They said it was a reconnaissance mission, but not right now.
After all, things were still relatively peaceful among the major hidden villages, and the incident involving Kumogakure in the Land of Hot Springs still needed resolving.
So Gekko Chizan understood clearly—they absolutely wouldn't be leaving for Sunagakure anytime soon.
Right now, all of Gekko Chizan's attention was focused on Orochimaru's laboratory.
...
The next day, Gekko Chizan arrived at Orochimaru's house, visibly excited.
He'd waited so long—finally, he could explore Orochimaru's true treasure trove.
"Orochimaru-sensei, is this your lab? You're really letting me take part in the experiments now?"
"But remember—don't touch anything without permission."
Orochimaru's tone had lost its usual calm and now carried a trace of chill.
It was clear this laboratory was extremely important to him.
Even with his own student, he had to be cautious.
Gekko Chizan nodded rapidly, solemnly promising to behave.
He stepped once again into the shadowy lab.
There were now several enormous containers filled with liquid.
Inside the liquids, animal corpses floated.
Countless bottles and jars lined the walls, far too many to count.
"Chizan-kun, do you know of the Scroll of Seals?"
Gekko Chizan nodded.
"Yes, it's the forbidden scroll left behind by the Second Hokage-sama, filled with advanced forbidden jutsu."
"I imagine sensei must've studied some of them as well."
In Konoha, the Scroll of Seals wasn't truly sealed away forever—if someone made a great enough contribution to the village, they could exchange it for the right to study one of the jutsu.
As a top-tier ninja and the Third Hokage's favored student, Orochimaru had surely read it.
Orochimaru gave Gekko Chizan a look of appreciation.
"Yes. I've studied more than one jutsu from that scroll."
"Aren't you curious which ones?"
Gekko Chizan shook his head.
Of course not. What else could it be but Edo Tensei?
Using that jutsu as a foundation, Orochimaru had created Living Corpse Reincarnation, truly achieving immortality.
"Hehehe... the jutsu I studied are indeed quite mysterious."
"It's fine if you're not curious."
"Let me ask you something else, Chizan-kun—are you curious about life?"
Not curious. Not at all. Life's short—just be happy.
That was Gekko Chizan's honest thought—but of course, he couldn't say that out loud, or he'd be thrown out on the spot.
"Life is amazing. It's fragile, yet full of resilience."
That was a reply Gekko Chizan had prepared in advance.
After all, Orochimaru's shift in mentality had come from witnessing too many instances of life and death.
And just as Gekko Chizan had predicted, a faint glint appeared in Orochimaru's eyes after hearing his answer.
Clearly, he was both surprised and impressed.
"Excellent. You really are suited to stay by my side."
"Come, Chizan-kun. Let's begin with the basics—dissection."
Orochimaru pointed to a toad corpse nearby, assigning him his first lesson as a beginner.
Gekko Chizan stared at the toad on the table.
Ah, this life... truly full of excitement.
...
In the days that followed, Gekko Chizan perfectly demonstrated what it meant to be a "rock in the scientific world."
Orochimaru told him to dissect—he chopped things up instead.
Orochimaru told him to extract blood for observation—he turned into a vampire and drew a whole liter.
Orochimaru told him to study biology...
Orochimaru...
Orochimaru was speechless. Gekko Chizan had achieved the impossible: turning such a venomous snake into a mute.
Finally, after three whole months, Orochimaru couldn't take it anymore.
Staring at Gekko Chizan, who had just been shoved out the door, Orochimaru's brow twitched violently.
"Chizan-kun, after much thought... I think you should stick to studying Ninjutsu."
"Science isn't really... suited to you."
"And also... where is my Kusanagi sword?"
He was the one who'd chosen this disciple—what could he do?
And to be fair, this student was talented, strong, and even had a kekkei genkai that could help him understand genetic structure.
But when it came to scientific experiments—completely clueless.
Three months in, and he hadn't even reached the beginner level.
Worse, Orochimaru's lab supplies had dwindled considerably, and somehow... his Kusanagi sword had gone missing.
Gekko Chizan looked back at the lab with deep regret. He truly wanted to stay.
Not to mention everything else—just the sheer number of experimental potions he'd "acquired"!
Stimulants for chakra flow, accelerants for physical recovery, enhancers for mental energy...
Ahhh, Orochimaru was a walking treasure trove.
Though a bit sinister now, that would come later. To Gekko Chizan at this point, Orochimaru was practically a saint!
He'd even found several swords hidden in a secret compartment of the lab's cabinet.
One glance, and he could tell—they were all Kusanagi swords.
And he took one right away. The blade was straight and lacked a guard.
Clearly, it was the same type Sasuke would wield in the future. And since he'd seen it, there was no reason not to take it.
He slipped it into his robes without hesitation.
And so, thanks to "borrowing" countless potions and one Kusanagi sword from his own teacher...
He was honored with a massive boost to his attributes.
Now, even at just fifteen years old, he had already reached the standard of a full-fledged jonin.
[Gekko Chizan]
[Age: 15]
[Konoha, Gekko Clan Jonin, Jinchuriki (Seven-Tails)]
[Kekkei Genkai: Transparent Release (Perfect Mastery)]
[Ninjutsu: Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu, Eight Gates, Flying Thunder God Jutsu, Fire Style Ninjutsu (Fireball, Phoenix Fire), Earth Style Ninjutsu (Mud Wall, Headhunter Jutsu), Wind Style Ninjutsu (Body Shield, Great Breakthrough, Wind Cutter), Hidden Shadow Snake Hands]
[Tailed Beast: Chomei, Affinity 100%]
[Strength: 55]
[Speed: 70]
[Chakra: 70]
[Physique: 75]
[Ninjutsu: 80]
[Taijutsu: 50]
[Genjutsu: 55]
[Hand Seals: 55]
[Ding! Reminder: Stats are based on the "Manual." Approximate ratio is 1:10]
Gekko Chizan was thoroughly pleased with his current state. While he still had some gaps, his Ninjutsu alone had reached 80—this allowed him to unleash techniques with power far beyond his past level.
And now, faced with being kicked out by his own teacher, he looked utterly wronged.
"Sensei, you can't blame me! That scalpel is nothing like my ninja blade. I wanted to cut vertically, and it insisted on going sideways."
"Ahhh, I really did want to keep doing experiments with you!"
"Fine! Sensei, if you ever need help, just say the word!"
"With my kekkei genkai, I could even steal the Third's tobacco pipe for you if you asked!"
Orochimaru stared at the wildly gesturing Gekko Chizan, a twitch in his lip. For the first time, he seriously wondered if choosing this disciple had been a mistake.
What would he even do with the Third Hokage's pipe?
But somehow... Gekko Chizan's words stirred something in Orochimaru's heart.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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