Shin couldn't help but give Orochimaru a ntal thumbs-up. That mind, that reaction speed, that relentless spirit in pursuit of research, he could only say: as expected of Orochimaru.
There was sothing refreshing about interacting with soone who operated on this intellectual level. If it had been Jiraiya, he would have imdiately jumped up, demanding to know why Shin had struck him without warning.
"I acted impulsively," Shin said apologetically. "You're right that this should have been a private conversation. I apologize to everyone for the disruption."
After speaking, he simply took Tsunade by the hand and left, with Orochimaru imdiately following behind. All that remained was a crowd of onlookers with utterly confused expressions.
---
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen suddenly stood up, his gaze terrifying as he stared at the reporting Sakumo, his voice trembling.
"Repeat what you just said. You're certain it was the Flying Thunder God Technique?"
"It wasn't the Flying Thunder God," Sakumo explained quickly.
"You're reporting inaccurate information?" Hiruzen's voice rose sharply, his complexion darkening with anger.
The timing couldn't be worse for unreliable intelligence. The implications of what Sakumo was suggesting were too significant for mistakes.
"No, Hokage-sama," Sakumo hurriedly clarified. "In my initial report, I specifically stated it was a technique resembling the Flying Thunder God."
Hiruzen fell silent, realizing he had indeed misinterpreted Sakumo's wording. In his alarm, he had assud Sakumo simply lacked the expertise to recognize the Flying Thunder God properly, and that "resembling" was just cautious phrasing.
Instead, it appeared that what Shin had demonstrated was genuinely sothing different, yet alarmingly similar.
"Explain the similarities and differences," Hiruzen cald down a bit and asked.
"It's fundantally a teleportation technique," Sakumo reported. "However, Shin didn't use any of the marks or seals that are essential to the Flying Thunder God. There were no specially marked kunai like those used by the Second Hokage."
He paused, ensuring his next words were precise. "Simply put, it functions like the Flying Thunder God, but without the requirent for pre-placed marks."
"No marks… and still able to teleport using a technique like the Flying Thunder God…" Hiruzen murmured, looking visibly shaken.
"Co inside!" Hiruzen shouted toward the door.
As an ANBU mber entered, he imdiately ordered, "Bring Danzō, Koharu, Homura, and Torifu to ."
"Yes!"
---
Elsewhere, after finishing his explanation, Orochimaru stared at Shin with burning eyes, full of anticipation.
"This is my latest research project, what do you think?"
Tsunade was stunned. She hadn't expected Orochimaru to be… this ambitious. If successful, this research, which he had nad genetic engineering, could make it possible for everyone in Konoha to beco like dragons.
But the process of this research…
"Isn't this research a bit too cruel?" Tsunade was starting to hesitate and gave Shin a hint. She had promised to support Orochimaru, but this research was too inhumane.
Orochimaru said he would use death row inmates, missing-nin, and wanted criminals as test subjects, but what if there weren't enough? Would he take desperate asures and cross forbidden lines?
"You worry too much," Shin said with a slight smile, gently tapping her nose. "Human and animal genetic structures aren't so dissimilar. The initial phases can be conducted entirely using animal subjects. Human trials would only co after proof of concept was thoroughly established."
"Animals, huh…" Tsunade still felt uneasy, but it wasn't entirely unacceptable anymore.
"No one knows when the next war will co," Shin said seriously. "And doesn't Konoha often get missions to help villagers or the nation hunt down beasts? We're going to kill them anyway, might as well let them contribute sothing. You're a kunoichi. There's no need to be softhearted over animals."
Tsunade nodded, no longer objecting. But it wasn't out of pity for the animals. As a kunoichi, especially a dical-nin, she was no stranger to death and injury. How could she possibly care about the lives of animals? She could barely even concern herself with the lives of fellow Konoha ninjas.
What really worried her was the gleam of intensity that had flashed in Shin's eyes. He was soone with very strong opinions. Orochimaru couldn't influence him, and there was no way he could be led astray by Orochimaru.
Her concern stemd from her understanding of Shin, once he threw himself into sothing, he might beco completely indifferent to everything else.
Taboos? That kind of thing ant nothing to him.
"Tsunade." Shin saw the concern on her face and took her hand, comforting her. "I promised you I wouldn't lie to you. I keep my word."
Hearing that, she finally let out a breath of relief. As long as she was always kept inford of the experint's progress, and that the information was truthful, there would be no need to worry.
"Shin!" Orochimaru flashed a dazzling smile, one unlike anything he'd ever worn before. "This will be a most productive collaboration!"
"Don't celebrate prematurely," Shin's tone suddenly turned cold, warning, "You manipulated Tsunade to achieve your ends. I staged that confrontation as a warning, nothing more. If there's a second occurrence, I won't be so restrained. Even if I can't end your life, I'll terminate any connection between us imdiately and permanently."
"Please rest assured. There absolutely won't be a next ti." Orochimaru smiled seriously, offering his guarantee.
He ant it. After all, his goal had already been achieved. There was no reason to waste ti on other matters.
As the group finished their discussion, Sakumo appeared in the doorway.
"Was it Hiruzen who asked you to co for ?" Shin asked, noticing Sakumo's hesitation.
"Uh… How do you always know these things?" Sakumo asked honestly. Though powerful, Sakumo was straightforward and a bit dense.
"That was the whole point of this scene I caused. If he doesn't call for , what would've been the point?" Shin said, not bothering to explain further.
"I'm coming with you," Tsunade declared imdiately.
"As am I," Orochimaru added. This was the perfect partner he'd finally won over, Orochimaru shared her mindset. He didn't want anything to happen to Shin either.
"That's fine," Shin nodded. "If you two co, it might help calm the others down, and buy a bit more room to speak."
"The Hokage… requested that you go alone…" Sakumo reminded him gently.
"When you found , I was already with them," Shin replied with subtle irritation. "They heard everything and insisted on accompanying . What exactly would you suggest I do? Or what could you do to prevent it? Let's not waste more ti."
Seriously, Shin… openly defying ninja protocols like this, is that really okay?
Stuff like this could be trivial or serious depending on how the higher-ups looked at it. And if they were looking for an excuse to punish him, wouldn't this just hand it to them on a silver platter?
Sakumo wanted to remind him, but in the end, he didn't say anything. After nearly five years of knowing Shin, he knew this man wasn't like most others. Once he made up his mind, words were useless.
Soon, the four of them arrived at the Hokage Building.
When Sakumo knocked and they all entered the office together, the five high-ranking officials of Konoha were montarily stunned.
Then, their expressions darkened.
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