The author of those notes was Orochimaru, a research-type shinobi who could be called the greatest of the current era.
The researcher was a genius talented enough to become Orochimaru's successor.
With those two factors combined, even if Yakushi Kabuto was still not very old, he had a complete set of notes in his possession. He was standing on the shoulders of a giant.
There was no way the result would be poor.
In one corner of the village—
Pushing open the door revealed an ordinary courtyard.
The true laboratory was underground.
"Kazekage-sama!"
Rasa had handed the laboratory to Yakushi Kabuto, but Kabuto was not the only person here.
There were many Sunagakure personnel inside.
They were both assistants and surveillance.
"Kazekage-sama, this way."
Rasa nodded and followed Yakushi Kabuto inside.
There, inside a transparent sealed container, a small red snake was flicking its tongue.
"Kazekage-sama, this is a creature I cultivated using the techniques from the notes, along with Senior Kōsō's blood and rattlesnake eggs. It possesses intelligence far higher than an ordinary rattlesnake."
"And it also possesses a certain healing ability."
Rasa's eyes brightened slightly.
"How is it used?"
"By drinking its fresh blood. The fresher, the better."
As he spoke, Yakushi Kabuto slashed his own arm.
The kunai cut through his skin.
A wound opened, and blood flowed out.
Yakushi Kabuto seemed unable to feel pain. Instead, he became even more excited.
He grabbed the red snake from the container, cut open its body, tilted his head back, and aimed the snake's wound toward his mouth.
Drip.
The red snake's blood fell into Yakushi Kabuto's mouth.
The next moment—
The wound on Yakushi Kabuto's arm recovered at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"Not bad!"
Rasa revealed a smile.
The red snake's ability was definitely inferior to that of Karin and her mother.
But the red snake had one advantage—numbers.
Once cultivated, it could be bred on a large scale.
The reproductive ability of snakes was very strong.
Perhaps after generation after generation, the ability would decline, but as long as it still had healing capacity, it would retain value.
Medical shinobi were still a scarce existence in the current shinobi world.
Even though every shinobi village had spent years cultivating their own medical shinobi.
Cultivation did not mean success.
For one thing, medical shinobi were not especially skilled in combat, so fewer people were willing to choose that path.
For another, medical shinobi also required talent in order to become truly good.
"You did well."
Rasa patted Yakushi Kabuto on the shoulder.
"This snake will be named the Yakushi Snake. You cultivated it, so this is your achievement."
"We can establish a separate project for it. I will provide you with the corresponding resources to breed the Yakushi Snake. You have made a great contribution. What reward do you want?"
Yakushi Kabuto thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"Kazekage-sama, none for now."
"Very well. When you think of one, tell me directly. Sunagakure will absolutely not mistreat a person of merit. I am not the same as Danzo."
"Thank you, Kazekage-sama."
Yakushi Kabuto had already felt that.
He was clearly an outsider, but in Sunagakure, he had not suffered any special targeting.
There were no sudden loyalty tests.
No constant warnings or beatings.
Staying in the laboratory and conducting research—this was a life Yakushi Kabuto liked very much.
The only thing that worried Yakushi Kabuto was Yakushi Nonō, who had come to the Land of Wind.
"Nonō-sensei followed Sarutobi Hiruzen's orders and took over Danzo's previous role, becoming the contact person for me as an undercover agent."
"Being able to contact Nonō-sensei again is truly wonderful."
"But Danzo is not a good person. Does that mean Sarutobi Hiruzen is?"
Even while staying in the laboratory, Yakushi Kabuto still understood some things about the outside world.
Especially Kakashi.
That day, Yakushi Kabuto had personally seen Kakashi.
Because of the interview, Kakashi had come to Sunagakure once.
Yakushi Kabuto could confirm that that Kakashi was real.
Therefore, the Kakashi in Konoha had to be fake.
From this, he could infer that most of the rumors about Sarutobi Hiruzen were likely true.
Yakushi Kabuto despised Danzo.
Now, even Sarutobi Hiruzen had become someone he despised.
"Konoha is a filthy place."
"From what I have seen so far, Sunagakure is far better than Konoha."
"But what should I do to make Nonō-sensei leave Konoha and join Sunagakure?"
Yakushi Kabuto felt that it would be very difficult.
After all, Yakushi Nonō had grown up in Konoha and had deep feelings for Konoha.
Furthermore, Yakushi Kabuto had probed Yakushi Nonō's attitude toward Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Yakushi Nonō trusted Sarutobi Hiruzen greatly.
"Unless Konoha no longer exists."
…
…
After returning home, Karura had already prepared dinner.
"Father!"
Temari ran over excitedly.
Beside her, Kankuro lifted his head and greeted Rasa, then continued fiddling with the small toy in front of him.
Rasa rubbed Temari's little head.
Karura walked out. When she saw Rasa, she revealed a faint smile.
"My husband, dinner is ready."
Rasa patted Temari's shoulder.
"Go inside. It's time to eat. Wash your hands."
"Okay."
The family of four sat around the dining table.
Pakura was fighting for Sunagakure at the front line.
After dinner, Rasa accompanied Temari and Kankuro in the courtyard for a while. After washing up, he entered the room.
A rhythmic, unusual sound rang out.
Before long, Karura pressed close against Rasa.
"My husband, is something troubling you? I cannot help with village affairs, but if there is something making you unhappy, saying it out loud may make you feel a little better."
Karura had noticed that during dinner, Rasa had been distracted.
However, it could not really be called unhappiness.
Rasa had simply been thinking about what content the ninth rumor should have.
The recent rumors had all revolved around Sarutobi Hiruzen.
For one thing, Konoha truly had the highest level of discussion in the shinobi world. After all, it had once been the undisputed strongest shinobi village, and it had been founded by Senju Hashirama, the God of Shinobi.
The Uchiha, the Senju clan, and the Hyuga clan were all watched closely across the shinobi world.
Konoha's White Fang, Minato Namikaze, Jiraiya, the Hyuga…
"Too many times, and people will inevitably suffer aesthetic fatigue."
"When promoted, the discussion it creates will no longer be as intense."
"Points will also become more difficult to increase."
The next day—
Rasa had only just arrived at the Kazekage Building when he received bad news.
One of Sunagakure's outposts on the border of the Land of Wind had been attacked.
There had been only one attacker, but his strength was extremely great.
He possessed an extremely special Kekkei Genkai—Lava Release.
He wore a purple-red outfit.
A name slowly surfaced in Rasa's mind.
"Iwagakure. Four-Tails jinchuriki. Roshi!"
Rasa looked at the number of casualties on the report, and his face sank.
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