I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 384 Life already has enough unexpected things happening; there's no need to add more.

After leaving Root, Tatsuma did not go to find Sakumo Hatake, because there was no need.

He hadn't come up with a good strategy to break Danzo's new situation, and as for consulting with Hatake Sakumo, forget about it. If he wanted to find someone to discuss how to deal with the enemy, Hatake Sakumo was definitely one of the best choices.

However, Sakumo Hatake is neither suited to nor good at playing these kinds of political games. Moreover, based on Tatsuma's understanding of Sakumo Hatake, even if he doesn't say anything on the surface after learning about this, he will definitely find a way to deal with it on his own behind the scenes.

As for Sakumo Hatake's political acumen, Tatsuma really didn't expect him to come up with any good ideas. It was more likely to be a "I think of it" strategy. This kind of strategy could occasionally have a surprising effect, but Tatsuma didn't like it very much.

Life already has enough unexpected events; there's no need to add more. Rational people know that order should be used to combat chaos, not to nurture something like poison with poison—that's the worst possible strategy.

Chenma returned home and rummaged through the laundry basket to find the clothes he had worn that day. After a week of fermentation, the clothes smelled terrible, but fortunately, summer hadn't arrived yet, so it wouldn't cause any biochemical damage.

He packed the clothes into a bag, then took another bag and cut off the blood-stained parts from the laundry basket and other clothes, then carried the two bags to Orochimaru's laboratory.

Tatsuma didn't build his own laboratory because he simply couldn't afford it. As far as Tatsuma knew, there were only three places in Konoha where he could conduct gene testing and separation.

First, there's the Wood Release laboratory, but it hasn't been restarted yet and is unusable. Second, there's Konoha Hospital. Given Tatsuma's relationship with Biwako, borrowing the laboratory and equipment shouldn't be a problem.

However, Tatsuma still preferred Orochimaru's laboratory, since he had already revealed enough secrets to Orochimaru, and there was a sense of trust in him that was like "what's the use of doing nothing" about it.

Orochimaru showed no reaction to Tatsuma's sudden appearance in his laboratory, simply saying, "Recently, some sucker invested a large sum of money."

I casually separated the genes of the Shikotsumyaku (Corpse Bone Pulse). Although further analysis is needed, I've confirmed that it stores gene fragments containing the Shikotsumyaku bloodline limit. The data is over there.

The project, which spanned two years, was recalled without the slightest hesitation by Tatsuma. He nodded and said, "I'll take a look when I have time, but isn't it a bit much to call Konoha Hospital a sucker?"

Tatsuma assumed that the money Orochimaru mentioned was coming from Konoha Hospital, since he had just finished talking with Biwako a few days ago, and Biwako had promised to approve the funds as soon as possible. Of course, she did not agree to the additional conditions, and Tatsuma himself said that she did not agree either.

"Konoha Hospital? Oh, you mean that order? They're still going through the process, the money hasn't come through yet. I was talking about a sucker."

Orochimaru quickly realized Tatsuma's misunderstanding and added, "Lord Biwako is a respected elder to me. How could I say she's a sucker?"

"Dean Biwako isn't here. Even if you say nice things about her, she won't forgive you."

Tatsuma placed the two blood-stained bags on the worktable and walked towards the place Orochimaru indicated where the documents were stored. As he searched, he said, "I personally pleaded for you, but she still won't agree."

Hearing this, Orochimaru was somewhat disheartened. It was just a tiny bit more test kit used, wasn't it? Before he could even sigh, Tatsuma continued, "Root? Is Danzo really injured?"

"How is that possible?"

Orochimaru shook his head, pulling his thoughts back, and said, "It's just some commissioned projects related to bloodline limits, secret techniques, or cursed seals, but they haven't decided which project to research yet."

"They demanded money before even doing anything?"

"Wasn't the autograph fee your suggestion?"

"I didn't expect anyone would actually give it to us, after all, our reputation isn't that high yet, is it? But then again, if the research results from the Wood Release lab are made public, we would all be qualified, so it's reasonable for Danzo to be willing to give it to us, since he understands us."

Tatsuma took down the data on the Corpse Bone Pulse and began to look at it, while Orochimaru looked up from the microscope, glanced at what Tatsuma had brought, and asked, "What's that?"

"My clothes are stained with blood. I'm now praying that there might be some of the Third Mizukage's genes on them. I plan to cultivate his internal organs so that the village and Kirigakure can cooperate."

Orochimaru hadn't attended Tatsuma's meeting, but with his sharp mind, he could deduce a lot from Tatsuma's few words. He licked his lips and asked gloatingly, "Broken up? Now you want to fix it?"

"Um."

"What methods did you use? Did you damage Genmi's internal organs?"

"Flying Thunder God and Rasengan, it's uncertain whether Genmi recognized the Flying Thunder God."

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru raised an eyebrow and said, "If you don't use Wood Release, the risk of being exposed through other methods isn't high. After all, you wouldn't be foolish enough to leave behind the Flying Thunder God Technique seal."

There are too many types of Body Flicker Techniques. Even if you see the Flying Thunder God Technique with your own eyes, it is difficult to confirm it immediately unless you have actually fought the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, and conducted extensive research on it.

It's highly likely that it's not brown rice.

"That's all we can do. If we can perfectly heal Genmi and make this make-up work go smoothly, then our autograph fees will rise again."

