Naruto's Strongest Force - Chapter 101

After extracting Kimimaro’s spinal fluid, Orochimaru confirmed that Natsuki’s theory about Kimimaro’s “Sage Bone Marrow” was accurate. Kimimaro’s bone marrow naturally exhibited atavistic traits. As Kimimaro grew, his bone marrow developed abnormally, gradually causing his blood to resemble sulfuric acid. While his bones could withstand this transformation, his fragile internal organs could not.

It was no wonder that, in the previous timeline, Orochimaru couldn’t save Kimimaro. At this rate, Kimimaro was doomed to die. His bones, already showing signs of accelerated development due to the extensive use of the Kaguya clan’s Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse), had caused him to grow taller than Haku.

The most urgent task was to use medicine to halt Kimimaro’s physical development, but that would only be a temporary solution. Natsuki knew they needed a more permanent fix.

Orochimaru suggested using Hashirama’s cells, but the experiments with those cells were still incomplete. Separating the cells from Hashirama’s inherent willpower was still theoretical and could take months, or even years, to perfect. Relying on this was akin to leaving Kimimaro’s fate up to chance.

Natsuki was determined not to let the regrets of his previous life repeat themselves.

“Kimimaro, I will save you!” he resolved.

Natsuki had already begun formulating a grand plan to ensure no promising talent was wasted.

“Are there any side effects from using the drugs to stop Kimimaro’s development?” Natsuki asked.

Orochimaru thought momentarily before replying, “The side effects will begin to show after two to three years. After that, the drugs will no longer work, and they won’t gradually wear off either. Instead, Kimimaro will experience a sudden growth spurt, and his bloodline sickness could suddenly worsen, accelerating his decline.”

“The safe window is two years. Beyond that, it will be impossible to control his condition.”

Two years—Natsuki believed that would be enough time to find a solution.

“Would Tsunade’s Strength of a Hundred Seal be effective?” Natsuki asked, already considering Tsunade’s medical expertise as part of his plan. After all, if Orochimaru were to become Hokage, he would inevitably have to confront Tsunade.

Orochimaru pondered this for a moment. “If Kimimaro had the Strength of a Hundred Seal, he wouldn’t die from a sudden flare-up. But that technique is Tsunade’s specialty.”

Natsuki grinned. “I can negotiate with her.”

Orochimaru, intrigued, noted, “The Strength of a Hundred Seal is currently a female-exclusive technique. Modifying it for male use will be no easy task.”

Natsuki chuckled. “It’s worth a try, isn’t it?”

Orochimaru gave Natsuki a long, thoughtful look.

Natsuki nodded, already planning how to approach Tsunade. After all, he intended to wring as much benefit from her as possible.

“I’ll figure out a way to get her to teach the technique,” Natsuki mused. Tsunade was a notorious gambler, and now that Natsuki wasn’t short on money, he could use that to his advantage.

Natsuki slammed his fist into his palm, saying, “It’s settled—money power!”

With his decision made, Natsuki began asking Orochimaru for details on the strength of a hundred seals.

Orochimaru’s knowledge matched Natsuki’s understanding: the technique required the user to store chakra in the Yin Seal and release it when needed. The method couldn’t heal or regenerate appropriately if the user didn’t have enough chakra.

And if the user didn’t have enough chakra when the technique was activated…

Natsuki always liked to be prepared, so he began considering methods of quickly replenishing chakra.

Many methods for rapid chakra restoration, however, came with side effects. With Kimimaro’s already fragile health, something like the Eight Gates technique would likely push him to an early grave.

Natsuki added a few alternative options to his mental list.

…

After Natsuki’s arrival, he and Orochimaru spent several days discussing future developments. Their conversations repeatedly returned to Hashirama’s cells, as leaving such a valuable resource unresearched seemed wasteful.

Unfortunately, research at the cellular level was a bottomless pit of expense. It required top-of-the-line medical equipment and expensive raw materials. Each experiment could cost tens of millions, and failure would yield nothing but a pile of trees—making the whole process a very costly landscaping.

The experiments to separate Hashirama’s will from his cells, leaving only pure Yang Release chakra, were also incredibly costly.

In conclusion, more resources were still needed for growth, and more money was essential.

The Land of Fields was miniature, and its food industry had already reached saturation. Previously, there had been concerns about entering the Land of Fire too hastily, fearing they might leak their production methods. Thus, they limited their expansion to the Land of Fields.

Now, it seemed they had to make some compromises.

Fugaku had already sent word that people in Konoha had their eyes on their operations.

The Uchiha had taken this opportunity to become fully self-sufficient, relying on Konoha in name only.

