signingbooks Chapter 318 The normal Orochimaru is actually unusually frightening.
Chapter 318 The normal Orochimaru is actually unusually frightening.
Chapter 318 The normal Orochimaru is actually unusually frightening.
Dou slowly lay back on the lab bed, trying to relax his tense body as much as possible.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and let the Orochimaru, who had a completely different aura, busy operating the equipment beside him, connecting sensor patches to his chest, arms and other parts of his body.
Heart rate, blood pressure, chakra fluctuations—various data monitoring instruments were activated one by one, and the screens flashed with jumping curves and numbers.
The dim lighting cast a warm glow on the metal workbench and equipment.
The laboratory was spacious and bright, a stark contrast to the dark basement where the adult in Kabuto's memory conducted certain secret experiments.
Kabuto's gaze followed Orochimaru's moving figure without leaving a trace.
His eyes gleamed with curiosity and scrutiny as he secretly compared the "Orochimaru" before him with the one he remembered. The real Orochimaru was unfathomable, shrouded in a dangerous yet irresistible charm that inspired both awe and dread.
However, at this moment, the Orochimaru in the dream was completely different. His temperament was peaceful and focused, more like a rigorous scholar immersed in academic research. His expression was focused and solemn, and his movements in operating the instruments were precise and smooth. Every step was meticulous, showing professional competence.
Occasionally, when he looked down at the data, a faint smile would appear on his lips. It was not the cold, sinister smile he usually wore, but a gentle, light smile.
They have the same face and the same voice, but they give the impression of being two completely different people.
Kabuto couldn't help but sigh inwardly, wondering what changes Lord Orochimaru of this world had gone through to become like this.
After a while, the Dream Orochimaru completed the data collection.
He skillfully removed the sensors from his pocket, picked up the recording board next to him, and carefully browsed the data curves and indicators on it, a look of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
Then, he took the record board and walked to the lab bed, giving Kabuto, who was already half-sitting up, a relaxed smile: "The test results are pretty good. All the indicators are stable, and the adaptation is better than expected. However, it's too early to participate in the next phase of the experiment, Kabuto. You'll have to wait a while longer."
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru!"
Almost at the same instant he uttered the words, Dou bowed his head respectfully, his tone firm and submissive.
As soon as he finished speaking, he belatedly realized that this subconscious reaction was already deeply ingrained in his bones, an instinct formed from years of facing that adult.
Hearing Kabuto's respectful tone, Orochimaru in his dream world was slightly taken aback.
A look of surprise flashed in his golden snake eyes, and he raised an eyebrow, as if he didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
However, he quickly regained his composure, gently shook his head, and advised softly, "Tou, here you don't need to be so concerned about your past identity, nor do you need to belittle yourself because of your background. You should know that you are an assistant I value highly, a rare talent."
As soon as he finished speaking, Dou froze, his breath caught in his throat, and his mind went blank.
Two seconds later, he looked up in disbelief and carefully examined Orochimaru's expression through his glasses.
The other person's expression remained calm and composed. Those golden eyes, which usually held a wicked smile, were now devoid of the coldness and aloofness that Dou was familiar with.
There was only a frank appreciation and trust, as if in his eyes, Kabuto Yakushi was truly an indispensable and capable assistant, and a talent worthy of such sincere praise and important use.
[Ding! Kabuto's emotional fluctuations have been detected! Emotional value +300!]
Of course, the real Orochimaru also said something similar.
He has praised Kabuto more than once as his indispensable right-hand man, outstanding in ability and trustworthy.
However, every time he heard such praise, Dou felt grateful, but deep down he couldn't help but feel apprehensive.
It wasn't that he didn't trust Lord Orochimaru, but rather that the man's words were always unpredictable.
For this reason, his awe and fear of that person always outweighed his trust.
However, the Orochimaru in this dream was completely different. His attitude was sincere, and his expression was calm.
However, it was precisely this excessive normalcy and sincerity that made Kabuto feel "abnormal," and even somewhat at a loss.
It's important to understand that from the very first day he became a spy, the environment he was familiar with was filled with danger and deception.
Now, being treated with such sincerity, Dou felt as if he were a creature that had long been hiding in a dark corner, suddenly exposed to the bright, unobstructed sunlight.
Instinct told him that this warmth not only failed to relax him, but also made him subconsciously wary, and even gave him an urge to run back into the darkness.
He thought to himself.
Is there a deeper trap hidden here?
Or perhaps the very fact that Orochimaru has become gentle and approachable is enough to constitute the biggest trap?
Dou took a deep breath and adjusted his glasses to conceal his turbulent emotions.
Meanwhile, in the audience.
