Before Simu and the others had even officially entered the base, Pain had already sensed the massive Tailed Beast chakra within Gaara.
"Is this the One-Tail Jinchuriki?"
As Pain reached out his hand, a gravitational force descended upon Gaara, causing him to levitate directly into the air. Although he could sense that the One-Tail's current chakra levels seemed a bit low, Pain did not mind. Furthermore, this was something he and Simu had agreed upon before their cooperation began. Simu had the right to carve out a portion of any captured Tailed Beast to use for research and experiments.
What he didn't realize was that even a portion of the One-Tail's soul had been cut away. Regardless, this would not interfere with Pain's ultimate goal.
Pain performed a simple inspection of the One-Tail inside Gaara and then spoke, "Since we have captured the One-Tail Jinchuriki, we will begin the sealing process in seven days to avoid any unnecessary complications."
"This is the Sealing Jutsu required in seven days. I will need everyone's assistance then."
After Pain spoke, Konan handed out prepared scrolls to everyone. Even the intern Tobi received a copy.
"I get one too, Leader?"
The intern Tobi appeared quite jubilant. Pain felt somewhat speechless, but to avoid exposing Tobi's true identity, he could only play along.
"To activate this Sealing Jutsu, we need a total of ten 'Akatsuki' level powerhouses. You are just there to make up the numbers for now."
"So in the Leader's heart, I'm just a seat-filler?" Tobi said, sounding heartbroken.
This time Pain ignored him. He simply uttered a cold "Disperse" and vanished from the spot.
After the meeting ended, Simu naturally prepared to return to his laboratory at the headquarters. Although as an Akatsuki member he had his own room at the base—and a large one at that—Simu never stayed there. Every time he was at the headquarters, he essentially ate and slept inside the laboratory.
As for occasionally wanting to see the outside scenery or the simple people of the Land of Rain, he only needed to switch his vision to his insects. He could easily see not just the daily lives of people, but even the most private things.
However, just as he was about to lead Sasori and Hidan back to the lab, a cold voice called out to him. It was Orochimaru.
"I heard that Simu-kun has a laboratory here. I wonder if you could take me to have a look?"
Orochimaru made no effort to hide his covetousness toward Simu's research results. Nevertheless, Simu was not a stingy creature. Since he had "borrowed" from Orochimaru's labs a few times before, letting him see this one wasn't a big deal. Conversely, he wouldn't keep any critical test subjects in a laboratory right under Nagato's nose anyway.
"You are very welcome. If I could receive some guidance from you, Mr. Orochimaru, it might be a great help to my experiments."
Simu's words were not entirely polite small talk. After all, Orochimaru's reincarnation techniques were quite interesting. At the very least, Simu was quite interested in the knowledge regarding soul transfer contained within them. If he could achieve that, he might not be limited to a single main body. By then, every clone could be his true self.
"Then I shall trouble you, Simu-kun."
Sasori shot a glance at Orochimaru. The aura surrounding this man was not to his liking. Since Senior Simu had agreed to the visit, Sasori said nothing and followed behind Simu toward the lab.
Upon entering the laboratory, a thick scent of blood flooded into Orochimaru's nostrils. Even Orochimaru, who was accustomed to various experiments, found it difficult to adapt.
Just how many people did this guy kill for his experiments...
Orochimaru thought to himself while looking at Simu's back. Immediately after, he saw a massive Blood Pool where countless experimental subjects were floating.
Besides the Blood Pool, there were a large number of test tubes on both sides. Each tube contained various types of experimental subjects. There were giant versions of different insects and various sewn-together creatures, such as a gnoll with bat wings, a giant snake with three heads, and a female harpy with a human body and eagle wings.
This sight completely stunned Orochimaru, the biological technology expert. This guy's biological tech was far more advanced than his own. Everywhere he looked, there were new types of organisms he had never seen before.
Although most were failed products, Orochimaru could see as a fellow scientist that many of these subjects were mature. Their combat strength would likely be quite impressive. If this technology could be applied to the human body, it might greatly enhance human physical functions.
Thinking of this, Orochimaru's gaze suddenly grew feverish. Simu's attainments in biotechnology were quite unexpected. He narrowed his eyes and looked at Simu.
"I am very curious to know Simu-kun's perspective on life."
"Hmm? My perspective on life?"
Simu was somewhat surprised that Orochimaru would ask such a question. However, this didn't seem like something worth agonizing over. He pushed up his glasses and answered truthfully.
"In my view, the meaning of life lies in the pursuit of the truths of this world. Only by constantly approaching the truth does life have meaning."
At this, Orochimaru asked again, "But don't you think, Simu-kun, that the path for humans to pursue truth is far too difficult?"
He spread his hands and continued, "On the human path to truth, there are not only various temptations to distract them, but they can fall into the abyss of seeking pleasure if they aren't careful. Even if you can maintain a heart that pursues truth, you will eventually become powerless as time passes. So many people cannot even touch the truth you speak of before they die of old age."
Simu smiled. Combined with their earlier clash, he finally understood the specific fear within Orochimaru's heart.
Time.
Exactly. For someone like Orochimaru who was dedicated to pursuing truth, time was the most terrifying enemy. No matter how firm their resolve, they could not withstand the washing of time. They would inevitably be submerged in the vast river of history, unable to touch the so-called truth in their entire lives.
"So, is this why Mr. Orochimaru developed the Living Corpse Reincarnation?"
Orochimaru did not deny it, nodding directly to confirm Simu's guess. Simu merely smiled faintly.
"That is why I have always felt that the limitations of being human are too great. To break free from these shackles, the best way is to discard one's human identity. Only by casting aside the status of a human can one obtain more time to study this world and explore the truths of the universe."
At this point, Simu took off his glasses and met Orochimaru's eyes.
"Just like the saying goes..."
"Only my Lord is eternal."