Chapter 70 : Body Strengthening Elixir

A third of the fruit had been consumed, and Orochimaru was in no rush to extract the remaining substance. Extracting it hastily could potentially destroy the plant cells.

"Today may mark the first experiment of cells with Wood Release Bloodline Limit."

Orochimaru acted casually as he left for a brief inspection round. He quietly arranged several tools and set things up, then closed the door.

Keeping it safely sealed, Orochimaru held the scroll that materialized into his hand.

Horcruxes were safer than relying on their stomachs, at least for the time being.

Orochimaru opened the scroll, revealing a massive glass jar inside. It contained a dark red liquid resembling blood, but it had been meticulously prepared. The consistency was not thick, and a faint sweet and fishy scent emanated from it.

This nutrient solution had been cultivated at great expense by Orochimaru. It comprised various plant juices infused with chakra, blood from ninja beasts, and carefully selected hormones.

Despite its inviting sweet aroma, Orochimaru's "salary" from joining Anbu had been "devoured" by this liquid within just a week.

Inside the liquid, one could spot the remains of a white snake. At present, the snake had shriveled and contracted, its skin wrinkled and rolled up, resembling a coiled worm.

Surprisingly, the snake's head was entirely covered by the rhizome of a plant. A grass-like growth sprouted from it, and the rhizome was adorned with emerald young leaves.

These rhizomes penetrated the snake's head like straws with numerous punctures. Even after dissection, the snake's corpse was tangled with roots.

This snake corpse turned out to be the deceased white snake Orochimaru had encountered at the Memorial Monument during his travels.

Orochimaru had studied this snake, recognizing it as a similar species to the white-scaled snake. Its vitality was so strong that even in death, the cause remained elusive.

Orochimaru's personal attempts at resurrection had failed, but as an unabashed scientist, he persisted and eventually implanted Nightingale's cells into the snake's head.

Nightingale's cells had merged and grown in a remarkable manner, fueled by the residual vitality of the white snake and Orochimaru's healing ninjutsu. Chakra energy had been drained, and Nightingale's cell had finally transformed into a verdant leaf.

Although Nightingale's chakra did not rival that of Hashirama's, its potential was undoubtedly substantial.

Under the same lineage, different individuals awakened distinct effects. Much like no two Sharingan eyes were identical, disparities arose when various individuals awakened their abilities, such as Tenseigan, Mangekyou Sharingan, and even the Rinnegan.

Just as two Mangekyou Sharingan could merge and evolve into an Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan, proving the complementary nature of bloodlines, the precious Wood Release held the same characteristic.

Nightingale's Wood Release leaned toward vines, while the Wood Release of Hashirama had manifested as a wooden log.

Nurturing and absorbing the residual power of the first Hokage, the amalgamation of Nightingale's chakra into this mix would undoubtedly lead to even greater strength. Despite Nightingale's modest chakra capacity, when combined with the first Hokage and Nightingale 's chakra, her potential would soar.

This was why Orochimaru found Nightingale so intriguing. Her value was considerable. Although absent from the original narrative, her absence could have been due to her nonexistence or her demise during the Senju clan's era. Orochimaru's intent was to control her and make her his asset.

"Let me witness the might of Wood Release Bloodline Limit."

Orochimaru discreetly engaged his talent for phagocytosis, absorbing the leafy plant derived from Nightingale's cells. Gradually, emerald green chakra traces were drawn away, causing the plant to appear wilted.

Orochimaru restrained himself from directly absorbing it, struggling to maintain control. He funnelled it directly into the flesh of the body strengthening fruit.

Nightingale's Wood Release abilities were relatively subdued. Even if Orochimaru extracted them, awakening them might prove difficult. A trace of chakra might not yield any effect.

The fusion of chakra and legendary natural energy unleashed an explosion of energy, exceeding what technology could achieve.

With precision, Orochimaru extracted the so-called biological enzymes. The energy content in the upgraded plant cells exceeded the original. Orochimaru managed to yield three vials, which he added to the brown solution in a glass bottle.

This vial contained enough content to significantly enhance a Jōnin's physique. Yet, Orochimaru had discerned that no matter how robust an individual became, there was a limit to its usefulness.

"What a splendid outcome!"

Orochimaru affixed a blue label with excitement, then proceeded to crush and refine the herbs from the Forest of Death. He concocted a nutrient solution, incorporating various "restricted substances." He poured this solution into a glass jar and prepared an identical one, this time filling it with the remaining body strengthening fruit's cells.

Regrettably, the cultivation conditions and materials for the plant that bore the body strengthening fruit were not yet attainable, but the extract concentration from it was the highest.

After organizing his "tools of the trade," Orochimaru realized that the next extraction would require more time. As he gazed at the three vials, he contemplated. He raised his head, selecting a bottle and drinking its contents.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch!"

Agonising pain rippled through Orochimaru's body, causing his muscles to twitch and his eyes to squeeze shut. The extracted and refined bodily fluid proved more effective than the body strengthening fruit itself.

