"Yes! This period of research has finally yielded results." Ryujin Kenichi revealed a modest smile, knowing that at this stage, he couldn't hide anything from his master.
However, his pursuit of knowledge could not waver. Only by growing stronger could he carve his own path in the shinobi world. Kenichi had always been fascinated by the secrets of the Rinnegan and the Otsutsuki bloodline.
And, of course, there was the God Tree. The mere thought of its boundless potential sent a thrill through him.
"I originally thought you might never amount to anything beyond a Genin," Orochimaru remarked, his tone indifferent. "But now, seeing that you at least have the potential to reach the level of a Chunin, there may still be some use for you." He turned away, motioning for Kenichi to follow him towards the laboratory.
To Orochimaru, whether his disciple became a Chunin was of little consequence. A Jonin-level shinobi was merely the foundation—true strength lay beyond that. Above Jonin were the Elite Jonin, the legendary Sannin, and the formidable Kage-level shinobi.
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with an almost feverish intensity. Beyond even the Kage-level, there were beings of unparalleled might—those who had earned the title of God of Shinobi.
"Sensei, I've been contemplating that… experiment." Kenichi leaned in, speaking just above a whisper. Orochimaru's golden eyes flickered as he cast a brief glance around them before waving a hand in dismissal.
Understanding his master's intent, Kenichi immediately fell silent, waiting until they had reached the underground laboratory to speak further.
"Go on," Orochimaru instructed, idly observing a petri dish as he settled into his chair. "What have you come up with?"
Kenichi inhaled deeply before responding. "Sensei, while working on the previous test subjects, I observed something curious…" He detailed his findings as succinctly as possible before presenting a new hypothesis.
At first, Orochimaru seemed only half-listening, but as Kenichi spoke, the Sannin's interest sharpened. He leaned forward, his reptilian eyes narrowing with intrigue.
"This rejection process you've mentioned is… quite fascinating." Orochimaru's voice carried a trace of genuine appreciation. Though Kenichi lacked natural prowess in combat, his mind was undeniably sharp in the field of scientific research.
Moreover, this phenomenon Kenichi described was reminiscent of something Orochimaru had already encountered in his pursuit of immortality. Compatibility between cells—especially those of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju—had always been a formidable obstacle in his experiments.
"So, you propose that we conduct preliminary compatibility tests first—identifying subjects with a higher tolerance for Hashirama's cells—before attempting to suppress rejection, correct?" Orochimaru asked, a sinister smirk playing on his lips.
Kenichi nodded. "Yes, Sensei. This method would minimize the loss of viable test subjects while reducing the risk of external detection."
He chose his words carefully, knowing that anything framed in terms of efficiency and secrecy would appeal to Orochimaru.
"I'll consider it." Orochimaru didn't commit outright, but Kenichi had learned to read his master's subtle cues. Orochimaru was clearly intrigued. If nothing else, he would experiment with the idea.
It was likely that his master's restrained actions at the moment stemmed from his lingering desire to become the Fourth Hokage. However, once that possibility was off the table, Kenichi suspected Orochimaru's ambitions would become far more unrestrained.
"Kenichi," Orochimaru mused, watching his disciple with veiled amusement, "this proposal of yours was quite insightful. Tell me—what reward would you like?"
His tone was unreadable, his slitted pupils gleaming with something between curiosity and calculation.
Orochimaru was quite satisfied with his disciple. Kenichi was a capable assistant in his experiments, and he wasn't stingy when it came to rewards.
"Teacher, I want to study bloodline limits," Ryujin Kenichi stated, thinking for a moment before speaking.
Ninjutsu wasn't his main focus. If he wanted to learn techniques, Orochimaru would certainly teach him—along with his own experience and knowledge of how to fight other ninjas. The forbidden jutsu that Kenichi craved most, however, would likely remain out of reach for now. Hiruzen Sarutobi, though old, was still an incredibly powerful ninja, and even Orochimaru found it difficult to challenge him directly, unless he had completely mastered the Impure World Reincarnation—a goal that would take time to achieve.
Kenichi thought about it for a moment. He had to settle for second best, but that didn't make his goal any less ambitious. "I want to study a bloodline limit."
"Oh? The Hyūga clan? Or perhaps the Uchiha clan?" Orochimaru asked, his lips curling into a smirk. His disciple was indeed a worthy one, sharing much of his own ambition.
"Neither. Teacher, I've heard of a powerful bloodline limit in Kirigakure," Kenichi replied, unfazed. "It's said to belong to the Kaguya clan."
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. The Kaguya clan? He was familiar with their bloodline—Shikotsumyaku, the ability to control their bones and manipulate them like weapons. It was a fascinating technique, one that piqued his interest. "You are correct. The Shikotsumyaku… yes, I've heard of it. A unique and potent bloodline limit indeed."
Kenichi was unfazed by the mention of the Uchiha or Hyūga bloodlines. To him, the Sharingan and Byakugan were less interesting compared to the Shikotsumyaku. The Kaguya clan's ability to manipulate their bones held far more allure, especially since it offered such an offensive and defensive advantage.
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed in thought. "That would require careful planning. Kirigakure has Kage-level shinobi, and acquiring a test subject won't be easy."
Kenichi nodded, understanding that this was no small task. But he wasn't in a rush. He had faith that if Orochimaru wanted something, he would find a way to acquire it. Besides, Orochimaru was no stranger to gathering information and manipulating others to achieve his goals. Kenichi also knew that Orochimaru had Kimimaro, a surviving member of the Kaguya clan, though the exact timing of their meeting was unclear to him.
Kenichi was patient. He knew his role as Orochimaru's disciple, but he also understood the complexities of their relationship, especially with Anko Mitarashi involved. While Orochimaru was no longer tied to Konoha, Kenichi wasn't overly concerned about his safety. Orochimaru's defection had been a long time ago, and Kenichi had grown used to the darker aspects of their experiments.
"Alright then," Orochimaru said, breaking the silence. "I'll arrange for three test subjects. You can use them to test the rejection process you mentioned earlier. Afterward, I expect a full report."
Kenichi smiled, a glint of anticipation in his eyes. Bloodshed was inevitable in Orochimaru's line of work, and Kenichi had long since come to terms with it. It was a part of his growth, a necessary step if he were to learn from the master of forbidden jutsu.
"Understood, Teacher."