"So, these are the potions Orochimaru used to make you perceive Natural Energy?"
Simu asked indifferently as he looked at the test tubes lined up before him. These tubes were roughly thirty centimeters long, filled with a transparent, viscous liquid.
Rie Uzumaki nodded. Her body trembled slightly as if she were recalling some agonizing memories. Simu reached out and gently patted her back, which finally allowed her emotions to stabilize.
"During the experiments, Orochimaru would apply these potions to our bodies," she answered. "Then, the surrounding Natural Energy would automatically surge into us."
"Under the influence of Natural Energy, our bodies would undergo massive changes, turning us into monsters and making us go berserk..."
"Then... those who couldn't stop after going berserk would turn into stone and be crushed, or Orochimaru would use their monster bodies for other experiments."
"That is how the clansmen who came with me died..."
Rie Uzumaki poured out all her words in one breath and then collapsed to the ground, sobbing loudly. It wasn't that her mind was too fragile, but the pressure of endless experiments and watching her kin die one by one was simply too immense. Surviving until now without going insane was a miracle in itself.
Because of this, she viewed Simu—the man who saved her—as her only light. She was even willing to say she would become a test subject again just to stay with him.
"Rest assured, you can choose the life you want from now on."
Simu ran his hand through Rie's red hair. Feeling the warmth from his hand, Rie quickly stopped crying. Like a small cat, she rubbed her cheek against the back of his hand.
"I don't want to choose my own life. I only want to stay by Lord Simu's side forever."
Rie looked up, a hint of yearning in her beautiful eyes.
"Is that so..."
Simu withdrew his hand. It seemed he had unlocked some unusual trait in Rie Uzumaki. Despite his surprise, he spoke calmly. "That is not impossible."
An excited smile instantly broke across Rie's face.
"No matter what Lord Simu asks me to do, I will obey. Even if it's that kind of..."
"Alright, you don't need to say anything more."
Simu rubbed the bridge of his nose. Wasn't this girl just crying? Why is she suddenly talking like a wild predator!
However, it was clear that Simu could not keep a girl with no combat capability by his side for now. Therefore, under Rie's expectant gaze, Simu made a grand gesture.
The entire base shook violently. As the ground twisted, a Ghost Snake covered in a black exoskeleton with a bone mask on its head emerged from the depths.
Rie Uzumaki stared at this scene, her face filled with shock. The portion of the Ghost Snake visible above ground was seven or eight meters long, and its head was a staggering four or five meters wide.
Due to possessing five types of chakra natures, the Evil-Faced Ghost Snake could use Earth Style: Underground Projection Jutsu to hide underground for long periods.
As for the chakra required for such ninjutsu?
Chakra is refined by merging spiritual and physical energy in a specific ratio. The Ghost Snake's physical energy was likely equivalent to several Jonin combined. Coupled with the spiritual energy Simu provided, its chakra far exceeded that of an average Jonin.
The Ghost Snake slowly approached Simu, prostrating itself respectfully before opening its abyss-like maw.
"Follow the Ghost Snake and head back first," Simu commanded. "Once your strength has grown to a certain level, I will have tasks for you."
"By your command, Lord Simu!"
Rie Uzumaki didn't hesitate for a second and jumped directly into the Ghost Snake's mouth. Swallowed along with her were Orochimaru's research data, test subjects, and precious medicines—such as the Natural Energy Perception Potions and various animal samples.
Without those potions, Simu might not have been able to perceive what kind of existence Natural Energy actually was. The only other way would be capturing a creature that could naturally absorb it, analyzing its genes, and performing countless experiments to transplant those genes into himself or other Jashin kin.
"Regardless, the harvest this time is quite substantial. You truly didn't disappoint me, Orochimaru-kun."
Simu pushed up his glasses and smiled. Taking in Rie Uzumaki required little thought. He truly needed to research the Uzumaki Clan, and he had no reason to refuse a test subject who was beautiful, had an incredible figure, and offered unconditional obedience.
As the Evil-Faced Ghost Snake disappeared, Hidan walked over to Simu, looking bored.
"Hey, Simu! Since this base is destroyed, where are we going next?" He swung his Three-bladed blood scythe and patted his chest proudly. "How about we go organize a great sacrificial ceremony?"
Simu gave him a speechless look. This guy's idea of a "great ceremony" was likely just a killing spree. It wasn't that Simu had a moral burden regarding killing, but pure slaughter wasn't very effective for increasing the reputation of the Jashin Religion.
He flatly rejected Hidan's proposal. "Put the ceremony aside for now. We have more important things to do."
"More important things?" Hidan couldn't imagine anything more important than killing.
A cold glint flashed across Simu's lenses. "Over these few months, this wasn't the only Orochimaru base I've managed to track down."
"Huh? You mean you want to keep taking down his other bases?" Hidan scratched his head, sounding a bit annoyed. "Why don't you just find where that Orochimaru guy is? We can just go kill him directly."
Simu raised an eyebrow at the suggestion. "Taking that guy down isn't that simple."
In truth, Simu wanted to find Orochimaru's main body, but the man was too cautious. Even after deploying all his Black Beetles and crows, Simu hadn't found the original, only discovering two bases within the Land of Rivers.
Furthermore, even if he found a base, Simu didn't believe he was guaranteed a victory. A mere Snake Clone already possessed that much power; how strong must the main body be?
For this raid, Simu had used Black Beetles to scout the base's internal strength beforehand. He wasn't a reckless fool like Hidan. Moreover, Simu didn't actually plan to kill Orochimaru yet. To the current Simu, Orochimaru's research was a treasure trove of experience points.
As the saying goes: "Crossing the river by feeling Snake-chan's butt."