Traveling through three generations: Making Konoha great again!

Hiruko and Orochimaru arrived together.

The two chatted and laughed along the way.

Hiruko, unlike his usual gloomy self, even had a rosy glow on his fair skin, looking as if he were in high spirits after a happy occasion…

After all, he was no longer an invisible figure among the Jonin.

Rather, he is one of the future "Konoha Committee Members," and a golden ninja handpicked by the Hokage!

Even if Orochimaru wasn't lucky enough to be taken in as a disciple by the brilliant and discerning Third Hokage... he didn't waste too much time!

It's still pretty good... I'm standing in the same circle as the three members of Sarutobi's team again!

Orochimaru was also satisfied with the current situation.

His teacher was very supportive of his research and almost explicitly told him to become the next Hokage, provided that no one could overshadow him.

We still need to win people's hearts...

Orochimaru had no objection to this; he didn't believe anyone could fight him...

Danzo Shimura?

It may seem aggressive and a bit smarter, but it's still just a stray dog ​​in the shadows!

Hiruko was also one of the assistants Orochimaru prepared for his future as Hokage.

Although the Land of Fire is located in a plain, it theoretically has no mountains.

But hilltops are something that can be created when a lot of people gather together.

For example, the two of them could be called the "scientific research group".

"Hokage-sama!"

"Okay, everyone, please sit down. I'll get straight to the point."

Hiruzen Sarutobi handed the copy of Mito Uzumaki's sealing technique to Hiruko:

"This is a sealing technique developed by Lord Mito. Its function is to create a special environment that weakens the repulsion between cells and chakra."

Beiliuhu's eyes lit up.

Mito Uzumaki? So that's that person's technique!

The saying goes, "A person's name is like a tree's shadow." Just hearing the name was enough to make Hiruko eager for more.

He also realized just how much support he received after joining the village's core leadership...

I only submitted my research results a few days ago.

"This should be helpful to your thinking. The village has always hoped to make a breakthrough in limb reattachment, for the sake of those ninjas who have been left with disabilities."

"It is also to reduce the disability rate in the event of another war."

Hiruko listened attentively.

Strangely enough, ever since he learned he would become a "Konoha Committee Member," he had turned his attention to the chunin and genin, something he hadn't done in a long time...

This may be the case that "identity" forces a change in "position," and it is also a mutual binding between power and responsibility.

"Lord Hokage, please rest assured!"

Hiruko said in a deep voice, "I will definitely contribute to Konoha..."

"Okay, go ahead and get busy!"

After Hiruko left, Orochimaru poured himself a cup of hot tea, his tone much more relaxed: "Sensei, where's mine?"

Even when someone is present, their title should still be used.

If no one is around, then of course you should call the teacher.

Hiruzen Sarutobi squinted and pointed to the cup in front of him: "There's none for you! If you want some, write a report and go to the collection room to copy it yourself..."

Orochimaru smirked as he poured hot tea for Hiruzen Sarutobi, but deliberately complained, "What a biased teacher!"

Although he said that, Orochimaru knew very well what was going on.

This truly shows that the teacher didn't treat him like an outsider...

"This is an excerpt from Tobirama-sama's research notes."

Hiruzen Sarutobi handed another scroll to Orochimaru, took a sip of the sweet tea, and his expression turned serious:

"This is top secret."

"It is recorded that the cells of the Senju and Uchiha seem to have a phenomenon of mutual suppression, but the specific causes, mechanisms and details were not perfected by Tobirama-sama."

"It's up to you, Orochimaru."

"This may be the opportunity for us to universally apply Hashirama's cells."

Orochimaru's snake-like eyes involuntarily narrowed, a sign that he was extremely interested.

As a research genius, he was fond of unusual and difficult topics, aside from those related to immortality.

Moreover, the powerful vitality within the cells of the cyborg is not unrelated to longevity.

"Teacher, I understand your line of thinking..."

Orochimaru deftly took the scroll and quickly analyzed, "You want to use Uchiha clan cells to suppress the activity of the First Hokage's cells and weaken their violent nature?"

The difficulty in transplanting Hashirama cells lies in the fact that their vigorous vitality carries a certain element that can be described as "absorption," which the recipient often cannot control and will have their chakra drained by this characteristic.

"That's right. At present, examples like Yamato are too rare."

"I'm thinking, could we try a two-pronged approach: extracting antibodies against the first generation of cells from Yamato, and then finding a way to weaken the virulence of the first generation of cells..."

"Wood Release, in a sense, is similar to Nine-Tails; both are powers that the village cannot control when they are in their complete form."

"A force that cannot be controlled cannot be called a force; it is merely an uncontrollable factor that affects the stability of the village."

"Therefore, there is no need to worry about whether the weakened First Hokage cells can inherit Wood Release. Just considering the chakra and life force they provide, they already have extremely high strategic value."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was explaining his thoughts, but he was also concealing another purpose.

Limb regeneration and research into Hashirama cells are genuine things he, as Hokage, wants to do for the village. If these two research projects succeed…

Then the problem of injuries and disabilities among Konoha ninjas, as well as the average amount of chakra per person, will see a major breakthrough.

But on the other hand...

This is also an important technique for perfecting that experimental subject.

The severed limbs correspond to damage to the meridians; the Senju and Uchiha clans correspond to the complete fusion of their cells and chakra…

"Interesting, a very interesting and practically valuable topic!"

Orochimaru clapped his hands gently: "Sensei, it's a real shame you're not doing scientific research. Being Hokage might not be what you're best at!"

"It's just a matter of ideas; true talent comes from those who can actually put them into practice."

Hiruzen Sarutobi and his apprentice exchanged pleasantries: "Like you, kid!"

For a moment, both master and apprentice laughed, and the atmosphere was incredibly harmonious.

Orochimaru was also thinking about his nearly perfected technique—the Reanimation Jutsu.

If the teacher knew about this technique, would they still be so tolerant and caring towards me?

Reincarnation by taking over another's body has almost no practical value for the entire village, and it also goes against the main theme of the Will of Fire, which emphasizes inheritance.

But the problem is...

Hiruzen Sarutobi had clearly taken notice of his research on the soul.

Giving him the section on the soul from the second-generation notebook, and repeatedly questioning him about it, is the best proof…

Although Orochimaru thought that the teacher's ability to learn should be very strong now, the enhanced Reanimation Jutsu was surprisingly effective.

The initial stage of "immortality" seems to be within reach.

"I wish this scene could last forever..."

Orochimaru thought to himself, "Even though telling the teacher is risky, I still want him to know..."

Compared to concealing the Reanimation Jutsu and making up excuses to deceive Hiruzen Sarutobi…

As an unparalleled genius in scientific research, he harbors a peculiar obsession with the mentor-father relationship he shares with Hiruzen Sarutobi…

He wanted his teacher to understand and support him completely!

This was an impulsive act, but it was also the result of Orochimaru's rational thinking.

How long can they keep it a secret?

If the teacher finds out, a rift in trust will appear...

Especially after Hiruzen Sarutobi took the initiative to reconcile with him, provided him with resources, and placed full trust in him, Orochimaru's desire to keep it a secret became increasingly less intense.

"Even if the teacher can't understand, it might be a good thing."

"If I can prove that bonds are indeed shackles, I can also gain absolute freedom..."

Orochimaru comforted himself in this way.

Even so, deep down he knew that what he truly desired was complete approval…

At this time.

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado knocked on the door and came in, their expressions serious.

"Hokage, something's happened! Danzo is on his way!"

"Kumogakure has noticed our retaliatory actions and has issued a strong condemnation of the village!"