A figure detached itself from the wall's shadow. "Sss… It's been a while, Qianyu-kun. You've grown stronger."
Orochimaru stood before him, a familiar, unnerving smile playing on his lips.
Ugh. What does he want now?
Qianyu was always extremely wary of dangerous, unpredictable people like Orochimaru. They operated on whims. All smiles one second, a blade in your gut the next. Impossible to guard against completely.
"Long time no see, Orochimaru-sama. You flatter me." Qianyu offered a polite, practiced smile. "To what do I owe the visit?"
"Straight to the point then, Qianyu-kun." Orochimaru cut to the chase. "I've hit a wall in my current research. I believe you might be of assistance."
Help you? Help you turn me into experimental material?
Qianyu opened his mouth to refuse. Orochimaru seemed to read his mind. He spread his hands, preempting him. "Qianyu-kun, should you agree to help—regardless of the outcome—I will offer you a reward you cannot refuse."
"Oh?" Qianyu's eyebrow arched. He adopted an earnest, slightly foolish grin. "Orochimaru-sama, you're too kind. Helping you is its own reward. Though… what kind of reward did you have in mind?"
Orochimaru's smile widened. He mouthed a single word, silent but clear.
Forbidden Jutsu.
…
A hidden laboratory, deep in the woods outside Konoha.
In the end, Qianyu's resistance crumbled. The temptation of a Forbidden Jutsu was too great. He followed Orochimaru, needing to see if this so-called "help" was legitimate.
"Qianyu-kun, behold. My latest achievement." Orochimaru gestured proudly to the slab before them.
"That's…!" Qianyu's eyes widened, then narrowed. On the slab lay a lump of formless, greyish-white matter. His face paled. "The Chimera Technique! You… you let Hiruko escape?!"
Orochimaru blinked. Then, understanding dawned. He stared at Qianyu, genuine shock in his gaze. "You wrote that letter?"
Silence. They looked at each other as if seeing one another for the first time.
A moment later, Orochimaru gripped Qianyu's shoulders. A spark of near-religious fervor ignited in his eyes. "Qianyu-kun! I knew it! We are the same! Souls who will grasp for truth with any means necessary!"
Qianyu's accidental confession had bridged a chasm. Orochimaru pulled him to the slab, pointing at a specific sample. "Look. Cells from the First Hokage. Power beyond imagination resides within."
"But transplant them, and the rejection is catastrophic. Even a descendant of his bloodline struggles to contain it." Orochimaru spoke freely. Most of this research had the Sandaime's silent approval.
"So, I thought to use the fusion principles of the Chimera Technique to assimilate Hashirama's cells first, then transplant the composite. The results are still… lacking. Do you have any insights?"
He looked at Qianyu with naked expectation. From the moment Qianyu first mentioned "rejection theory," Orochimaru had been captivated. He knew this boy could refine the process.
"Speak freely, Qianyu-kun. No need for restraint." Sensing hesitation, Orochimaru added the sweetener. "Any idea that provides a meaningful breakthrough, and you may take one Forbidden Jutsu with you when you leave."
"Well… if Lord Orochimaru insists." Qianyu pretended to ponder, then nodded slowly.
The offer was simply too good. Fine. He'd give Orochimaru a little taste of shock from a nine-year compulsory education system.
As a former med student, if nothing else, his biomedical knowledge was solid.
[Ding! You have used the 'High School Biology Knowledge Sphere.' A wild 'Orochimaru' has been caught!]
"…"
Time lost meaning. Qianyu finally stopped talking. Orochimaru stood frozen, utterly entranced by the vast, systematic biological framework Qianyu had just painted in the air.
"Qianyu-kun? Why did you stop? Continue!" Having digested the latest morsel, Orochimaru's composure shattered. This was the first time the ever-calm, serpentine man had shown such impatience.
Damn it! He was just getting to the good part, the crucial connection, and this little brat had the audacity to stop? Orochimaru felt the intellectual equivalent of blue balls. It was maddening!
