Chapter 187

What exactly is forbidden jutsu?

Forbidden techniques aren't necessarily the most powerful, but they're those with significant drawbacks, techniques that can easily harm the user, or those that go against moral and ethical codes to the point they must be sealed away. These techniques are not permitted for general learning, and studying them is strictly prohibited unless specifically authorized by the village. For most shinobi, access to these techniques remains out of reach their entire lives.

But Orochimaru was an exception.

Thanks to Danzo's influence and privileges within Konoha, Orochimaru had access to numerous resources that most could only dream of: research permits, specialized equipment, Hashirama's cells, and even the Scroll of Seals itself. These were assets the original Orochimaru had once used, but the current Orochimaru hadn't yet touched. Thus, while these things were both his and not his, the advantage was undeniable.

The partnership with Danzo was fruitful for both. Danzo gained the results he sought, while Orochimaru acquired tools and knowledge he desired. It was a win-win arrangement that satisfied them both.

In the days that followed, Orochimaru turned his attention to a specific endeavor: researching forbidden techniques.

Perfecting the Flying Thunder God Technique and the Reanimation Jutsu would be no small task, as both were still incomplete in many ways. Given the current environment, Reanimation Jutsu, which required living sacrifices, was far riskier to experiment with. Thus, it was a safer bet to focus on mastering and refining the Flying Thunder God first.

This was no ordinary technique. Developed by the Second Hokage, the Flying Thunder God was an S-rank space-time ninjutsu that allowed for instantaneous movement by marking a target with the Flying Thunder God formula. The caster could transport themselves or objects in indirect contact with their chakra across distances in an instant. With sufficient skill and energy, the caster could even redirect something as large as the Nine-Tails Chakra Bomb.

Despite the notoriety of this technique, Orochimaru had long been puzzled. Why, after all this time, had only Minato Namikaze truly mastered it, even though others such as the Third Hokage and Danzo had surely studied it?

Time moved forward, and apart from his necessary daily tasks, Orochimaru buried himself in the complexities of the Flying Thunder God.

Then, on one bright morning, a sudden knock at the door interrupted his studies.

"Orochimaru! Are you home?"

Curiosity piqued, Orochimaru adjusted his casual clothes and opened the door to find a young man with pale hair standing there. His hair was not the silvery white of Sakumo Hatake, nor the silvery-lavender of Dan; it was a light gray.

"Hiruko?" Orochimaru's surprise was genuine. Since joining forces with Danzo, Orochimaru hadn't seen Hiruko in quite some time.

"Surprised, huh?" Hiruko chuckled. "I just got back from a mission and heard you were in the village, so I came straight over!"

"It has been a while. How about we call Tsunade and have a get-together?" Orochimaru responded with a rare smile. "Though, Jiraiya is out of the village at the moment."

"No Jiraiya? That's fine. Let's invite Tsunade and her brother, then," Hiruko said, his enthusiasm undiminished.

Hiruko's situation was different from theirs. While Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade had risen to fame as the Sannin, Hiruko had remained a mere chuunin, his life trajectory far less remarkable.

Orochimaru agreed; after all, a break wouldn't hurt. He led Hiruko to the Senju clan's compound. They hadn't yet found Tsunade, but someone else caught his attention first, a young girl with striking red hair dressed in a netted top, a green miniskirt, and thigh-high socks.

"Kushina? Haha, what an adorable little girl!" Hiruko grinned.

Adorable was the right word. Despite her mature clothing, Kushina's youthful face created an interesting contrast that made her seem both fierce and cute.

"Lord Orochimaru?" Kushina stuttered, her voice tinged with nerves.

Like Mikoto, Kushina held an instinctive respect and awe for Orochimaru. It wasn't because of anything he had done specifically but more the aura he carried. It was the presence of someone who exuded power and command, a subtle reminder of the difference in their levels.

"Kushina, are you nervous? What's there to be nervous about?" Orochimaru asked, genuinely curious.

"I… I don't know," she stammered, clearly flustered.

Orochimaru felt a moment of confusion. What's with these kids? First Mikoto, now Kushina.

"Hey, Kushina!" A familiar voice called out as Tsunade appeared at the door. Her gaze shifted from Kushina to Orochimaru and then to Hiruko. "Well, this is a surprise. Hiruko, it's been ages!"

—

In the heart of the village, a local barbecue restaurant buzzed with life. Jiraiya was absent, as was Might Duy, who was on a mission. But at the long table, three adults sat on one side—Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Hiruko—while two kids, Nawaki and Kushina, occupied the other.

The conversations were split: the adults reminisced, while the kids were left to their own devices. Nawaki glanced at Kushina, who kept sneaking glances at Orochimaru, and couldn't help but ask, "Kushina, why do you keep looking over at my teacher?"