"Lord Orochimaru, I think you've misunderstood me. That's not what I meant!"
Even when facing a man as dangerous as Orochimaru, Riku kept his composure. He understood that strength wasn't just about power—it was about surviving.
"I believe, Lord Orochimaru, that it's too early for you to call this experiment a failure. In fact, I think I've successfully inherited the power hidden within the Hashirama cells!"
He lifted his head proudly, waiting for the inevitable skepticism that would follow.
As expected, Orochimaru sneered. "Brat, you seem to misunderstand the true power contained in Hashirama's cells. All you've done is gain a little chakra and physical enhancement. Without awakening Wood Release, it's nothing more than a defective imitation—a failure!"
Riku's lips curved slightly.
He wasn't afraid of Orochimaru's ridicule; what he feared was being ignored.
He had already anticipated this reaction. Calmly, he replied, "Lord Orochimaru, I think the flaw lies not in me—but in your experimental method."
"Oh?" Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed. "And what problem would that be?"
"Tell me, Lord Orochimaru—how do you think the First Hokage awakened Wood Release? Was he born with it? That seems impossible. I've read his biography. The First Hokage became invincible in the ninja world step by step—through training, battle, and perseverance.
"So, I believe the Wood Release was a Kekkei Genkai he awakened only after reaching the peak of his life's power. It was the culmination of all his growth!"
Orochimaru frowned, his patience thinning. "Brat, what are you getting at?"
Riku's eyes gleamed with a calculating light. "I'm saying, Lord Orochimaru, that the full power of Wood Release—the might that defined the First Hokage—couldn't possibly be contained within a single vial of cells.
"If I haven't awakened that power yet, it's because I lack a sufficient quantity of Hashirama cells—or perhaps the ones in my body aren't pure enough!"
He spoke without hesitation. While his words were mostly fabricated, they weren't completely baseless. Scientifically speaking, it was possible.
Orochimaru was no fool. As the foremost scientist in the ninja world, his expertise far surpassed Riku's. He could easily see the flaws in the boy's reasoning—but he also couldn't entirely dismiss it. There was some logic in it, however small.
Could it be that the fusion rate was too low? That the purity of the cells was insufficient, preventing the Wood Release from manifesting?
Orochimaru's thoughts raced. If that's true, then I'll need to perform several more fusion experiments on this boy. But my stock of near-original Hashirama cells is limited… I might have to cultivate new ones myself.
His mind was already dissecting the possibilities, piece by piece. And slowly, Riku's words began to sway him. Orochimaru was not one to abandon an experiment until failure was absolute.
Finally, after a long silence, he spoke, his expression unreadable. "Riku, you've said a great deal. What exactly is your goal here? Don't tell me you simply admire me and wish to ease my burdens?"
"Of course not," Riku replied without flinching. "I'm doing this for myself. Lord Orochimaru, you know I'm just a member of the Hyuga Branch Family, right? If I rely only on myself, I'll never be free. That's why I need power—extraordinary power—to change my fate."
He clenched his fists, his voice trembling slightly—not with fear, but with conviction. "The First Hokage's Wood Release—that's what I'm after.
"If I truly awaken that power, do you think the village will still dare to keep the cursed Caged Bird Seal on my forehead?"
His eyes burned with a desperate light, a madness born of obsession. Orochimaru, who delighted in such ambition, watched him with thinly veiled amusement.
A moment later, the Sannin began to laugh—softly at first, then louder, echoing through the lab. "Interesting… truly interesting! You are the most fascinating Hyuga I've ever met, Riku. You've succeeded!"
He leaned closer, eyes gleaming with predatory curiosity. "I'll continue the Hashirama cell fusion experiment on you. Let's see whether your theory proves right."
He paused, his grin widening. "Next time, when I've cultivated new Hashirama cells, you'll undergo fusion again—with twice the cell concentration. Think you can handle that?"
Riku met his gaze without fear. "Rest assured, Lord Orochimaru. I will endure. And when this ends, we'll both be satisfied with the result."
At that moment, two cunning minds—one seasoned, one young—shared a mutual understanding. Both smiled, each believing he had deceived the other.
But was Orochimaru truly fooled by Riku's performance?
Of course not. Orochimaru was one of the most brilliant and dangerous minds in the entire ninja world. He had seen countless manipulative men and women, and his cunning ran deeper than most could comprehend.
Still, he chose to play along. Why? Because Riku had shown value.
In Orochimaru's eyes, the boy was no longer a disposable test subject. He had become something more—a rare, adaptable specimen capable of pushing the Hashirama cell experiment toward perfection.
And that difference in "value" changed everything.
Riku understood it as well, which was why he dared to bargain. Orochimaru understood it too, which was why he decided to "reward" him.
In the adult world, right and wrong mean nothing. In the ninja world, only interest holds weight.
Of course, that doesn't include those idealistic fools who prattle on about bonds and friendship. For a true ninja like Orochimaru, self-interest was the only law.
Their exchange hadn't gone unnoticed. Several people in the laboratory had heard every word. Orochimaru, of course, knew this—but he hadn't forgotten. He had allowed it.
Because from the moment Riku survived, the fate of the others in the lab was already sealed.
"To ensure the next stage of experimentation proceeds without incident," Orochimaru said softly, his voice dripping with malice, "I should clear away some unnecessary obstacles."
A chilling killing intent spread through the air. This time, however, it wasn't directed at Riku—it was aimed at the other researchers in the lab.
Among them were spies sent by Konoha's higher-ups, and the moment they felt that suffocating pressure, their expressions twisted in panic.
Even fools could see what was coming.
Some of the researchers—those who had been acting strangely for a while—dropped their disguises entirely. Their eyes met, and in that instant, a silent understanding passed between them.
"Run!" one of them shouted. "We have to get the data out—now!"
It was an act of defiance, a desperate gamble. But in Orochimaru's eyes, it was also an unforgivable insult.
He sighed, disappointed. "So even trash like you think you can escape from me? How utterly naïve."
His eyes gleamed with a cold amusement. "It seems my achievements have been completely underestimated. To think that insects like you believe you can slip through my fingers…"
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Tsk, tsk, tsk… what a failure."
Before anyone could react, his form blurred—a streak of shadow and motion.
A wet sound echoed. One of the fleeing spies froze, eyes wide in disbelief, before his body collapsed to the floor, lifeless. The stench of blood quickly filled the lab.
Screams erupted, followed by frantic scrambling as the remaining spies scattered in panic. But it was futile. Against Orochimaru, there was no escape.
Riku watched in silence. His heartbeat quickened, yet his face remained calm. He knew better than to interfere—or to show pity. In Orochimaru's domain, mercy was weakness.
Moments later, the cries faded, replaced by the eerie dripping of blood onto the cold stone floor.
Orochimaru straightened, brushing his hands together as if wiping off dust. His golden eyes turned to Riku once more, filled with a strange mixture of approval and curiosity.
"Now, Riku," he said smoothly, "with the unnecessary distractions removed, you and I can focus on what truly matters."
Riku nodded. "Yes, Lord Orochimaru."
Inside, his mind was racing. Every word, every action, every expression had to be precise. He was walking a tightrope between opportunity and death.
But this was exactly what he wanted.
Because as long as he remained useful, Orochimaru wouldn't discard him.
And as long as he lived, Riku would find a way to break free—from Orochimaru, from the Hyuga Clan, from everything that bound him.
Orochimaru's laughter echoed through the underground chamber once more, sinister and filled with promise.
Riku stood amidst the blood-stained laboratory, his eyes unwavering.
He had faced the serpent and survived.
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