Naruto: From Novice to Grave

Lying near the door, Moonlight Cloud didn't open her eyes, but suddenly spoke up in a low voice, "Really, did you discover something?"

Higashino didn't hide anything: "There's a small snake coiled up outside. I think it might be Lord Orochimaru's summoning beast."

"Is that so? They must be here to see you. It seems that sir has returned. Would you like me to accompany you?"

Actually, he didn't want Higashino to go, but Orochimaru was, after all, the highest-ranking officer here, and they, as his subordinates, couldn't refuse.

"Lord Orochimaru is probably trying to contact me this way because he doesn't want the teacher to come along. Otherwise, he could have just sent someone to give the order."

"Really? Then you can go over there yourself!"

"Okay, teacher."

After thinking for a moment, Moonlight Cloud reminded him, "Shin, just maintain respect for Lord Orochimaru and don't get too involved. You should understand the positions of our families, right?"

"I know!"

At this point in time, Orochimaru was still seen by the Konoha ninja as a powerful, reliable, and exceptionally capable Hokage disciple. He might have a somewhat effeminate appearance, but he wouldn't be so likely to harm his own comrades.

Tsukikage believes that he may have encountered a genius junior and is simply happy to meet him, and will not do anything to Higashino Makoto.

The reason he said that was because all three families were staunch supporters of the Hokage position, and Orochimaru... these Jonin weren't stupid either; they could naturally tell from certain signs that this lord might not be destined for the Hokage position.

Otherwise, Orochimaru should be assigned to the north to lead the battlefront and gain more military achievements to pave the way for his promotion.

Who is in charge of the situation over there now? It's Jiraiya, another disciple of the Third Hokage. The one who shines the brightest on the battlefield is Minato Namikaze, Jiraiya's disciple.

Those who become Jonin are not fools; some things don't need to be said aloud, everyone sees them. Apart from a few die-hard Orochimaru supporters, others only show respect and obey orders to this Hokage's disciple, but they don't get too close to him.

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Outside was a small snake with red and black interlocking rings on its body, a little longer than a chopstick. After seeing Higashino Makoto, it flicked its tongue and then turned and left.

Higashino Makoto saw that the intention to lead the way was so obvious; they had indeed come to find him.

At the same time, he was once again amazed by the wonder of chakra creatures. Although this snake was small, it was quite intelligent, and its tiny eyes could convey very human emotions.

Fortunately, Higashino really didn't know the Great Heavenly Dragon technique, otherwise he would have immediately started flying dragons in the sky to subdue demons.

The snake was extremely fast and moved silently. Higashino Makoto was the same, drifting behind it like a gust of wind, and soon followed it to an open space outside the camp.

Upon arriving here, the little snake disappeared behind a large tree.

Higashino looked around and saw a hole in the ground behind the tree, from which a faint light was coming out, but it was not visible from the outside unless you got close to the hole.

Snake-san is someone who likes to dig holes underground. Does your name, Orochimaru, mean you actually think of yourself as a snake?

It seems... his true form will indeed be a large white-scaled snake from now on... then it's alright.

Descending the hardened earthen steps into the downward passage, the walls on both sides are etched with intricate and difficult-to-decipher textures. Oil lamps provide illumination at intervals, but the overall atmosphere remains dark, a typical Orochimaru-esque aesthetic.

After entering the underground space, some cells appeared on both sides, but most of them were empty.

Following the chakra reaction he sensed, Higashino Makoto turned several corners and entered a poorly equipped laboratory.

This place is no longer lit by oil lamps; the lights are bright, indicating that there is a power generation device providing energy.

Under the bright operating lights, stood a tall, slender figure who did not appear very strong. He wore the standard vest of Konoha and had long, black hair that was loose and unbound.

He was facing away from Makoto Higashino, studying something on the lab table.

Besides him, there was another person under the lamp, a dead man, who was being studied. He lay quietly on the experimental table, completely naked.

This is a female corpse.