Tatsuma had just finished skimming the report and was rolling up the scroll when Orochimaru, looking at the two bags of materials, suddenly narrowed his eyes, his snake-like pupils widening slightly, and said in a sinister tone, "Tatsuma, you said..."

Wouldn't it be interesting if we transplanted gene fragments from the bloodline limit into his organs?

Tatsuma paused in his hand as he rolled up the scroll, then a wicked smile spread across his face as he said, "Orochimaru-sama, you're so naughty, I love it."

Transplanting a bloodline limit gene fragment into someone else might be a "beneficial" thing, but if the recipient is the Third Mizukage, then it will be quite interesting.

After all, Genmi is a staunch opponent of bloodline limits. His political ideology and policies are largely aimed at bloodline limit ninjas. It can be said that in the Land of Water, Genmi and bloodline limits cannot coexist.

Transplanting a bloodline limit gene fragment into Genji is tantamount to implanting that person's spinal cord into an extreme racist redneck and then telling him that his blood gene expression will also become that person's.

Orochimaru and Tatsuma stared at each other. Orochimaru's smile was sinister, while Tatsuma's smile was wicked. This combination would definitely stop a child from crying.

Sometimes, a tacit understanding only requires a glance. Orochimaru stood up, walked to a square refrigerator, and said, "I'll knock some more out. Go and separate the blood."

"Hmm, our rejection drug should also be suitable for bloodline limit transplantation, right?"

"certainly."

Neither of them mentioned reporting or inquiring about the matter, because they both knew that it was impossible for the matter to pass the review, so they could only do it secretly.

Chenma brought a large number of test tubes containing specific solutions, and also took a set of cutting tools to completely dissect the materials and put them into the test tubes.

This laboratory contains a large number of Tatsuma's genetic testing reports, and both Orochimaru and Tatsuma can directly recognize Tatsuma's genetic report data. Therefore, even if Tatsuma is mixed with Genmi, it is easy to detect.

As long as Genma's blood gets on Tatsuma's clothes, Tatsuma will eventually find it, it will just take a little longer. After putting the test tubes into the centrifuge in batches, Tatsuma began to wait.

With a moment to spare, Tatsuma said to Orochimaru, "I never imagined that our first human experiment involving bloodline limit transplantation would use the Third Mizukage as the test subject. How extravagant!"

"Yes, such high-quality test subjects are hard to find. When can you get a few more shadows so we can collect information on the similarities and differences between strong individuals who have grown up in different environments?"

Orochimaru's sinister smile couldn't be lowered. Upon hearing this, Tatsuma rolled his eyes and said, "It's just that Genmi underestimated me too much and didn't consider me an opponent on the same level as him."

"Why don't you target the Third Hokage instead of creating a few more shadow clones? Given your master-disciple relationship, the success rate of a sneak attack isn't low."

Tatsuma's teasing of his teacher didn't bother Orochimaru at all; in fact, Orochimaru said seriously, "Don't underestimate the Hokage. That teacher is always ready for battle."

Five years ago, I could at least guess his limits, but now I can't see them at all. Perhaps my perspective has improved, and I'm seeing things I couldn't before, or perhaps he really has grown.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was always ready for battle, and Tatsuma naturally knew this. Having served as Hiruzen Sarutobi's bodyguard, he was well aware that Hiruzen Sarutobi's inner lining was always designed for combat.

As for whether Hiruzen Sarutobi had gotten stronger over the years, Tatsuma pursed his lips and said, "A ninja who can improve even in peacetime, that's terrifying! You, Jiraiya-sensei, and my teacher, haven't made much progress in recent years."

Although Tatsuma's words were somewhat self-deprecating, Orochimaru nodded truthfully. In recent years, he had not paid too much attention to his training. After perfecting his Orochimaru style, he focused on scientific research and making money.

His two teammates were in a similar situation; after digesting the gains from the Second Shinobi World War, they made little progress.

After Jiraiya digested it, he seemed to have truly mastered Sage Mode, but compared to Tatsuma, he was still only half-baked, and it wasn't very useful in skirmishes. As for Tsunade, her chakra reserves were so vast that even Orochimaru couldn't fathom them, but in terms of strength...

There hasn't been any significant leap forward. After so many years of digesting it, it seems they're still perfecting a technique that was developed in its rudimentary form during the Second Shinobi World War. It certainly can't be called a major advancement.

A person's energy is always limited. Once the focus of energy shifts, it becomes less likely to make a breakthrough in strength, let alone for adults like them. In fact, in Orochimaru's opinion, Tatsuma's growth was not as expected.

This is still based on the fact that Tatsuma is often in battle, and his growth rate has slowed down considerably. He no longer gives himself the feeling of surprise and shock that he did during the Second Shinobi World War.

In Orochimaru's view, Tatsuma's several improvements after the Second Shinobi World War could not represent his true talent. Whether it was the change in his physique, Wood Release, or Sage Mode, they were all "outsiders".

Tatsuma's progress was actually quite limited; he hadn't even addressed his weaknesses. Thinking of this, Orochimaru suddenly asked, "Have you found a way to use your genjutsu?"

Although Orochimaru already knew in his heart that the possibility of Tatsuma solving this weakness was almost zero, he still asked with concern.

"Found it."

Orochimaru: "???!!! You're playing me?!"

(End of this chapter)