But collaborating with Orochimaru is no different from making a pact with a tiger.
That guy is cunning and unpredictable, hard to control. One must be constantly on guard against his schemes and betrayal throughout the cooperation. With the slightest carelessness, a collaborator could become a specimen in his laboratory.
In his previous life, Sora was just an ordinary office worker. His knowledge of profound fields like biological experiments and genetic engineering was limited to a popular science level.
After crossing over into the Naruto world, although his learning ability far exceeded ordinary people, he had always focused his energy on improving immediate combat power and survival skills. He had not delved deeply into scientific research fields that require long-term accumulation and extensive experimentation.
He had always felt that professional matters should be left to professionals.
And now, looking at Kabuto before him, who was showing intense interest and extraordinary talent for medical knowledge, Sora saw another possibility.
An assistant completely cultivated by himself, someone whose background he knew thoroughly, and who possessed exceptional talent!
In the original story, Kabuto was a scientific research genius who even amazed Orochimaru, reaching the top level in the ninja world in medical ninjutsu, biological experiments, and even cloning technology.
If he could nurture Kabuto, make him the dedicated researcher for his own "Kekkei Mora Plan", that would undoubtedly be much more reliable than cooperating with Orochimaru!
With Orochimaru, it was mutual use and mutual vigilance.
But Kabuto, he was someone Sora brought back from the ruins of war, someone to whom he gave a new name and a place to belong.
This bond and "favor" ((???)/(???)/(???)/), if guided properly, would be far more solid than the fragile alliance of interests with Orochimaru.
'That's right... why must I rely on an uncertain factor like Orochimaru?'
Sora's gaze gradually became firm:
'I can completely cultivate a trustworthy and capable assistant myself!'
'Orochimaru only needs to serve as my technical database.'
Thinking this, Sora's gaze towards Kabuto carried a bit more meaning and expectation.
He pulled over a chair and sat down, asking in a calm tone: "Kabuto, do you find this medical knowledge difficult?"
Kabuto shook his head, then nodded:
"Some parts are difficult. Many words are hard to understand. I have to look up many other books. But... after figuring it out, it feels very interesting. It's like I can understand how the body works, how wounds heal."
Kabuto's tone carried the excitement of having found something he was interested in.
Sora smiled slightly:
"It's good that you like it. In the future, if there's anything you don't understand, you can come ask me. Although I'm not proficient in medical ninjutsu, I do know some basic things. You can also go ask the village's medical ninjas. I'll help put in a good word for you."
After all, Sora did have the reputation of "Konoha's Green Snake". Plus, he had visited the hospitalized Fox and others from time to time, and over time, he had built up some connections.
"Really? Thank you, Sora brother!"
Kabuto's eyes instantly lit up, and a rare, childlike look of joy appeared on his face.
"Mm."
Sora nodded, having already made a decision in his heart.
Nurturing Kabuto required resources and a location.
Regarding resources, he had just earned over fifty million ryo through the Bounty Exchange mission, which was enough to support the initial costs of purchasing various basic experimental equipment and materials.
As for the location...
Sora's gaze seemed to pierce through the floor, looking underground.
The orphanage was located in a relatively remote area of Konoha. The personnel were simple, and outsiders rarely visited. A child like Kabuto was the only new addition in the past few years.
Secretly building a laboratory underground here was undoubtedly an excellent choice.
Although Sora didn't feel much sense of belonging to Konoha at the moment, apart from his disgust towards Danzo, he didn't harbor much resentment towards Sarutobi Hiruzen and the other elders either.
Things like Sarutobi Hiruzen's invisible control over him, in Sora's view, were just normal political maneuvers. If he were in that position, he would probably make similar choices.
At least for now, Konoha was still a good place for him to reside and a good place to obtain resources.
As long as the laboratory was hidden enough and didn't cause any earth-shattering commotion, the risk of discovery should be low.
'No time to delay. The construction of the laboratory can be put on the agenda.'
Sora planned in his heart.
Tomorrow was still a day off, perfect for handling this matter.
First, use Earth Release to silently carve out a sufficiently large space beneath the orphanage.
Then, go to the black market or use some covert channels to purchase the necessary experimental equipment in batches.
'Once the laboratory is initially built, I can slowly guide Kabuto, starting from basic medical and biological knowledge, gradually showing him deeper things...'
Looking at Kabuto who was once again lowering his head to study the book seriously, Sora seemed to see a seed that would play a key role in his future "Kekkei Mora Plan" quietly sprouting.
...
It is worth mentioning that although Sora rarely used Earth Release, he did possess this chakra nature.
Before eating the Azure Dragon Fruit, Nonō had tested him. At that time, his chakra natures were Earth, Fire, and Yang.
After swallowing the Azure Dragon Fruit, his natures expanded to Earth, Fire, Wind, Lightning, Water, and Yang. Now, he only lacked the "Yin" nature to possess all seven chakra natures in the Naruto world.
However, Sora clearly understood that having seven natures did not equal achieving Kekkei Mora.
True Kekkei Mora meant completely fusing these seven natures into one, not simply stacking them.
Otherwise, wouldn't Sarutobi Hiruzen, who could skillfully use ninjutsu of five natures, be much stronger than Ōnoki's "Dust Release", which was a fusion of three natures?
Therefore, the core of Sora's envisioned "Kekkei Mora Plan" lay in fusing corresponding Kekkei Genkai to combine the seven chakra natures of Yin, Yang, and the five elements into one.
And the key to achieving this fusion was precisely Hiruko's "Ghost Absorption Technique".
However, considering that the "Ghost Absorption Technique" was not very stable, Sora would need to conduct multiple experiments even after obtaining it from Hiruko, and this would require the use of clones.
Otherwise, if Sora foolishly used his main body directly, the probability of success on the first try would be no different from winning the lottery, let alone requiring multiple fusions.
For this, Sora planned five core Kekkei Genkai clones: Fire Release Clone, Water Release Clone, Wind Release Clone, Lightning Release Clone, and Earth Release Clone.
He already had a preliminary list of corresponding Kekkei Genkai ninjas in mind, and would obtain their cells when the time was ripe.
As for the Yin and Yang natures, Sora was not in a hurry. He himself possessed the Yang Release Sage Body of the Uzumaki clan, although not very pure.
But later, he could consider incorporating Senju Hashirama's cells. Being descendants of Asura, the expected cell rejection reaction would be minimized.
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