Chapter 47: Departure
The Sand Ninja came fiercely; the Third Kazekage had just gone missing, and then they were attacked by a small elite force led by the Third Raikage.
Although they were repelled by the newly appointed Fourth Kazekage, they were still filled with a belly full of anger.
In addition, Granny Chiyo, the Sand Ninja Elder who was called out, also held a significant grudge against Konoha.
Among those in Konoha capable of leading a response against the Sand Ninja, there were only a few, and Orochimaru was the best choice.
He possessed immense strength, was known as one of the Sannin, and had participated in the Second Ninja World War, where he performed exceptionally well as the deputy commander of the Land of Rain battlefield, causing significant losses for the Sand Ninja.
Having Lord Orochimaru lead the team to the border to confront the Sand Ninja was the best possible choice.
It's just that Lord Orochimaru himself might not have been very willing; he had just bought a pile of research equipment, and his cloning experiments had made some progress.
At this time, to make him go to the front lines to fight? If this wasn't a unanimous recommendation from everyone in Konoha, and a decision approved by the Third Hokage and the Elder Council, Lord Orochimaru would certainly have found a reason to decline and recommend that idiot Jiraiya instead.
"As expected of Lord Orochimaru, to be able to create your own clone embryo using cloning technology in such a short time."
Hyuga Mirai carefully observed the experimental parameters; this held great reference value for his own future experiments.
"This is all thanks to your reminder, Mirai-kun, that I thought of extracting the genetic sequence of hashirama cells for catalytic growth.
This way, the clone will be fully grown in just two years."
A hint of a triumphant smile flashed across Lord Orochimaru's face; being praised by a fellow researcher who understood his experiments was what truly made Lord Orohimaru happy.
Otherwise, if Danzo had seen this experiment, he might have blurted out, 'Lord Orochimaru, why are you researching this? Don't we have the Shadow Clone Technique!'
"Once the clone's body is fully grown, Sealing Jutsu can be used to seal Yin Release Chakra into the clone, essentially creating a truly physical clone.
Moreover, with a little training, it would be equivalent to having an additional Kage-level combat force."
Hyuga Mirai said with considerable envy; although he didn't ask Lord Orochimaru how much money he spent, a quick look around told him that Lord Orochimaru had probably spent all his savings.
Several pieces of equipment were missing; given Lord Orochimaru's personality, he should have followed a perfect procedure for the experiment, but he hadn't bought all the necessary equipment, which suggested he truly ran out of money.
Hyuga Mirai tilted his head and asked, "Lord Orochimaru, you're about to go to the battlefield, what will happen to the research here?"
"I'll let Shin watch over it for now; it's a good opportunity for him to learn some basics."
Lord Orochimaru pondered for a moment before speaking.
If it were any other matter, even an S-rank mission, he would find every possible way to decline; however, the major invasion by the Sand Ninja was something Lord Orochimaru truly could not refuse.
"Originally, I intended to use him to try transplanting hashirama cells, but now with Mirai-kun's guidance, I can have him act as my assistant.
Although as an assistant, Shin is not yet very qualified, he is sufficient for guarding the experimental subjects."
Of the three surviving hashirama cells experimental subjects, Lord Orochimaru planned to take two of them as his subordinates after they fully integrated parts of the hashirama cells' genetic sequence, while the one who awakened the Wood Release Cell Lineage would be given to Danzo.
After all, a large portion of Lord Orochimaru's research funds came from Danzo's support.
Furthermore, the person who awakened the Wood Release Cell Lineage only integrated a partial genetic sequence of hashirama cells and could not replicate the Wood Release that pacified the chaotic world back then, but it was enough to fool an outsider like Danzo.
Perhaps after Danzo saw this Wood Release Cell Lineage again, he might provide Lord Orochimaru with even more research funds.
This was Hyuga Mirai's suggestion to Lord Orochimaru: exchanging the most useless things for the funds he needed.
This is a common tactic used by insiders to exploit outsiders, and it's simply Danzo's lack of culture that prevented him from seeing the true value of the research experiments.
Subsequently, Hyuga Mirai and Lord Orochimaru discussed topics related to genetic research.
Hyuga Mirai even thought of creating a monstrous summoning beast himself, but unfortunately, the only materials he could get his hands on were the great snakes from Ryuchi Cave, and in the Ninja World, the most suitable materials for creating monstrous beings were the Tailed Beasts and the Ten-Tails' husk.
"Materials from Tailed Beasts, you say? Mirai-kun, you always come up with brilliant ideas from time to time.
If you need Tailed Beast materials, I can provide you with some."
Lord Orochimaru chuckled hoarsely.
"I just recently acquired the Eight-Tails' horn, but there hasn't been much progress in researching Tailed Beast cells.
If you want to research them, Mirai-kun, I can give them to you, but—"
Hyuga Mirai smoothly interjected, "I will provide Lord Orochimaru with a complete copy of the experimental parameters.
I'm surprised Lord Orochimaru even managed to get his hands on the Eight-Tails' horn; it truly astounds me."
Lord Orochimaru chuckled, "Compared to Mirai-kun's ideas and knowledge, that is far more astonishing."
The Eight-Tails' horn was not in this laboratory, and Konoha Hospital also lacked the environment to cultivate Eight-Tails cells.
Hyuga Mirai's 'monstrous summoning beast' research plan, although possessing much feasibility, lacked research equipment, a laboratory, and more materials.
'It looks like I'll have to get a large sum of money during the Third Shinobi World War!'
This was a thought that simultaneously crossed both Hyuga Mirai's and Lord Orochimaru's minds.
Research requires massive amounts of funds to sustain; don't let Lord Orochimaru's current apparent prosperity fool you.
If Hyuga Mirai were to ask him for a million, Lord Orochimaru might even change the subject and talk about other things.
The cultivation of that clone embryo required hundreds of thousands in funds to be injected daily.
It was only because Lord Orochimaru had Danzo's support; otherwise, after buying the equipment, he definitely wouldn't have had money for the next step.
Hyuga Mirai felt very satisfied after leaving Lord Orochimaru's place.
Each time, he only needed to provide knowledge to exchange for what he wanted from Lord Orochimaru.
However, from another perspective, Lord Orochimaru also made a huge profit, as knowledge is very difficult to quantify with money, especially when there's a lot of it.
The next day, after checking his ninja tool pouch, Hyuga Mirai left his home and followed the Hyuga Clan towards the Hokage Building.
Subsequently, personnel arrived one after another.
Once everyone was present, Hyuga Mirai counted them; there were about five hundred ninja in the first group heading to Kikyō Castle.
It was fortunate that the street in front of the Hokage Building was very wide, otherwise, so many people wouldn't have been able to stand there.
Standing at the very front was Lord Orochimaru, and behind him were the leaders of each Clan and various Jonin.
After all the personnel had arrived, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Konoha's Elder Council appeared on the Hokage Building immediately, delivering a long and morale-boosting speech to the ninja who were about to depart for the front lines.
"Wherever leaves flutter, there will be fire..