In broad daylight, Orochimaru not only came openly to visit, but also politely asked people to inform and inquire. This was really not in line with his character.
In the past, even when seeking sponsorship from Uchiha Tokora, Orochimaru would come secretly at night, fearing that others, especially his teacher, would know that the two were secretly colluding.
The venomous snakes that feed in the darkness openly come out of their caves to roam. Either the caves they hide in have been destroyed, or they have found shelter that is more effective than underground caves...
Thinking of this, Uchiha Tokumitsu quickly picked up a pen and paper, quickly wrote down a few addresses, and called in an attendant ninja to whisper instructions to him.
Hatake Sakumo was a little confused, but he didn't ask any more questions.
"Tokuguang-kun..."
Just as the attendant ninja opened the door to leave, Orochimaru walked in at the same time: "Sakumo-kun is here too."
"Long time no see, Mr. Orochimaru."
Uchiha Tokko nodded slightly and pointed to the sofa next to him, but did not stand up to greet him.
He felt that there was definitely something wrong with Orochimaru's visit in broad daylight.
Hatake Sakumo was also a little strange, because he had rarely seen Orochimaru go out during the day, especially in a sensitive department like the police department.
"Long time no see, Tokuguang-kun, it seems good things are coming soon."
Orochimaru also noticed very keenly the ring on the middle finger of Uchiha Tokumitsu's left hand.
"If Mr. Orochimaru is free, he will send an invitation to your laboratory by then."
Uchiha Demitsu said thoughtfully.
Orochimaru's face twitched, and it was a bit difficult to hold back.
After the yin and yang exchange, Orochimaru also sat down, and without any further words, he took out a scroll and handed it to Uchiha Tokoku.
Uchiha Tokko opened it and started reading.
Although there are some differences in the description of the research results between Orochimaru and the research report written by the Uzumaki researcher who was required by Uchiha Tokumitsu's regulations, which is relatively characteristic of the ninja world, Uchiha Tokumitsu still understood it.
"not simple……"
Uchiha Demitsu was amazed and admired Orochimaru's research level: "It's really worth it to be able to produce such high-quality results with such a small amount of money~"
Compared with the Uzumaki researchers under Uchiha Demitsu, it is indeed a matter of comparison.
Especially in terms of cost and efficiency control, the Whirlpool Research Institute was in a complete mess.
Orochimaru smiled proudly, his expression very happy.
He also knew that Uchiha Tokumitsu had mobilized members of the Uzumaki clan to form a secret laboratory, and that the experimental equipment he needed to purchase had been directly cut off by the wealthy Uchiha at a large price many times, causing a lot of delays in his experimental process. .
But the pride from the bottom of his heart made him look down on other scientific researchers in the ninja world. Even if it was a research institute built with money by the wealthy Uchiha family, he only regarded it as a plaything of a dandy.
"I think... Mr. Orochimaru must have other ideas this time, right?"
After having a general understanding of the research report, Uchiha Tokumitsu put away the scroll and said to Orochimaru: "It shouldn't be as simple as just continuing to attract sponsorship, right?"
Orochimaru's eyes suddenly narrowed, and a fierce light appeared in his vertical pupils.
Hatake Sakumo's expression also changed slightly.
The atmosphere in the office suddenly solidified.
Hatake Sakumo's eyes wandered back and forth between Uchiha Tokumitsu and Orochimaru. His left hand naturally dropped toward the inside of the sofa, and his fingers gently tapped the handle of the knife at his waist.
"Don't be nervous. We don't want to openly attack a jonin with great military achievements in a place like this, right?"
Uchiha Tokumitsu chuckled and said, "Why don't you tell me what the specific purpose of Mr. Orochimaru's visit~"
"...the laboratory's cooperation has been terminated."
Orochimaru said slowly: "...As for those young men who served as experimental assistants, I have already sent them back to the Uchiha clan."
"Terminating cooperation? What a pity..."
Uchiha Tokumitsu pretended to sigh: "With Mr. Orochimaru's scientific research level and the Uchiha clan's financial resources, it is a great loss for Konoha to stop cooperating so hastily~"
After saying that, Uchiha Tokko threw the scroll to Hatake Sakumo.
Hatake Sakumo hesitated for a moment, then opened it and started reading it on the spot.
Orochimaru's nose twitched slightly, gaining a new understanding of the closeness of the alliance between the two.
"...already know."
Orochimaru didn't mean to hide it, and said bluntly: "Sarutobi-sensei plans to directly invest in my laboratory, so it is inappropriate to cooperate with the Uchiha clan again."
"Is that so?"
Uchiha Demitsu was also a little surprised.
Unexpectedly, Orochimaru had such a sincere side, which made Uchiha Tokko, who was full of weird words, unable to answer.
"That's really a pity... Originally I wanted to sponsor Mr. Orochimaru to explore the secret of immortality~"
Uchiha Tokumitsu sighed a little, "But since it is Hokage-sama who has the destiny, then the Uchiha clan can't directly compete, right~"
Hatake Sakumo, who was reading the contents of the scroll, couldn't help but feel happy.
Orochimaru's face twitched slightly.
The so-called inability to directly compete... does this mean that we are already preparing to stumble secretly?
"Since the Hokage-sama came directly to set up the laboratory, there is no reason for the police department to stop it. Orochimaru Jounin should rest assured about this..."
Uchiha Tokumitsu glanced at Hatake Sakumo, a fun-loving person, and said leisurely: "But after all, the police department is the last barrier of Konoha and is responsible for protecting the villagers of Konoha. Therefore, the new laboratory must be kept away from the residents. District and traffic lines, strict safety protection in the laboratory, and no leakage of dangerous substances should occur to avoid adverse effects on the physical and mental health of Konoha villagers..."
