I, Uchiha Hikaru, have joined the chat group.

Chapter 139 Jugo and Sage Chakra

After obtaining Dr. Brief's notes, Orochimaru stayed up for several nights in a row and wrote a letter that was seven or eight pages long.

Hikaru Uchiha was stunned when he saw it.

"No way... how can a serum inhibitor generate so much information?"

Dr. Brief's original notes weren't even this long, were they?

"Not just serum."

Orochimaru spoke in a hoarse voice: "The contents of this letter are a medical topic that I have been researching for the past few years. I had hit a bottleneck because I had no new inspiration... Judging from Dr. Brief's notes, he should be quite knowledgeable in this area. I would like to hear his views."

indeed.

Compared to the Dragon Ball world, the research environment in the Naruto world is quite harsh. Orochimaru hasn't even found Kabuto Yakushi yet, so he has to do all the research himself, at most sending out a shadow clone to help out.

However, the shadow clone and the original body are essentially the same person; they cannot create two brains out of thin air to think about problems.

So it's clear that Orochimaru still values ​​the opportunity to communicate with Dr. Brief.

"Understood, I will deliver the letter for you."

Uchiha Hikaru glanced at the letter, made sure there was nothing hidden inside, and then stuffed it into his pocket: "By the way, what do you think of that Uzumaki clan girl?"

"...How is it?"

"Does he/she have the potential to pursue a career in scientific research?"

After hearing what Uchiha Hikaru said, Orochimaru remained silent for a moment.

"They are indeed smarter than the average child, and have a strong thirst for knowledge... but research is something that can't be seen in just a few days."

"If you, Master Guang, intend to cultivate her in this direction, I can try to teach her some things for you."

"it is good."

Uchiha Hikaru paused, then added, "That child and her mother both possess the Uzumaki clan's special ability of 'physical healing.' You can conduct some research on them as long as it doesn't harm their health. But remember to explain things clearly to them. Also, don't randomly plant any 'cursed seals' or anything like that on them."

Theoretically, Orochimaru should still have some Hashirama cells.

If these cells were combined with the blood of Karin and her daughter... perhaps they could develop something with healing abilities close to a bug.

—Uchiha Hikaru had actually considered transplanting some Hashirama cells into Erii to solve the problem of the dragon's blood erosion, but the risk of doing so was too great. Even if it was theoretically possible, it would have to be done by someone like Orochimaru who had a deep understanding of Hashirama cells.

And now.

Since Orochimaru didn't bring it up, Uchiha Hikaru pretended not to know about it for the time being.

This can also be considered a loyalty test.

If Orochimaru continues to keep this secret, she can only give him limited trust. Conversely, if he does, she can reward him slightly, depending on the circumstances…

The arrangements for Karin have been temporarily finalized.

Next, Orochimaru took out another piece of paper.

"Lord Guang, this is the budget I recently prepared. To carry out the research projects 'Dragon Bloodline Corrosiveness Research,' 'Demon Cell Research,' and 'Uchiha Clan Bloodline Research,' we need to order a batch of new experimental equipment and may also need to recruit some new staff... What do you think?"

"..."

Uchiha Hikaru has already asked Guren and the others these past few days.

Based on feedback from Guren and others, the Sound Village's funding primarily comes from three sources—

The first is Orochimaru's savings from his time as one of the Legendary Sannin, which have been largely used to establish these bases.

The second source of funding was the daimyo's grant from the Land of Rice Fields, which Orochimaru obtained through persuasion. However, given that the Land of Rice Fields is a small country with limited resources, the amount was not large.

Thirdly, there's the income from missions carried out by Honglian and others, including commissions from nobles in the Land of Fields and assassination missions on the black market.

After deducting the food, clothing, and other necessities for everyone in the Sound Village, there is not much left of these funds.

Orochimaru's research equipment is mostly cutting-edge technology from the Naruto world, sometimes even requiring custom-made solutions from scratch to meet his specific needs. Add to that the costs of procuring raw materials and labor...

It really does cost a lot of money.

present.

Uchiha Hikaru took two boxes of treasure he had obtained from the Ox-King and placed them on the ground:

"Take these things and see if there's anything you can sell. Let Honglian and the others handle it. Remember to keep good accounts."

"If that's not enough, come and tell me again."

Since arriving in the ninja world, Uchiha Hikari hasn't really tried to earn money. After all, she doesn't have high demands for her quality of life. She only spends a little on food and clothing. As for housing, she has Naruto's apartment and the Uchiha clan's "tribute" to her. If she needs anything, she can just ask Fugaku.

In other worlds, Bulma, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, and the Hebi-hachi family are among those who take care of her expenses.

But now...

When she really wanted to recruit people to do something, she realized that she didn't actually have much savings.

"Looks like I need to find a way to make some money..."

"Or we could simply go to the Dragon Ball or Dragon World, purchase some ready-made experimental equipment, pack it up and bring it over. After all, these basic research facilities should be interchangeable."

"There are also personnel issues..."

Karin has some potential, but she's too young to be of much use.

Uchiha Hikaru planned to bring Yakushi over.

—The reason is easy to find: just have Danzo send him to "infiltrate" Otogakure.

Since we've come all this way, we might as well send Yakushi Nonou over too... She's a medical ninja by training and is very good at espionage, so she's more than qualified to be Orochimaru's assistant.

It also allows me to keep an eye on Orochimaru's actions.

Actually, Tsunade is also a good candidate...

However, Orochimaru is an S-rank rogue ninja of Konoha. If Tsunade knew his whereabouts, she might send a message to Konoha... Uchiha Hikaru didn't want to completely brainwash Tsunade like he did with Danzo, so figuring out how to persuade her was the problem.

……

As Uchiha Hikaru began to act in secret.

The shadow clone she had sent out to find Libra Jugo has finally returned, carrying Jugo bound in a knot with ropes.

"Is this guy... really Jugo? Why does he look so small?"

"Sure."

The shadow clone explained succinctly, "It went berserk outside once before, and I absorbed some of its chakra with 'Eight Thousand Spears.' I accidentally absorbed a little too much, and that's how it turned out."

"...Are there any adverse reactions?"

"No. His body seems to be able to absorb the violent factors contained in natural energy. The chakra that he absorbs after filtering it only contains a little negative emotion, but the impact is not significant."

That being said.

Uchiha Hikaru was still a little worried, so he dragged the shadow clone into the house and carefully checked it over. After confirming that there were no problems, he then formed hand seals to release the shadow clone.

For an instant.

A flood of memories from several shadow clones, along with the Sage Chakra, poured into her body.

"This chakra... is it the natural energy filtered by Jugo?"

"It feels different from ordinary chakra; it's more like 'ki,' and it feels very obscure when you try to use it..."

Perhaps it needs to be used in conjunction with "immortal arts"?

Uchiha Hikaru decided to think about it first.

We'll decide whether to go to Yongji Cave based on the situation.

(End of this chapter)