The thrill of growing stronger was intoxicating. For Riku, standing at the edge of controlling his own destiny was exhilarating. Yet, amid this rush, a single bitter truth struck him like a dagger: his carefully hoarded free experience points, painstakingly saved over several years, had vanished completely.
Staring at the glaring zero in the last column of his panel, Riku felt an almost physical ache in his chest. "Over ninety thousand points… and they're all gone at once? Do I really have to spend all that time accumulating them again?"
Thinking of his years of frugality and painstaking effort, he grimaced, foreseeing the grueling path ahead. With a deep sigh, Riku quietly accepted the reality.
As he awoke, the oppressive pressure he had previously wielded completely dissipated. Orochimaru, looking slightly disheveled, crawled to his feet and fixed Riku with a gaze that resembled a hungry wolf.
"Hoshimi-kun," Orochimaru said, his voice trembling with curiosity, "it seems something extraordinary has happened to you! Come, allow me to examine you thoroughly."
Riku did not resist. On the contrary, he welcomed the scrutiny. The panel provided information only about his mastered skills and abilities, leaving vast gaps in understanding his physical transformation. With Orochimaru—the Naruto world's foremost scientist—present, Riku saw an opportunity to truly comprehend himself.
True to his fearsome reputation, Orochimaru's biological expertise was unparalleled. Within minutes, he had completed a meticulous analysis, producing a thick report detailing Riku's current physical condition.
Even Orochimaru, accustomed to extraordinary phenomena, was left in awe. Glancing at Riku, a mere six-year-old barely reaching his thigh, he examined the staggering stats in his report.
"Unbelievable… truly unbelievable," Orochimaru muttered. "Such physical data, appearing in a child of your age, Hoshimi-kun… you astound me!"
"Your chakra capacity and physical prowess surpass even the highest Jonin standards. And you are only six years old. Your growth potential is far from fully realized. I can scarcely imagine what you will become at your peak!"
Excitement flickered in Orochimaru's eyes. Even he, usually cold and aloof, could not suppress his fascination.
"Of course, it's not just raw power. After integrating the Hashirama cells, your vitality and recovery have improved dramatically. This… reminds me of an old friend."
A flash of blonde hair crossed his mind. Orochimaru continued, his voice tinged with obsession, "But tell me, have you mastered that power—the Wood Release—that belongs to the god of shinobi?"
Orochimaru gripped Riku's shoulders, leaning close with a mix of gloom and fanatical curiosity. Clearly, the legacy of Senju Hashirama weighed heavily on his mind.
What made Hashirama the strongest of the shinobi? His nearly immortal Sage Body, flawless Sage Ninjutsu, effortless mastery of complex techniques, and vast combat experience. After his death, only the iconic Wood Release remained in legend, seen as the ultimate measure of his power.
Thus, the key criterion for inheriting Hashirama's strength was awakening Wood Release. Yet this was a biased measure. While Wood Release was undeniably potent and capable of restraining Tailed Beasts, not everyone could wield it as Hashirama did. Yamato, for example, could only use it for simple landscaping, far from city-destroying feats.
Though Riku had not yet awakened Wood Release, he had gained significant benefits from the Hashirama cells, including a partial Sage Body—advantages potentially more useful at his current stage. Yet Orochimaru's focus remained singular: Wood Release.
When Riku confirmed he had not awakened it, Orochimaru's expression darkened.
"Did it fail? Even you… failed? Is it true that no one can fully inherit the First Hokage's power?"
Releasing Riku, Orochimaru muttered to himself. "Perhaps the First Hokage's power is beyond replication. These Hashirama cells… extraordinary though they are… cannot reproduce that perfection."
The scientist's disappointment was palpable. Riku, once a high-potential experiment, now seemed a failure. Orochimaru's interest in Hashirama's cells waned. He had hoped to unlock the secret to eternal life, but now he realized the human body's fragility might make that path impossible. Perhaps the soul itself held the key to immortality.
A seed of deeper curiosity about soul immortality quietly took root in Orochimaru's mind.
