Konoha.
A hidden underground facility.
This had once been Orochimaru's private research base.
After Hiruzen Sarutobi exposed certain incriminating materials related to Danzo Shimura, Orochimaru had voluntarily handed the place over to the village.
And he was perfectly satisfied with that decision.
Once it became official property, he submitted a formal request for research funding. It passed smoothly and generously.
The transformation was immediate.
In the past, the base had been under-equipped. To maintain secrecy, the lighting had been dim and ventilation poor. The air reeked. The floors were slick. It had felt more like a black-market exchange den than a laboratory.
Orochimaru had never liked it.
Just because he had an affinity for snakes did not mean he enjoyed working in a damp cave.
He was a scientist. Who wouldn't want a laboratory that was at least sterile and dust-free, with proper equipment?
Now everything was different.
His teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was fully backing technological development.
The lab was bright and spotless. Sterilization and dust-removal systems ran at full capacity. Constant Temperature and Humidity Machines hummed steadily. High-speed Centrifuges, Microbial Detectors, Reactors, Chromatographs… every piece of equipment he could possibly need stood ready.
If it could be bought, they bought the best.
If it could not, Orochimaru acquired the finest materials and built it himself. If certain instruments required ninjutsu modifications, he could openly request assistance.
No more secrecy. No more compromise.
Orochimaru glanced at the report in his hands. The corner of his mouth lifted without him realizing it.
A laboratory of this level was unmatched in the entire shinobi world. And it would continue expanding.
He did not even want to go home anymore.
He thought he was merely smiling.
But to Shikazan Nara and Torifu Akimichi, who stood nearby, that expression had not been a simple smile these past few days. It was sustained exhilaration.
He looked like someone running on stimulants.
Working in this environment was pure pleasure for him.
For the first time in a long while, Orochimaru deeply felt how comforting it was to have Hiruzen Sarutobi's support.
To have a Hokage and a powerful hidden village backing him… it was wonderful.
"Everyone busy?" Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped into the lab, dressed in a white hooded sterile suit.
"Third-sama!"
"Sensei!"
The group greeted him immediately.
When Orochimaru noticed that Hiruzen had properly followed laboratory protocol, something flickered in his eyes.
Sensei respects the craft…
When he had cooperated with Danzo Shimura before, he had also asked him to follow procedure. But the so-called darkness of the shinobi world had always insisted on asserting his special status, barging in without regard.
After a while, Orochimaru had simply stopped caring. The laboratory had devolved into something closer to a slaughterhouse.
"Old friend, what brings you here?" Hiruzen's eyes lit up when he spotted Torifu Akimichi. He strode forward and pulled him into a firm embrace.
Torifu clearly had not expected such warmth. Surprise flickered across his face.
For years, he had voluntarily withdrawn from Konoha's upper ranks. It was not because of injury.
It went back to that day, when Tobirama Senju chose to stay behind and cover their retreat.
Torifu had blurted out, almost unconsciously, "A decoy? That means someone will die. Who's going?"
After the Second Hokage fell in battle, those words haunted him.
Hiruzen had stepped forward to take responsibility. Kagami had died. Danzo had risen late but decisively. Homura and Koharu had analyzed escape routes.
And Torifu?
He had never forgiven himself.
"I heard from Shikazan that you're making big moves for the village," Torifu said quietly, lowering his head slightly. "Developing medicine to generate funds…"
"I know it's a good thing. I may not be much in combat, but I've studied pharmaceuticals."
"I figured I could at least contribute something. I was worried the younger ones in the clan might not handle it well, so I came myself."
Hiruzen felt a surge of emotion.
Ninja had survived for centuries as tools of war, yet their hearts burned fiercely.
Torifu's experience reminded him of someone else from their generation.
Kosuke Maruboshi.
A man with Jonin-level strength and deep seniority, yet because of an early mistake that led to a teammate's death, he had willingly remained a Genin. In every war, he charged to the front lines.
With a little polishing, this is prime material for promoting the Will of Fire…
What excellent publicity…
The thought flickered across Hiruzen's mind.
He clasped Torifu's hands firmly. "The past cannot be undone. But without you, I've always felt something was missing."
"Among us, you were never the strongest fighter. But when it came to logistics and management, you were the best."
"Now that you've returned, don't think about stepping back again. Do more for the village. If Tobirama-sama's spirit watches from above, he would want this."
Torifu nodded heavily.
Why did those words warm him so deeply?
"The lab is well assembled, Orochimaru." Hiruzen looked around, lifting a brow with a teasing smile. "Quite thorough equipment selection, I see."
For developing a so-called health elixir for nobles, much of this equipment was unnecessary.
"It's a rare opportunity, Sensei," Orochimaru replied, blinking. "Not easily obtained. Please rest assured, these instruments will serve Konoha's development in the future."
"If you need funding or support with techniques, submit a report. The village stands behind you." Hiruzen waved a hand generously. "Early-stage research requires investment. I understand that."
"These expenditures are necessary. Science and technology are the primary productive forces. I have always believed that."
Orochimaru repeated the phrase silently, savoring it. His eyes brightened.
As expected of Sensei.
Danzo Shimura could think for a hundred years and never say something like that. He would only nitpick about costs.
He wanted the cow to grow strong without feeding it.
Wasn't that absurd?
"Let me see your progress. Do we have samples yet?" Hiruzen asked. "The Administrative Department is already laying groundwork with the Land of Fire. Homura and Koharu are handling the messaging. We're moving on both fronts."
"We've produced preliminary samples," Orochimaru said, his tone turning precise and clinical. "Based on the Nara clan's secret pharmaceutical manual, adjusted by Tsunade, supplemented with insights from Uncle Torifu. I made several compatibility refinements myself."
"First is the fast-acting layer. After ingestion, it stimulates the body, creating a sensation of full-body comfort and lightness in the limbs. With the addition of snake-scale extract, it also provides a calming effect."
"Second is the long-term layer. Taken regularly, it significantly reduces fatigue and enhances overall vitality in ordinary people."
"And with toad skin oil supplied by Mount Myoboku, the formulation becomes gentler while emphasizing nourishment."
Hiruzen nodded with satisfaction.
The core effects he had requested were more or less achieved.
But when the sample was finally presented before him, he could not help but laugh.
Why did it look almost identical to Food Pills?
No matter how effective it was, if it looked like that, it would never sell at a premium price.