Orochimaru was genuinely fascinated.
Kekkei genkai were not common research materials.
Even someone of his status couldn’t simply acquire rare bloodline users whenever he pleased.
Not yet.
He was still one of Konoha’s greatest shinobi, not the future missing-nin who would fill hidden laboratories with unwilling test subjects.
That made Ren’s so-called Eating Release extraordinarily valuable.
“A bloodline like this actually exists…”
His golden eyes gleamed as he reviewed the latest data.
“So far, there doesn’t appear to be a discernible upper limit to the enhancement it provides.”
The implications were staggering.
What happened if Ren continued feeding it?
Year after year.
Decade after decade.
The Third Raikage possessed one of the most terrifying bodies in the entire shinobi world.
Yet even the Raikage had limits.
Compared to Eating Release…
That advantage suddenly seemed much less impressive.
Even under the most conservative estimate, this was a Kage-level bloodline.
Possibly something even greater.
For the current Orochimaru—before Hashirama’s cells, before immortality experiments, before his later obsessions—Ren represented the most valuable research opportunity he had ever encountered.
“If I possessed this ability myself…”
For a brief moment, even he felt tempted.
A stronger body was useful for any shinobi.
An endlessly evolving body?
That was enough to make anyone jealous.
Yet one question continued to linger at the edge of his thoughts.
Why had nobody ever heard of this bloodline before?
Had it simply never appeared in recorded history?
Or were there hidden limitations Ren had yet to encounter?
The possibilities multiplied endlessly.
Each answer only created more questions.
Eventually, Orochimaru set down his notes and looked at the boy sitting across from him.
“You wanted my help developing Eating Release.”
“That’s right.”
“Then we’ll begin with a complete physical evaluation.”
His lips curled into a faint smile.
“After that, I’ll design a training regimen specifically for you.”
The excitement in his voice was impossible to hide.
If they hadn’t been in Konoha…
If Ren wasn’t the only known user…
Orochimaru might already have been planning far more invasive experiments.
Fortunately, Ren had anticipated that possibility.
That was why he approached Orochimaru as a disciple seeking guidance rather than as a biological curiosity.
“Thank you, sensei.”
A satisfied smile appeared on Ren’s face.
Choosing Orochimaru had absolutely been the right decision.
Where else could he find a steady supply of powerful prey packed with chakra and natural energy?
Mount Myoboku certainly had giant toads.
If he had become Minato’s student, learning the Summoning Jutsu and reaching the toads wouldn’t have been impossible.
The problem came afterward.
The moment the toads discovered he was eating their relatives, negotiations would probably end.
Violently.
Ryuchi Cave, on the other hand?
The snakes had no such concerns.
And Orochimaru’s resources were absurd.
If suitable prey ever became scarce, Ren could easily imagine the man creating an entire breeding program to solve the problem.
Actually…
That sounded exactly like something Orochimaru would do.
Beyond that, he was genuinely an excellent teacher.
Sasuke’s future growth was proof enough.
Orochimaru never feared talented students.
Never withheld knowledge.
Never worried about being surpassed.
His teaching philosophy was strangely straightforward.
Learn everything I know.
Then try to kill me if you can.
Unfortunately for Orochimaru, that philosophy would eventually backfire.
For Ren, however, it was perfect.
The benefits became apparent almost immediately.
Over the following weeks, Orochimaru transformed Ren’s training into something that resembled a scientific research project more than shinobi instruction.
Every day began with testing.
Strength.
Speed.
Endurance. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
Recovery rate.
Chakra output.
Nothing escaped measurement.
Every result was recorded.
Every variable was tracked.
Training intensity changed according to performance.
Diet was carefully regulated.
Combat frequency was monitored and adjusted.
At regular intervals, Orochimaru summoned specially selected snakes and ordered them to fight Ren.
The entire process operated with the precision of a laboratory experiment.
Compared to the crude trial-and-error methods used by most shinobi, the difference was night and day.
Orochimaru even postponed several personal projects to focus on Eating Release research.
The results spoke for themselves.
Ren’s growth exploded.
Battling Orochimaru’s summoned snakes generated far greater gains than sparring with Academy students ever could.
Even talented Academy students.
Within two months, Ren accumulated more combat experience than he had during the previous two years combined.
The system practically printed rewards.
