Chapter 38

Danzo, after listening to Eagle's recount of Orochimaru's experiment, quickly formulated his own thoughts. He had to suppress the growing sense of amazement as he considered the implications. Without a word, Danzo left and made his way to the ANBU headquarters, where he found the injured fox.

Inspecting the fox's wounds, Danzo confirmed Eagle's account. A wound that had once been deep enough to expose bone now bore no trace not even a scar. Even the old, long-standing injuries had vanished, as if they had never been there. It was as though the serum had not just repaired the damaged cells but had somehow regenerated them entirely.

Regeneration at the cellular level?

Danzo's eyes narrowed. This was no ordinary medical achievement; it echoed the legendary healing abilities of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama. Orochimaru had somehow unlocked the secret to advanced regeneration, and at such a young age.

"Unbelievable…" Danzo muttered, barely able to contain his excitement.

In that moment, Danzo's view of Orochimaru shifted. He had already noted Orochimaru's intelligence and talent, but this? This was a breakthrough that could change the very nature of warfare. It had the potential to make Konoha invincible. Danzo was both in awe and deeply intrigued.

Danzo resolved to keep an even closer eye on the boy. Orochimaru's potential was too vast to ignore. If cultivated properly, he could become an irreplaceable asset to Konoha or to Danzo's ambitions.

Meanwhile, Orochimaru, walking through the bustling streets of Konoha, was lost in his own thoughts. Despite the admiration from Konoha's top brass, Orochimaru was not overly impressed with his own work. In truth, he considered the gene repair serum to be relatively basic compared to what the future held.

In the world of Naruto, there were many techniques that far surpassed the effects of his gene repair solution. The healing abilities of the Sage Body possessed by Hashirama, or the powers of Karin Uzumaki's bloodline, were significantly more advanced. There were also other abilities that could provide exaggerated regenerative effects which could resurrect someone even after a fatal injury. Not to mention the monstrous healing potential of Tsunade's Creation Rebirth technique, which could restore her even after catastrophic damage.

In comparison, Orochimaru's serum was just a stepping stone. But to the untrained eye, especially in a village like Konoha, it was nothing short of revolutionary. The village elders had no idea of the true scope of his plans, and for now, Orochimaru was content to keep it that way. His primary goal was to gain more resources and access to advanced materials for further experimentation.

As he wandered the crowded streets, Orochimaru sighed quietly. Konoha, despite its role in the recent war, was still full of life. The bustling markets, the laughter of children, and the chatter of the villagers filled the air. This village was not only the military powerhouse of the Land of Fire but also a symbol of peace and prosperity, built on the hard work of countless civilians and ninja alike.

In Orochimaru's eyes, however, the village was just a means to an end.

"Orochimaru! Orochimaru!" A familiar voice called out, interrupting his musings.

Turning around, Orochimaru spotted Tsunade waving at him from a nearby food stall, looking as excited as a child. She stood in front of a skewer stand, the savory scent of grilled meat wafting through the air.

He walked over, raising an eyebrow. "What is it now?"

Tsunade pointed eagerly at the skewers. "Can you buy me some skewers? Please!"

Orochimaru sighed, realizing what was going on. "I just left the Hokage's office, and you're already hungry again?"

Tsunade, in her usual straightforward manner, didn't even try to hide her hunger. "I didn't get enough to eat with Biri and the others earlier. You know how it is, I have to keep up appearances!"

Orochimaru let out a chuckle. He knew all too well about Tsunade's massive appetite. Even though she came from the prestigious Senju clan, she often ate like a commoner, especially when it came to her favorite foods.

With a resigned smile, he handed some money to the vendor and bought ten skewers. As he passed them to Tsunade, he turned to leave.

"Hey, wait up!" Tsunade called after him, running to catch up. "Aren't you going to eat some too?"

"I'm heading to the training grounds to practice ninjutsu," Orochimaru replied, brushing off her offer. "You can eat without me."

Tsunade grinned, clearly enjoying her meal. "Then I'll come too! Let's go!"

---

At the training grounds, Jiraiya lay on the grass, completely spent from his own training. He stared up at the sky, his brow furrowed in frustration.

"Why… why am I working so hard?" Jiraiya muttered to himself. Every ninja needed a reason to fight money, power, love, or something more personal. But Jiraiya, at that moment, was struggling to find his own motivation.

Suddenly, the memory of Tsunade's casual dismissal came to mind. She had told him, more than once, that Orochimaru would make a better boyfriend than him. The words echoed in his mind, stinging more than any punch or kick.

"Tsunade… she really likes Orochimaru…" Jiraiya clenched his fists, a look of realization crossing his face. "Then the answer is simple!"

He leaped up, his face lighting up with determination. "I'll become the strongest ninja! I'll make Tsunade and every other girl admire me!"

Just as he was about to dive back into training, he noticed something in the distance Orochimaru and Tsunade walking toward him, side by side. Tsunade was happily munching on a skewer and occasionally offering a piece to Orochimaru, who accepted it reluctantly.

Jiraiya's heart sank.

"Ah… why… why do you always do this to me, Tsunade?" Jiraiya groaned, dropping to his knees in despair as he watched the scene unfold before him.