shadow hokage dark moon

Chapter 21: Orochimaru

Uchiha Tsukiko soon devised a plan—to rope Orochimaru in and make him work for him.

At present, Orochimaru, in his early twenties, had yet to establish his own laboratory. This was an opportunity. According to future developments, even without Tsukiko's support, Orochimaru would eventually build his own lab, securing funding from Danzo to conduct Wood Release experiments.

Tsukiko understood that if he wanted Orochimaru to willingly work for him, it had to be a gradual process—not something to rush.

Thus, he decided to subtly introduce the idea of establishing a laboratory during their daily conversations, while consistently demonstrating his understanding and support for Orochimaru's research interests.

After one of their usual discussions in the library, Tsukiko casually mentioned, "Orochimaru, have you ever considered how much more efficiently we could explore the mysteries of ninjutsu if we had a dedicated place for research and experimentation?"

A glimmer of interest flashed in Orochimaru's eyes. He seemed intrigued by the suggestion. "A laboratory? Indeed, if we had a proper research facility, I believe the discoveries we could make would be far greater."

Sensing Orochimaru's curiosity, Tsukiko pressed on. "Lately, I've been studying theories related to chakra and kekkei genkai. With a lab, we could delve deeper into these subjects, perhaps even unravel some of the age-old mysteries—like the true source of kekkei genkai power."

Orochimaru nodded thoughtfully. "Kekkei genkai… They indeed transcend conventional ninjutsu. Uncovering their secrets could unlock immense power."

Tsukiko smiled, his tone subtly persuasive. "Orochimaru, we could build this lab together. You would lead the research and experimentation, while I'd provide resources and theoretical support. Together, we could push the boundaries of ninjutsu and even create entirely new forms of power."

Orochimaru pondered for a moment before a faint smile curled his lips. "That does sound intriguing, Tsukiko. Your proposal interests me."

Satisfied with the progress of his plan, Tsukiko inwardly celebrated. As long as he continued to guide and support Orochimaru, it was only a matter of time before the snake sage became fully engrossed in the lab's projects. Through this collaboration, Tsukiko could reap the benefits of groundbreaking research, perhaps even uncovering the secrets of the Ōtsutsuki clan and enhancing his own strength.

Tsukiko decided to fund the construction of Orochimaru's lab, granting him significant autonomy while securing a share of the research results. To demonstrate his sincerity, he pledged 20 million ryō as startup capital.

With a calm smile, Tsukiko got straight to the point. "I'm prepared to invest 20 million ryō to establish the lab. You'll have complete freedom to manage and operate it as you see fit. I only ask for one thing—shared access to all research outcomes."

Orochimaru's eyes flickered with surprise and contemplation. He was well aware that setting up a high-level lab required substantial resources, and Tsukiko's offer was undeniably enticing.

"Your dedication to research and the unknown has always impressed me," Tsukiko continued, his tone earnest. "I believe you possess extraordinary potential, capable of pioneering a new era in the field of ninjutsu. I'm willing to provide the resources and backing you need, as long as you lead the way."

Orochimaru remained silent for a moment, weighing the pros and cons. While his talent and intellect were undeniable, conducting large-scale experiments independently would be nearly impossible without proper funding and resources.

Finally, Orochimaru smiled faintly and nodded. "Your proposal is indeed appealing. Twenty million ryō would be more than enough to establish a lab, allowing me to focus solely on research. As for the results, I agree to share them with you."

Tsukiko's heart surged with satisfaction. Orochimaru had taken the bait.

"I'll design and manage the lab according to my vision," Orochimaru added, his voice steady, "but you're welcome to visit and participate in the research at any time. As long as you continue to support the lab's operations, I'm confident we can achieve groundbreaking progress."

Tsukiko nodded in approval. "Of course. I'll fully support the lab's development. Orochimaru, I believe our collaboration will bring about transformative changes in the shinobi world."

With the agreement sealed, Tsukiko promptly arranged for the transfer of funds and assisted Orochimaru in scouting an ideal location for the lab. They settled on a remote area just outside Konoha, and construction soon began. Advanced equipment and essential research materials gradually filled the lab.

Tsukiko frequently visited the site, engaging in discussions about research progress and contributing his own insights and ideas.

Working in tandem, they delved deeper into various fields—advanced ninjutsu, kekkei genkai, even venturing into the mysteries of human modification and chakra manipulation.

Orochimaru found himself increasingly satisfied with Tsukiko's support. Tsukiko was not merely a talented shinobi but a visionary strategist with remarkable foresight.

Privately, Orochimaru couldn't help but acknowledge that encountering Tsukiko might very well be a pivotal step toward realizing his own ambitions.

Meanwhile, Tsukiko was already planning his next moves. Through this laboratory, he aimed to continuously elevate his strength while unraveling the secrets of the Ōtsutsuki clan's formidable powers—an essential step in his rise within the ninja world.

His ultimate goal was clear: securing Hashirama cells. This would open the door to unlocking and enhancing the Sage Body, accelerating his development exponentially.

After all, relying solely on the Destiny System to boost his Sage Body was prohibitively expensive in terms of Destiny Points.

Through careful calculations using the system, Tsukiko had deduced a crucial conclusion: as the Sage Body advanced, the cost of each incremental improvement increased exponentially.

For example, progressing by just 1% at around 20% Sage Body development required significantly fewer Destiny Points than achieving the same 1% increase when the development surpassed 60%. The latter could cost ten to even twenty times more—a staggering and impractical expense.

This made establishing the lab and funding Orochimaru not just beneficial but essential.

By leveraging his already abundant financial resources, Tsukiko could effectively "purchase" Destiny Points in the form of research breakthroughs—a remarkably wise investment.

If they could successfully develop a safe and effective method for transplanting Hashirama cells and accelerating Sage Body advancement, then no amount of money would be too much.

Two million ryō? That was nothing. Even 200 million ryō would be a price worth paying. The potential returns far outweighed the cost.

Moreover, Tsukiko planned to continue increasing his investment in Orochimaru's lab, ensuring that this critical research progressed without obstacles and yielded unprecedented advancements.