· Tsunade guessed that the mysterious power she had discovered was the power of the Devil Fruit itself.
Whenever a Devil Fruit user activated their ability…
The Devil Fruit drew energy from the body’s cells…
Using that energy to fuel its supernatural powers.
That also explained why Devil Fruit users became physically exhausted after using their abilities.
The energy stored within their cells was being consumed.
However…
The truly fascinating part was that this process didn’t damage or kill the cells.
As long as the user replenished themselves by eating enough food…
The cellular energy would naturally recover.
It was an incredibly mysterious phenomenon.
Tsunade wanted to study the power of Devil Fruits in depth.
Unfortunately…
She quickly realized that relying on her own expertise alone…
She wouldn’t be able to uncover meaningful results anytime soon.
She needed someone else’s help.
Having made up her mind…
Tsunade quietly destroyed every record from Robin’s examination, along with all the test results.
Only after confirming that nothing had been left behind…
Did she leave the hospital with Ryan and Nico Robin.
Not long afterward…
The three of them arrived at Ichiraku Ramen.
“Tsunade-sama!” The moment Ryan stepped into the restaurant…
A familiar voice called out.
Turning around…
He found several familiar faces seated together.
One of them was Tsunade’s assistant…
Shizune.
Alongside her sat Kakashi Hatake, Kurenai Yuhi, and Anko Mitarashi.
It was Shizune who had called out just now.
The others immediately stood up as well.
“Tsunade-sama.” After all…
Every one of them was Tsunade’s junior.
Anko, in particular, had once been Orochimaru’s disciple before his defection…
Which technically made Tsunade her senior.
As for Kakashi…
His seniority was even lower.
Anko had at least trained directly under Orochimaru.
Kakashi, meanwhile…
Was the disciple of Jiraiya’s disciple.
“Oh, it’s you.” Tsunade glanced at them casually.
“I didn’t expect to run into all of you here.” “Shizune.” “I have something I’d like you to do.” Shizune immediately straightened her posture.
“Please give your orders, Tsunade-sama.” “After you’ve finished eating…” “Go find a ninja named Kabuto Yakushi.” “Tell him I want to see him.” “I need his assistance with something.” “Kabuto Yakushi?” Shizune’s eyes widened in surprise.
As Tsunade’s closest attendant…
She had naturally read Naruto.
She knew perfectly well that Kabuto was Orochimaru’s spy inside Konohagakure.
If Tsunade wanted Kabuto…
Then perhaps…
The person she truly intended to contact wasn’t Kabuto at all…
But Orochimaru.
“Is something wrong?” Tsunade asked.
“N-No.” “Nothing at all.” “I’ll go find him after I finish eating…” “No…” “I’ll go immediately.” Tsunade waved her hand.
“There’s no need.” “Finish your meal first.” “It isn’t urgent.” After reassuring Shizune…
Tsunade, Ryan, and Robin found an empty table and sat down.
“Teuchi.” “Three bowls of tonkotsu ramen.” “Right away, Tsunade-sama.” Teuchi loudly repeated the order before getting to work.
He kneaded the dough…
Pulled the noodles…
Dropped them into boiling water…
Drained them…
Added the broth…
And finished each bowl with practiced efficiency.
“Tsunade-sama.” “Your three bowls of tonkotsu ramen.” “Please enjoy.” Robin had always been curious about the famous Ichiraku Ramen, which had appeared countless times throughout Naruto.
She took her first bite with great anticipation.
“It’s delicious.” Teuchi laughed warmly.
“Thank you for the compliment.” Then he returned to preparing more bowls for his customers.
Before long…
Shizune and the others finished eating and came over to say goodbye.
“We’re leaving now, Tsunade-sama.” “Go ahead.” Tsunade waved them off.
Once they stepped outside…
Kurenai finally let out a long sigh.
“Tsunade-sama has such an incredible presence.” “I barely dared to speak in front of her.” Anko nodded in agreement.
Shizune smiled.
“Tsunade-sama is actually very approachable.” “Once you’ve spent enough time with her…” “You’ll realize she’s much kinder than she looks.” Kakashi rolled his eyes.
Of course Shizune thought that.
She was Tsunade’s assistant…
And practically her apprentice.
The rest of them had never found Tsunade particularly easy to approach.
“But…” Anko’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
“Who were those two people with Tsunade-sama?” “I don’t think I’ve ever seen either of them in the village.” Shizune’s heart skipped a beat.
She quickly replied, “The man is Ryan.” “He’s a friend Tsunade-sama met while traveling.” “They returned to the village together.” “As for the woman…” She paused briefly.
She had already recognized her as Nico Robin from the world of One Piece.
Robin’s appearance meant that Ryan had successfully connected to the One Piece world.
No wonder Tsunade wanted to contact Orochimaru.
The power of Devil Fruits was certainly worth researching.
But without Tsunade’s permission…
She couldn’t reveal any of that.
So she simply said, “I don’t know who she is either.” “She’s probably Ryan’s friend.” “Oh, right.” “I still have an errand Tsunade-sama assigned to me.” “I have to get going.” “Let’s meet again another time.” After saying that…
Shizune hurried away…
Leaving the others staring at one another in confusion.
Meanwhile…
After finishing their meal at Ichiraku Ramen…
Ryan, Tsunade, and Robin returned to the Senju Clan compound.
Once everyone was seated…
Tsunade spoke.
“You already know the results of the examination.” “To be more precise…” “Not just Robin…” “But the people of the One Piece world as a whole…” “Possess extraordinary numbers of cells and tremendous cellular energy.” “They are perfectly suited for cultivating chakra.” She looked directly at Robin.
“Once I inject some of my cells into your body…” “You’ll be able to cultivate chakra.” “Given the number of cells you possess…” “And the immense energy within them…” “Surpassing me will simply be a matter of time.” Even Tsunade couldn’t hide a hint of envy.
She had always believed the Senju Clan had been uniquely gifted.
But now…
It seemed the people of the One Piece world were the truly extraordinary ones.
They were practically born for cultivating chakra.
“However…” “To guarantee that the procedure succeeds…” “I’ll need Orochimaru’s assistance.” Ryan looked at her.
“So…” “You’re planning to recruit Orochimaru?” Tsunade nodded.
“When it comes to medical ninjutsu…” “Orochimaru isn’t my equal.” “But in the field of human experimentation…” “His experience far surpasses mine.” “And more importantly…” “Orochimaru desires only one thing.” “Immortality.” “As long as you’re willing to offer him even the possibility of eternal life…” “He’ll gladly work for you.” Ryan knew she wasn’t exaggerating.
Orochimaru had never cared about power, status, or ruling over others.
He had no interest in ambition for ambition’s sake.
His desire was astonishingly simple.
Immortality.
Immortality.
And nothing…
But immortality.
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