Not that his teammates were neglected.
Orochimaru’s attention was focused primarily on Ren, but even his casual instruction was extraordinary.
Kurenai improved rapidly.
Three new genjutsu entered her arsenal.
One of them was a B-Rank technique.
Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death.
For a newly graduated genin, it was an incredible trump card.
A skilled shinobi could build an entire fighting style around a technique of that caliber.
Rin’s progress was less dramatic but equally important.
She mastered several new medical techniques.
Her understanding of anatomy deepened significantly.
The foundation of an elite medical ninja was slowly taking shape.
Meanwhile, Ren began learning the Summoning Jutsu.
Progress was slower than expected.
Not because he lacked talent, but because Orochimaru kept filling his schedule with experiments.
Fortunately, there was no rush.
As long as Orochimaru could continue supplying opponents, Ren had little immediate need for personal summons.
Two months later.
Orochimaru sat alone in his office.
Stacks of notes covered his desk.
Research records.
Growth charts.
Combat logs.
Pages upon pages of observations.
Ren had completed two additional Feast cycles.
The accumulated data revealed clear patterns.
Certain creatures produced superior results.
Natural energy dramatically enhanced growth.
Combat accelerated digestion.
Several other variables were beginning to emerge as well.
The process was becoming increasingly predictable.
Which meant it could be optimized.
“An astonishing bloodline…”
Orochimaru murmured.
His eyes gleamed with obsession.
“It resembles no known kekkei genkai.”
“It follows entirely different principles.”
He paused.
Then smiled.
“And somehow…”
“It may be superior.”
His thoughts drifted toward the future.
What would Ren become after years of growth?
What kind of monster would Eating Release ultimately create?
A small frown appeared.
“There are fewer suitable snakes available.”
Natural-energy-infused specimens produced the best results.
Unfortunately, locating snakes that possessed sufficient natural energy while remaining small enough for practical consumption was becoming increasingly difficult.
Immediately, his mind began searching for solutions.
“Selective breeding…”
He tapped the desk thoughtfully.
“No.”
“Any species could work.”
The longer he considered it, the more convinced he became.
Allowing Ren to consume random prey was horribly inefficient.
A complete waste.
Each Feast cycle represented a valuable opportunity.
Every meal should be optimized.
Engineered.
Designed specifically to maximize growth.
Orochimaru was already constructing breeding programs in his head.
“Damn it, Orochimaru!”
A voice suddenly shattered his concentration.
“Orochimaru!”
“Can you hear me?”
“…Hm?”
He blinked.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
Then raised his head.
Dark circles hung beneath his eyes after weeks of relentless research.
Combined with his pale complexion, the result looked surprisingly ridiculous.
Across the table sat Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Staring at him.
Concernedly.
“Orochimaru.”
The Third Hokage sighed.
“What has gotten into you?”
“This is a jonin council meeting.”
“What exactly are you thinking about?”
Only then did Orochimaru finally register his surroundings.
The Hokage Tower.
Conference room.
Senior jonin.
The meeting.
Right.
That existed.
Compared to his research, however, it felt remarkably unimportant.
“My apologies.”
His expression immediately returned to normal.
“I was distracted.”
Hiruzen rubbed his forehead.
For a moment, he felt as though he were dealing with the same troublesome student he’d taught decades ago.
Unfortunately, that student had grown into one of Konoha’s most influential figures.
Scolding him wasn’t exactly an option anymore.
With another sigh, Hiruzen continued.
“Fine.”
“Then answer the question.”
Orochimaru blinked.
“What question?”
“The plan.”
“…Plan?”
“The Chunin Exams.”
Hiruzen stared at him.
“The plan to use the exams to demonstrate Konoha’s strength and deter the other villages.”
A long pause followed.
“You’ve been training Ren for two months.”
“Do you have confidence in the results?”
Orochimaru froze.
The Chunin Exams.
Right.
Those existed.
For several seconds, the future Sannin simply sat there.
Thinking.
Then realization finally dawned.
“Oh.”
Another pause.
“That was coming up, wasn’t it?”
Silence descended upon the conference room.
Every jonin stared.
Hiruzen stared hardest of all.
His expression slowly shifted from confusion…
To disbelief.
To profound concern.
What, exactly, had happened to his disciple during the past two months?