Naruto: System of Zoro

Chapter 23 - Orochimaru's Guidance

"Although I'm still not quite used to it, I can see that you, Orochimaru-sensei, have done extensive research in this field. You could truly be called a scientist," Kazane remarked, his gaze sweeping over the dimly lit laboratory.

Orochimaru remained silent for a moment, studying Kazane's expression carefully. There was no fear, no repulsion—only curiosity, mixed with something close to admiration. Still, he caught a fleeting trace of hesitation in the boy's tone. It was only natural. After all, most people would recoil at the sight of human and animal hybrids, severed limbs floating in preservation tanks, and grotesque genetic experiments stacked on shelves like forgotten relics.

Yet, despite the morbid surroundings, Kazane spoke with genuine respect.

Orochimaru tilted his head slightly.

"A scientist, huh? A strange title… but unexpectedly fitting."

His voice carried a note of amusement, but deep down, he was intrigued.

Kazane had unknowingly touched upon something few ever acknowledged. To most, Orochimaru was nothing more than a monster—a man obsessed with the unnatural, willing to defy ethics in his pursuit of power. And yet, in the grander scheme of things, wasn't he exactly what a scientist should be? Someone who sought to push the boundaries of knowledge, regardless of conventional morality?

Still, Orochimaru had brought Kazane here today for more than just conversation. He had wanted to test the boy's reaction.

If Kazane had shown clear disgust, Orochimaru would have dealt with him accordingly. A secret known by too many was no longer a secret, and he had no intention of allowing unnecessary risks. The fewer people who understood the depths of his research, the better.

But now, observing Kazane's composed demeanor, he felt something shift.

Until now, their relationship had been one of mutual benefit—nothing more, nothing less. But for the first time, Orochimaru found himself viewing Kazane as a true disciple.

"Come," he said, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Let's test your cellular activity first."

Kazane followed without question, his sharp eyes scanning the laboratory with renewed interest.

The assessment began with Orochimaru drawing two vials of blood, carefully labeling them before placing them in a storage unit. Next, he took small samples of Kazane's skin and hair, analyzing their structure under a specialized microscope. The examination continued as he recorded Kazane's height, weight, body proportions, and arm span, noting the details with meticulous precision.

Despite the cold, clinical nature of the process, Kazane remained still, allowing Orochimaru to work without interruption.

"It will take until tomorrow to get the exact results," Orochimaru finally said, setting aside his instruments. "For now, let's talk about your future training direction."

Kazane straightened slightly, sensing the shift in tone.

"Based on our battle yesterday, I've observed several things," Orochimaru continued. "Your physical attributes are impressive. You possess excellent sensory perception and an extraordinarily strong will—practically immune to my genjutsu."

Kazane listened intently, waiting for the inevitable but.

"However... despite your sharp swordsmanship, you struggle against opponents who fight at a distance. If someone keeps out of your blade's reach, you have no reliable way to retaliate."

Kazane remained silent, acknowledging the truth of the statement.

"Additionally, your attack methods are too limited, and while your reflexes are commendable, your speed is not particularly high. If you were to face a skilled ninjutsu user, you might not even get close before being overwhelmed. Worse, you wouldn't have the option to escape."

Kazane exhaled through his nose. These were not criticisms but facts.

"If I had to summarize," Orochimaru said, leaning against the examination table, "you are an exceptional swordsman—but only in close combat. Against certain types of enemies, you are vulnerable."

"You're right, sensei," Kazane admitted. "My biggest issue right now is that I can't counter opponents beyond my sword's reach. But my natural chakra refinement is extremely difficult, and I have very little chakra—I can't use ninjutsu."

Orochimaru observed him carefully. There was no defensiveness in Kazane's tone, no misplaced arrogance. He understood his own limitations and was willing to confront them. That alone set him apart from most shinobi.

Against taijutsu specialists, Kazane could hold his ground. But against powerful ninjutsu users, he would be nothing more than a moving target. That was an undeniable reality.

But if Orochimaru had pointed it out, that meant he had a solution.

"If your chakra reserves are that low," Orochimaru mused, "then improving your situation will be extremely difficult. I could teach you the Body Flicker Technique, but whether it's that or Minato's Flying Thunder God, they all fundamentally require chakra to use."

Kazane frowned slightly. It was as he expected—mobility-enhancing techniques were largely out of reach for him.

"However," Orochimaru continued, "if ninjutsu is not an option for now, there is another path. You could learn Tsunade's Yin Seal."

Kazane's eyes narrowed slightly.

"The Yin Seal?"

Orochimaru nodded.

"By storing chakra over time, you could release it all at once in battle. It would allow you to use ninjutsu when necessary without needing an abundant chakra pool. The downside? Mastering the Yin Seal requires a solid understanding of sealing techniques. It is not something that can be learned quickly."

