After arranging Kabuto's affairs, Orochimaru no longer hesitated. Using his own Chakra as a medium, he summoned soul fragments from the Pure Land.
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle...
After a burst of illusory mist rose and dissipated, a blue, summoning-like Chakra soul body appeared in the underground laboratory.
At this time, it was no longer a ball of light. Like the Third Kazekage before, it had a complete human shape.
However, compared to Orochimaru's main body, this soul body had a small head and a large body, like a giant snake that had just swallowed a buffalo. Its abdomen bulged high, like a ball.
"..."
Only now did Orochimaru understand the meaning of the word 'greedy' in the lamp spirit's mouth.
Looking at the soul body, with its different body but same mind, tightly closing its mouth but still unable to stop the outflow of soul energy, 'popping' out streams of light, Orochimaru felt somewhat embarrassed for some reason.
But at the same time, he also knew that the preciousness of this soul energy was self-evident, considering it could make him lose his composure.
Unwilling to delay any longer, Orochimaru immediately summoned the soul fragment back into his body.
In an instant, a comfortable feeling spread from the depths of his soul. Then, his body began to change.
Orochimaru immediately felt a deep hunger spreading from every cell. This feeling was so strong that even the 'Sannin' could hardly resist it.
Yakushi Kabuto watched Orochimaru fall to the ground, curled up in a weak state. Even though he had been warned in advance, he was still surprised and quickly placed Orochimaru in a nutrient tank.
Splash, splash...
As the light green liquid completely filled the nutrient tank, Orochimaru's body stretched out a little. He bit down on the respirator, breathing like a cow, spitting out bubbles. The nutrients in the solution were also devoured by his body's instinct, and quickly became murky.
This speed was far beyond expectations. Yakushi Kabuto's expression changed, and he immediately turned the nutrient tank's circulation supply equipment to the maximum.
Afraid that it wouldn't be enough for Orochimaru, he decisively removed the equipment from the other two nutrient tanks and installed them on the spare inlets and outlets of the nutrient tank.
With a supply of three times the maximum power, he barely managed to maintain the nutrient concentration in the tank at an acceptable minimum.
This frantic devouring lasted for three days and three nights before it stopped.
Yakushi Kabuto, who had been staying in the laboratory, breathed a sigh of relief as he watched the rate slow down.
In just three days, Orochimaru had devoured the amount that a normal Jonin consumed in twenty days. The laboratory's reserves were only enough for two months. If this continued, he was really worried that it wouldn't be enough.
But even slowed down, the rate was still two or three times that of a normal Jonin. It could only last for another twenty days or so at most.
"It seems I need to prepare more nutrient solution."
Yakushi Kabuto thought to himself, frowning slightly.
Beside him, the lamp spirit rubbed his chin, also observing Orochimaru's state.
He had not told Orochimaru before that prolonged separation of the soul body was a very dangerous thing.
Different experiences, changes in cognition, could lead to the splitting of a second personality at worst. In severe cases, it could even lead to the soul fragment fighting with the original body for control, especially with the pure energy of the Pure Land, the soul fragment gained great growth, greatly making up for the gap with the original body.
But clearly, his judgment was correct. Even the slightest situation didn't happen to Orochimaru.
"The Chakra soul bodies of the ninja world are really interesting."
The lamp spirit thought to himself, "Perhaps the people here are more suitable for Zanpakuto than I thought."
The Soul Reapers of the Soul Society still need to go through Shikai and Bankai to realize that there is no such thing as a sword spirit, and that the Zanpakuto itself is part of their soul. Orochimaru, however, is likely to not even have to go through this process.
...
Deep within the Root base, in a secret underground laboratory.
Danzo gripped his cane and tapped it heavily on the ground. "How is the experiment progressing?"
The researcher snapped out of his work and hurriedly said, "Lord Danzo, the First Hokage cells transplant has made great progress. We have found..."
"Stop with the nonsense!"
Danzo said coldly, with a dark face, "Tell me the specific time. How much longer until I can transplant the First Hokage cells?"
"This..."
Facing Danzo's power, the researcher wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead.
"The First Hokage cells transplant can be done at any time, and the success rate can also be guaranteed, but..."
"But what?"
Danzo's Chakra erupted, and all the researchers in the laboratory trembled, their faces filled with fear.
The chief researcher also turned pale and had to hold on to the corner of the table to stand. His voice trembled and stuttered as he said,
"The transplant can be done, but it will never achieve the surgical effect of Orochimaru-sama. We suspect that the experimental data itself has a problem, and was led into a dead end by Orochimaru-sama."
Danzo frowned and fell into deep thought.
This set of experimental data did come a little too easily. Not to mention Orochimaru, Hiruzen's carelessness was also very problematic.
Seeing Danzo fall silent, the chief researcher breathed a sigh of relief.
He had long heard that Danzo and Orochimaru and the Third Hokage were at odds, and that they suspected each other deeply. Blaming the lack of progress in the experiment on them was a good move.
How could he be a fool, being in charge of such an important experiment in Root?
Researchers who only knew how to do research and didn't understand human relations had long been filtered out by Danzo and Root, and their graves would be covered in tall grass.
He wasn't afraid that Danzo and his spies in the laboratory could see through it.
The experiments based on Orochimaru's data had been going smoothly, but they were stuck at the last moment. Coincidentally, even he had to wonder if the other party had deliberately planted a pit to make Root waste funds and time.
After pondering for a moment, Danzo suddenly looked fierce and said coldly, "Are you lying to me?"
The chief researcher collapsed to the ground and cried out, "No, really no..."
"Humph... Whether there is a problem with Orochimaru's experimental data or not, if you cannot perfect the transplant experiment in another month, I will make you all disappear!"
With that, Danzo left the underground laboratory without looking back.
The chief researcher leaned against the table leg, gasping for breath, but felt much relieved in his heart.
...
After leaving the laboratory, Danzo's face instantly turned gloomy.
Of course, he knew the researcher was not lying to him. The subordinates hidden among them had already given him hints. The reason he did that was just to put some pressure on them.
The researcher's side would not deceive him. There was a high probability that there was a problem with the experimental data. That's right, even if that guy Orochimaru compromised, he wouldn't be so kind as to take out the correct data.
"Hiruzen may have also made a move. I can't keep staring at him. I still need to start with Orochimaru, the source."
A cold light flashed in Danzo's eyes. He called over a subordinate and asked, "What has Orochimaru been doing recently?"
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