This is a disturbing scene. In movies, they usually cover it up with a cloth to make it look real, but that's not necessary in reality.

"If it weren't for my summoning beast leading the way, would you have been able to find this place?" Orochimaru stopped what he was doing and slowly turned his head.

What are the classic features of Snake's appearance?

With pale skin, purple eyeshadow, and golden, vertical snake-like eyes, he didn't look human.

The description of Morino Ibiki from later on is quite apt: he doesn't feel like a human being, but rather something wearing human skin.

Higashino looked at this famous and classic figure with curiosity, and bowed his head slightly, saying, "Of course, Lord Orochimaru."

"You came to find me, so you must have known about me. This place isn't far from the camp; it's still within my perception range."

"As expected, your perception is even more advanced than I imagined." After saying that, Orochimaru moved aside to make way for him.

At this moment, Higashino Makoto saw who the subject on the experimental table was—the same person they had captured earlier. As expected, after being drained of her value, she became Orochimaru's research subject.

At this point, Higashino Makoto finally confirmed one thing: this female ninja from Kirigakure... was indeed only an A cup.

"You don't seem surprised by what you're seeing."

"Lord Orochimaru, Konoha Hospital also has a research department. I've been involved in things like dissecting corpses for a long time."

"You learned it from your mother, right? Higashino Megumi? I remember her; she was a pretty good medical ninja, but I think you've far surpassed her."

"My mother will always be my role model."

Information about the Higashino family was naturally no secret to Orochimaru; he could access it at any time. However, he didn't dwell on that, instead pointing to the experimental materials and asking, "Do you recognize them?"

"We know them; they are prisoners of the Mist Village that we captured on the road."

"I have learned what happened, and I can say that you deserve the most credit for annihilating the Hidden Mist ninja and capturing them alive."

Astounding sensory abilities, powerful medical ninjutsu, exceptional ninjutsu talent, and a mature mindset beyond his years.

As Orochimaru spoke, he couldn't help but stick out his tongue and wash his face: "Higashino-kun, your excellence has surpassed my teacher's imagination. Even I, who was called a genius that only appears once every few decades, am ashamed in comparison to you."

"Lord Orochimaru, you flatter me. There are many companions in the village who are more powerful than me; they are the true geniuses."

"You mean Kakashi?" Orochimaru chuckled. "He is indeed a genius, but only as a ninja."

"But we are ninjas, Lord Orochimaru, so what brings you here today?"

Orochimaru cut to the chase: "Higashino-kun, would you like to be my assistant? I need your abilities. There are too many secrets in this world. Perhaps I can take you to see them."

It turns out they weren't after my body, but rather my sensory and medical abilities.

Forget it, this spot should be reserved for your true fan, Yakushi Kabuto. I'm just a heartless fake fan.

"What secrets in this world could we ninjas not know?"

"Of course, for example, aren't you curious about why this Hidden Mist Villager survived being stabbed in the heart with a kunai?"

"Is it some kind of special ability?"

"The Kirigakure Hozuki clan's water transformation technique is unfortunately lacking in talent. She can only use a portion of her body to transform into water to avoid fatal wounds; otherwise, she would be difficult to capture alive in places with water."

"You and I have the same physical bodies, yet we can transform into water. Don't you find that amazing?"

Orochimaru's intention to fish out of curiosity was obvious, but Higashino Masamichi said, "It is indeed amazing, but Lord Orochimaru, I prefer fighting to research. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

Orochimaru was neither surprised nor disappointed.

When he was Higashino Makoto's age, he also loved fighting. However, after witnessing the deaths of enough comrades, people always change.

I believe Higashino Makoto is no exception.

He nodded: "Okay, go back now, but remember to stay curious about this world. If you ever want to learn more about it, you're welcome to come find me anytime."

Higashino bowed respectfully, then turned and left the underground laboratory.

What a pity, Mr. Orochimaru.

From the very beginning, I stood at the end point of your research. The truth about chakra that you are looking for is nothing more than a melodramatic family drama involving a bunch of aliens.