In the Daimyo Mansion of the Land of Water, the Hokage transfer ceremony was grandly held.
The atmosphere of the venue was solemn, a stark contrast to the fierce battle in the snowy fields of the Land of Rice Fields a few months prior.
On the high platform, Shun, dressed in the Daimyo's luxurious robes, cast a majestic gaze over the crowd below.
Beside him stood Tsunade, in her Hokage robe, and Orochimaru, who had changed into a Kage robe embroidered with a flame pattern.
Shun's voice, amplified by Chakra, resonated throughout the entire venue. "Today is a day worth commemorating. The Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, has worked diligently for many years and achieved outstanding merits. Now, due to a major scientific research project requiring her full dedication, she has decided to step down from the heavy burden of Hokage."
He paused slightly, his gaze shifting to the cold-tempered scientist beside him.
"And her successor is one of Konoha's Sannin, a scientific giant hailed as a rare talent in decades, Orochimaru!"
Polite applause erupted from below the stage, but there was more whispering and thinly veiled surprise. Clearly, Orochimaru's succession as the Sixth Hokage was unexpected by many.
Shun's voice overpowered the murmurs of the crowd. "Many years ago, Orochimaru undertook a long-term scientific research mission, which caused him to fade from public view. However, his strength and his past achievements are more than sufficient to qualify him for the position of Sixth Hokage."
"Currently, the scientific research mission he was conducting has achieved a significant, phased breakthrough. The knowledge and technology he possesses will greatly advance the Ninja World. Therefore, for him to succeed as the Sixth Hokage and lead Konoha into a new era of technology is the most suitable choice."
Tsunade stepped forward, making her solemn and gentle statement. "I deeply understand Orochimaru's capabilities and contributions. I am completely at ease with him taking over as Hokage. Konoha's future needs his wisdom."
She removed her Hokage hat and solemnly handed it to Orochimaru.
Orochimaru took the hat, his hoarse voice echoing. "Thank you, Your Excellency the Daimyo, and the Fifth Hokage, for your trust. I will not fail in my duty and will lead the village to unprecedented prosperity."
His speaking skills were superb, perfectly portraying the image of a heroic scientist who had long endured for the greater good and now returned with honor.
The applause from below the stage grew much more enthusiastic.
Tsunade took off her Hokage robe, a symbol of power, as if shedding a thousand-pound burden.
At this time, massive equipment and vast amounts of research data were continuously being sent into the newly expanded, super-large research center.
Dozens of Otogakure researchers changed their attire, donning Konoha headbands (though the style was slightly different), their identities instantly whitewashed, becoming the "Konoha Special Technology Unit."
...
That night, Orochimaru quietly instructed several key Otogakure members, "All data is to be archived according to S-rank confidentiality regulations, and the transferred experimental samples must be foolproof. From now on, there is no Otogakure, only Konoha's Sixth Research Institute."
Konoha's Sixth Research Institute, also known as the Ultra-Modern Biological Laboratory, was located deep underground somewhere in the Land of Water.
At this moment, Tsunade and Orochimaru stood side by side in front of a giant cultivation tank. Suspended in the tank was a clone infant, with all body parts already developed, but its eyes were tightly closed, as if in a long sleep.
Orochimaru's golden snake eyes were fixed on the data stream on the monitoring screen.
"Tsunade, is this your work? Neuron activation rate 98.7%, Chakra circulatory system perfectly replicated, even more optimized than my previous designs."
Tsunade sighed, "Shun said not to let the clone have consciousness. This clone will be used as the foundation for reviving Nawaki. But aren't we being a bit too cruel by doing this?"
Her voice was a little hoarse. Even for her, playing with the boundary of life and death brought significant psychological pressure.
Orochimaru chuckled lowly. "Hehehe, reviving the dead always requires a price. Such a price, in my opinion, is very cheap."
Tsunade nodded and said nothing more. She knew they were playing on the edge of life and death, but the desire to revive her younger brother had overwhelmed everything else.
At the other end of the laboratory, Shun looked through a one-way glass wall.
Watching Tsunade and Orochimaru, both immersed in the world of scientific research, a controlling smile curved at the corner of his lips.
He whispered to Nono, "Progress is faster than expected. Notify them to increase resource allocation and meet all their demands. I want to see the most perfect outcome."
"Yes, Your Excellency the Daimyo." Nono bowed in response.
On the other side of the laboratory, there was another, slightly smaller cultivation tank. Submerged in the tank was a small girl, approximately three years old.
On the label next to the cultivation tank, a code name and date were simply printed: Nohara Rin, Cultivation Period: 1 year 2 months 17 days.
Shun quietly asked, "What is the progress of the Rin project?"
Nono immediately responded, her tone steady, "Everything is normal, Your Excellency. Using accelerated cultivation technology, her development is three times that of a normal person. To reach physiological maturity (18-year-old state) will still require approximately 5 years."
Shun nodded slightly, showing no emotion. "Maintain observation. Her value lies in purity and completeness. No extra power is needed, it is enough for her to simply be her."
Inside the laboratory, after recording Nawaki's data, Tsunade habitually walked to Rin's cultivation tank.
Looking at the young child inside, her gaze was even more complex than when she looked at Nawaki, mixed with deeper ethical unease and a hint of maternal pity.
She recorded the data, her voice very low. "Cell activity is normal, nerve development is good. She's truly a quiet girl."
Orochimaru also strolled over, his golden snake eyes coldly scanning the data, then looking at the little girl in the tank.
"A very perfect clone sample, without any genetic defects or mutations. Unfortunately, it lacks the challenge of something like Hashirama cells, the process is unremarkable."
His tone was more like he was evaluating a work of art rather than a life.
Tsunade's expression darkened, but she did not retort. She took one last look at the sleeping little girl in the tank, then turned and walked to her main control console, her back appearing slightly heavy.
Two cultivation tanks, two different forms of "resurrection," stood silently in the technologically advanced laboratory.
One represented power and the hopes of the past, the other represented purity and long-term planning. And no matter which one, both involved the lingering spirits of the past and the unpredictable storms of the future.
In the cultivation tank, the three-year-old Rin clone's small mouth unconsciously sucked once, releasing a tiny bubble that slowly rose.