Yakushi?"
Shizune was stunned. As Tsunade's close aide, she had naturally read Naruto and knew that Kabuto Yakushi was a spy planted in Konoha by Orochimaru.
Now that Tsunade was looking for Kabuto, it was highly likely she wasn't actually looking for him, but for Orochimaru who stood behind him.
"Is there a problem?" Tsunade asked.
"No, no problem at all. After I eat, I will look for—no, I'll go find him right now," Shizune said quickly.
Tsunade waved her hand. "No need. Finish your meal first, then go. There's no rush."
After settling Shizune down, Tsunade, Yumesaki, and Nico Robin found their seats.
"Teuchi, give me three bowls of Tonkotsu Ramen."
"Right away, Lady Tsunade! Please wait just a moment. Three Tonkotsu Ramens coming up!" The shop owner, Teuchi, shouted energetically. He moved with practiced agility: kneading the dough, pulling the noodles, tossing them into the pot, lifting them out, adding the broth, and arranging the toppings—all in one fluid motion.
"Lady Tsunade, here are your three bowls of Tonkotsu Ramen. Enjoy!"
Robin was quite curious herself about what kind of flavor this Ichiraku Ramen—which appeared so often in Naruto—actually had. With a sense of anticipation, she took a bite.
"This tastes wonderful."
Teuchi laughed heartily, thanking the guest for the compliment before bowing his head to get back to work.
Before long, Shizune and the others finished their meal, stood up, and bid Tsunade farewell.
"Go on then," Tsunade waved them off.
Once Kakashi and the others stepped out of Ichiraku Ramen, Kurenai Yuhi couldn't help but sigh in relief. "Lady Tsunade truly has such a powerful presence. I didn't even dare to speak loudly in front of her."
Anko Mitarashi, standing beside her, nodded in agreement.
Shizune quickly chimed in, "Lady Tsunade is actually very approachable. If you interact with her for a long time, you'll see that she's actually very easy to talk to."
Kakashi rolled his eyes. Shizune felt Tsunade was easy to talk to because she was her assistant and student.
The rest of them never felt that way.
"But speaking of which, who were those two people with Lady Tsunade?" Anko's eyes flickered. "I don't think I've ever seen them in Konoha before."
Shizune's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly said, "That man is Mr. Kazuma Yumesaki. He's a friend Lady Tsunade met outside. We became close while talking and returned to Konoha together."
"As for that woman..." Shizune paused for a moment. She had recognized that the woman was actually Nico Robin from the world of One Piece.
Nico Robin's appearance meant that Yumesaki had already connected to the One Piece world.
No wonder Lady Tsunade wanted to find Orochimaru.
Devil Fruits were indeed worth a thorough investigation.
However, without Lady Tsunade's permission, she couldn't possibly tell anyone. So, she could only say, "I don't know that woman either, but she's likely a friend of Mr. Yumesaki."
"Anyway, I still have the task Lady Tsunade assigned me. I'll be going now."
"Let's get together again when there's a chance."
After dropping those words, Shizune hurried off, leaving the others staring at each other.
...
On the other side.
After eating their ramen, Yumesaki, Tsunade, and Robin returned to the Senju Clan compound.
"You already know the results of the examination. Nico Robin—or rather, the people of the One Piece world—surpass ordinary people in both cell count and energy. They are fully qualified to extract Chakra."
Once they were seated, Tsunade spoke to Robin. "By simply injecting my cells into your body, you can refine Chakra. With your cell count and energy, catching up to my level is only a matter of time."
Mentioning this, even Tsunade felt a bit of envy.
She had originally thought the Senju Clan was exceptionally blessed by nature, but now it seemed the people of the One Piece world were the ones who were truly overpowered.
They were simply too perfect for refining Chakra.
"However, to ensure this experiment goes smoothly, I need Orochimaru's help."
Yumesaki said, "So, you're planning to invite Orochimaru to join us?"
Tsunade nodded. "In terms of Medical Ninjutsu, Orochimaru isn't as good as I am. But when it comes to human experimentation, Orochimaru's experience is vast—far exceeding my own."
"More importantly, Orochimaru pursues immortality with his whole heart. As long as you are willing to give him a chance at eternal life, Orochimaru will be more than happy to work for you."
On this point, Yumesaki knew Tsunade wasn't lying. A man like Orochimaru never possessed a rigid sense of dignity or an aversion to working under others.
Ideas like "receiving a mandate from heaven" or being "second to only one" were concepts of Chinese romance.
Orochimaru wasn't like that.
His mind was incredibly pure: longevity, longevity, and more longevity.
(Orochimaru: Immortality is far more tempting than women. Women only slow me down in my pursuit of eternal life.)
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