Chapter 162: New Breakthrough

After integrating a substantial amount of Uchiha genetic material, Orochimaru found himself with little to do in the village.

With no missions assigned and no urgent research projects, he spent his time with Tsunade or helping to train her younger brother, Nawaki. However, Tsunade was often preoccupied with her own responsibilities, and she would sometimes leave a clone to handle Nawaki's training.

With extra time on his hands, Orochimaru found something new to occupy himself, researching a "scientific ninjutsu scroll."

When he mentioned this project to the Third Hokage, the Hokage had arranged for him a special lab without hesitation and even assigned him a few assistants. After all, if successful, this new tool could significantly boost the combat capabilities of Konoha's shinobi.

So, Orochimaru had dedicated himself to developing it, working on it both in the lab and occasionally at home.

One day, as he was tinkering with a prototype scroll, Nawaki, who had tagged along with Tsunade, caught sight of it.

"Scientific ninjutsu scroll? What's that?" Nawaki asked, crouching down beside him with a look of curiosity.

"It's a scroll that can release ninjutsu without requiring chakra or hand seals," Orochimaru explained.

"A scroll that can release ninjutsu without chakra or hand seals?" Nawaki echoed, his face filled with disbelief. Even Tsunade, who was nearby, raised an eyebrow, skeptical.

The idea sounded impossible. Releasing ninjutsu without chakra? Without seals? But then again, Orochimaru had a knack for making the impossible possible. If anyone could pull off such a feat, it would be him.

Intrigued, Tsunade came closer to watch him work, her skepticism mixed with a bit of excitement.

The concept of the "scientific ninjutsu scroll" was straightforward. It involved pre-sealing various ninjutsu into miniature scrolls using advanced sealing techniques. These scrolls could then be activated via a specialized launcher, allowing users to release pre-loaded jutsu without any chakra expenditure or complex hand seals.

The idea was revolutionary, especially for low-ranking shinobi who lacked the ability to use high-level jutsu on their own. However, Orochimaru was well aware of its drawbacks. Relying on these tools could lead to complacency, with ninja neglecting their own training.

In any case, he wasn't designing these for himself. His chakra reserves were vast and nearly inexhaustible. This was more of a side project to satisfy his own curiosity.

"Can it really do what you say?" Tsunade asked, her voice a mix of intrigue and doubt.

"Of course." Orochimaru picked up a miniature scroll from the table, raised two fingers, and pressed a button on the launcher.

Boom!

A burst of flame erupted from the scroll, startling both Nawaki and Tsunade. Nawaki yelped, falling back onto the floor in surprise.

"You… are you sure this thing works?" Tsunade asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Hm… it appears the sealing technique needs a bit more refinement," Orochimaru admitted, unfazed.

Sealing techniques were the specialty of the Uzumaki clan, who were renowned for their expertise. While Orochimaru had studied seals for a while, he wasn't as proficient as the Uzumaki, and fine-tuning this scroll would require more trial and error.

The scientific ninjutsu tool consisted of two main components: the launcher and the "ammo," which were miniature scrolls pre-loaded with specific jutsu. Developing the launcher was straightforward, thanks to his extensive knowledge of advanced technologies. But creating miniature scrolls capable of holding and releasing powerful ninjutsu required painstaking precision.

As Orochimaru continued his experiments, the situation on Konoha's borders escalated. A localized war had officially broken out between Konoha and the neighboring villages. Unlike previous wars, this one was marked by skirmishes and ambushes rather than all-out assaults. Both sides adopted hit-and-run tactics, with shinobi disappearing the moment they missed a critical strike. Casualties on both sides mounted with each encounter.

In his office, the Third Hokage reviewed the latest war reports, his face clouded with concern. The number of wounded was rapidly increasing, and the medical units on the front lines were stretched thin.

"What's troubling you, Hiruzen?" asked Koharu, one of Konoha's senior advisors, who had just been summoned to the office.

Hiruzen took a deep breath, clearly troubled. "The border conflict has escalated, and the number of injured is skyrocketing. We don't have enough medical ninjas deployed to the front lines."

Koharu nodded thoughtfully. "Then perhaps we should use the restoration potion for now to keep the wounded stable."

Hiruzen let out a bitter laugh. "If only it were that easy. The restoration potions have a shelf life of about three years. We used up our stock in the last war, which lasted almost two years. We don't have any left."

"You're right… producing only 1,000 units a year is far too little."

Hiruzen sighed, rubbing his temples. "If we're truly out of options, we may have to send Tsunade to lead the medical corps on the front lines. She's one of the best medics we have."

"It seems that's the only solution," Koharu agreed.

With her ability to summon the Slug Queen Katsuyu, who could divide and heal an entire battlefield, Tsunade was the most capable choice.

---

When Tsunade was summoned to the Hokage's office and briefed on the situation, she was momentarily stunned.

After spending a peaceful few months in Konoha training Nawaki, relaxing with Orochimaru, and enjoying a relatively calm life, the idea of being thrown back into the chaos of war felt jarring.

"Are you serious?" she asked, her voice tinged with reluctance.

The Third Hokage nodded solemnly. "I wouldn't send you unless it was absolutely necessary. I know how much you've come to enjoy these past few months."

Tsunade took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Alright, enough talk. When do I leave?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"Understood."

---

That night, in Orochimaru's courtyard…

"You're really heading to the front lines?" Orochimaru asked, glancing up from his research as she approached.

"Yes. I'll be leaving early tomorrow," she replied with a resigned sigh.

Hearing this, Orochimaru paused, a flicker of hesitation crossing his face. He then seemed to reach a decision, heading inside briefly before returning with a small vial containing a grass-green liquid.

He handed it to her. "Take this with you. Use it when you're on the battlefield."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, inspecting the vial. "Is this one of your latest creations?"

"Not exactly," Orochimaru replied. "But with this, you'll be much safer out there."

*****

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