Chapter 123 : New Discovery

"Since the recovery is almost complete, prepare for the next action, Hela," said Troy, rising from the throne. His three comrades continued their work.

"It's truly pitiable, this is the unsightly visage beneath the armour!"

Orochimaru observed the fortified soldiers. They had shed their armour and submerged themselves once more in the cultivation tanks to restore their strength.

Beneath the armour, they resembled radishes, with pallid skin, and all of them were swollen fat men, a sight that instilled panic.

"The vitality of these individuals has been overly stimulated. Once they are deprived of the power of the Gelel Stone, their demise is likely imminent."

Orochimaru shook his head, "Such a repugnant appearance... um... though that word isn't particularly fitting for me to employ."

Orochimaru clung to the ceiling akin to a gecko, stealthily probing deeper. There seemed to be no defense in place against ninjas whatsoever.

He eventually arrived at the mining platform. Several enhanced soldiers were overseeing a colossal machine. The liquid-like energy from the ore vein was gradually melted and compacted, ultimately being infused into the prepared containers.

The method for creating Gelel's Stone appeared rather straightforward. It entailed refining the condensed energy and then sealing it within specialized containers. However, the actual process was incredibly intricate.

With ease, Orochimaru employed illusions to manipulate a few soldiers. The spiritual power of these individuals proved to be quite fragile.

Orochimaru picked up a smelted Gelel Stone. The blue-green light it emanated brought him a profound sense of comfort. His true essence and white scale blood subconsciously began to absorb and refine the energy within.

"Truly astonishing purity! This level of power even surpasses my true essence. It's extraordinary!"

The natural energy condensed into Gelel's Stone was avidly absorbed, yet the energy within the stone diminished at an exceptionally slow rate. Orochimaru even perceived his True Essence thickening slightly.

"If I could cultivate with this ore daily, my progression in Senjutsu would undoubtedly skyrocket!"

Orochimaru stowed away the smelted Gelel Stones, and a deep sense of bewilderment overcame him, "While it's reasonable if the natural energy gave rise to the ore veins, why would they blend so seamlessly with such potent chakra?"

Chakra—a force born after Kaguya's arrival on Earth. The White Snake Sage once alluded that this place had a connection with the origin of Chakra. What could this signify?

"What's this?"

Orochimaru abruptly discerned an unusual phenomenon. An abundance of luxuriant plants had sprouted from the rock formation where the vein was excavated, enveloping the nearby rocks.

One must acknowledge that this location was several hundred meters underground! Yet these plants thrived in the absence of sunlight.

"This is...?"

Orochimaru encountered a series of frescoes within a palace-like space, the style and age corresponding to recent times.

The initial fresco depicted people who had arrived here to lead a reclusive life and establish a small nation.

Subsequently, the second image portrayed the discovery of the ore veins, followed by the revelation of the magical effects of this power.

The energy from the ore vein hastened crop growth, prolonged life, and filled people with ecstasy.

The frescoes were vividly rendered, but they eventually vanished. According to the events Orochimaru recalled, this would be the point when war erupted, leading to the sealing of the mineral veins.

"Thriving vegetation, curative properties... these distinctive effects... the sensation they evoke..."

Orochimaru's gaze grew solemn as he surveyed the flourishing ground cover. A harrowing conjecture took root within him, "This natural energy is akin to the medical ninjutsu and Wood Style abilities of Hashirama Senju, could it be..."

Orochimaru meticulously traced the rock wall, subsequently discovering that additional murals adorned the rock pillars adjacent to the more recent frescoes.

"This mural was carved onto a colossal rock pillar and then concealed!"

Orochimaru ran his fingers over the coarse stone pillar, "It's been hand-polished, though it has weathered the test of time, potentially over a thousand years!"

A monumental plant graced the stone pillar's surface—an amalgamation of tree and flower. Countless individuals congregated around this plant, their merriment echoing celebrations of bountiful harvests.

"Although the front of the rock column appears to be damaged, it may not be devoid of content."

