Chapter 98

Tsunade stood in Orochimaru's room, slightly confused.

Why would he leave a shadow clone to sleep in his bed?

Before she could make sense of the situation, Orochimaru's voice came from behind her, startling her.

"Tsunade? Why are you in my room?"

"Ah! Orochimaru!" Tsunade spun around, trying to hide her guilt. "W-when did you come in from outside?"

"I had to step out for something," Orochimaru replied casually.

"Then why leave a shadow clone in your bed?" she asked, still confused.

"It's just a habit," Orochimaru said with a dismissive wave of his hand. He quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, what do you need from me?"

Orochimaru had a way of steering conversations away from anything that might expose too much. His relationship with Tsunade was close, perhaps too close sometimes. If he hadn't returned in time, she might have discovered more than just a clone. Last night had been an important night for Orochimaru. He had successfully started working with the First Hokage's cells.

While he hadn't fully perfected the process yet, the progress he made in just one night was astounding. Decomposing, isolating, and fusing the cells was a huge breakthrough.

Tsunade, still slightly perplexed, shrugged off the strange situation. "I've been feeling a bit bored lately. I thought maybe we could do a mission together."

"Sorry, I can't. I need to rest today," Orochimaru said, stretching his arms. "Plus, I have to finish making the last of the potions tonight."

"Oh, okay…" Tsunade nodded, understanding. She knew Orochimaru's research was important and that their team's mission schedule often revolved around his projects.

Suddenly, Tsunade's mood lightened. "Hey, Orochimaru, have you noticed anything different about me today?"

"Different?" Orochimaru looked at her with mild curiosity, scanning her from head to toe.

She was wearing her usual green top, blue belt, and mesh-edged shorts. "Did you get new clothes?"

"Nope!" Tsunade said with a grin.

"Changed your hairstyle?"

"Wrong again!"

She spun around playfully and puffed out her chest slightly. "It's so obvious. Can't you see it?"

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed for a moment before a faint smile formed on his lips. Ah, I see now.

"Haha, I get it. You've… grown a bit, haven't you?"

Tsunade's face lit up. "Exactly! It's thanks to that enhancement potion you made, isn't it?"

Orochimaru nodded, though he didn't show much excitement. "It seems so. The potion promotes overall growth and development alongside its primary function. It wasn't my main focus, but it's a nice side effect."

Tsunade pouted slightly. "Did you think I was too small before? Is that why you developed the potion?"

Orochimaru smirked. "No, you're overthinking it."

"Really? Are you sure?"

"You've asked me that at least eight times now," Orochimaru said, raising an eyebrow. "Aren't you tired of it yet?"

Tsunade laughed, clearly in a playful mood. "Hehe, I know I guessed wrong, but… as my boyfriend, wouldn't you like to test it out?"

"Test it out?" Orochimaru's face remained stoic, though inwardly, he couldn't help but find Tsunade's behavior amusing.

Tsunade, eager to show off her "improvement," was clearly trying to provoke a reaction. Orochimaru, however, had little interest in engaging with her teasing.

Instead, he turned around, walked to the bed, and lay down, pulling the blanket over himself as if he hadn't heard her.

Tsunade blinked in disbelief. She had been joking, trying to get a rise out of him, but his complete lack of response left her speechless.

"Seriously? You're just going to sleep?" she muttered, a bit annoyed.

With a sigh, she realized there was no point in pushing further. Orochimaru had clearly checked out of the conversation. In the end, she smiled and left the room quietly, leaving Orochimaru to his rest.

***

Orochimaru slept until the afternoon. After waking up, he headed straight to Konoha's testing base to begin work on the genetic enhancement fluid he had promised Hiruzen.

His schedule was relentless. In just five days, he produced fifty vials of the weakened enhancement fluid.

Once he finished, he settled into a routine spending his days refining genetic modification techniques at Konoha's experimental base, while also crafting potions to sell during future missions. After wrapping up his work in the afternoon, he would head to the secret lab Danzo had provided, where he worked deep into the night, often until eleven o'clock.

The details of his experiments were far too complex for others to understand, and Orochimaru wasn't inclined to explain them to anyone. As long as he kept producing results, no one questioned his methods.

***

A month later, Hiruzen stood in his office, looking down at the three high-end boxes of genetic enhancement fluids resting on his desk. Inside were the remaining forty-eight vials that Orochimaru had promised.

Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction. Orochimaru truly is an invaluable disciple.

Fifty potions, each one capable of permanently increasing a ninja's combat effectiveness. The implications of such an enhancement were staggering. For the average ninja, these potions were already a powerful asset, but for a Jounin, they were game-changing.

Not every Jounin had a large chakra reserve. Many relied on precise chakra control and skill, often having to carefully ration their chakra in battle. For clans like the Hyuga and Uchiha, where even the Jounin sometimes had limited chakra reserves, these potions would be a significant boost in their abilities.

And of course, there were other clans like the Aburame, Inuzuka, and Yamanaka, where some of their Jounin could greatly benefit from this type of enhancement.

Hiruzen, however, decided to reserve the first batch of potions for Konoha's core leadership, starting with himself and the other village elders. These four were the true backbone of Konoha, and ensuring their strength came first.

After that, the remaining potions would be distributed to various clans based on merit and contributions to the village. Even though Danzo's influence would typically complicate Uchiha's involvement, Hiruzen knew it was essential to include them.

A few days later, Hiruzen called a meeting with the clan heads of Konoha.

The Hokage Conference Room was filled with leaders from various prominent clans. The excitement was palpable as Hiruzen explained the benefits of the new potions.

"These potions can permanently increase chakra reserves," Hiruzen said, smiling as he watched their reactions. "It's been tested and verified. It's even more valuable than the recovery potions we've used before. However, the quantity is limited for now."

The clan leaders exchanged glances, clearly impressed but also skeptical.

"Is this really possible?" one of them asked.

"I couldn't believe it either at first," Hiruzen admitted, "but I assure you, the results are real. The village's top scientists, including Orochimaru, have confirmed it."

"That's incredible!" another leader exclaimed.

"However," Hiruzen continued, his tone becoming serious, "because of the limited quantity, we've decided these potions will not be sold to outsiders. I've gathered you here today to ensure that each of your clans receives one dose, for now. More will be made available as rewards for those who make special contributions to the village."

The clan leaders nodded in agreement. No one would turn down a potion that could increase a ninja's combat capabilities.

"We understand, Lord Hokage," said the head of the Nara clan. "We'll follow your decision."

"Thank you," Sarutobi said, nodding in acknowledgment. "Let's start with the head of the Hyuga clan."