This ninja in Naruto is unscientific

Chapter 73 Recruiting Orochimaru

With Koharu Utatane as an advisor, the approval process for the "Konoha Science Research Institute" was surprisingly fast.

In just three days, a red-headed document bearing the seals of the Hokage and the advisory group was already on Nishikawa Tetsu's desk.

Not only was a large plot of land originally belonging to the Dark Division training ground allocated, but the central clause of "the research institute having the right to initiate independent projects" was also specially approved.

"We have the land, we have the money, and the equipment is being built."

Nishikawa Tetsu closed the file, his fingers lightly tapping the Konoha logo on the cover.

"Right now, this big ship is missing a captain who can keep things in check."

He stood up, took off his police uniform, changed into civilian clothes, and then took a sealed metal briefcase from the safe.

"Fugaku-senpai, I won't be attending the police department's routine meeting tonight."

Nishikawa Tetsu called out to the office next door.

"Where are you going?" Fugaku's voice came.

"Go and invite a great Buddha statue," Nishikawa Tetsu said with a slight smile. "Or rather, go and catch a giant snake."

……

Orochimaru's secret hideout beneath Konoha.

This is not the blood-soaked temporary laboratory from last time, but a more secluded underground corridor located on the edge of Konoha.

The air was thick with the scent of formaldehyde and a damp, chilly atmosphere. The candlelight on the wall flickered slightly with the air currents, casting ghostly shadows.

"hiss--"

A small purple snake from the Ten Thousand Snakes Formation darted out of the shadows, flicking its tongue at Nishikawa Tetsuya.

Nishikawa Tetsuya showed no panic, simply calmly taking out a scroll and waving it around—it was the admission ticket Orochimaru had given him last time.

The little snake seemed to recognize the chakra fluctuations and retreated back into the shadows.

A stone door in front of them slowly opened.

Inside the spacious laboratory, Orochimaru stood with his back to the door in front of a huge dissection table.

Unlike the terrifying scene filled with human culture tanks in Nishikawa Tetsu's previous life memories, Orochimaru's laboratory at this moment, although gloomy, was relatively clean.

Lying on the dissection table is the corpse of a large summoning beast, which has appeared out of nowhere. Orochimaru is intently separating its venom glands and recording the effects of the biological toxins on the nervous system.

Nishikawa Tetsu observed this and secretly made his own plans.

"It is now Konoha year 38. The only surviving Wood Release test subject, Yamato, also known as Tenzo, was born in Konoha year 41."

"In other words, the human trials of interstitial cells and the large-scale infant disappearances case have most likely not yet begun, or have not yet entered the substantive stage."

"At this time, although Orochimaru had an almost pathological obsession with immortality and truth, he was still one of Konoha's Legendary Sannin and had not yet entertained any thoughts of defection."

This is the best time.

A top scientist who hasn't gone down a dead end or completely turned to the dark side can be brought back—as long as his desires are given a legitimate outlet.

"Rare visitor."

Orochimaru didn't turn around; his hoarse voice echoed in the empty room.

"What brings this busybody from the police department, this brat who's infuriating that old man Danzo, to this dark corner of mine?"

"Because I feel that the lighting here is too dim and does not do justice to your talent."

Nishikawa Tetsu walked into the laboratory and placed the metal briefcase on an empty table.

"Click".

The box was opened.

There were no gold or silver treasures inside, nor any scrolls of forbidden techniques, only a thick set of architectural blueprints and a newly stamped "Approval Document for the Establishment of the Konoha Science Research Institute".

Orochimaru turned around, took off his gloves, and his golden vertical pupils swept over the contents of the box before landing on Nishikawa Tetsu's face.

"What does this mean?"

"letter of appointment."

Nishikawa Tetsu looked directly at the fearsome Sannin, his tone calm and resolute:

"I would like to invite you to serve as the first director of the Konoha Science Research Institute."

Orochimaru paused for a moment, then let out a low, somewhat amused laugh.

"Hehehe... Dean? Nishikawa-kun, are you joking?"

Orochimaru walked up to Nishikawa Tetsu, his pale fingers picking up the approval document.