This pain penetrated to a cellular level, reshaping the original structure. Orochimaru, despite his resilience, was not impervious to its effects.

Simultaneously, a warmth coursed through his body. Orochimaru felt as though he was immersed in a fiery forge, his torn tissues healing and strengthening, surpassing their prior state.

This advancement wasn't simply the result of physical exercise. Much like the Cursed Seal mode, this enhancement permanently elevated one's foundation. Of course, it couldn't rival the potency of the Cursed Seal's power.

"Huff..." Orochimaru exhaled a sigh of relief. He was now considerably stronger than before. After a while, he noticed a roughly 20% increase in his physical strength and resilience.

For a rat, this enhancement could likely span four layers. Yet, the boost was one-time-only and required perseverance to maximize its potential.

"It might be a challenge for someone with an inherently weak constitution to endure, but those rats back then didn't persevere until the end either."

Orochimaru pondered for a moment before retrieving the black grass. Extracting the neutralizer was effortless this time, forcefully halting the reaction and deactivating the biological enzymes.

Humming a tune, Orochimaru emerged from his abode and encountered Tsunade, engrossed in medical ninjutsu practice involving fish.

She'd take the fish out of water, allow it to suffer, then

heal it, and repeat the process... If fish possessed intellect, they'd likely contemplate suicide.

"Tsunade, what's your game?"

Orochimaru still sported his white coat, which he believed matched his current demeanour more appropriately.

"Orochimaru, it's getting late. What have you been up to all day?"

Tsunade's gentle smile was "freed" alongside the fish she had been tending to.

This was the demeanour of a nursing lady! Orochimaru grinned, "Come, follow me. I have something fascinating to show you."

"???" Tsunade regarded Orochimaru's expression skeptically, sensing something amiss.

"I've concocted an elixir to strengthen your physique."

Orochimaru presented a small glass bottle.

"The blue bottle? What's this?"

"Body Strengthening Elixir!" Orochimaru's smile broadened. "Completely natural, no additives, no side effects. You're deserving of it."

"..." Tsunade's expression remained unchanged as she downed the liquid in a single gulp. After all, they had been childhood friends.

"Pain, pain, pain!"

Tsunade's hands displayed bulging veins as she sweated profusely. "Orochimaru, you've actually poisoned me!!"

"It's initially quite painful, but you'll start feeling better after a while."

"Boom!" Tsunade delivered a swift punch to Orochimaru's side before resuming her vocalized agony.

Quickly erecting a small soundproof barrier, Orochimaru sought to maintain discretion. Although the area was relatively unpopulated at the moment, it was best to avoid undue attention.

"Hu~hu~hu." Tsunade's constitution rivalled Orochimaru's, considering her monstrous strength training. Eventually, she endured the ordeal.

"Orochimaru, You actually... Oh?!"

Tsunade swiftly sensed changes within her body. "I think my strength has increased, and my muscles feel more robust."

"Hahaha!" Orochimaru assisted Tsunade to her feet, patting her back. "A misunderstanding, it's all just a misunderstanding."

"It's fine, I forgive you."

Orochimaru proceeded to explain that the elixir was an ancestral secret remedy of sorts, extremely valuable, and that its extraction had required significant luck. His intention wasn't to coerce Tsunade, but rather to send a message to the Senju clan.

The greater the value of an individual, the more rigorous the training they receive.

"Orochimaru, your talent truly shines."

How could Orochimaru resist showing off? The elixir's effect was genuine, and Tsunade underwent a physical test. Her fitness had improved by 30%. This wasn't merely a temporary boost. It would enhance her future training, making chakra condensation easier.

****************

Three days later, Tobirama didn't seek out Orochimaru, but under the astonished gaze of Koharu, Orochimaru's office had tripled in size, housing more resources.

"Quite comfortable~" Orochimaru reclined, resting for a moment before a medical classmate approached.

"Orochimaru, your friend Hiruko is here to see you."

"Thank you." Orochimaru felt a surge of excitement. It was time to recruit his first future assistant.

"Hiruko, long time no see." Orochimaru greeted him. Hiruko was currently an intern, aspiring to become a medical ninja to contribute to his future team.

"It's Orochimaru." Hiruko offered a wry smile.

Everyone longed to rise to great heights through their own strength, but some, like Hiruko, possessed less remarkable talents, relegating them to assisting Orochimaru's medical ninja endeavours.

"Why do you appear so despondent? I bring good news, a valuable opportunity!" Orochimaru's smile was meaningful.

"Oh? Can there really be any good news for me?" Hiruko chuckled bitterly, continuing his work.

Hiruko, who had endured countless setbacks, was often plagued by feelings of inferiority. Nevertheless, he maintained a cheerful exterior, working diligently out of sight.

Until the day the three - Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade - earned the title of the "Three Legendary Shinobi", also known as Sannin, while Hiruko struggled as a chunin. Desperation set in, propelling Hiruko onto the path of researching forbidden techniques.

Orochimaru retrieved the last blue glass bottle, its allure seemingly irresistible to Hiruko.

"This is an opportunity for you."

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