Kazane considered the idea carefully. A storage-based technique like the Yin Seal could, in theory, compensate for his natural lack of chakra. But the fact that it required knowledge of sealing techniques made it a long-term goal rather than an immediate solution.

"In the meantime," Orochimaru continued, "we should focus on improving your taijutsu to enhance your speed. A shinobi does not need ninjutsu to be deadly—some of the most formidable fighters rely purely on their physical abilities. If we refine your movements and increase your reaction speed, you will be able to close the distance before your opponent even realizes their mistake."

Kazane nodded slowly. It was a logical approach.

Orochimaru stepped forward, his gaze sharp.

"Now then, tell me—what is your chakra nature?"

Orochimaru posed the question casually, but in truth, he had already considered several possible directions for Kazane's growth. One of the more drastic options had been the implantation of Hashirama's cells. Even the smallest trace of Hashirama's DNA had the potential to exponentially increase one's chakra reserves and regenerative abilities, providing an instant solution to Kazane's low chakra pool.

However, that experiment was still far from stable. More importantly, Orochimaru did not fully trust Kazane yet. Power was not something he handed out freely. For now, he had abandoned the idea, turning instead to the Yin Seal as a more viable—if temporary—alternative.

If it came down to it, convincing Tsunade wouldn't be too difficult. She held some regard for Kazane, and the past assistance Sakumo had given her provided further leverage. But the Yin Seal required an extensive understanding of sealing techniques, something that took years to master. It wasn't a skill Kazane could learn overnight, and given the current state of the world, there simply wasn't enough time.

Danzo had already been deployed to the Mist Village's borders, and war loomed on the horizon. What Orochimaru needed now was an immediate combat asset, not a long-term project.

Kazane, oblivious to the thoughts running through his mentor's mind, answered without hesitation.

"Orochimaru-sensei, my chakra nature is Lightning."

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. That was an interesting development.

The Hatake clan wasn't a large or particularly influential one, but they had their own traditions and skills. Chakra nature testing paper was expensive, but Kazane and his younger brother Kakashi had already gone through the process. Unlike Kakashi, who had inherited multiple chakra natures, Kazane's affinity was purely Lightning.

Orochimaru tapped his fingers lightly against the examination table, deep in thought.

"Lightning, huh? Then the Lightning Release Chakra Mode from the Hidden Cloud Village would be perfect for you."

Kazane's head snapped up, eyes widening slightly.

The Lightning Release Chakra Mode.

Even someone like him, with no extensive knowledge of the Hidden Cloud Village, knew about that technique. It was an exclusive jutsu, passed down within the Raikage's bloodline, designed to enhance speed, reflexes, and physical power by channeling lightning chakra directly into the body. With it, the Raikage could move at speeds that even the Sharingan struggled to track.

Orochimaru had fought in the Second Shinobi World War, battled Hanzō of the Salamander, and earned the title of one of the Legendary Sannin. Naturally, he had encountered the Cloud Village's famed Lightning Release Chakra Mode firsthand.

The Fourth Raikage, Ay, had wielded it to devastating effect, earning the title "Blue Lightning."

In one possible timeline, Ay and Killer B had even confronted Minato Namikaze—the Yellow Flash—on equal footing and lived to tell the tale. That was the level of speed and power the technique could provide.

"Orochimaru-sensei, you actually know how to train in the Lightning Release Chakra Mode?"

Kazane couldn't hide his surprise. The technique was an exclusive, clan-locked secret of the Hidden Cloud. Even spies who had infiltrated the village had never been able to steal it. Yet Orochimaru claimed he could teach it?

"I don't know their exact training method," Orochimaru admitted, "but I understand the principles behind it. And if we understand the principles, we can recreate it ourselves. After all, aren't all jutsu created by people? With your body, Kazane-kun, I have no doubt you'll succeed."

There was something unnerving about the way Orochimaru said those words.

It wasn't mere confidence. It was certainty.

The certainty of a scientist watching an experiment unfold exactly as planned.

Kazane felt a chill creep up his spine as he saw the gleam in Orochimaru's golden eyes. It was a familiar expression—the kind a researcher had when they were about to test a hypothesis, regardless of the risks.

If Orochimaru was excited, that meant whatever he had in mind was dangerous.

"Jutsu may be created by people," Kazane muttered under his breath, "but forbidden jutsu are created at the cost of countless lives."

There was no way Orochimaru's method would be safe.

Kazane sighed inwardly.

"This… this is a forbidden technique, isn't it? Can I refuse? No… I probably don't have a choice, do I? Sigh…"

As Orochimaru continued to stare at him, clearly eager to begin the next phase of his "experiment," Kazane felt an overwhelming urge to groan.

He had the distinct feeling that whatever was coming next…

Was going to be painful.