Riku, noticing the shift in Orochimaru's demeanor, teased lightly, his confidence buoyed by the transformations he had undergone. The fusion with Hashirama cells and the enhancements to his Byakugan had given him courage—and a sense of equality with the infamous scientist.
"Lord Orochimaru seems disappointed. Did the experiment not yield the results you expected? That seems… fragile, not quite like the legendary cool and aloof Orochimaru I know."
Orochimaru's gaze sharpened, his lips curling slightly. Riku's strategy had worked: he had caught Orochimaru's attention.
"Your courage has grown, Hoshimi-kun. Has your newfound power made you arrogant?" Orochimaru asked, eyes glinting.
"Perhaps… but your interest is piqued," Riku replied, holding Orochimaru's gaze steadily.
"Even so, your current strength is only impressive against ordinary shinobi. A 'fragile' me could still defeat you in a few moves. Would you like to test yourself?"
A sliver of killing intent radiated from Orochimaru, subtle yet unmistakable, like a blade scraping the skin. Riku's heartbeat slowed. The true danger of facing a Kage-level veteran, hardened by countless battles, suddenly became terrifyingly real.
"How terrifying… this is Orochimaru's true deterrence," Riku thought, swallowing hard. The gap between them was vast, and his earlier rashness had drawn unnecessary attention.
Yet all was not lost. Riku still had room to maneuver, to learn, and perhaps even turn the situation to his advantage.
Orochimaru's scrutiny continued, analyzing every micro-change in Riku's body. Each enhanced ability, every extraordinary metric, confirmed that this child was unlike any ordinary shinobi.
"Remarkable… your recovery, your vitality, the sheer scale of your chakra. Even without Wood Release, these Hashirama cells have elevated you beyond ordinary limits." Orochimaru muttered, jotting notes furiously.
He had placed his hopes on Riku awakening Wood Release, a direct line to recreating Hashirama's legendary power. Yet even without it, Riku's body was a masterpiece, a living testament to the fusion of science and chakra.
Riku observed Orochimaru with a careful eye, understanding the subtle dance of curiosity and disappointment. Every word, every gesture was a potential lever, a way to manipulate the world's most dangerous scientist.
If one wanted to extract knowledge, resources, or guidance from Orochimaru, one needed patience—and courage. Riku had both, strengthened further by his recent transformation.
As Orochimaru's initial disappointment gave way to renewed interest, Riku considered his next steps. The path ahead was perilous, but the rewards—knowledge, power, survival—were worth the risk.
The tension between them was palpable. One glance, one slip of control, and disaster could strike. Yet beneath the danger lay opportunity. Riku's boldness, tempered by caution, allowed him to navigate the situation with finesse.
For a child of six, standing before a shinobi veteran, Riku's composure was remarkable. The fusion with Hashirama cells and Byakugan transformation had not only enhanced his physical power but also his presence—his ability to command attention and respect.
Orochimaru paused, studying him intently. "Hoshimi-kun… you are unlike any experiment I've encountered. Truly extraordinary."
Riku held the gaze steadily, feeling the surge of strength within him. The thrill of this moment—the knowledge that he had survived, and even impressed, a Kage-level shinobi—was intoxicating.
Yet he knew the journey had only begun. Mastery of his powers, strategic thinking, and careful navigation of dangerous alliances would determine whether he became a legend or merely another failed experiment.
The air between them seemed to hum with possibility. Riku's mind raced, already planning the next steps, the contingencies, and the ways to exploit the situation to his advantage.
Orochimaru finally spoke, his tone a mixture of curiosity and restraint. "Very well… Hoshimi-kun. Your current power is formidable, but there is still much you do not understand. Let us proceed cautiously. There is much I can teach you… if you are willing to learn."
Riku nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. The game had begun, and he was ready to play.
Even in failure, he had gained something far greater: knowledge, insight, and the subtle art of standing on equal footing with one of the most dangerous shinobi in history.
And as the two prepared to continue, the faintest hint of a plan formed in Riku's mind—a plan that could turn this experiment, this failure, into a stepping stone toward unparalleled power.
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