Chapter 23: His Flaw

The next task for Orochimaru was the creation of the gene fusion fluid, a scientific breakthrough that would bring him 8,000 technology points upon completion.

But as Orochimaru glanced over the technology points he had accumulated, he realized that they held little immediate value for him. Most of the items he could purchase with them were auxiliary tools useful, but not essential at this point in time. His focus had shifted entirely toward his current project.

The subsequent unlocked technology, the gene repair fluid, didn't hold much appeal either, at least for now. The gene repair fluid could supposedly repair any severely damaged genes or cells, but Orochimaru's attention was focused on something else the gene fusion fluid.

With his priorities set, the next few months for Orochimaru were simple: a strict routine of research and missions. His days revolved around two main activities completing the missions assigned by Hiruzen, and then immediately returning home to immerse himself in genetic experiments. Everything else happening in the world seemed irrelevant to him.

The First Ninja World War was still raging, but as a genin, Orochimaru remained largely untouched by the direct consequences of the conflict. He felt no urgency, especially since the war was nearing its conclusion and Konoha had ample fighters at the ready. If the war had been more desperate, even genin like him would have been forced into the Chunin exams and sent to the battlefield. But for now, Orochimaru had time. Time to train, time to study, and time to pursue his scientific goals without distraction.

And so, two years passed in the blink of an eye.

By the end of Konoha Year 18, Orochimaru was eight years old.

His home had transformed into a veritable laboratory, filled with a wide variety of animal and plant specimens. He smiled with satisfaction as he surveyed the rows of bottles and jars filled with preserved snakes, insects, rats, ants, birds, and other creatures. His experiments had yielded significant progress, and his house now resembled a full-fledged research facility, albeit a small one.

In these two years, with the assistance of the system, Orochimaru had evolved into a genuine genetics expert.

He had developed basic gene enhancement serums, gene repair fluids, gene extraction, and, most importantly, gene fusion fluids. His understanding of genetics now far surpassed anything this world had ever seen.

Weapon technology had also been unlocked early in the process, but developing weapons required much larger equipment and access to rare minerals. With his current limited resources, there was no way for him to delve into weaponry. So, for the past two years, Orochimaru had dedicated himself entirely to genetic research.

As Orochimaru studied genetics further, he had learned a crucial lesson something he had once believed, based on human fantasy, was a myth. For example, he had once thought that simply transplanting ant genes into a human would grant that person hundreds of times the strength of an ant. But in reality, the strength of ants was due to their unique body structure, where bones encased their muscles in a way that allowed for tremendous proportional strength. This had nothing to do with genetics. Human and ant body structures were fundamentally different, and ant genes couldn't be utilized in the way he had once imagined.

Moreover, Orochimaru had learned that while the gene enhancement serum was incredibly potent upon first use, its effects diminished with each subsequent dose. Even improving quality of the basic genetic enhancement serum to higher levels would only result in marginal improvements nothing that could compare to the natural strength and resilience of a Senju clan member's cells.

As he reviewed his stockpile of genetic drugs in the system warehouse, Orochimaru frowned slightly.

"It seems... it's time to strike a deal with Konoha."

For a while now, Orochimaru had been working on the gene fusion fluid, but his research had hit a bottleneck due to insufficient blood samples. After nearly a year and a half of trial and error, he had finally succeeded in developing the first gene fusion fluid. Yet, even that was not enough to propel his research forward. He needed more inspiration, more samples.

After completing the fusion fluid, he unlocked the gene repair fluid, followed by the intermediate gene enhancement serum. These two projects were relatively simple, extensions of his earlier research. It had taken him only four or five months to finish both. Orochimaru believed that with his newfound experience, recreating the gene fusion fluid would now take him no more than a few days.

Scientific research was difficult, but once you crossed a certain threshold and had enough knowledge, it became easier to achieve breakthroughs with minimal effort. That was Orochimaru's current reality. If not for the help of the system, even he wouldn't have been able to make such immense progress in just over two years.

But just as he immersed himself in his thoughts, a rapid knock sounded at his door.

"Orochimaru! Orochimaru!" the voice called urgently.

Orochimaru sighed, walking to the door. He opened it to find Jiraiya standing outside, his usual hyperactive energy practically radiating off him.

"Why are you yelling?" Orochimaru asked, slightly irritated.

"I challenge you! Come on, let's go to the training ground!" Jiraiya pointed enthusiastically in the direction of the training ground. Without waiting for Orochimaru's response, Jiraiya grabbed him by the arm, trying to pull him along.

"Challenge?" Orochimaru raised an eyebrow and smoothly pulled his hand out of Jiraiya's grip. "No."

Over the past two years, Hiruzen had arranged for numerous sparring sessions between Orochimaru and Jiraiya. Each time, Jiraiya had been utterly outmatched, failing to land even a single decisive blow on Orochimaru. As a result, Orochimaru had grown tired of these one-sided fights. After all, continually beating an opponent who couldn't challenge him was boring.

"Hey, hey! I learned a new move this time! I can definitely beat you now!" Jiraiya said with a mischievous grin, clearly excited by the idea. "And once I defeat you, Tsunade will have to become my girlfriend! Just thinking about it gets me all fired up!"

"Keep dreaming," Orochimaru replied flatly, pouring cold water on Jiraiya's fantasy. "Even if you win, Tsunade still won't be interested in you."

Orochimaru wasn't just speaking from memory. After spending so much time with Jiraiya and Tsunade, he had come to understand Tsunade's taste in men.

Tsunade's two main criteria for a partner were simple: strength and looks.

As the princess of the Senju clan, it was only natural that Tsunade would have high standards. She herself possessed immense strength, and while her beauty was undeniable, she had every right to be selective.

Jiraiya? He had decent strength, but his looks... well, they left a lot to be desired.

"Strength alone isn't enough, Jiraiya. Even if you manage to improve, that face of yours isn't going to win her over," Orochimaru said with a hint of amusement.

Jiraiya frowned, his confidence deflating for a moment before his usual bravado returned. "Tch, what do you know? Just wait and see. I'll get her to notice me, no matter what!"

Orochimaru sighed inwardly. He knew how determined Jiraiya could be, but he also knew that some things weren't going to change no matter how hard Jiraiya tried.