"I understand, Orochimaru-sama. Thank you for your guidance and for helping me see things clearly." Renzou Uchiha bowed deeply, a full ninety degrees, to Orochimaru. Setting aside any other considerations, Orochimaru had just done him a significant favor. Without his insight, Renzou Uchiha didn't know how long he would have remained oblivious to his own arrogance.
"Haha, you're welcome. Quite right." Orochimaru waved a dismissive hand, then paused, his gaze intent. "Renzou-kun, would you be interested in being my experimental assistant?" As he spoke, Orochimaru studied Renzou Uchiha with keen interest, awaiting his response.
"I…" Renzou Uchiha hesitated. While he was undeniably drawn to Orochimaru's knowledge and the potential benefits of witnessing his ninjutsu firsthand, he was already juggling numerous training regimens. He worried about having sufficient time to dedicate to being an assistant.
"It would only be for a specific experiment, perhaps two or three days' worth of your time. I have other ongoing research, so you wouldn't be constantly occupied. And the compensation isn't… negligible." Observing Renzou Uchiha's uncertainty, Orochimaru considered his concerns and offered a solution in a smooth, persuasive tone.
"Then, I gratefully accept your offer, Orochimaru-sama. Please guide me in the future." Relief washed over Renzou Uchiha as he extended his hand to shake Orochimaru's. An assistant to a Sannin. That sounds… intense. Is this really happening?
"Excellent. Let's begin today, then. Are you familiar with all of this?" Orochimaru led Renzou Uchiha to the steel test bench, gesturing to the array of instruments.
"I recognize most of them, but there are a few I haven't encountered before," Renzou Uchiha replied honestly. Orochimaru simply nodded, picking up a scalpel and beginning his patient explanation.
"The scalpel is used for precise incisions through the skin and surface organs of living specimens." After the brief description, he set down the scalpel and picked up the surgical scissors. "Surgical scissors are for cutting skin, muscle, and other soft tissues. They can also be used to dissect, by inserting the tips into tissue planes to separate connective tissue without significant blood vessels." Next, he picked up a blood vessel clamp. "Vascular forceps, also known as hemostatic forceps…" "Arterial clamp, used to occlude arterial blood flow…"
A quarter of an hour passed.
"Well? Do you recall everything?" Orochimaru placed the last instrument down and turned to Renzou Uchiha.
"Yes, I remember it all." Renzou Uchiha wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. Thankfully, his mental fortitude and memory were strong, honed by years of rigorous schooling in his previous life. With a little consolidation, this information would be firmly ingrained.
"Oh?" Orochimaru seemed genuinely surprised. He'd expected Renzou Uchiha to retain perhaps half of the information, but the boy's memory was exceptional. "If you remember, let's proceed." Orochimaru turned back to the interrupted experiment, picking up a pair of rongeurs. He carefully examined the exposed skull of the python for a moment, then inserted the rongeurs, opened a section of the bone, and, without looking up, handed the instrument to Renzou Uchiha.
"Hemostatic forceps."
"Yes." Renzou Uchiha, after a momentary hesitation, quickly picked up the hemostatic forceps and handed them to Orochimaru, simultaneously returning the rongeurs to their designated spot. A short while later, Orochimaru returned the hemostatic forceps, his focus entirely on the dissection.
"Toothless surgical forceps."
"Coming."
From initial unfamiliarity to increasing proficiency, their unspoken coordination began to improve.
"That will be all for today." Orochimaru removed his now-soiled lab coat, and Renzou Uchiha instinctively took it and hung it on a nearby hook. Orochimaru regarded Renzou Uchiha with a hint of admiration. "You adapt quickly, Renzou-kun."
"Thank you for the compliment, Orochimaru-sama," Renzou Uchiha replied, also feeling a sense of relief. The work had been demanding; Orochimaru's pace was relentless. Fortunately, he'd managed to keep up.
"Consider this your compensation for the month. I believe you'll find it… agreeable." Hearing Orochimaru's words, Renzou Uchiha instinctively reached out. Orochimaru paused, then, in a bizarre display, opened his mouth wide and regurgitated a scroll, which he then placed in Renzou Uchiha's outstretched hand.
"This is…?" Renzou Uchiha examined the scroll, slightly damp with Orochimaru's saliva, but not particularly bothered. It could be wiped clean.
"Take it and have a look. From now on, come here every Wednesday and weekend at noon."
"Understood. I'll take my leave then, Orochimaru-sama." Sensing Orochimaru's dismissal, Renzou Uchiha nodded, opened the door, and stepped out.
"Hehehe." Orochimaru watched Renzou Uchiha depart, a low chuckle escaping his throat before he turned back to his interrupted experiment.
Renzou Uchiha walked through the passage and out of the underground laboratory. The giant "Slope Anaconda" sensed his exit but remained impassive, merely shifting to create a person-sized gap. Once Renzou Uchiha was out, the massive snake resealed the entrance and settled back into its silent vigil.
"Phew, finally out." Renzou Uchiha emerged from the dense jungle, the dusk hues of Konoha Village painting the sky before him. He walked a few steps forward and then sat down cross-legged on the Hokage Rock of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. A gentle breeze cooled his face, offering a panoramic view of the village. Feeling a soft touch against his cheek, Renzou Uchiha turned to see Obanai Iguro nuzzling him. "Obanai Iguro, you startled me." Renzou Uchiha reached out and stroked the snake's scales, then stood, brushed off his clothes, and started down the mountainside. "Let's go home."
…
"I'm back." Renzou Uchiha opened his door, slipped on his slippers, and eagerly went to the living room. He sat at the table, retrieved the scroll from Orochimaru, wiped its surface clean with a piece of paper, and then unfurled it to examine its contents.
"Fire Style: Dragon Fire Technique." It was the B-rank ninjutsu, Gōryūka no Jutsu. This is the famous technique Sasuke used against Itachi. Considered quite powerful for a B-rank. By compressing fire-natured chakra, it materialized into the shape of a dragon's head, allowing the user to control one or multiple fire dragons to assist in battle and deliver a devastating impact. Worthy of a Sannin. One month's work equates to a B-rank ninjutsu. Will there be A-rank or even higher in the future? A smile tugged at Renzou Uchiha's lips. Now, his repertoire included ninjutsu for his water, fire, wind, and lightning affinities. Especially this Dragon Fire Technique – a Chūnin-level opponent would find it more than challenging. Looking back in the direction of Orochimaru's hidden lab, Renzou Uchiha suddenly felt a little less alone in his ambitions.
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End of Chapter 33