"Tsk."
Ren touched his forehead, looking somewhat helpless as he watched Orochimaru, who had a disdainful expression.
"Actually, you're both not wrong in this matter; you just misunderstood each other's intentions."
From Hiruzen Sarutobi's perspective, Orochimaru's unrestrained research would inevitably lead him down a dark path, which is why he tightened control.
However, from Orochimaru's perspective, Hiruzen Sarutobi's actions were hindering his exploration of the world's truths, which led to their relationship constantly deteriorating.
In fact, if only the two had sat down to talk, the matter might have been perfectly resolved, but until Orochimaru's defection, neither of them managed to convince the other.
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Orochimaru came back to his senses, a thoughtful look appearing in his snake-like eyes as he mused.
"Ren-kun, please share your insights."
"You don't really think the Old Man opposes your human experiments because of some so-called 'forbidden research,' do you?"
Ren walked to the experimental table, looked at the Ninja wearing a Kumogakure forehead protector on it, and said in a deep voice.
"The main reason he opposes you is because you crossed a line."
Human experimentation is inherently a dark subject, but Orochimaru was indifferent to it. Exposing it to the light would inevitably cause chaos.
But none of that was the most important thing. The most crucial reason was that Orochimaru had touched a bottom line that no one could tolerate.
"It's fine if you use spies who infiltrated or bandits from some remote place outside; the most important thing is..."
At this point, Ren paused, then looked at the other party, who was frozen in place, before continuing.
"You shouldn't lay hands on your own people."
Which Ninja Village doesn't conduct related forbidden experiments in secret? Hiruzen Sarutobi, who is currently in his prime, isn't senile; how could he force Orochimaru to defect over such a matter?
But if it's Konoha civilians or Konoha Ninja, then that's a different story.
Years ago, Orochimaru had used the data provided by Danzo and Hashirama's cells to experiment on a group of infants. Most of them died as failures, with only Yamato successfully fusing with Hashirama's cells, allowing him to use Wood Release. He was then taken away by Danzo to be trained.
After Ren killed Danzo last time, Root became leaderless, and all Root members were taken in by Anbu. When Hiruzen Sarutobi discovered Yamato, he took him in and began training him.
Coming back to the point, what Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others cared about was undoubtedly this matter, but Orochimaru didn't pay much attention to it, or rather, he noticed it but didn't care.
In Orochimaru's eyes, as long as it was a person, whether they were a Ninja or a civilian, they were merely experimental subjects to him.
"What an absurd reason..."
Orochimaru, having come to his senses, tilted his head back, his hoarse voice carrying a hint of mockery.
He truly hadn't expected that the conflict between him and his teacher was due to such a simple reason.
"It is quite absurd."
Ren spread his hands and nodded.
"I think if we don't do something soon, things will get very bad, and that's a consequence none of us want to see."
Both Ren and Minato hoped that this master-disciple duo could reconcile, but Minato wasn't aware of the conflict between them. Moreover, with Kushina about to give birth and the heavy workload of the Hokage, he currently had no time to attend to these matters and could only deal with them once he was free later.
However, Ren didn't want to drag it out. This matter had to be dealt with sooner or later, and he didn't want to see the Ninja World's top scientist forced to defect.
"It's just experimental materials; there are plenty of those."
Ren walked to the side, pointed at the Ninja World map on the wall, and smiled.
"If you need ordinary people, there are countless bandits who burn, kill, and loot. If you need Ninja, you can just buy them from the underground black market or bounty stations. In short, it's one sentence."
Ren folded his arms across his chest and said with a grand air.
"You just focus on your experiments; you don't need to worry about materials or money at all. I'll go negotiate with the Village. Whatever you need, they'll give. If they don't, I'll take the Anbu and snatch it for you from outside. Everything revolves around scientific development, after all..."
Ren looked at the other party and stated with conviction.
"The power of science is infinite!"
What good is it if a Ninja is strong? Without technology, how can a mortal body contend with the gods high above?
The development and innovation of technology are essential. Ren couldn't just stand by and watch a talent like Orochimaru leave Konoha to establish his own faction.
The value of this man surpassed that of a thousand armies.
"Is that what you think, Ren-kun...?"
Orochimaru's expression was complex. He truly hadn't expected Ren to have such high regard for science.
He could feel that what the other party had just said was genuine; the understanding and attitude towards science in his words could not be faked.
"So you just focus on your research. I'll handle the Village and the Old Man.
You just need to remember what I just said."
After speaking, Ren stretched, turned, and walked out, waving his hand.
"Well, I'm off for now. I still need to mooch a meal at the Old Man's place. You should go out more when you're free, get some sun to supplement your vitamins. See you, Orochimaru."
Huh?
Hearing the unfamiliar address, Orochimaru was first startled, then raised an eyebrow after realizing, holding up the scroll Ren had given him, a hint of a smile in his eyes.
Orochimaru, huh? So I'm already at that age.
...
"Ding-dong!"
Hearing the doorbell ring, Hiruzen Sarutobi Biwako, who was chopping vegetables in the kitchen, looked up and shouted as she walked out.
"Coming!"
Biwako quickly walked to the door and opened it, then saw Ren standing at the entrance, holding a gift box.
Seeing the door open, Ren bowed slightly and said with a smile.
"I'm here to bother you again, Grandma Biwako."
"It's Ren."
Biwako immediately beamed with joy. She raised her hand to pat Ren's head, pulling him inside while continuously saying.
"Hiruzen said you were coming to visit this afternoon. I've prepared several dishes; eat plenty later."
To this, Ren responded with a cheerful laugh.
"Alrighty."
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper, also looked up upon hearing the commotion, meeting Ren's gaze as he looked over.
"Old Man, reading the paper?"
Compared to Biwako, Ren was much more casual with Hiruzen Sarutobi. He took a few quick steps to the table and sat down, looking at the other party with a happy expression.
"You two chat; the food will be ready soon."
Biwako said with a smile, then turned and walked back to the kitchen. Soon, the sound of the stove being lit and dishes being cooked could be heard.
Before long, the aroma wafted out through the door crack, filling the house with the faint scent of home-cooked food.