Immortality begins with the ninjas of Konoha.

In early March of Konoha 48, the shadow of war seemed to be fading, and no fierce conflicts broke out on the front lines. Konoha ninjas still occupied most of the commission market.

At the end of last month, Sunagakure suddenly expressed its intention to negotiate, and the Chiyo siblings, as high-level advisors, proposed to share the commissioned mission.

When the news reached Konoha, two different opinions emerged in the village.

The "Daily Life" faction believes that talks are possible, but reducing unnecessary casualties is the most important thing.

The "hardliners" believe that Sunagakure is afraid, and at this time they should strike hard against their opponent, leaving no room for compromise in their assigned tasks, and ideally making the opponent a vassal of Konoha.

The Jonin team has been frequently summoned recently. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, is inclined to negotiate, but after several meetings, they still haven't been able to reach a consensus.

The affairs of the "adults" are none of the business of Furukawa Osamu, a Chunin. After all, he is still too young, and it is not his place to offer his opinion on such "national affairs."

Furukawa Osamu didn't care about this. Apart from helping the lazy Tsunade with some work, he devoted most of his energy to secret experiments.

Late at night, in a secret underground laboratory on the west side of the village, Osamu Furukawa recorded data on a computer while calling out to his little snake that was relaying messages:

"Just put the materials here; this is for your body shaping pills."

"You seem to be able to sense natural energy, and you should understand that eating too much is an extremely dangerous thing."

The small blue snake is only 1 meter long and its body is only as thick as a forearm. Although it is not large, it can spit out a lot of materials from its mouth.

The five unconscious Sand Village ninjas were covered in slime and remained motionless after being spat out.

Orochimaru has already completed the initial processing at the front lines, and the experimental subjects sent to the laboratory are basically only left with their basic bodily instincts.

After finishing its work, the little snake took the initiative to befriend Furukawa Osamu, circling around him. Ever since it had consumed the secret medicine of natural energy, it had awakened its own consciousness.

Furukawa Osamu stroked the little green snake's slippery head and put the scroll into its mouth. Only then did the little green snake reluctantly leave.

On the other side of the laboratory, the live slug was also carefully sensing the interstitial cells on the experimental subject:

"Lord Shu, there is indeed a kind of consciousness in the cells, but it is different from the situation in your body. Hashirama Senju should never have deliberately guided it."

"This is indeed somewhat like 'energy transformation,' but natural energy alone is not enough. True energy transformation requires higher quality chakra."

"It's already quite remarkable that Hashirama Senju could do this. I can't be sure if this is a mutation caused by Ashura's chakra."

The reason why Hashirama's cells possess incredible vitality is precisely what Osamu Furukawa is currently researching. Unlike Orochimaru, he has the resources to construct such "super cells."

"As expected of the God of Ninjas, his body spontaneously found the most suitable evolutionary path!"

Furukawa Osamu sighed in admiration. He was able to support the absorption of his spiritual consciousness by his body cells through the "Gathering" technique, while Hashirama did not have such a "cheat code".

"Master Xiu could try to build cells with this energy ratio, allowing the body to passively absorb natural energy without causing problems."

"The spirit can also separate a part to cooperate and adjust the absorption of energy in the Hundred Healings Seal. In the end, this way of absorbing natural energy will become a bodily instinct."

"In this way, the immense vitality and the omnipresent natural energy can be transformed into Master Xiu's power."

"Once you reach adulthood, you shouldn't need to worry about chakra anymore."

The slug crawled onto Furukawa Osamu's shoulder and explained his future training path to him. She firmly believed that her kind would surpass Senju Hashirama, and that after evolution, they would undergo a transformation.

Furukawa Osamu nodded. Deconstructing the energy proportions was very important, as it could save a lot of time. However, thinking about his own situation, his expression still looked somewhat strange.

"Is this considered 'union of body and soul'?"

-

Orochimaru is still stationed on the front lines in the Land of Rain. Although Danzo tried to get him to return to the village, he had no interest in repeating the failed experiments of the past.

At 4 a.m., Orochimaru took the scroll from the little green snake's mouth and couldn't wait to read it:

"Will the ability to recover be weakened after removing consciousness from the cells?"

"However, this way it is indeed easier to control this power, and there is no risk of being assimilated."

"What an amazing talent. It's a pity that Xiu doesn't have a bloodline limit, so he's destined to pursue power in a special way, just like me."

Orochimaru's pale face broke into a neurotic smile. He muttered to himself as he stroked the little green snake, only to be startled when the snake seemed to abandon him and run away. He paused for a moment, then whispered:

"This is getting more and more interesting!"

Orochimaru wanted to test the effects of Hashirama's cells on bloodline limit ninjas, but unfortunately, experimental subjects were hard to find, and he wasn't so evil as to turn against his own people.

At breakfast time, Orochimaru made his routine inspection. His troops had already undergone a rotation, and the new ninjas were eager to make a name for themselves, with more and more people volunteering for battle recently.

A ninja wearing a tiger-face mask suddenly appeared in front of Orochimaru, handed him the scroll, and then knelt on the ground to await orders.

Orochimaru saw that the message was from the Hokage, opened it, read it carefully, and inwardly scoffed:

"Sarutobi-sensei, you and Hanzo are becoming more and more alike. You're both getting old."

Orochimaru didn't reveal his thoughts, but looked at his direct subordinates in front of him and whispered his orders:

"Tell the higher-ups that I support all of the Third Hokage's decisions, and I accept the mission to send an envoy."

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru."

The Hokage's direct ANBU took a scroll and disappeared immediately. Orochimaru smiled and turned to give instructions to his trusted subordinates:

"Let me tell you all, we will soon make contact with Sunagakure. The higher-ups have decided to negotiate a peace agreement."

Upon hearing the news, the middle-aged Jonin looked up in surprise, hesitating for a moment, but seeing Orochimaru's calm profile, he finally responded reluctantly:

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru."

Within a morning, everyone on the front lines knew about the village's decision, and most of the ninjas who had volunteered for the mission were filled with anger.

Looting is also a way to make money, and now that the village is trying to negotiate, it's like cutting off everyone's "path to wealth".

Orochimaru had anticipated this reaction, and he didn't stop the discussion. If the Third Hokage could step down early, it would be beneficial for him to control the village's "darkness."

"Teacher, your era should have ended long ago."

Orochimaru is eager to gather Konoha's resources for his immortality research; once that happens, no one will be able to stop him.

During wartime, it is obviously more efficient to use the village's resources to plunder bloodline limit ninjas.

"Perhaps the Hokage is really getting old!"

"What are the higher-ups thinking? Are they going to return the commission to Sunagakure?"

"Don't say that. The Hokage just doesn't want to see us make pointless sacrifices."

"If you're afraid of dying, don't come here!"

Orochimaru heard the argument and a sinister smile appeared on his face. A teacher who cherishes "tools" has long lost the magnanimity of a Hokage.