At the same time, the Third Hokage seemed intent on welcoming Orochimaru back to Konoha. Natsuki began thinking of ways to help ease Orochimaru’s return.

“This is a vial of Hashirama’s cell solution,” Orochimaru’s voice interrupted Natsuki’s thoughts.

Natsuki raised an eyebrow. “But you haven’t removed Hashirama’s will from the cells yet, have you?”

Orochimaru’s voice was hoarse. “No, I haven’t. Using this still carries an 80% chance of turning you into a tree.”

“However, I’ve conducted tests on Shisui and Itachi. Their ocular power can suppress the cells’ will to some extent, allowing for successful fusion.”

“With your ocular power, the chances of success are around 40%.”

Natsuki rolled his eyes. “I’m not that desperate yet. Why would I gamble on a 40% chance?”

Orochimaru shoved the vial into Natsuki’s hand. “This vial alone cost two billion ryo to produce. Are you really going to throw it away?”

Natsuki stared at the crystal-clear vial in silence. He didn’t want to waste it. He didn’t.

“Fine, I’ll hold onto it for now.”

Seeing Natsuki put the vial away, Orochimaru seemed satisfied. As a researcher, he understood that even though the experiment wasn’t entirely successful, the cost alone made it hard to dispose of such a valuable resource.

Orochimaru then revealed more of his plans to Natsuki.

“I’m planning to merge the best genes from different sources to create a perfect vessel for myself!”

Natsuki almost hurt his back from the shock. Was Orochimaru already planning Mitsuki’s creation ahead of time? No, this wouldn’t be Mitsuki.

Still, Orochimaru’s plans for creating artificial life piqued Natsuki’s curiosity.

“When I brought back Jugo, I considered using the Cursed Seal to achieve immortality,” Orochimaru continued. “But after studying your findings on the negative effects of splitting the soul, I realized that dividing my soul too many times would eventually make me… no longer myself.”

Orochimaru sighed. When he fled Konoha, he had implanted his experimental Heaven Curse Mark on Anko Mitarashi. However, the seal hadn’t enhanced her at all. Instead, it drained her life force, merely storing fragments of Orochimaru’s soul.

Without Natsuki’s insight, Orochimaru might have continued splitting his soul, eventually reducing himself to a mindless husk.

“I plan to further refine the Living Corpse Reincarnation technique. Forcing the host’s soul to shatter introduces many impurities into my own soul,” Orochimaru said, raising his hand.

“You’ve already begun researching your own soul in depth?” Natsuki asked, impressed. Orochimaru was indeed sharp, already starting to examine his soul closely.

“I asked Itachi to attack me with full force. I discovered that I could no longer resist his genjutsu. My resistance to genjutsu has significantly decreased,” Orochimaru admitted calmly as if it were another research finding.

Natsuki nodded. “It’s good that you noticed it early. I was planning to warn you.”

Knowing that Natsuki could foresee the future, Orochimaru asked with interest, “Does that mean my soul-splitting causes problems in the future?”

Natsuki nodded. “A major problem.”

He paused, considering how to explain. “Let’s put it this way: if I hadn’t sent Itachi and the others to you, you would have initiated the Konoha Crush plan and killed the Third Hokage.”

Orochimaru looked stunned. “Me? Kill the old man?”

Natsuki nodded. “Yep. First, you coveted the Rinnegan from the Akatsuki and got beaten badly. Then you tried to take Itachi’s Sharingan and got beaten again. Finally, you went to Konoha, killed the Third Hokage, but ended up crippled yourself.”

“Afterward, countless people came after you, and you resorted to splitting your soul into many fragments. Although you eventually resurrected, you became…”

Natsuki struggled to find the right words, gesturing vaguely. “…mentally unstable.”

Orochimaru’s face darkened. He took great pride in his intellect and genius, and his arrogance stemmed from his confidence. He was deeply dissatisfied with the Third Hokage for choosing Minato as the Fourth Hokage.

The idea of becoming a deranged lunatic was worse than death.

Orochimaru silently vowed to solve the problem with his soul. No matter what, he would never allow himself to fragment his soul and lose his mind.

Seeing the shifting emotions on Orochimaru’s face, Natsuki knew he had made his point.

After all, Orochimaru’s behavior in the later years was a far cry from the brilliant scientist he had once been, with his personality and charisma diminished significantly. The root of all these problems lay in his soul-splitting and misuse of the Living Corpse Reincarnation technique.

As Natsuki thought, even the neighboring wizard who loved to split his soul ended up in a similar predicament.

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