The next morning.
Hidden deep within the forested hills behind Konoha lay an underground base unknown to most.
Uchiha Jin walked through a narrow, damp corridor lit only by dim sealing lamps. The air was cold, sterile, heavy with the faint scent of chemicals.
At the end of the passage stood a laboratory that felt oddly out of place in the shinobi world—glass chambers, metallic operating tables, instrument panels humming softly with chakra-infused circuitry.
Several identical figures moved about the room, each immersed in separate tasks.
At the center, secured upon a surgical platform, lay a young boy in unconscious slumber—
Uchiha Itachi.
"Jin-kun," came a smooth, tired voice, "what brings you here at this hour?"
The original body of Orochimaru set aside his tools and approached. Though his tone was composed as ever, the exhaustion in his eyes was unmistakable.
Jin studied him for a moment.
"I did come with something important," he said mildly. "But seeing you like this… I almost feel guilty."
"Can't you find a few assistants? You're running yourself like a one-man army. At this rate you'll drop dead in the lab one day."
If Konoha ever handed out an award for Most Overworked Shinobi, Orochimaru would win it without contest.
He had completed an astonishing number of missions before his eventual defection—far more than most would ever realize. B-rank, A-rank, even S-rank missions stacked high. And all that while maintaining his research.
He was less a man and more a machine.
Orochimaru merely shook his head.
"Talent is scarce in any era," he replied calmly. "Scientific talent… even more so."
"I would gladly accept assistance. But those who cannot follow my thinking would only slow progress."
"And those capable of following it?" His golden eyes narrowed faintly. "Most are under the village's supervision. Loyalty becomes… complicated."
"As for those in Shimura Danzō's Root—" His smile thinned. "Using them would expose our cooperation. And likely cost me part of my research."
Jin understood immediately.
Medical personnel from Konoha Hospital could assist with basic procedures. But Orochimaru's experiments were not the kind one could report in official logs.
"They wouldn't survive in the light," Jin said quietly.
Orochimaru did not deny it.
"Bear with it a little longer," Jin continued. "Once Minato takes the Fourth's seat, you won't need to hide in the shadows like this."
He paused slightly.
"Also… I may have someone suitable for you. A child with remarkable talent. When the time is right, I'll bring him to you."
He was thinking of a certain future prodigy—one who, in another timeline, would inherit much of Orochimaru's knowledge and even surpass him in certain fields.
If things aligned properly, that boy would prove invaluable.
Orochimaru gave a faint chuckle.
"Then I shall look forward to it."
He gestured toward Itachi on the table.
"Now. What did you truly come for? If it is not urgent, I must return to my work. The study of Itachi's condition is at a critical stage."
Jin ignored the subtle dismissal.
"Have you made progress on Itachi's illness?"
At that, Orochimaru's fatigue seemed to lessen slightly, replaced by intellectual excitement.
"I have."
"Strictly speaking," he said, "it is not an illness."
Jin raised an eyebrow.
"It is a phenomenon of bloodline reversion."
"Reversion?" Jin repeated.
"Yes."
Orochimaru's tone grew analytical.
"I have not yet conducted direct comparative analysis, but I can state with confidence—Itachi's Uchiha bloodline purity is extraordinarily high."
"That grants him exceptional aptitude. Easier awakening of the Sharingan. Greater compatibility. Potentially even stronger ocular evolution."
"But such purity demands greater sustenance."
He glanced at the medical charts.
"The so-called 'chakra consuming life force' noted in his reports is a surface symptom."
"It is not his chakra devouring him."
"It is his bloodline drawing upon his vitality to sustain its awakening."
Jin nodded slowly.
"So the problem is imbalance."
"Precisely."
"Is there a solution?"
Orochimaru's lips curved faintly.
"Of course."
"Following the theoretical direction you suggested, I began experimenting with integrating his cells with Hashirama cells."
The name alone carried weight.
"Hashirama's cells are saturated with life force. Most bloodlines cannot withstand their dominance—they are overwhelmed."
"But Itachi lacks vitality."
"The compatibility is… promising."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed.
"What remains is calibration."
"A precise equilibrium between Uchiha bloodline activation and Senju vitality."
"It will require numerous trials."
"And time."
He made it quite clear he preferred to spend that time working.
Jin laughed softly and retrieved several scrolls from his sleeve.
"Itachi's research is important," he said. "But I assure you—if you send me away now, you will regret it."
Orochimaru's gaze fell upon the scrolls.
His expression changed instantly.
All trace of impatience vanished.
"Jin-kun," he said warmly, "you wound me. You honor me with your visit."
"Itachi's condition can wait a moment."
He stepped closer, golden eyes fixed on the scrolls.
"Now… what have you brought me this time?"
Whatever was inside those scrolls—
He already knew.
It would be worth far more than sleep.
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