Naruto: I'm really not an evil scientist!

"Lin, how have you been lately?" Hiruko's voice came from beside her, deep and gentle, yet carrying an undeniable sense of closeness.

Nohara Rin subconsciously bit her lower lip, then let go as if realizing something.

She tried to keep her voice steady: "Thanks to your guidance, I've made a lot of progress recently..."

As she spoke, she unconsciously moved a little closer to him, as if drawn by some invisible force.

Hiruko lowered his head slightly, his gaze falling on the top of her head, a faint smile playing on his lips.

As the two chatted and laughed, the air seemed to become thick and warm.

Nohara Rin didn't even notice that her fingers were unconsciously stroking the edge of her ninja tool pouch—as if trying to conceal some unspeakable anticipation.

She suddenly became jealous of that woman.

Three days later, Orochimaru, who had been busy for several days, went to the Uchiha clan's territory with Shisui.

"It's Lord Orochimaru. What's he doing here?" someone whispered.

"I heard they came to visit the clan leader. Could it be that they've taken a liking to Zhishui's talent and want to formally accept him as their disciple?"

"Although Orochimaru is not a member of the Uchiha clan, it would be great if he could take Shisui as his disciple."

The Uchiha clan members were all very surprised to see Orochimaru arrive.

However, Orochimaru was strong enough that the Uchiha clan respected him greatly.

Furthermore, few people are willing to come to the Uchiha clan's territory, especially the higher-ups of Konoha. At most, it's just a place for ANBU ninjas to deliver missions and intelligence. Therefore, the Uchiha clan is very curious about Orochimaru's purpose.

Fugaku Uchiha bowed slightly to Orochimaru at the door, inviting him inside for a detailed discussion.

After Orochimaru entered the house, his gaze fell on a child being led by a young woman.

He stepped forward, patted the child's head, and smiled, "You're a very talented Uchiha."

Fugaku and Mikoto's faces immediately lit up; for parents, their child being praised is always the best thing.

The fact that a child's talent and strength can be recognized by a top ninja like Orochimaru is an unparalleled honor.

In this ninja world, the principle of strength above all else and might makes right remains deeply ingrained.

Therefore, Hiruko is constantly trying to reform the ninja world.

Even Hiruko himself acknowledged this principle of strength above all else; without strength, he could not have realized his dream.

In this ninja world, most people are weak, and it is common for the strong to make a name for themselves for the weak for various reasons.

For example, the title of the First Generation Sannin came from the mouth of Hanzo the Salamander, a true powerhouse in the ninja world.

A powerful figure like Hanzo, regardless of the reason for the title bestowed upon him.

The three legendary Sannin wouldn't feel humiliated, because the recognition given by the strong to the weak is the fastest way to gain fame in the ninja world.

The group sat down in the courtyard, and Orochimaru's golden snake eyes swept over the family of three opposite them.

While Orochimaru was sizing up Mikoto Uchiha, he suddenly thought of Hiruko.

"Heh, doesn't that guy really like female ninjas who are famous throughout the ninja world? I wonder about this one..."

Chapter 32 Sacrifice

Orochimaru briefly considered Hiruko's hobbies, but paid little attention to them.

For him, it was a good thing that Hiruko had weaknesses and hobbies.

I'll go to the battlefield sometime in the future and help him capture some female ninjas to exchange for Hiruko's core technology.

He didn't believe that Biljuk would reveal all his technology to him.

I don't know if Fugaku is willing to sacrifice his wife for the sake of the family, but for him, a woman who has given birth is no longer of any use.

Orochimaru then spoke up, saying, "Fugaku, you should know about my and Hiruko's research department, right?"

Fugaku nodded. This department was known to almost everyone during the Hokage's tenure, especially recently with Hiruko frequently appearing in public.

First, the factories they developed produced luxury goods like snow salt and dumped them all over the world at very low prices, making a fortune.

Secondly, the Research Department laid out railway tracks, closely connecting Konoha with the entire Land of Fire, like blood flowing through the veins, so that almost no one was unaware of the Research Department's presence.

"Fugaku-kun, have you ever thought about getting involved?" Orochimaru suddenly asked.

Should we allocate manpower or other resources?

Fugaku's heart tightened. He wasn't afraid of giving them some manpower, but he was afraid that Orochimaru would try to get the Uchiha clan to take sides without any real intention.

After all, the power of the Uchiha clan cannot be given away casually.

It's important to understand that the Uchiha clan currently only wants to stand behind Minato Namikaze, and there are some conflicts between Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze.

Moreover, the Uchiha clan has not yet reached the point of desperation; they remain one of the most powerful clans in the village.

