"Well… I'll admit it. That punch actually had some bite."
Akio rubbed his stomach thoughtfully.
He had to give Jirōbō credit—there was something interesting about that technique. Chakra was layered directly into the fist, boosting raw impact far beyond what a boy that age should manage. It reminded him of a weaker, more accessible version of Tsunade's monstrous strength—something that could theoretically be taught on a large scale.
Before he could think further, the sound of a flute drifted through the air, cutting his thoughts short.
Jirōbō had taken a nasty tumble and was still struggling to get up. Tayuya, on the other hand, stood her ground, flute to her lips, eyes sharp with suspicion. The melody wasn't an attack—it was a signal. Less than half a minute later, over a dozen Sound ninja closed in, forming a loose encirclement.
"Sound-based ninjutsu… Orochimaru's usual tricks," Akio muttered, shaking his head.
"…Huh. Come to think of it, I can do that too."
With a casual wave, he erected a defensive barrier around Kimimaro, Karin, and Haku. Then he turned toward the advancing Sound ninja and smiled faintly.
"You've sampled my finger flick. How about hearing what my voice can do?"
Chakra surged into his throat.
"Orochimaru," Akio shouted, voice exploding outward,
"GET OUT HERE."
The world went silent.
Two minutes later, Orochimaru appeared in a blur of movement, staring in disbelief at the half-ruined Sound Village—and the unconscious ninja scattered across the ground.
"…Senior," Orochimaru said slowly, "what exactly are you doing?"
Akio waved him off and dropped the barrier.
"I need your help. It's about that child."
Orochimaru's eyes slid to Kimimaro, his tongue flicking out reflexively.
"Oh? One of the Kaguya clan survivors."
Karin shivered and whispered, "He's disgusting… Can he really help Kimimaro?"
Akio didn't even look at her.
"He can hear you. And if you keep talking like that, he might decide to study you."
"…I wouldn't dare, Senior," Orochimaru said smoothly, shooting Karin a chilling glance. "Please, come this way."
Karin's face went pale.
They entered the underground laboratory together. Karin and Haku supported Kimimaro as they followed behind.
They passed through a long stone corridor. Murals lined the walls, depicting a mythic scene—a warrior wielding a divine blade, slaying a massive eight-headed serpent.
Akio paused.
"…The Eight-Headed Serpent."
Orochimaru turned, clearly pleased.
"I discovered it while searching for legendary weapons. An interesting story, don't you think?"
Akio snorted.
"A hero killing a snake? Bold choice, considering your aesthetic."
They reached the lab entrance.
Akio stopped suddenly.
"Haku—wait here."
After a moment's thought, he added,
"Karin, stay with him."
"In a place like this?" Karin whispered, even paler now.
Akio lifted Kimimaro onto his back.
"What are you scared of? You've got a protector."
Karin muttered under her breath. Haku nodded solemnly, as if accepting a mission.
"You're soft," Orochimaru remarked quietly.
"They're children," Akio replied. "And they're good kids."
Orochimaru said nothing more and pushed open the heavy door.
The smell of blood rushed out.
Akio frowned and waved it away.
"Orochimaru, ever heard of ventilation?"
"I assumed someone who lived through the Warring States wouldn't mind the smell."
"Familiar doesn't mean pleasant," Akio said flatly. "And don't expose the kid to it."
Kimimaro, draped over his back, looked oddly serene—almost blissful.
Akio twitched.
"…That's not normal."
"Children raised in Kirigakure are tougher than you think," Orochimaru replied.
He retrieved a vial, golden eyes narrowing.
"I'll need a blood sample."
Akio sighed. That was exactly why he hadn't come sooner.
"Take it. But don't use it for anything else."
The examination took days.
Akio didn't fully understand the process, but Orochimaru worked relentlessly. By the time he finished, Akio had already grown a three-story wooden building nearby just to stay occupied.
Finally, Orochimaru presented his findings.
"It's a genetic defect," he explained. "An abnormal concentration of a specific element in his blood causes progressive muscle degeneration."
Akio scratched his head.
"Even if I had a medical degree, this would still be over my head."
"There's more," Orochimaru continued. "Whenever he activates his kekkei genkai, that concentration spikes dramatically—especially near bone-growth areas."
Akio grimaced.
"So he should avoid using Shikotsumyaku."
Orochimaru nodded.
Akio exhaled heavily.
"Self-discipline can only go so far. And my so-called supplements probably made it worse."
"…You have a solution?" he asked.
"I have two."
Akio froze.
"…You're serious?"
"One," Orochimaru said smoothly, "is giving him a new body."
"Absolutely not."
"Then the second," Orochimaru continued, "involves the ritual we encountered while pursuing that immortal Akatsuki member. The cult."
Akio's eyes widened.
"You recreated that curse technique?"
"So that's what it was," Orochimaru said. "The boy's faith is strong. He might survive."
"He believes in me," Akio said bitterly. "Which means I can't let him turn into a monster."
Silence followed.
Then Akio frowned.
"By the way… did you get rid of Danzō?"
Orochimaru blinked.
"I haven't seen him in years."
"…Then someone else did," Akio muttered.
Orochimaru shrugged, uninterested.
"Will you try Tsunade?"
"She won't help," Akio said. "I'll handle it myself."
He turned sharply.
"Orochimaru. I want copies of everything. Research. Medical techniques. Cellular studies. All of it. I'll pay."
He paused.
"…I refuse to stay incompetent."
April 17
Akio: "Knowledge is power."
April 18
Akio: "No shortcuts. Just grind."
April 19
Akio: "Kimimaro, be patient. Your god needs two more days."
April 20
Akio, staring at hundreds of books:
"…How does this lunatic own so many?"
April 21
Akio:
"Why hasn't my skill unlocked yet—wait, wrong world. I can't just dump points into it."
---
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