Uchiha Jin smiled faintly and selected one scroll from the bundle in his hand, passing it to Orochimaru.
"This storage scroll contains the corpse of a creature known as White Zetsu."
"White… Zetsu?" Orochimaru's golden pupils narrowed with curiosity.
Jin nodded.
"It's a special lifeform. Essentially human in origin—but assimilated by Wood Release, forming a unique biological state."
Even Jin himself found the origin of White Zetsu difficult to summarize cleanly.
There were multiple accounts: one attributing their creation to an ancient divine technique that transformed humans into living weapons; another suggesting they were artificially cultivated using Hashirama cells and the Demonic Statue.
Jin leaned toward the former interpretation—but explaining those secrets would require unraveling layers of history that were neither relevant nor efficient at the moment.
Orochimaru didn't need mythology.
He needed function.
"You can think of White Zetsu as a Wood Release-based organism," Jin continued. "It perfectly adapts to Hashirama cells. It retains some of Hashirama's regenerative properties—but lacks the extreme invasive aggression those cells normally display."
"In short, it's far more compatible with other shinobi."
Orochimaru's gaze sharpened instantly.
"A biological buffer… between ordinary tissue and Hashirama's vitality."
"Precisely."
"It has many potential applications," Jin said. "The specifics will depend on your research."
Orochimaru looked at the scroll as though it were treasure.
"A lifeform capable of stabilizing Hashirama cells… fascinating."
He almost seemed eager to tear open the scroll on the spot.
Jin continued calmly.
"It should assist in Itachi's treatment. But I also want something else."
Orochimaru glanced up.
"What kind of assistance?"
"A supplementary agent," Jin said. "One derived from White Zetsu and Hashirama cells. Designed specifically for the Uchiha."
Orochimaru's interest deepened.
"What effect do you require?"
Jin folded his arms.
"When a Sharingan evolves past a certain threshold, members of my clan often encounter strain similar to Itachi's—though rarely as severe."
"You may have heard of the Mangekyō Sharingan."
Orochimaru nodded slightly.
"But you likely don't know the cost."
"The Mangekyō grants immense power," Jin continued, "but it is also a burden. The more we use it, the more our vision deteriorates."
"When its ocular power is exhausted… blindness is permanent."
Orochimaru's expression shifted into analytical mode.
"And you suspect this is a biological supply issue."
"Yes."
"If the body cannot sustain the ocular demand, degeneration occurs."
Jin's gaze sharpened slightly.
"There was once a case where integrating a White Zetsu body prevented such degradation."
"I need you to replicate that outcome."
"But safely."
Orochimaru's lips curved slowly.
"So the goal is not merely stabilization—but bloodline reinforcement."
Jin did not deny it.
Above the Mangekyō existed a higher state—the so-called Eternal Mangekyō. Traditionally, that evolution required transplanting the eyes of a close relative.
But Jin considered that method inelegant.
Primitive.
Both the Sage of Six Paths and Indra had reached higher ocular forms without sacrificing siblings.
The difference?
Blood purity.
Physical strength.
Later generations possessed diluted bloodlines and weaker bodies. Thus, they resorted to drastic measures to compensate.
But integrating Hashirama-derived vitality—through White Zetsu—represented another route.
Not sacrifice.
Enhancement.
A more efficient trade.
Orochimaru's tongue flicked across his lips.
"The Uchiha bloodline grows ever more intriguing."
He secured the White Zetsu scroll carefully.
"So that is the primary purpose of your visit?"
His gaze drifted to the remaining scrolls in Jin's hand.
"Or… is there more?"
Jin smiled and handed them over one by one.
"This scroll contains several Hyūga corpses."
"This one details the mechanics of the Caged Bird Seal."
"And these contain advanced sealing techniques."
Orochimaru's eyes flickered sharply.
"You intend to dismantle the Hyūga's Caged Bird system?"
He chuckled faintly.
"I assumed Minato's previous remarks were political theater. A staged provocation."
"But now… it appears you are serious."
Jin's expression did not waver.
"If we acknowledge oppression within the village and choose to ignore it—"
"Then how are we any different from the Third?"
Silence hung in the sterile lab.
"Ah…" Orochimaru suddenly laughed. Loudly. Freely.
"How indeed?"
"If leadership compromises on injustice for convenience, then it is merely another form of stagnation."
Jin nodded once.
"The Caged Bird Seal has endured for generations. It will not be easy to break."
"But I need you to analyze it. Improve it."
"Remove the lethal override. Eliminate the capacity for total control."
"Preserve protection. Erase enslavement."
Orochimaru's laughter slowly faded, replaced by intense focus.
"That is… a challenging request."
"Good," Jin replied calmly. "If it were easy, I wouldn't have brought it to you."
"Minato and Kushina will also study sealing refinements. Coordinate with them if necessary."
Orochimaru gave a slow nod.
"I understand."
His gaze drifted to the scrolls again.
White Zetsu.
Mangekyō stabilization.
Hyūga seal restructuring.
For a scientist like him—
This was paradise.
And Jin knew it.
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