"Ahem. Lord Orochimaru, I know you're eager. But first, patience." Facing the ravenous look, Qianyu coughed tactically. He rubbed his thumb and forefinger together. A universal gesture.
"What I just shared… it sparked some ideas, yes? So, about that…?"
Orochimaru got it immediately. He turned without a word and fetched a stack of scrolls—copies from the Scroll of Seals.
Some ideas? Qianyu's lecture hadn't just sparked ideas. It had blasted open the gates to a new world. He'd sell his own scales to hear more!
"Qianyu-kun. Each scroll has a basic description of the forbidden technique it holds. Choose one that interests you!" Orochimaru placed the stack on the slab between them, his tone generous.
They were free copies anyway. Giving one away meant nothing. If not for the risk of killing Qianyu's motivation, he'd hand them all over right now. The knowledge in that boy's head was the true priceless treasure.
"Hmm, let me see…" Qianyu nodded, satisfied. He picked up the scrolls one by one. Protective seals on each allowed only a glimpse of the contents—name and a bare-bones summary.
After a theatrical perusal, he narrowed it down to three:
The Uchiha's Delight – Flying Thunder God Technique.
The Hinata's Delight – Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu.
The Madara's Delight – Impure World Reincarnation (Edo Tensei).
The Flying Thunder God Technique would boost his mobility to insane levels. Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu would perfectly leverage his monstrous chakra reserves.
And Impure World Reincarnation? That one spoke for itself. The next time Danzō Shimura stuck his nose out of his hole, Qianyu would reanimate Tobirama Senju and have him deliver two solid slaps to that old fossil's face.
"In that case, I'll choose this one, Lord Orochimaru." After some internal debate, Qianyu made his choice. The Impure World Reincarnation (Edo Tensei). For no other reason than the sheer, visceral satisfaction of picturing Danzō getting slapped.
The other two? He'd just have to "pause" his lectures for Orochimaru a couple more times. They'd be his soon enough.
"Oh? The Impure World Reincarnation?" Orochimaru's expression didn't flicker. He nodded thoughtfully. Even Qianyu-kun sees its limitless potential. I must dedicate more effort to mastering this technique…
"By the way, Qianyu-kun." Orochimaru's gaze burned into him, probing. "The knowledge you just shared… did you conceive it all yourself?"
Qianyu shook his head, the picture of sincerity. "No. My teacher in the Medical Corps, Nohara Hiroshi, taught me all of this."
"Nohara Hiroshi?" Orochimaru didn't doubt it. A shadow of regret crossed his face. "A pity. To think such a scholar walked among us. I would have loved to converse with him face to face."
Qianyu glanced at him. Not sure if you can track down and reanimate Section Leader Hiroshi, but at least there's a thread of hope now.
Orochimaru, in turn, looked at the Hashirama cells on the slab, a new hope kindling in his own heart.
Nawaki-kun… Once I conquer this rejection, perhaps I can grant you power worthy of your grandfather's legacy.
…
To expedite the experiments, Orochimaru formally petitioned Hiruzen Sarutobi. Qianyu was "borrowed" back, all above board.
For the next several days, Qianyu's world was the sterile air and faint chemical smell of Orochimaru's lab.
He had to admit, the idea was clever. Using the all-assimilating Chimera Technique as a buffer to mitigate the Hashirama cells' rejection. If they could find the perfect fusion threshold… maybe, just maybe, those cells could be safely integrated into a Senju descendant.
Which meant he, Qianyu, might one day wield that power. The thought made him apply himself with genuine interest.
They were huddled over the slab, deep in muttered discussion, when a voice called from outside.
"Lord Raiden. The Hokage summons you to his office immediately. An urgent mission requires your attention."
"On my way," Qianyu replied.
…
Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was thunderous. Darker than when the ANBU squad was found dead within Fire Country's borders.
Whatever this was, it was worse.
Nawaki and his two teammates stood before the desk, not daring to breathe too loudly.
The door opened. "Lord Third. You sent for me?" Qianyu stepped inside.
"Mm." Seeing Qianyu seemed to slightly ease the tension in Hiruzen's shoulders, but his voice was ice. "It's that damned Hiruko!"
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