This ancient fresco correlated with the newly painted frescoes far off. The people of this nation likely stumbled upon this site during their excavation efforts, subsequently aiming to depict their own narrative here, which was ultimately concealed within rock formations.

"Why does this plant... strike me as familiar?!"

Orochimaru stroked the ancient fresco, and cold sweat formed on his brow in response to the gargantuan plant—a paradoxical fusion of flower and tree.

Despite the joyful appearance of the people gathered around it, it appeared as though they were paying homage to something.

"Could it be...?!"

Orochimaru abruptly withdrew the Kusanagi sword, ferociously scraping away the soil concealing the stone pillars. Soil particles scattered, gradually unveiling another concealed mural.

A mural from a millennium ago!

"What--?!"

The Kusanagi sword clattered to the ground, yet Orochimaru hardly noticed. Droplets of sweat trickled down, each bead a testament to his horror and excitement.

"Is this the rationale behind the ore vein's formation."

Orochimaru inhaled deeply, "Seems I must summon real Orochimaru to analyze this for me!"

Orochimaru's gaze shifted around warily before he departed the area.

In his wake, the ancient mural portrayed people kneeling in abject terror, the colossal plant ascending into the heavens.

The celestial plant's exotic blossoms gave rise to a luminous fruit, poised in quietude!

Against the darkened sky, the Rabbit Goddess extended her hand toward the fruit..!!

........

"Lord Gen, the vicinity ahead is as Tobirama-sama described. Appears to be a small, desolate nation!"

A cadre of individuals traversed the dense forest, reaching the suspension bridge traversed by Orochimaru.

In total, four individuals clad in uniform grey vests and black hoods ventured forth. Their most distinctive feature was the animal masks obscuring their faces.

"Dog, any findings?"

"I indeed sensed an immense and fearsome energy, absolutely astonishing!"

The leader of the group possessed pale irises, obscured behind his mask. His gaze was directed towards the direction of the Gelel mine from afar, "However, this energy feels rather peculiar, not precisely Chakra... perhaps it's tied to a vein?"

"That's correct."

Lord Gen advanced with satisfaction, "Konoha appears to be on the verge of even greater strength. I only hope the inhabitants here won't impede my path!"

"Who are you?!"

The quartet traversed the suspension bridge, prompting the two guards who previously confronted Orochimaru to leap forward once more. Their wary gazes were fixed on Lord Gen, who seemed to evoke the greatest apprehension.

"Insignificant beings."

Gen-sama lifted his foot and advanced unhindered. The individual at the rear manipulated hand seals, and the expressions of the two guards changed dramatically. Suddenly, they simultaneously impaled each other's chests.

"Ryosuke, your mind-altering technique grows more potent by the day!"

Undeterred by the lifeless gazes, the four showed no concern. The last member of the Anbu unit commended, Yamanaka Ryosuke shook his head. He extended a hand, which he placed upon the head of one of the guards.

"Ordinarily, more than two sentinels would be present here. It seems that changes have occurred in this land."

........

( Note : I will again use Takeshi as the name of MC to avoid confusion.)

"Crash—!"

The smoke dissipated, revealing a somewhat frigid figure in the heart of the Gerel mine.

"So that's why you lured me away from my research?"

Orochimaru regarded Takeshi with mild irritation, then surveyed his surroundings. Before long, his initial mood gave way to astonishment and disbelief.

Orochimaru remained clad in his white coat, glass rod in hand, a clear indication of his recent labour in the laboratory.

"Have you brought something?"

"Indeed."

Orochimaru's lips curled into a smile as he expelled numerous substantial scrolls and several sealed vials of reagents.

"In passing, I've refined this G medicine for you."

Neither of them focused on these matters. Orochimaru's attention was riveted to the mural, and he fell deep into contemplation.

"Orochimaru, what do you make of this?"

After a lengthy pause, Takeshi broke the silence.

Orochimaru caressed the rock walls, and after a moment, met Takeshi's gaze directly, stating, "I believe I might have uncovered something astonishing!"

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