Naruto: I'm in Konoha, my name is Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 148 Orochimaru's Restless Moment
The Land of Fields, the underground base of the Sound Village.

The air is perpetually filled with the pungent smell of disinfectant and some kind of chemical reagent, mixed with a cold, damp atmosphere.

The stark white lights illuminated the cold metal instruments and huge glass culture tanks, in which distorted biological tissues were immersed and slowly floated in the pale green nutrient solution.

A huge display screen on the wall cascaded a waterfall of data, emitting a low hum.

Orochimaru stood with his back to the entrance in front of a huge experimental table.

On the table were complex instruments and several tissue samples with strange colors.

She wore a loose-fitting white kimono with a black inner lining, and a purple shimenawa (traditional Japanese stringed rope) tied around her waist. Her golden snake eyes gleamed with an inhuman cold light in the dim light, and her pale fingers were gently stroking the edge of a petri dish.

Space distorted silently.

Orochimaru's movements did not falter at all, as if he had expected it all along.

"You've come." A hoarse yet uniquely magnetic female voice rang out. He slowly turned around, his narrow, golden vertical pupils precisely locking onto the figure that had suddenly appeared in the center of the room.

Orochimaru sized up the black divine robe: "Tsk tsk, this divine robe suits you quite well."

Menma did not respond to his greetings. His gaze, hidden beneath the white three-eyed fox mask, swept over the uncomfortable surroundings before finally settling on Orochimaru.

He raised his hand, and a fist-sized glass container sealed with special runes was casually tossed toward Orochimaru.

The container traced an arc in the air, containing several small pieces of cell tissue soaked in a pale blue liquid.

Orochimaru's golden pupils contracted sharply the moment the container flew towards him, like a venomous snake before it pounces on its prey!
His pale, slender right hand shot out like lightning, transforming into a long snake, and caught it steadily.

The icy touch on his fingertips, and the chilling yet powerful life force unique to the Uchiha clan contained within the container, sent an uncontrollable shiver through the depths of this scientist who sought power and immortality.

"Hmm..." A satisfied, almost groaning sigh escaped Orochimaru's throat.

He carefully held the container up to his eyes, his golden vertical pupils almost touching the glass wall as he greedily gazed at the precious tissues inside, as if admiring the most perfect work of art in the world.

Orochimaru's lips curled upwards uncontrollably, forming a wicked and fanatical arc.

Joy! This is pure joy, the joy of discovering a priceless treasure! The power of the Uchiha clan, the secrets of the Sharingan, are one step closer to him!

Although he was able to clone the Sharingan with a single tomoe, those eyes always seemed to lack a soul.

Only the cells of the Uchiha clan, which are purely natural, possess this pure power!
However, this ecstasy lasted for less than two seconds.

"I need information on Kabuto Yakushi. Danzo's 'Root' infiltration plan in the Land of Stars." Menma's icy voice was like quenching water, instantly extinguishing the fanaticism on Orochimaru's face.

Orochimaru's smile froze instantly, then gradually faded and disappeared.

He slowly raised his head, his gaze shifting from the container in his hand to the mask with pockmarked skin. His golden vertical pupils narrowed slightly, and his expression became extremely complex.

The joy receded like the tide, replaced by a chilling unease, like a venomous snake being disturbed from its meal, as if its interest had been abruptly interrupted.

Kabuto Yakushi, the child who showed amazing talent when he was in the Konoha orphanage, was regarded by him as a powerful assistant in the future!
How could this "Shura" have gotten his hands on it first?
The person Orochimaru had his eye on has been snatched away yet again!

A strong anger, a mixture of frustrated possessiveness and being belittled, quietly began to grow.

The seedlings he carefully selected were like precious specimens in his laboratory, not to be touched by others! What chilled him even more was that "Shura" specifically named Kabuto Yakushi and demanded Danzo's conspiracy...

what does this mean?
This means that this "ninja from the future" must know about Kabuto Yakushi's future achievements!

What astonishing heights will that seemingly frail boy reach in the future?
To be so highly regarded by "Shura from the future," who even came in person to request information...

This in itself proves that Kabuto Yakushi's potential far exceeds his previous estimates!
This realization made Orochimaru even more unhappy, as if someone had appraised and bought his treasured rare treasure in advance.

"Hehehe..." Orochimaru let out a low, ambiguous laugh, which echoed in the cold underground laboratory, with a hissing sound like that of a snake.

His fingers, which were gripping the Uchiha cell container, tightened slightly, and his knuckles turned somewhat white.

"I really have a good eye." Orochimaru's tone turned icy cold. "Kabuto... is indeed an interesting child, as for Danzo, that old dog in the gutter..."

He abruptly changed the subject, forcibly suppressing the surging emotions in his heart, his golden snake eyes flashing with a calculating light: "I will compile a detailed record of his little tricks for you."

For the sake of the Uchiha cells in hand, and for the greater benefits to come, this dissatisfaction and loss can be tolerated for the time being.

He carefully placed the container of cells in the safest spot on the lab bench before slowly continuing, "Speaking of experiments, you must know something about Kimimaro, the child you took away last time, right?"

Orochimaru licked his thin lips, his eyes rekindling with that fervor for the unknown: "His 'disease' stemming from his bloodline is truly fascinating, yet also regrettable. I also collected a few Kaguya children last time. But unfortunately, they couldn't withstand the initial fusion stimulation and all failed."

He spread his pale hands, his tone carrying a hint of deliberate regret, but his eyes were fixed on Shura's white three-eyed fox mask.

"The joint laboratory that I had Guren establish in Star Capital should be quite well-equipped." Orochimaru's golden vertical pupils gleamed with unmistakable anticipation.

“I want to go there to conduct more in-depth observations and research on Kimimaro. Perhaps, together we can find a way to suppress or even reverse his tragic fate?” His voice carried a persuasive, enticing quality.

"After all, it's such a pity that such a precious bloodline limit and physique would perish, isn't it?"

Menma listened quietly, his mask concealing all his expressions.

Orochimaru's joy and displeasure, greed and scheming, were laid bare before him like open pages of a book.

As for Kimimaro, he does need Orochimaru's research capabilities. Although the transplanted Byakugan has temporarily suppressed the imbalance of Yang Release chakra in Kimimaro's body, Orochimaru's involvement should help him find a better research direction.

Furthermore, after obtaining the Oni-Garaku no Technique, Menma also wanted to see what effect it would have if it were used to implant White Zetsu cells and Hashirama cells. Orochimaru's involvement would make the research twice as effective.

"Okay." Menma's voice remained completely calm.

Orochimaru's eyes flashed, and the corners of his mouth curled up again.

“However, my shadow clone will be involved throughout.” The white mask turned slightly towards Orochimaru, its empty eye sockets seemingly able to see through to the soul.

"Orochimaru, put away your inappropriate thoughts. Kimimaro is mine now."

The cold words, carrying a chilling warning, swept through the entire laboratory like a cold front.

Orochimaru's smile froze completely, and his golden vertical pupils suddenly contracted into a dangerous thin line, silently confronting the unseen eyes beneath the mask.

The air was thick with the smell of disinfectant, and the pale light of the laboratory cast long shadows of the two men facing each other, projected onto the cold walls.

(End of this chapter)