With Uchiha Tokko's series of mandarin clichés, Orochimaru's brows furrowed more and more.
But judging from the literal meaning, although Uchiha Tokumitsu's words contained a warning, there was no obvious intention of revenge.
Just why does it sound so weird...
Orochimaru didn't answer, and Uchiha Tokumitsu continued to talk.
Hatake Sakumo, who was flipping through the scrolls on the side, automatically filtered out Uchiha Tokumitsu's nonsense. In his eyes, this was just an inexplicable quirk of Uchiha Tokumitsu, and there was no need to pay too much attention to it.
But the content recorded on the scroll really amazed him, an elite jounin.
Although Hatake Sakumo is considered to be a master in the application of chakra, he cannot use such clear words to describe the application techniques of chakra in different environments and different ninjutsu.
In short, Orochimaru almost single-handedly established a standard dictionary of chakra applications.
Although it may not be suitable for everyone, it can definitely save most people from many detours.
This is especially true for ninjas at the chuunin level.
"...Sakumo-kun, what do you think?"
Uchiha Tokumitsu, who finally finished talking nonsense, took a sip of water and turned to look at Hatake Sakumo.
"I think it's very good and should be supported."
Hatake Sakumo didn't even raise his head.
"Hmm~"
Uchiha Tokumitsu nodded and turned to look at Orochimaru with a stiff face again: "Okay, these are the requirements of the police department. Please also ask Orochimaru Jonin to pay attention to the confidentiality principle when setting up the laboratory, and do not let the police department I found something wrong~"
In Orochimaru's mind, apart from the smelly and long nonsense just now, there were only two words -
Immortality!
These two words seemed to have a different kind of charm, which made Orochimaru, who was originally focused on exploring the secrets of ninjutsu, waver.
"If you can achieve immortality, wouldn't it be better to pursue and explore the mysteries of all the ninjutsu in the world?"
Orochimaru's vertical pupils shone with an inexplicable light.
"so be it!"
Uchiha Tokko's words interrupted Orochimaru's meditation, "I am very satisfied with Orochimaru Jōnin's 'homework'. Although it is a pity that Orochimaru Jōnin chose to terminate the cooperation, since it has been decided, although I also I feel very sorry, but I can only accept it with regret..."
Uchiha Tokko made an inviting gesture toward the door.
Orochimaru no longer hesitated, nodded slightly in greeting, stood up and left.
After Orochimaru left, Uchiha Tokumitsu looked at the door of the office in a daze, not knowing what he was thinking.
"Longevity..."
While reading the contents of the scroll, Hatake Sakumo said to Uchiha Tokumitsu: "Do you think Orochimaru will take the bait?"
"What are you talking about~ I'm not fishing."
Uchiha Tokumitsu chuckled and denied: "I just mentioned the research direction of the Uzumaki Research Institute to Orochimaru by the way."
"Maybe……"
Hatake Sakumo simply echoed: "Speaking of which, this research report is indeed good..."
"It's a pity that our Lord Hokage has noticed it. Regardless of whether Orochimaru is motivated by his own will or not, our cooperation with him can only be terminated..."
Uchiha Tokko said quietly.
"The last interest connection with the Hokage family has been severed..."
"Then what are you going to do?"
Hatake Sakumo didn't believe at all that Uchiha Tokumitsu would really be so easy to talk to, "But let's make a deal first, don't make the situation too big and cause the situation to slip to the brink of civil war. It won't end well for me."
"I am going to expand the business volume of Nanhechuan Stock Exchange..."
Uchiha Tokumitsu touched his chin, "Then the shogunate is also planning to issue some gold yuan coupons..."
"Huh?!"
Hatake Sakumo was a little stunned.
This has nothing to do with dealing with the Hokage's laboratory, right?
Uchiha Tokumitsu did not explain, but continued to talk nonsense with Hatake Sakumo.
…
After leaving the police station, Orochimaru walked slowly on Konoha Avenue.
Although the sun was shining brightly and the commercial street was bustling with people, Orochimaru didn't know why, but he always felt a little out of place with the familiar scene in front of him.
"Everyone is avoiding me..."
As soon as his eyes rolled, Orochimaru also reacted.
Orochimaru walking in the middle of the road was like a watershed, dividing the endless stream of people like a tide. No one dared to get within five meters of him.
Even the ninjas from the police department just stood on the rooftop holding the sword and watched quietly, with no intention of coming over to restore order.
"How ironic..."
Orochimaru suddenly felt an indescribable feeling, with mixed feelings in his heart.
To be fair, can a person like him really gain the support of the people in the village and become the next generation of Hokage?
"Sarutobi-sensei..."
Immediately, Orochimaru used the teleportation technique and left.
Immediately, the crowd on the street returned to normal.
…
"Knock knock!"
There was another knock on the door of the Hokage's office in the Hokage Building.
"come in!"
shouted the angry Sandaime Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Teacher, I'm back."
Orochimaru, expressionless, pushed open the door and entered.
"Thanks a lot……"
The kind-hearted Sandaime Sarutobi Hiruzen took out his pipe and took a nice puff.
"How's it going? Is it going well?"
"Uchiha Tokumitsu didn't say much."
Orochimaru replied matter-of-factly.
"Okay, that's it. I will transfer the funds to you as soon as possible..."
The third generation Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with satisfaction, and then asked: "What is his laboratory researching? Do you know anything about it?"
"...immortality."
Orochimaru hesitated for a moment before answering softly.
Regularly asking for votes~
(End of chapter)
