Relying on his own brilliance, Orochimaru had carved an entirely new branch into the ninja world’s technological tree.
On the path toward uncovering the truth, he was both a pioneer and the future founder of cellular research.
The notebook in Muzan’s hands was priceless.
“According to these notes…
Orochimaru-sama has probably already begun cultivating cells.” “Hashirama’s cells…” Throughout the history of the ninja world, there was one figure no one could avoid.
Senju Hashirama.
Susanoo-clad Wood Golem, two men against four nations.
The two of them had single-handedly crushed the Warring States Era, forcing countless independent shinobi clans into organized villages, the prototypes of today’s hidden villages.
Wood Release naturally became Konoha’s symbol.
In the eyes of both Konoha and the rest of the ninja world, Wood Release was an invincible kekkei genkai.
Of course, what was truly overwhelming wasn’t the technique, it was the shinobi using it.
The best example was Hashirama, whose Wood Release conquered the world, while Yamato’s Wood Release was mostly used for landscaping.
“What a shame…
I don’t have the First Hokage’s cells for comparison.” Studying the notebook would take time.
Discovering flaws within the cells certainly wasn’t something that could be accomplished overnight.
“I’m not just lacking research material…
I’m short on money too.” As everyone knew, experiments were expensive.
Even as Orochimaru’s disciple, the funds he received were pitifully small.
“I need to figure out a way to make money.
Otherwise, my research will hit a dead end.” Using a sealing scroll, he packed everything on the table away.
Not long after Muzan left the laboratory, a figure silently appeared inside.
Looking at the spotless desk, she frowned in confusion.
“What is that brat even doing?
Or did Orochimaru teach him some dangerous experiment?
Those two are both impossible!” She absolutely refused to let Muzan become another cold, heartless monster.
“If only Jiraiya were here…
though with his personality…
never mind.
Konoha doesn’t need another little delinquent.” ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ The moment Muzan stepped onto the street, he immediately sensed several gazes landing on him.
Turning his head, he met their eyes.
The disgust in their expressions left him puzzled.
He had only just returned to Konoha.
Who had he offended?
“He’s Sakumo’s kid.
I heard that because of Sakumo’s mission, the village suffered enormous losses.
His family should be the one paying for it!” “Hmph!
A shinobi should always put the mission first!
Abandoning the mission means he doesn’t deserve to call himself a shinobi!” “What an idiot!
They say the losses from that mission were immeasurable.
Things have already been unstable lately, and now everyone’s paying the price.” They spoke loudly enough for him to hear.
Deliberately.
“Just as Orochimaru-sensei said…
Konoha really has begun to rot.” A bloodthirsty glint flashed beneath Muzan’s hood as he stared at the people spreading the rumors.
In an instant, he appeared before them.
Crack!
Crack!
His hand transformed into thorn-covered vines, whipping across their faces.
Blood sprayed across the street.
The surrounding civilians screamed in terror and scrambled away.
The men tried to run as well, but Muzan gave them no chance.
The thorny vines wrapped around their bodies, their razor-sharp spikes piercing flesh.
Their agonized screams echoed through the street.
“Y-You!
What are you doing?!
Attacking civilians in broad daylight!
The Konoha Military Police will never let you get away with this!” “Ahhh!
Damn you!
We didn’t say anything wrong!
It’s all Hatake Sakumo’s fault that Konoha suffered those losses!” Muzan merely smiled coldly.
Anything involving a Kage-level shinobi was, at minimum, an A-rank mission, often S-rank.
Operations of that level were classified so highly that even most of Konoha’s upper leadership had no authority to know the details.
Only those closest to the Hokage could investigate whether such missions had succeeded or failed.
“Hiruzen…
and Danzo.” “I hope neither of you crosses my bottom line.” Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Three figures suddenly appeared around him, each wearing a fox mask and holding a kunai.
One spoke.
“Release those civilians!” Muzan glanced at them.
All three wore identical fox masks.
Judging by their chakra, they were around chunin level.
So they had anticipated trouble.
“Anbu…
or Root?” The thorny vines suddenly contracted.
The civilians lying on the ground had both arms ripped clean off.
Blood rained from the sky, droplets splashing onto the street before being absorbed into Muzan’s black cloak.
Listening to their screams, his expression gradually twisted beneath the hood.
The nature of a demon was inherently savage.
Especially when someone touched his greatest taboo.
“Shut up.” His hoarse roar echoed through the street.
Invisible lashes ripped through their bodies, instantly knocking them unconscious.
“Bastard!
What have you done?!” The Anbu immediately unleashed ninjutsu, attempting to restrain him.
“You actually think you can stop me?” Watching the techniques fly toward him, Muzan slowly released the power sealed within his body.
In his Demon King state, every aspect of his strength increased dramatically.
He simply chose never to use it unless necessary.
Because that cold, emotionless sensation always returned.
It made him feel as though every person before him, civilian or shinobi alike, was nothing more than prey waiting to be devoured.
An instinctive contempt for lesser creatures welled up from the depths of his soul.
“You fools will lose your lives because of your own stupidity.” “Blood Demon Art: Black Blood Brambles!” It was the same technique he had used years ago against Kakashi.
Only now…
He was far stronger.
His body had matured with age, and chakra now coursed through every fiber of his being.
The explosive thorned vines erupted across the ground, weaving together into an enormous barrier.
They blocked the incoming Great Fireball before surging toward the three Anbu.
The trio immediately leaped backward.
Staring at the writhing brambles surrounding Muzan, fear filled their eyes.
“What kind of ability is this?!” “It looks…
similar to Orochimaru-sama’s techniques…” The thorny vines resembled mutated snakes.
Combined with the fact that Muzan was Orochimaru’s disciple, it truly lived up to his reputation as Konoha’s greatest prodigy.
“We have to subdue him today!
Otherwise, we can’t report back!” The three-man squad attacked in perfect coordination.
“Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!” “Wind Release: Whirlwind Fist!” Empowered by the wind, the Great Fireball instantly expanded in size.
This was the strength of coordinated teamwork.
Meanwhile, the third shinobi rapidly formed hand seals and activated a sealing technique.
Chains spread beneath Muzan’s feet.
Since he was resisting with overwhelming force, their plan was simple, injure him first, then capture him and bring him before the Third Hokage.
“Calling you fools is an insult to fools.” “So what if I can’t move?
What do you think an attack like this can accomplish?” “Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!” Orochimaru’s signature technique erupted from beneath Muzan’s cloak.
Several venomous snakes shot outward.
Some of them disappeared beneath the writhing thorny vines.
“Not good!
Get back!” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS Hidden_Quill Thank you so much for reading!