CHAPTER 16

In the following days, Ryujin Kenichi was busy improving his strength. He had a persistent sense of foreboding, as if a major event was about to unfold. Strengthening himself could only be beneficial.

His teacher, Orochimaru, had been noticeably absent. The usual mandatory experiments had been suspended, which was highly unusual. Orochimaru was never one to abandon his research unless something significant was happening.

Kenichi knew that this was merely the calm before the storm. As long as the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, remained in power, Orochimaru's aspirations of becoming the Fourth Hokage were nothing more than a fantasy.

Sure enough, the day he overheard villagers excitedly discussing the appointment of Namikaze Minato as the Fourth Hokage, Orochimaru finally appeared before him.

"Kenichi, let's go. It's time for us to continue our research," Orochimaru said, his voice as cold and composed as ever. Yet, Kenichi detected something different. His teacher's golden eyes held a simmering rage, barely concealed beneath his usual eerie calm.

Kenichi had rarely seen Orochimaru show his emotions so openly. He knew better than to ask questions at this moment. Without a word, he followed his teacher into the depths of the forest.

As they walked, Orochimaru finally spoke, his voice devoid of warmth. "Kenichi, you're a perceptive one. Tell me, what do you plan to do with your future?"

Though the question was vague, Kenichi understood its true meaning. The upper echelons of Konoha had already decided—Minato Namikaze was to be the next Hokage. Orochimaru, once a top candidate, had been rejected. His resentment was palpable.

The official announcement was only a matter of time. Soon, Minato would take over as the leader of the village. Whether he would rule with true autonomy or be a mere figurehead under the elders' influence was yet to be seen.

"Sensei, I want to follow you," Kenichi replied honestly. Orochimaru knew too many of his secrets. In many ways, Kenichi was already bound to him. Staying in Konoha would mean dealing with Danzo Shimura, a manipulative figure who thrived on using others as pawns.

Orochimaru nodded, his pace unchanging. "You're intelligent. This village is stagnant, rotting from within. I will not remain here any longer. When the time comes, if you choose to stay, you will be eliminated as a convenient scapegoat."

Kenichi remained silent, fully aware that his teacher spoke the truth.

In truth, he didn't want to leave Konoha. The village was abundant with resources, and leaving meant abandoning safety and opportunity. However, staying was even riskier. With the experiments on Hashirama Senju's cells ongoing, the moment they were exposed, the consequences would be catastrophic.

The village would need someone to take the fall. Tsunade Senju, one of the Legendary Sannin, might not completely ignore such an affront to her grandfather's legacy. Danzo, ever the schemer, would certainly deflect blame onto others.

And who would be left to bear the burden? The answer was obvious.

"I can already see what would happen next," Orochimaru continued as they reached the entrance of the underground laboratory. "Danzo would offer you a place in Root under the guise of penance. In reality, he would be keeping you under his thumb, forcing you to continue those experiments in secrecy."

Kenichi followed him inside, taking in the dimly lit surroundings. This place, the underground laboratory, had been more of a home to him than any other place in Konoha.

"And if the situation worsens, I'll be disposed of to satisfy the public's anger," Kenichi added with a wry smile. He had considered all these possibilities.

Choosing to follow Orochimaru wasn't just about loyalty—it was about survival.

Danzo was not a leader who valued his subordinates. The moment a pawn lost its usefulness, it was discarded. At least with Orochimaru, Kenichi had a chance to live, to grow stronger, and to avoid becoming another casualty in Konoha's political games.

"You truly are sharp," Orochimaru remarked with a rare smirk. He had no patience for fools. Dealing with a student who could see the reality of the situation was far less tedious.

Jiraiya was the fool who still believed in sentimentality, even offering him words of comfort.

As if he cared about being Hokage.

"...Sensei, you seem... irritated?" Kenichi asked cautiously, glancing at his teacher.

"You're mistaken." Orochimaru's expression remained indifferent, his golden snake-like eyes narrowing slightly.

Ryujin Kenichi paused for a moment before nodding in acknowledgment. Without a word, he followed behind his teacher, maintaining a blank expression.

Yet, deep down, he wanted to laugh. As expected, Orochimaru was still Orochimaru. He feigned indifference, but Kenichi could tell—the Fourth Hokage position mattered to him. He had desired it, and the loss had stung. However, Orochimaru was not one to show weakness, even in the face of rejection.

"The rejection you mentioned has already been factored into the next phase of experimentation. If you have any novel insights, feel free to share." Orochimaru's tone was casual as he flipped through an experimental log. His long, pale fingers traced over the data as though reading an old story he already knew the ending to.

Kenichi nodded in understanding. Although his teacher hadn't summoned him in a while, the experiments had not ceased. Progress continued—relentless, inevitable.

Danzo must be getting impatient.

That was only natural.

For all his skill as a ninja, Hiruzen Sarutobi was first and foremost a politician—an exceptional one. His ability to manipulate and suppress rivals was unparalleled. He had kept Danzo in check for decades, ensuring his so-called "friend" never surpassed him. Now, even in death, his influence lingered.

"Teacher, may I take the failed test subjects?" Kenichi's gaze fell upon the experimental logs, his interest piqued.

Root had delivered—eighty-two subjects gathered in such a short span. An impressive number. And to think, if not for his suggestion regarding the rejection rate, most of them would have perished outright due to Hashirama's cells.

"I want fifty. The rest are yours." Orochimaru spoke without looking up, uninterested in bargaining. To him, these were mere resources—disposable tools. Yet, even he had his own priorities.

"Thank you, Teacher." Kenichi licked his lips, excitement flashing in his eyes. Thirty-two subjects—more than enough. He no longer needed to worry about fatal failures. If one died, another could take its place.

Not that they would die so easily.

The infusion of Yang-natured chakra could potentially stimulate their cellular activity, enhancing their regeneration. In the right hands, it could heal the sick, perhaps even perform miracles.

But that wasn't his concern.

At least, not in the way a medic-nin would think.