As the clan leader, Fugaku, even if he secretly favored Orochimaru, could not immediately agree to take sides.

After all, this involves considerations of manpower, resources, money, and many other aspects.

Orochimaru stated his conditions very directly: "The establishment of the research department must produce some results."

"There has been some progress in the research on the First Hokage's Wood Release, but I think it is not enough."

If the Uchiha clan is willing, I am willing to provide them with some technical support.

Fugaku frowned and asked, "The technical support you mentioned, do you mean ninjutsu?"

"The Uchiha clan is not lacking in ninjutsu; we are more adept at fighting with the Sharingan."

The Sharingan granted the Uchiha clan the ability to copy images, allowing them to accumulate a formidable foundation in ninjutsu over thousands of years.

Orochimaru uttered the words that made Fugaku's expression change drastically: "Kaleidoscope."

"Ah! A kaleidoscope!!"

Upon hearing this word, Fugaku's voice suddenly rose to a crescendo, and he looked at Orochimaru's face in shock.

If the person sitting opposite him wasn't Orochimaru, he would probably have asked him to leave after saying those words.

Orochimaru continued, "Hiruko and I can help research methods to enhance the eye power of the Uchiha clan."

And the method to successfully awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan, provided you provide the necessary resources and personnel.

Fugaku was greatly shocked, as he knew very well that Orochimaru and Hiruko were both top-tier scientific research experts in the ninja world.

If they are truly willing to help the Uchiha clan research the method to awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan, it would undoubtedly be fantastic news for the Uchiha clan.

Fugaku's hands were trembling slightly, while Itachi looked at his father with some confusion, not understanding why his usually dignified and composed father had suddenly become so agitated.

As clever as a weasel, he quickly memorized the news about the kaleidoscope.

Fugaku also understood that the risks and costs involved were likely considerable.

He needs to think it over carefully before making a decision.

"Fugaku-kun, imagine how amazing it would be if the Uchiha clan possessed a pair of Mangekyou Sharingan?"

"Even if it can't compare to the legend of Madara Uchiha, it can at least make the Uchiha clan's status as a powerful family more secure."

Orochimaru's voice was calm and even, but his words were like a bewitching chant, constantly tempting Fugaku.

He was like a ghost, luring Fugaku towards an unknown abyss.

Fugaku frowned, pondered for a moment, then sighed and said, "The village already has a saltworks, so it shouldn't need the Uchiha clan's funds anymore..."

So, is this like the Senju clan's experiment with Wood Release?

Orochimaru smiled strangely and shook his head, saying, "This time, it's an experiment that will be completely open to all the villagers."

Naturally, the extreme situation of constantly sacrificing lives to explore a path, as happened last time, will not occur again.

After chatting casually for a while, Orochimaru got up to leave.

Before leaving, Orochimaru said, "I'll be waiting for your news."

After taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped, turned his head, and said something that shocked Fugaku to the point of being unable to contain himself.

"Let me tell you another secret: the Senju clan's Wood Release experiment has already succeeded once, and one of the test subjects has already possessed the Wood Release bloodline limit."

What!!!

The Senju clan, a group that has completely integrated into the village through extensive intermarriage with other clans, has surprisingly acquired the Wood Release bloodline limit.

Fugaku's mind was racing, and he was restless.

------------

Two months later, the research department was established. In the months since then, there has been a constant flow of funds from all sides, which has injected a continuous stream of vitality into the department.

Thanks to ample funding and unlimited human resources, Hiruko finally cultivated a more perfect plant fusion experimental subject.

In the vast space thirty meters underground, the research department has been completely renovated.

Orochimaru stood there, staring intently at the peculiar plant, his eyes gleaming with intense interest.

This plant stands tall and majestic, reaching a height of ten meters, and looks quite eerie, with countless branches hanging down.

Looking at it, Hiruko felt a strange sense of accomplishment welling up inside him.

He muttered to himself, "Thanks to the village for making a lot of experimental research data public, it saved me a lot of trouble."

As he spoke, Hiruko gently patted the vine. The tendrils on the vine, like nimble snakes, wrapped around Hiruko's arm, as if playing with him.

Orochimaru, with a look of keen interest, asked with a smile, "Does this vine have its own will?"

Hiruko nodded and replied, "He has some childlike self-awareness, although it is not yet mature, but there is still a certain opportunity to cultivate it in the future."

The plant before me has a straight trunk and twisted, vigorous branches, with its roots deeply embedded in the ground.

The pale vines were covered with fine, spell-like patterns, and faint human faces emerged from the vines.

It creates an eerie and terrifying atmosphere.

Orochimaru reached out his hand, and a terrifying suction force came from it.

"?"

"You used plants instead?"

"No, no!"