Chapter 28: The Reputation of Shinobi Scientists is Well Deserved

Half a month passed.

The first high-end offline casino in Tanzaku Quarters opened!

The scene was grand—drums and firecrackers, flags waving, crowds everywhere.

Natsume wasn't exaggerating.

Even the governor's wife, Kajiwara Risumi, attended.

That dinner had been worth it.

The only downside was the wife's overly hands-on nature.

Her presence made it clear the Gunma Casino had a powerful background.

Natsume figured other casinos thinking of making a move might hesitate now.

Hesitation meant missed opportunities.

With Gunma Casino's services, it was a dimensional advantage.

A six-story building.

The first floor's entrance fee was 10,000 ryo, offering standard casino treatment.

But on the sixth floor, it was like paradise—entry cost 5 million ryo, and the dealers and staff were in partnership with Tanzaku Quarters's entertainment district, fully available for play, plus the finest food and drinks in the Land of Fire.

Pure decadence.

Other casinos, even if they copied it, would need a month or two—by then, it'd be too late.

Besides Gunma Casino, Gunma Bank reopened.

It was an underground bank, only for loan-sharking—no deposits allowed.

Official banks, run by major countries, accepted only huge sums from the wealthy, no interest, and didn't handle small deposits.

In the original story, Jiraiya showed Naruto a bankbook from the Land of Fire Bank.

But those banks only took millions, no interest, and were for nobles.

Gunma Bank was different.

It ran almost like a modern bank: accepted any deposit, paid interest, and made loans at low rates with collateral (houses or jutsu).

With Gunma Casino and Gunma Bank, Natsume theoretically would never lack money—unless spending at Orochimaru's research levels.

…

Nightfall.

Natsume sent a wood clone to Orochimaru's mansion.

Mainly to trade for Uzumaki clan sealing techniques.

"Wait."

After discussing time and place, Orochimaru stopped him.

"I have something you might find interesting."

He took out a vial. "I used Yamato's cells and Hashirama's cells to create this. With long-term use, there's a chance to awaken Wood Release. It's relatively safe."

Natsume raised his eyebrows—interesting, but not much, since he already had Wood Release.

"Any other effects?"

"It improves physique, increases chakra," Orochimaru added, "With enough, maybe you'll get Hashirama's body."

That would take an astronomical amount.

Natsume didn't expect to reach Hashirama's level, but any improvement was worthwhile.

With Wood Release serum and Uzumaki Hinae, he figured he couldn't match Naruto's physique, but catching up to Sasuke shouldn't be hard.

"What do you want for it?"

"To improve myself."

Orochimaru said gloomily, "I feel like I've hit a ceiling."

Natsume thought, that was true.

Without a kekkei genkai, Orochimaru was the peak of a normal ninja.

Maybe Sage Mode, but few could use it, let alone master it.

Natsume had many options in his Sacred Ring of Fate, but they were expensive and not worth it for just the Wood Release serum.

"If you know your limits, don't be human—become a Sage."

He planned to tell Orochimaru about the Sage of Six Paths.

Orochimaru had always been on that path.

"Sage?"

Orochimaru caught on. "You mean the Sage of Six Paths?"

The Sage's story was well-known.

"Yes. Do you know how to become him?"

"Is that possible?"

Orochimaru didn't believe it. The Sage was almost mythical.

Just creating the moon was beyond ninja ability.

"The Sage had two key things: Sage Body and Sage Eyes."

Natsume smiled. "Sage Body—sound familiar?"

"Sage Mode?"

Orochimaru's eyes lit up.

"Right. But it must be perfect Sage Mode."

Sage Body and Sage Mode aren't quite the same.

Sage Body is the Sage's physical vitality and energy.

Sage Mode is mastery of sage chakra and techniques.

The Sage's sons, Ashura and Indra, inherited the body and eyes, respectively.

But children rarely inherit 100%.

The Senju inherited the body, Uchiha the eyes—but neither got the complete version.

For example, only evolving the Sharingan to Rinnegan gives true Sage Eyes.

Training Sage Body relates to Sage Mode but is extremely difficult—almost impossible.

So Natsume was painting a big picture for Orochimaru.

"What about Sage Eyes?"

Natsume recalled that Jiraiya recognized Nagato's eyes as the Sage's, but didn't know their name or origin, so he thought Nagato was the Child of Prophecy.

Orochimaru shook his head.

"They're called Rinnegan, evolved from Mangekyo Sharingan."

"What?!"

Orochimaru was genuinely shocked.

He never thought Sage Eyes linked to Mangekyo Sharingan.

"The reason is simple."

Natsume explained, "The Uchiha and Senju are descendants of the Sage."

Orochimaru smiled bitterly.

So bloodline was the source of their power.

Damn bloodline theory!

"If you get both Sage Body and Sage Eyes, you could become the second Sage of Six Paths—unmatched."

Natsume wasn't lying, but the chance was zero.

Orochimaru looked uncertain.

This basically negated his past efforts.

Why develop new jutsu? Just pursue bloodline!

But he was still Orochimaru—he quickly adjusted.

Sage Body and Eyes—definitely worth pursuing.

But he didn't want to be the second Sage of Six Paths—he wanted to be the first Orochimaru Sage.

He'd innovate and develop his own techniques.

If Natsume knew, he'd give him a thumbs up.

Shinobi scientists truly live up to their name.

"One vial of Wood Release serum isn't enough for this information. Prepare more."

Natsume dispelled his clone.

Orochimaru stared at the spot silently.

Natsume's method was vague—no details.

He had no idea how to evolve Mangekyo to Rinnegan, or how to combine Sage Eyes and Body.

He couldn't even confirm it was real.

But coincidentally, both Sage-like Jugo and Mangekyo Itachi had been guided by Natsume.

The more Orochimaru thought about it, the more terrifying it seemed.