In an underground laboratory in the Land of Sound. Orochimaru leaned on a chair, observing Haku with a sharp gaze.
After a long while of silence, Orochimaru smiled softly and spoke, "Haku, welcome back."
Although Orochimaru's smile creeps out most people who see him for the first time, Haku was very used to it, and spoke in a slightly guilty tone, "I am sorry, I worried you Orochimaru-sama."
Orochimaru nodded and asked casually, "How was your experience staying in Konoha?"
Haku thought a little and said, "Well, Kuroto-sama was very caring of me."
"Was he?" – Orochimaru muttered, and then asked curiously, "What did you do while you stayed in Konoha?"
Haku recalled all the things and then spoke, "There is not much I did there, Kuroto-sama asked me to perform Water Release and Ice Release Techniques, then he also taught me several Water Ninjutsu, as well as taijutsu, and then… that's it."
Orochimaru frowned, "Just this?"
Haku thought more and spoke, "By the way, Kuroto-sama also extracted some of my cells, and… and he also brought a pet rabbit for me…"
"Oh?" – Orochimaru muttered, 'Huh, no wonder Kuroto-Kun asked for cell fusion research from me, it turns out that he has also started conducting human experiments.'
With what Haku said, coupled with his information exchange with Kuroto, Orochimaru understood that Kuroto has also started to conduct Human Experimentations.
It's just that Orochimaru lacks the intelligence about the field that Kuroto is going after, so he can't accurately judge the directions of Kuroto's experiments.
But that did not matter so much, because these experiments must be related to the Hyuga Clan's genetics, after all those were what Kuroto was studying before Orochimaru left Konoha.
'Kuroto-Kun abandoned the laboratory I left him, it must mean that he has opened up a secret laboratory somewhere else. It seems that Kuroto-Kun doesn't want his research to be known by others, heh heh heh, as long as I find his secret laboratory, perhaps I might be able to find something interesting.' – Thinking of this, Orochimaru no longer cared about Haku and told him, "Okay, you can go now, your room is still the same as before so you can continue to use it."
"Yes." – Haku responded with a courteous bow and went out.
Just before Haku responded, he had actually suddenly remembered the strange technique that Kuroto used on him, but because Haku didn't really understand it in detail and coupled with the fact Orochimaru didn't seem to be interested to listen to him anymore, so Haku did not speak anything further about the matter that he, himself didn't really understand.
After Haku went outside, Kabuto came inside the laboratory, "Orochimaru-sama, there is news from Shinno."
"What did the message say?" – asked Orochimaru with an eager gaze.
Kabuto pushed his glasses as he spoke, "Shinno said that the collaboration will have to wait for about a month, currently, he is involved in something, but you needn't worry, he will approach you when the opportunity is right."
"Me and worry?" – Orochimaru spoke with a sullen look, but soon licked his lips and spoke with a smile, "Shinno, is he going to start his plans of creating the Reibi too?"
With Hyuga Kuroto's successful example, many of Orochimaru's preconceptions have changed. So now Orochimaru fully understands that as long as Shinno is able to find a large enough chakra source, creating an artificial Bijuu, which is the Reibi in Shinno's words is very much plausible.
Although the stability is still a bit questionable, the probability of success clearly outweighs the chances of failure.
As such, Orochimaru also has some expectations.
If Shinno's Reibi project also results in a success, then maybe Orochimaru will also think of creating an artificial Bijuu.
Thinking of the future prospects, Orochimaru muttered, "I suppose I can wait another month or so."
Kabuto nodded and then asked respectfully, "Orochimaru-sama, what are you going to do with Yuki Haku?"
Kabuto was obviously worried that Yuki Haku has been brainwashed by Hyuga Kuroto making Haku a spy of Hyuga Kuroto, so maybe they would have to dispose of him.
After all, finding Yuki Haku was too easy, as long as you know the location of that laboratory, anyone can find Haku.
Orochimaru groaned a little and then said, "Monitor Haku's physical, mental and spiritual state, then I will plant the Cursed Seal to him."
Cursed Seals of Heaven and Earth are the latest Kinjutsu that Orochimaru has developed. The idea comes from Jugo's special ability to absorb Nature Chakra, Orochimaru was obviously interested in this special ability, and after careful research and countless experiments, Orochimaru finally combined that ability with some of the techniques of Ryuchi Cave and developed several Cursed Seals including, the Cursed Seal of Heaven, Earth, Forest, and Sea.
After developing these Cursed Seal, Orochimaru has so many fantastic ideas and began many new kinds of research.
One of his attempts incorporate his own chakra and part of his soul with the Cursed Seal and inject that incorporated part into others using the Cursed Seals.
Once this project succeeds, all the ninjas carrying the Cursed Seal will become Orochimaru's respawn points.
And as long as even a single one of those respawn points is alive in the Shinobi World, then Orochimaru can come back to life, even if his entire body is destroyed, he will no longer have to fear death for the time being.
…
Back to Itachi's ongoing training session.
Ding… Ding…
A series of metal collision sounds can be heard resounding in the dense forest.
Ho's body was fast, extremely fast, and the Katana carried by Ho danced just as Ho's intentions and anything within the range of the Katana's limit was not spared.
Itachi was constantly pressured by Ho, and even after relying on the three tomoe Sharingan, it was very difficult for him to keep up with Ho.
But this type of training was also working very well, as Itachi was constantly adapting to the pressure by the virtue of his intelligence, tricks, and techniques that led Ho sometimes by surprise, giving Itachi enough opportunity to take short breathers in the midst of the battle.
After barely dodging Katana's strike again, Itachi leaped on top of Katana's blade and shoved his feet hard in an attempt to kick Ho's face.
The moment that Ho took to retreat backward to avoid the sweep, Itachi also leaped backward, distancing himself from Ho.
Huff… Huff… Huff…
Itachi gasped heavily, this type of drawn-out battle is not what he is used to, so Itachi must think up countermeasures because the difference in their skills and strength levels have started to become more and more apparent as the battle has progressed.
Itachi could clearly feel that even though the opponent follows generally Uchiha techniques, he does not solely rely on them, in fact, it wouldn't be wrong to say that the opponents fighting style are completely different from any Uchiha shinobi Itachi has ever faced.
And strangely enough, there were occasional moves that reminded Itachi of Hyuga-style combat methods and understanding this, Itachi can't help but think, 'Was Ho trained by Kuroto-san personally?'
Regardless, he can't continue with this rhythm.
Based on whatever he has deduced up to now, Itachi started to formulate a strategy.
At this time, Ho said, "I seriously hope that this isn't your best Uchiha Itachi, because if it is then I have to say that I am much disappointed."
Itachi did not speak a word, and he was watching Ho calmly, and after wiping away the traces of sweat, Itachi was ready to go at it again.
Since he didn't actually know the content of the assessment, so Itachi was extra prepared, so there was no problem of lack of tools.
With both of them again ready to start the next round, a solemn atmosphere covered the forest.
At this time both of them performed the Body Flicker Technique.
Whoosh… Whoosh…
And an extremely high-speed battle broke out between the two.
Other than the two after images flashing, metal clashing, fire raging, could be seen.
Ding… Ding… Ding…
After a few seconds of high-speed combat, Ho managed to gain the upper hand, Ho kicked Itachi in the chest, sending him crashing to the tree behind, then instantly flashed and appeared before Itachi, pinning him to the other tree, with the Katana's blade stopping just a few short centimeters away and said, "I suppose that's my win, Uchiha Itachi."
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