In the original story, although Orochimaru never truly cured Jūgo, he managed to extract natural energy from Jūgo's body—this later became the foundation of the Cursed Seal.
This method of drawing out natural energy was also an effective way to delay Jūgo's rampages.
To truly cure Jūgo, however, he would need to perfectly adapt to the natural energy within his body—and that was extremely difficult.
Because merging natural energy with chakra required immense physical endurance and mental control. The slightest mistake could trigger another berserk episode.
Wen Lan brought Jūgo to Orochimaru's laboratory.
Jūgo stood nervously behind him, staring at the rows of strange bottles and equipment inside the lab.
Wen Lan gently patted Jūgo's shoulder, signaling him to relax.
"This is the laboratory of Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha. Don't worry—no one here will threaten your life."
Jūgo nodded after hearing this, but the tension in his heart did not lessen at all. After all, he had only just met Wen Lan.
They entered a room.
Kimimaro sat shirtless on an operating table while Orochimaru held a syringe, drawing blood.
When Kimimaro saw Wen Lan, he immediately spoke respectfully:
"Lord Wen Lan."
Wen Lan nodded, signaling that formalities were unnecessary.
After finishing the blood draw, Orochimaru did not even look at Wen Lan. He walked to a table, began scribbling notes on paper, and said:
"Kimimaro's body shows no growth at all. His bloodline problem is extremely severe. My conservative estimate is that he has about ten years left to live."
"If necessary, then stop the experiment and give him my blood," Wen Lan said calmly.
"Oh, and this is Jūgo."
Orochimaru paused, turned, and examined Jūgo carefully. A trace of interest flashed in his eyes.
"Anyone you bring must possess something unusual. Go on—explain."
"Like Senju Hashirama, he was born with a natural Sage Body.
But he cannot control the natural energy inside him and frequently falls into berserk states.
I need you to find a method to control those episodes," Wen Lan said evenly.
Hearing this, Orochimaru slowly stood up, tapping the table lightly with his finger while scanning Jūgo from head to toe.
"Interesting."
A sinister smile spread across his face as he picked up a clean syringe and walked toward Jūgo.
"May I draw a vial of your blood?"
Jūgo hesitated briefly, then nodded.
"Yes."
After collecting the sample, Orochimaru began analyzing it.
Wen Lan was in no hurry. He gestured for Kimimaro and Jūgo to stay together for a while.
Perhaps because of fate—or perhaps because of how things were in the original story—although neither of them spoke, there was a subtle sense of closeness between Kimimaro and Jūgo.
After a long while, Orochimaru clicked his tongue.
"The concentration of natural energy in his blood is extremely high.
To prevent rampages, we'll need a special method to extract that natural energy from his body.
I'll have to conduct thorough experiments and design a device capable of stabilizing absorption and release."
Hearing this logical explanation, Jūgo felt much more reassured.
Wen Lan looked at him.
"Then stay with Orochimaru from now on. Is that acceptable?"
Jūgo immediately nodded.
"Yes! Thank you, Lord Wen Lan. Thank you, Lord Orochimaru."
Seeing that the matter was settled, Wen Lan did not linger and turned to leave.
When Wen Lan returned home, night had already fallen. The wind outside tapped gently against the window.
A lot had happened that day.
He stood by the window for a long time, unconsciously running his fingers along the sheath of the Kusanagi Sword, his gaze resting on the cherry tree swaying softly in the courtyard.
Time flowed quietly like water.
In the blink of an eye, five years passed.
During those five years, nothing major occurred.
Kimimaro's illness was stabilized. Though not cured, his life was no longer in danger.
Under Orochimaru's guidance, Jūgo gradually learned to control natural energy. His rampages became less frequent year by year.
The device began showing results—eventually even allowing others to briefly enter Sage Mode.
And based on Jūgo's blood, the Cursed Seal was successfully developed.
Kimimaro and Jūgo often trained together, their coordination growing stronger, as if fate had already bound them together.
Wen Lan continued to observe quietly, occasionally checking on the progress of the experiments.
Naruto and Sasuke also reached the age to enroll in the Ninja Academy.
Fugaku and Minato originally wanted Wen Lan to personally train them, but he refused.
Instead:
Sasuke became Orochimaru's student
Naruto was trained directly by Minato
However, Naruto did not seem to inherit Minato's spatial talent. He could not sense spatial fluctuations and therefore could not use the Flying Thunder God technique.
But without the interference of Kurama's chakra, Naruto learned the Rasengan—and could even form it one-handed.
Hana had also grown into a graceful young woman.
There was still a hint of wildness in her features, giving her a unique beauty.
One day, Kimimaro approached Wen Lan respectfully.
"Lord Wen Lan, Lord Orochimaru says the experiment can begin."
Wen Lan, who was eating with Hikari and Ye Cang, paused and set down his chopsticks.
"Understood."
Kimimaro bowed and left.
Wen Lan stood up.
"You two continue eating. I need to step out."
With that, he left.
Soon, he arrived at the Hyūga compound.
Hyūga Hiashi and Hizashi came out to greet him, their expressions solemn.
"Lord Wen Lan, you've finally arrived."
Ever since the explanation about the Tenseigan, the two brothers had been anxious. Though they gradually calmed down over time, Wen Lan's arrival today made their nerves tighten again.
Hizashi could not help but ask:
"Lord Wen Lan… could it be…?"
Wen Lan nodded.
"Clan Head Hiashi, Head Hizashi—please come with me."
The brothers exchanged a glance and nodded.
"Understood."
The three of them arrived at Orochimaru's laboratory.
Inside, Anko, Kimimaro, and Jūgo were already waiting. The experimental device emitted a faint blue glow.
Orochimaru stood at the center, holding a test tube filled with faintly glowing liquid.
"Leave," he ordered. "No one enters without permission."
"Yes!"
Anko and the others quickly exited and closed the door.
Hiashi stepped forward and bowed.
"Lord Orochimaru, thank you for your hard work."
"It's nothing," Orochimaru replied calmly.
"Lie down."
Hiashi and Hizashi lay on two separate operating beds.
Orochimaru handed Wen Lan two test tubes.
"Drip the blood inside into their eyes."
"Understood."
Wen Lan moved to Hiashi's side, while Orochimaru stood beside Hizashi.
Slowly, they dripped the blood into the brothers' eyes.
In an instant—
Their Byakugan activated automatically.
Intense pain twisted their bodies, and agonized screams burst from their throats.
The cries echoed within the sealed laboratory, completely contained by the barrier.
Wen Lan stared at the blood surging within their eye sockets.
Blood streamed down their faces as the veins around the Byakugan were reshaped by an ancient force.
After several breaths, the screams faded.
Hiashi and Hizashi slowly opened their eyes—
Their pupils were no longer white.
They now glowed with a deep, luminous blue light.
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