Chapter 25

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Even the audience outside the venue followed suit.

For a moment, everyone bowed 90 degrees to Nara Shintaku.

'Have you subdued the three clans and established your personal prestige?' Orochimaru looked at it and nodded in his heart.

Although the foundation of a ninja is one's own strength, having the support and admiration of others is also essential. Just like the research room he secretly built outside the village, if it hadn't been maintained by his men on a daily basis, it would have been scrapped long ago.

Thinking of this, Orochimaru's eyes flashed with a certain gleam.

In the month he had been away, in addition to investigating the unusual movements in the Sand Village, he had conducted a special research project in secret.

It involved an individual he had discovered by chance. His name was Jūgo.

He was born with the ability to absorb and use natural energy. He was a natural-born Sage!

'The White Snake Sage in Ryuchi Cave said that my soul and body are inherently weakly connected, making practicing Sage Mode ineffective.'

'I tested it with the Flying Scythe Kick Technique, and it is true!'

'For me, controlling natural energy is three times more difficult than for others!'

Orochimaru was unwilling to give in.

He longed to gain the power of Sage Arts.

So, after discovering the child named Jūgo, he began secret research to crack the secrets of Sage Arts.

'Shintaku, will you help me?' Orochimaru thought to himself.

"Teacher," Nara Shintaku called out as he walked off the stage.

Orochimaru came back to his senses, smiled, and said warmly, "Well done, Shintaku. Your progress far exceeds my expectations!"

"It's all because of the teacher's good guidance," Nara Shintaku smiled.

To others, this scene was a harmonious relationship between a kind teacher and a devoted student. Only Nara Shintaku and Orochimaru knew that this was all an act for the outsiders to see.

"Let's go, let's talk," Orochimaru said, patting Nara Shintaku's shoulder and turning around to walk out. "It's been a month since we last met. Let me know what you have learned."

"Yes," Nara Shintaku agreed, following him.

The two walked out of the Nara clan's territory and into the forest.

Swish! Whoosh!

After each of them used their own perception methods to confirm that no one was eavesdropping, Orochimaru changed from his kind teacher demeanor to one of admiration and said, "I saw your Flying Scythe Kick Technique. It's truly an amazing idea. You actually thought of transforming the volatile characteristics of natural energy into a driving force for moving forward."

"I never would have imagined such a use."

"Shintaku, you are truly a genius in the field of research."

As Orochimaru spoke, his eyes flickered with excitement.

Nara Shintaku noticed this and immediately became thoughtful.

At this point in time, Orochimaru had likely already collaborated with Root on some forbidden experiments, even if he hadn't fully descended into darkness. He was stepping into it.

Considering that Orochimaru now viewed him as a fellow researcher, this expression must mean he was involved in some taboo research and wanted Nara Shintaku to participate.

"Let's not beat around the bush. If you have something to say, just say it directly," Nara Shintaku said calmly. "Or, are you hesitating?"

"I guess my hesitation was unnecessary."

"You are different from those people in the village."

Nara Shintaku studied Orochimaru closely.

Orochimaru then shared his research.

"I found a very special child outside the village. He was born with the ability to use natural energy to strengthen his body and enter a unique Sage Mode."

"Because of my talent, I failed to master the Sage Arts of Ryuchi Cave."

"So, I plan to study this child, obtain the secrets of Sage Arts, and acquire this power!"

Jūgo?

As soon as Nara Shintaku heard this, he knew the situation.

In the original story, Orochimaru developed the power of the Curse Seal from Jūgo through prolonged research.

This Curse Seal was highly valuable in the original work, allowing Orochimaru to come back to life even if he died or was sealed.

"Do you want me to get involved?" Nara Shintaku asked directly.

"Yes," Orochimaru replied quickly. "Just consider it as I owe you one. I need your help!"

"You seem a little anxious," Nara Shintaku observed.

"Because the war is about to begin, and my experiment has not yet produced any results," Orochimaru admitted with a bitter smile.