" Oh?"
After hearing Orochimaru's words, Yuzuru raised an eyebrow slightly. "What do you mean?"
Orochimaru clapped his hands, and two "people" walked in.
Yuzuru glanced at them and quickly realized that calling them human would be a stretch. They were closer to monsters.
Their skin was deathly pale, like White Zetsu, and their eyes were hollow and lifeless. It was obvious they were products created in Orochimaru's laboratory.
Noticing Yuzuru's puzzled gaze, Orochimaru smiled and explained, "Yuzuru-kun, these two are artificial humans I created by combining the cells of White Zetsu, Shin, and Kinoe."
"I wonder if you still remember—Shin was the child whose body never rejected any transplant, while Kinoe was the only survivor from the human experiments I conducted with Shimura Danzo using Hashirama's cells."
After briefly explaining, Orochimaru continued, "By combining the cells of these three, I created these artificial humans."
"They are obedient enough and can use the Wood Release bloodline limit."
"Although they can't reach the level of Hashirama Senju, they are comparable to Kinoe."
"If we let them use Wood Release to help transform the environment of the Land of Wind, what do you think, Yuzuru-kun?"
After listening, a trace of delight appeared on Yuzuru's face.
The greatest advantage of artificial humans was that they could be mass-produced.
With this technology, no matter how vast the desert of the Land of Wind was, there would eventually come a day when it could be fully transformed.
Most importantly… they required no wages, no benefits. As long as their basic survival needs were met, they could keep working indefinitely.
They were simply too useful.
After a moment of thought, Yuzuru smiled and asked, "Orochimaru, how fast can these artificial humans be produced?"
Orochimaru immediately replied, "If we expand production, we can produce over three thousand per year."
"Not bad."
"And that's not all~" Orochimaru blinked playfully. "Using White Zetsu and Shin's cells as a base, by combining different types of cells, we can give these artificial humans different abilities."
"Although mass-produced units like these don't have the intelligence for combat, they're excellent for heavy labor."
Yuzuru's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
If things were truly as Orochimaru said, then within ten years, these artificial humans could replace most human labor.
After all, production capacity would only continue to grow over time.
Of course, to preserve the livelihoods of ordinary people in the ninja world, they couldn't use these artificial humans recklessly.
But once interstellar migration became possible in the future, these artificial humans would become incredibly valuable.
If the Ōtsutsuki clan could plunder resources from planets across the universe, then it meant that habitable worlds certainly existed beyond this one.
"Orochimaru, you've done well. If we continue at this pace, we will eventually begin exploring the universe."
"Compared to the vast cosmos, our ninja world is nothing more than a grain of sand in a desert, a lone boat drifting in the sea."
"There are too many things waiting for us to study and discover. You must walk this path with me."
Hearing Yuzuru's vision, Orochimaru grew more and more excited.
His greatest passion was the pursuit of truth.
If the universe was truly as vast and magnificent as Yuzuru described, then the future would surely be fascinating.
With renewed enthusiasm, Orochimaru said, "Yuzuru-kun, I'll do my best!"
"Hic~"
————
————
Land of Earth.
Iwagakure.
The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, was handling documents in his office when a young girl suddenly pushed the door open and ran in.
Onoki frowned slightly, but when he saw who it was, his expression softened with affection.
"Kurotsuchi, what brings you here?"
Kurotsuchi puffed her cheeks, looking aggrieved. "Grandpa, is there still no news about Father?"
"What will it take for Konoha to let him return?"
Hearing this, Onoki's smile stiffened, and he couldn't help but sigh.
"Kurotsuchi, this isn't something I can decide."
"I've written to Konoha many times, but they've never replied."
"All I can tell you is that Kitsuchi is still alive. As for why Konoha won't release him… I don't know."
Kurotsuchi raised her voice, "If Konoha refuses to release him, are we just going to wait forever?"
"You always wanted to defeat Konoha before—why won't you fight now?"
Seeing the tears in her eyes, Onoki's expression turned heavy.
"Kurotsuchi, things aren't as simple as you think."
If this had been a few years ago, he might have been willing to clash with Konoha.
But the battle in the Land of Birds had left a lasting shadow in his heart.
The enemy had lost just over five hundred men, while they had suffered more than ten thousand casualties.
That kind of loss ratio…
He should be grateful Yuzuru hadn't led forces to attack him. How could he possibly take the initiative to attack Konoha?
"Hmph, Grandpa is the worst!"
After saying that, Kurotsuchi turned and ran out of the office.
Watching her leave, Onoki shook his head helplessly.
Forget it. I'll send another letter to Konoha.
But if they're planning to make outrageous demands, then he would have no choice but to put righteousness above family.
————
————
On a barren mountain more than ten miles outside Iwagakure stood a temple.
It had long been abandoned, with most of it in ruins.
Only the main hall remained intact.
Kurotsuchi rushed inside and shouted, "Big brother!"
A blond man with a ponytail looked up, excitement flashing in his eyes. "Kurotsuchi, come take a look at my new artwork!"
Kurotsuchi ran up to Deidara and said directly, "Big brother, can you take me to Konoha?"
Deidara frowned. "Why do you want to go to Konoha?"
"To gather information about Father, of course."
"Grandpa is the Tsuchikage. He has to prioritize the village. I can't just sit around and wait."
Deidara waved his hand dismissively. "Not interested. And I suggest you don't go either. Konoha is too dangerous."
Kurotsuchi snorted. "What? Are you scared?"
Without even looking up, Deidara replied, "Yeah, I'm scared. Now stop bothering me."
Looking at the centipede-shaped explosive clay in his hands, Kurotsuchi's eyes flickered.
She said deliberately, "Wow, big brother, what you're making now is really amazing. Just like you said—it's art!"
Hearing this, Deidara immediately looked up, excited. "Kurotsuchi, you recognize my art now?"
Kurotsuchi nodded vigorously, then sighed. "But my recognition doesn't matter. I'm just a little girl."
"If your art could be recognized by some important figure, maybe it could become a trend that shocks the entire ninja world!"