Under normal circumstances, natural energy does not enter the human body.
However, Jugo was different. He could clearly feel that his biology was fundamentally distinct from ordinary people. Natural energy could enter his body without resistance, only to be discharged automatically later. But when the concentration of natural energy in the vicinity became too high, his body would undergo a grotesque mutation.
Hiruko mused to himself. If this child falls into Orochimaru's hands, he will undoubtedly become the ultimate test subject. Jugo would be the missing link for Orochimaru's research on Curse Marks and Hashirama cell integration.
A child who periodically "glowed" with energy would be impossible to hide from Orochimaru within the village. Although Hiruko had his own plans, keeping Orochimaru in the dark about such a significant find would likely lead to friction, given it touched upon the Sannin's grand ambitions.
Hiruko's interest in Jugo was simple: he wanted the boy's innate method of controlling natural energy.
Returning home, Hiruko found Nono Yakushi chatting with Mikoto Uchiha. Mikoto had visited several times now; Nono had grown quite fond of the gentle woman, and the two found they had much in common. Mikoto often shared her experiences regarding pregnancy and childcare, a topic Nono was deeply interested in.
Nono harbored a silent yearning to bear Hiruko's child, but there had been no signs of success. It seemed Hiruko's body had already transcended the limits of ordinary humanity. As a normal woman, her biology struggled to bridge the gap with his.
"Lady Mikoto."
"Lord Hiruko!"
Nono smiled warmly. "Home so early today?"
Hiruko paced over to her, leaning down as if to steal a kiss, and teased, "Is it so bad that I wanted to come back and spend more time with you?"
Mikoto's expression turned slightly amused as she watched them. Young love really is something, she thought, seeing how they ignored her presence.
Nono blushed furiously and pushed him back gently. "Stop it, Sister Mikoto is right here."
Mikoto chuckled. "Oh, feel free to pretend I'm not here."
Seeing Mikoto move to leave, Hiruko offered, "Lady Mikoto, why not stay for dinner? It would be more lively."
"If I stayed, the two little ones at home would start howling with hunger," Mikoto replied with a soft smile. "I really should be heading back."
Nono held her hand affectionately. "Sister Mikoto, I'll definitely come find you tomorrow."
"Good. Kushina will be over as well. I'll introduce you; the two of you will get along famously," Mikoto replied before departing.
Once the door closed, Hiruko found Nono leaning lazily back in a rattan chair. She opened her arms, her eyes full of affection, beckoning him over for a hug.
Hiruko stood before her, gazing deeply into her eyes. He smirked. "Hug me first, then I'll give you a kiss."
Nono pouted playfully like a young girl. "Kiss me first, then I'll hug you."
The room was soon filled with laughter as they teased one another. After a while, Nono leaned against his chest. "Lord Hiruko, you were a bit too bold earlier. Mikoto was watching; how could you act like that? Even if the whole village knows we're together, I still get shy in front of others."
"You'll get used to it," Hiruko replied, scooping her up in a princess carry. He sat down in the rocker, holding her as they swayed gently.
Nono rested her head on his shoulder. "What gift should I bring to Mikoto's house tomorrow? She's an important friend of yours; I want to make a good impression." Her intuition told her Mikoto's feelings for Hiruko might be more complex than simple friendship.
"A gift is just a gesture," Hiruko said. "I received a redwood Buddha statue a few days ago. Take that. It's said to have a calming effect on the spirit; even if it doesn't boost chakra, it's good for health."
"Do you think Sister Mikoto is... attractive?" Nono asked suddenly, her eyes searching his.
Hiruko let out a helpless chuckle, pinching her nose. "She's beautiful, yes. But can you be serious for a moment?"
Being with Hiruko had made Nono more vibrant; the shadows of her past were melting away in this sweet atmosphere. Eventually, the "little sprout" Nono could take no more of his teasing, and Hiruko let her off the hook.
That night, Hiruko and Orochimaru met in the research department. Jugo lay on the operating table. Orochimaru, surprisingly hesitant to dissect such a rare specimen, had limited himself to data scans.
"Hiruko," Orochimaru hissed, knitting his brows. "Why have you brought me such a massive headache? This child's constitution is fascinating, but I'm too busy with my current projects to give him the attention he deserves."
"He's just a child," Hiruko replied. "Research can wait until he's older. I just wanted you to see him."
Orochimaru hadn't yet linked Jugo's biology to the secret of immortality; he simply saw it as an innate Sage Body. It rankled him slightly—he had never mastered Sage Mode, yet here was a toddler who could do it automatically.
"Take him for now," Orochimaru sighed. "I'm focusing on the soul."
"I plan to create a way to anchor a soul within a new vessel," Orochimaru continued, his eyes gleaning. "To transfer consciousness into a pristine body and lock it there."
Hiruko's eyes lit up. "A preliminary concept?"
"A working hypothesis."
Hiruko pondered. "It's viable, but the anchor must be absolute. If the synchronization isn't perfect, the result is instant death."
Orochimaru smiled with terrifying confidence. "It can be done. A perfect fusion of soul and flesh—that is the path to eternity."
Hiruko knew Orochimaru was eyeing Sage Mode. Sage chakra was a delicate 1:1:1 balance of physical, mental, and natural energy. Too little natural energy, and the Sage Art fails. Too much, and you become a statue—a loss of self.
Hiruko had a complete Sage Mode, but he wanted more. He wanted Jugo's ability to absorb natural energy 24/7 without a second thought, to permanently reinforce his physical shell. Orochimaru, meanwhile, would eventually use Jugo's fluids to create Curse Marks—a "capped" version of the boy's power.
Hiruko arranged for specialized guards to watch over Jugo; an ordinary family couldn't handle a child who periodically turned into a monster.
In the following days, Hiruko scoured sealing scrolls. Most focused on chakra-threading or simple blockades. He wanted something more nuanced: a seal that could regulate the speed of chakra flow. He found some similar concepts in the remnants of the Land of Whirlpools, but nothing advanced enough.
I need to consult Kushina, he decided.
That evening, at Kakashi's house.
"Your place is quite spacious," Hiruko noted, sitting across from the young man.
"I live alone," Kakashi replied flatly, a hint of his characteristic loneliness lingering in his voice as he poured a glass of water.
"That eye of yours... it's quite a burden, isn't it?" Hiruko sipped the water. It was plain, but at least it didn't taste strange.
Kakashi instinctively touched the Sharingan Obito had given him. He'd had trouble with the Uchiha over it until Minato stepped in. The chakra drain was constant and exhausting.
Hiruko rubbed his chin, almost blurting out: Just give it to me. I want to know the difference between a Mangekyo and a standard Three-Tomoe.
The Mangekyo was a tragic gift; its unique abilities slowly consumed the eye until it went blind. Only the Eternal Mangekyo could stop the decay. Hiruko was burning with curiosity. Were the patterns random? If he could replicate Shisui's pattern, would he gain Kotoamatsukami?
He licked his lips. There were so few known users: Kakashi, Obito, Shisui... and perhaps Fugaku. Kakashi's was the most accessible, but he had to be careful. If Obito found out Kakashi's eye was gone, it would derail everything.
Time flowed by. Hiruko maintained his friendship with Kakashi while secretly eyeing his eye. But the world was busy. The "Millet War"—the economic conflict triggered by the grain shortage—was having a deeper impact than the Third War.
To the average civilian, the Great Wars were distant tales. Unless a battle hit their doorstep, they just paid their taxes and moved on. But the "Millet War" hit the poor where it hurt: their stomachs. Prices had soared to the point where foundation foods were becoming luxury items.
The underlying cause... was a crisis of supply triggered by organized greed.
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