"Do you know my reputation in the village? Apart from Sarutobi-sensei, nobody likes a gloomy guy like me. You want me to be this so-called director? Are you trying to scare everyone away before this research institute even opens?"

Actually, the current Snake Auntie... oh no, I mean, the current Snake Uncle.

He had a high reputation in the village; he was a disciple of the Third Hokage and one of the Legendary Sannin, known as Rei-kun.

No, quite the opposite.

Nishikawa Tetsu did not back down; instead, he stepped forward.

"It is precisely because it is you that this position is rightfully yours."

"Science is rigorous, but also brutal. We need a leader who is absolutely committed to the truth and not overly bound by worldly morality."

Nishikawa Tetsu pointed to the blueprint: "We are an official agency, receiving funding from Konoha's finances, and of course, mainly from the police department's steady stream of profits. We plan to purchase the most advanced equipment in the ninja world, as well as procure various rare materials."

"I know what you're researching: software modification, cell activation, or even... the nature of life."

Orochimaru's pupils contracted slightly, and his eyes turned dangerous.

"Doing these things underground is difficult due to a lack of funds and materials. We also have to be constantly wary of Danzo's covetousness and the watchful eyes of the Dark Division."

Nishikawa Toru's voice was incredibly seductive:

"But with this research institute, everything would be different."

"We can legally obtain experimental subjects."

"Death row inmates, enemy spies, and ninjas who were fatally wounded in the war and voluntarily signed agreements to try new treatments."

"The police department is arresting too many people; the prisons are almost overflowing. Rather than letting them rot in jail, let them sacrifice themselves for science."

"This is—privilege under the sun."

Orochimaru remained silent.

He looked at the child in front of him, a strange light flashing in his eyes.

These words precisely hit his current sore spot.

He has never considered betraying Konoha, at least not now.

He just felt that the village rules were too annoying and the resources were too scarce.

But now, Nishikawa Tetsu has offered him a broader, brighter, and richer path.

If he had unlimited money and legitimate materials, why would he bother to feign friendship with that treacherous old man Danzo?

"Why are you looking for me?"

Orochimaru stuck out his long tongue and licked his lips, his eyes becoming playful. "You were the one who set this research institute up and running. With your achievements and Fugaku's support, you are more than qualified to be the director."

"I am too young, Lord Orochimaru."

Nishikawa Tetsu shook his head, spreading his hands with a self-aware air.

"Besides, I'm just a Chunin. Once the research institute is established, it will definitely develop something that changes the nature of warfare. At that time, some people will get restless, other ninja villages will covet it, and even the Daimyo's government will put pressure on them."

"My small frame can't withstand so many open and hidden attacks, nor can it control such a large scene."

"But you are different."

Nishikawa Tetsu's gaze was intense:

"You are the Third Hokage's personal disciple, one of the legendary Sannin. You have enough strength and prestige to deter all villains. With you, this great Buddha, here, anyone who dares to lay a hand on us should be prepared to be bitten by a snake."

"and……"

Nishikawa Tetsu's tone became sincere:

"Konoha needs you. If someone as talented as you is unable to use your talents due to limited resources and prejudice, or even... I mean, hypothetically, if you become disappointed in the village because of these constraints in the future, that would be Konoha's greatest loss."

Nishikawa Tetsu didn't explicitly say he was defecting, but Orochimaru understood the underlying possibility.

Orochimaru stared at Nishikawa Tetsu for a long time, and the smile on his lips grew wider and wider.

"Nishikawa Tetsu, you really are an... interesting brat."

"You've given me a bargaining chip I can't refuse."

Orochimaru slammed the file shut, his golden eyes gleaming with a long-lost excitement.

"I'll take the position of dean."

"However, I have one condition."

"Please speak."

Orochimaru stared at Nishikawa Tetsu: "I want to participate in your research on that 'railgun.' The idea of ​​releasing power without hand seals is quite interesting."

He had obtained the complete data on the electromagnetic cannon during the previous transaction, but there were still many problems that he could not solve for the time being after the experiment, which made him even more interested in his friend's apprentice.

"make a deal."

Nishikawa Tetsu extended his hand.

Two hands, one large and one small, clasped together in the dimly lit underground laboratory.