"Tsk, tsk… Orochimaru-sensei's laboratory is hidden in a place this well-concealed?"
The mountain before them showed no abnormalities whatsoever—no cracks, no seals, no visible entrance of any kind.
Yet when Orochimaru stopped in front of the cliff face, Uchiha Ran immediately understood.
So the laboratory is inside this mountain.
Ran knew very well that Orochimaru was an extraordinarily intelligent—and dangerously ambitious—shinobi.
Over the years, Orochimaru had constructed numerous laboratories, all dedicated to his research into immortality and forbidden sciences.
This place was clearly only one of them.
The entrance lay hidden within the rock wall itself.
Before the cliff stretched a lush, green forest. Orochimaru formed hand seals, then pressed his palm against the stone.
In the next instant, the mountain wall rippled—and an entrance silently revealed itself.
Ran froze.
Good grief… what is this? Fingerprint recognition? Some kind of Orochimaru-brand black tech?!
"Ran-kun," Orochimaru said as he led the way inside, his voice calm yet unsettling, "do you know this? The human body is a vast treasure trove. And to study such a treasure… one inevitably has to come into contact with certain people. To study them."
As he spoke, he casually described the terrifying taboos of research, as though discussing something mundane.
Ran, meanwhile, remained composed.
He had deliberately revealed his strength—to draw the attention of the Third Hokage and Danzō, and through them, to come into contact with this man: Orochimaru, the scientist of the shinobi world.
Ran was someone who had only ever watched Naruto.
He knew that the Mangekyō Sharingan traditionally awakened through intense hatred, grief, and rage.
But unfortunately—or perhaps fortunately—those emotions were something he could never truly experience.
With the Zanpakutō: Floating Life, Like a Dream, even without reaching Bankai, its Shikai alone was already terrifyingly powerful.
And Orochimaru—
Ran believed that this man possessed the knowledge and methods capable of elevating the Sharingan into the Mangekyō through science rather than hatred.
This was respect for a scientist.
As long as the principles could be understood, then something like the Mangekyō Sharingan was merely a problem waiting to be solved.
Surely, Orochimaru could research it.
"You're talking about human experimentation, aren't you, Orochimaru-sensei?" Ran said calmly. "I don't hold any prejudice against it. On the contrary—I'm very curious about the relationship between chakra and kekkei genkai. Especially the Uchiha… the Sharingan… and the process of advancing to the Mangekyō."
His tone carried unmistakable excitement.
"Subarashii," Orochimaru laughed softly. "The unknown is always mysterious—and irresistibly fascinating."
He glanced at Ran with renewed interest.
"You really are unexpected, Ran-kun. I always thought students trained by Yuhi Kurenai would be rigid, moralistic types."
As he spoke, Orochimaru pushed open a heavy metal door.
Inside—
Rows upon rows of human bodies suspended in cultivation fluid filled Ran's vision.
The sight imprinted itself onto his retinas.
"Magnificent…" Ran murmured. "These should all be shinobi with kekkei genkai, right?"
Seeing that Ran showed no fear or disgust, Orochimaru smiled.
"As I thought, Ran-kun. You and I are the same kind of people—seekers of truth."
He continued slowly,
"Do you know why the human body is considered an endless treasure? Because it contains countless mysterious and powerful forces."
Noticing Ran's gaze shift toward him, Orochimaru went on.
"Among them, the relationship between chakra and the human body is especially intimate—and miraculous."
Chakra was the manifestation of physical vitality and spiritual energy.
It could be trained, refined, and controlled.
Through cultivation and mental discipline, one could develop different chakra natures—fire, water, wind, lightning, earth—
Each with unique traits and abilities, allowing shinobi to unleash limitless potential in combat, healing, and creation.
"Orochimaru-sama, all of this is recorded in my clan's archives," Ran said flatly.
After listening to so much preamble without getting to the point, he was starting to feel impatient.
"Don't rush, Ran-kun."
Orochimaru stopped in front of a single figure suspended in a large glass vessel.
"This one possesses the Ice Release kekkei genkai."
As he looked at the person floating helplessly inside, a cruel smile curved his lips.
"How pitiful," Ran commented casually. "If you're going to experiment, couldn't you use gentler methods? Drawing blood, for example."
Orochimaru shot him a strange look.
"Ran-kun… you can calmly accept human experimentation—yet you feel pity for them?"
He chuckled.
"They made sacrifices in pursuit of immortality and the unknown."
"Of course, Orochimaru-sensei," Ran replied without hesitation. "I'm kind-hearted. I don't like seeing people suffer."
Orochimaru rolled his eyes and continued anyway.
"Kekkei genkai are special genetic inheritances, usually limited to specific clans. They represent powers that surpass ordinary abilities—granting extraordinary strength and techniques."
"There are many forms. Some enhance the physical body, others grant control over specific elements."
"The relationship between kekkei genkai and the human body is complex and profound—a wondrous phenomenon born of genetic mutation and bloodline inheritance."
As he spoke, Orochimaru's voice grew increasingly fervent.
"I believe that through excavation and utilization of kekkei genkai, we can surpass normal human limits—甚至… even alter our genes and achieve immortality."
"So your current research focus is kekkei genkai," Ran said, looking at the multiple experimental subjects within the glass tanks.
"Exactly," Orochimaru replied. "Chakra and kekkei genkai influence each other in subtle ways. That interaction is what turns certain people into vessels of infinite potential."
"I believe that through experimentation, I can fully understand and control this relationship."
"With that… I will grasp even greater power."
As he spoke, Orochimaru guided Ran through the entire biological experimentation zone.
This area was dedicated to biological research—genetic modification, cloning experiments, and more.
Massive glass vats lined the room, preserving bizarre organisms and experimental samples—including the very humans Ran had seen earlier.
This was where Orochimaru conducted countless experiments.
And this—
This would become Uchiha Ran's primary research laboratory.
Beyond the biological zone lay the central control room.
It was the nerve center of the entire facility.
A massive screen dominated the chamber, displaying streams of experimental data and charts—allowing Orochimaru, and eventually Ran, to monitor everything in real time.
What truly shocked Ran—
"He even has computers?"
This strange fusion of shinobi arts and futuristic technology could only be described as Naruto-world science.
Unbeknownst to Ran, deep beneath the laboratory lay a hidden underground sector—accessible only to Orochimaru himself.
It housed his most secret experiments, discoveries, and backup data.
Orochimaru did not mention this place.
The entire facility was protected by advanced security systems.
Only those with the correct identity verification and passcodes could access each area.
The laboratory was fully equipped—complete with living quarters, rest areas, and a medical wing for recovery and treatment.
As Ran flipped through the experimental records, he frowned slightly.
"Orochimaru-sensei… aren't your experiments still a bit… shallow?"
He looked up calmly.
"Steel Release, Boil Release, Ice Release—these don't seem particularly useful."
The words hung in the air—
quiet, blunt, and utterly fearless.