Orochimaru opened with a blunt question that left Shindai trembling uncontrollably, his limbs refusing to obey him.
Seeing Shindai shaking like that, Orochimaru couldn't help but lift an eyebrow and said, "Looks like you're really afraid of me. What? Worried I might kill you?"
Shindai stuttered nervously, "N-no, not at all! I, I just know a little—truly only a tiny bit! There's absolutely no need to silence me, right? Orochimaru-sama! In all of Konoha... No! In the entire ninja world, there's no one tighter-lipped than me!"
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. "No one has tighter lips than you? Yet even though we've barely interacted, I already know nearly everything about your comrades through you. Kakashi Hatake is a quiet flirt, Obito Uchiha is an idiot, and Rin Nohara is a follower."
"Oh right," he continued, "Minato Namikaze is whipped and enjoys being passive. He got his first kiss forced on him when Kushina Uzumaki grabbed his collar, am I right?"
Shindai's face went stiff.
Did he really say those things?
Hmm… maybe he did?
Shindai tried to defend himself. "That, that was just trivial stuff! As for important matters, my mouth is extremely tight. Look, Orochimaru-sama, I know so much about you, yet I haven't said a single word about it, right?"
Orochimaru stared at Shindai with a half-smiling expression. "Earlier, you said you knew only a little about me, but now you claim to know so much. Shindai, it looks like you know quite a lot indeed."
Shindai really wanted to slap himself hard.
In fact, he actually gave himself a light slap—but it was more like a gentle caress than any real punishment.
Orochimaru tapped the table lightly with his knuckles and said, "Alright, I can promise you won't be killed by me. Actually, I don't want to kill you at all because your talent for scientific research is truly remarkable. I respect talent—you're very rare in this ninja world when it comes to such gifts."
"But," he added, "I hope you'll tell me what you truly think inside. If you keep joking around like before, then I can't guarantee this promise."
Shindai's facial expressions kept shifting.
After a short while, he looked up at Orochimaru and asked, "What if… what I say isn't something you'd like to hear, Orochimaru-sama?"
Orochimaru replied, "I've said it already—as long as it's your true thoughts, then my promise stands. Even if we cannot walk the same path afterward, so long as you don't leak anything, my promise remains valid."
Shindai remained silent for a moment longer before suggesting to Orochimaru, "Orochimaru-sama, then let me dig out what I really think!"
Orochimaru became slightly intrigued. "Oh? Then go ahead."
Looking straight at Orochimaru, Shindai asked, "Orochimaru-sama, do you believe science has a moral dimension?"
Shindai nodded and said, "Certainly, science lacks morality, but humans possess it. Our research always has a strong sense of purpose behind it. For example, my puppets are created to assist me in battle. Since humans inherently have moral awareness, I believe scientific research should also reflect those moral qualities."
Orochimaru's expression grew slightly more serious as he replied, "However, ethics can restrict scientific research and limit creativity. In the short term, some actions might seem immoral, but in the long run, they could bring tremendous benefits."
Shindai countered, "Pursuing breakthroughs too aggressively while ignoring ethical considerations may lead to disastrous consequences—and it still imposes serious constraints. Don't you think, Orochimaru-sama, that your desire to keep your research secret stems from fear of being found out and shut down?"
"In my view, Orochimaru-sama, science and ethics aren't opposites—they promote and complement each other."
"Now tell me, what exactly is the purpose of your scientific research? Is it for yourself, for the village, or for the entire ninja world? Whatever your reason, conducting it secretly will inevitably tie your hands and limit your creative potential."
"I believe you could focus entirely on your work if only you had public support."
"For instance, the research you're doing now could be conducted far more openly—by recruiting volunteers willing to participate in human experiments while ensuring their safety. Yes, the process would be a bit more cumbersome, but it could resolve many issues."
"Yet instead, you've pursued none of these alternatives. You simply perform experiments alone in silence, seemingly abandoning all ethical considerations. Sometimes, I feel you're not truly a scientific researcher..."
Orochimaru stared at Shindai and asked, "What do you think I am?"
Meeting Orochimaru's gaze calmly, Shindai replied, "I think you're more like...a solitary and obsessive seeker of truth."
Orochimaru silently continued staring at Shindai.
Shindai continued, "That's just my personal opinion. I believe deep down, you're not genuinely a cold-hearted person—I've sensed this through our months of interaction."
"Therefore, conducting research within an ethical framework is entirely possible. Performing experiments without endangering others' lives would make things much easier for everyone to accept, wouldn't it?"
"I believe with this approach, Hokage-sama and the others will definitely support Orochimaru-sama's research. After all, one person's stamina is ultimately limited. Even if that person possesses infinite life, having everyone's support would make things much easier. It might even bring together different perspectives that could greatly benefit the research."
Orochimaru stared at Shindai and asked, "Are you trying to persuade me?"
Scratching his head, Shindai replied, "Ah? Not exactly persuasion, I guess... Well, maybe a little. You've taught me so much, Orochimaru-sama. I really want to keep learning from you and gaining knowledge. By the way, Orochimaru-sama, do you want to become Hokage?"
"Why are you suddenly asking this question?" Orochimaru asked in confusion.
Shindai chuckled uncomfortably. "Just curious, really. Because it seems like many people in Konoha think you'll become the next Hokage."
Recalling what he knew, Shindai remembered how the conflict between Orochimaru and Hiruzen Sarutobi supposedly began—because the position of Hokage wasn't given to Orochimaru, but instead went to Minato Namikaze. They claimed Orochimaru's eyes concealed evil intentions and ambition, making him unfit for such an important responsibility. That decision was what caused Orochimaru to resent Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Shindai wanted to help Minato Namikaze secretly gather some information—to see whether Orochimaru still had intentions of becoming Hokage now.
If Orochimaru no longer pursued that path, perhaps Minato Namikaze could try reducing his competition.
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