One after another, figures appeared.
A familiar figure, draped in a wide purple belt, appeared first; without a doubt, it was Orochimaru.
Immediately afterward, not far from Orochimaru, the figure of a thin, pale, white-haired boy suddenly appeared.
The boy's face was deathly pale, with two symmetrical, bright red marks on his forehead. At that moment, he recognized Orochimaru, and his eyes instantly blazed with uncontrollable ecstasy and devotion.
"O-Lord Orochimaru————"
Kimimaro gasped in shock. He had been needing to rest due to a worsening of his bloodline disease and hadn't been able to serve Lord Orochimaru for a long time. Now—
The unexpected reunion moved him so much that he immediately wanted to kneel down and pay his respects.
Upon hearing this, Orochimaru glanced at Kimimaro indifferently.
He did not seem particularly surprised or excited by the appearance of his subordinate, and his expression remained calm.
He simply raised his hand and waved it casually, indicating that the other party did not need to be so polite.
"Let's find a place to sit down."
The voice didn't convey much emotion.
However, even this simple favor of being allowed to sit close to him was enough to overwhelm Kimimaro with gratitude.
An unnatural blush even appeared on his pale cheeks.
Kimimaro suppressed the pounding excitement in his heart and respectfully obeyed the order to sit down next to Orochimaru. His posture remained upright and stiff. At this moment, he felt as if he were in a dream. He clenched his fists and swore in his heart that even if he burned out the last bit of strength in his life, he would follow Lord Orochimaru to the death!
[Ding! Kimimaro's emotional fluctuations have been detected! Emotional value +400!]
Orochimaru nodded slightly, but his gaze shifted to several figures that had just appeared not far ahead.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya, and Tsunade, the three masters and disciples, appeared at the same time in a row of adjacent seats.
On the other side, Nagato and Konan also appeared side by side.
As usual, Jiraiya tried to break the slightly somber atmosphere with a joke.
He waved enthusiastically to Orochimaru, who was not far away, and greeted him heartily, "Yo! We meet again, Orochimaru!"
Orochimaru didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, completely ignoring Jiraiya's greeting.
Seeing this, Jiraiya pursed his lips and reluctantly withdrew his hand that was waving in mid-air.
Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed slightly, locking onto Hiruzen Sarutobi and Tsunade.
After only a few days apart, Orochimaru immediately noticed that the aura emanating from Tsunade had undergone a dramatic change.
The boldness and strength that once belonged to the legendary Sannin remain undiminished in her, but in addition, she also exudes the dignified aura of a leader and decision-maker.
At this moment, Tsunade stood there tall and straight, arms crossed, back straight as a spear, her sharp gaze exuding authority without anger. Even though she had not yet activated her powers, she naturally became the center of the surrounding aura.
In contrast, Hiruzen Sarutobi, standing to the side, seemed to have lost much of the composure and unfathomable aura that once belonged to a person in power.
Instead, there was an undeniable weariness and a touch of melancholy in old age.
He was subtly overshadowed by Tsunade beside him in terms of presence, like an old tree in its twilight years pale in comparison to a newly grown, towering giant.
Seeing this scene, Orochimaru couldn't help but smile, letting out a low, pleased laugh: "Hehehe—"
His slender tongue unconsciously licked his lower lip slowly, as if he had tasted some extremely delicious message.
Then, Orochimaru stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi with great interest and said lazily and amusedly, "Old man, I think—I feel the windmill starting to turn."
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[Ding! Orochimaru's emotional fluctuations have been detected! Emotional value +300!]
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi's body trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly, and a complex and unfathomable expression flashed across his aged face.
He remained silent for a moment, not replying, but giving Orochimaru a deep look.
In an instant, the atmosphere became tense and subtle because of Orochimaru's meaningful words.
For a moment, no one spoke; the surroundings were so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Just then, the huge black screen in the center of the space suddenly lit up without warning.
The sudden burst of bright light startled everyone in the audience, who instinctively squinted.
The scene that immediately appeared on the screen was Orochimaru intently examining Kabuto Yakushi, who was lying on the bed in the laboratory of the dream.
Upon seeing the screen light up, Orochimaru in the audience immediately dropped the mocking and dangerous expression he had shown when facing Hiruzen Sarutobi, and suddenly became very interested.
He leaned forward slightly, his golden snake eyes fixed on himself on the screen, the smile on his lips fading away and replaced by a deep look of inquiry.
Today, he was finally able to examine himself in this dream up close.
-
See how this "self" differs from the real self.
On the screen, the calm expression, composed demeanor, and gentle smile that occasionally appeared when talking to Kabuto in the dream world of Orochimaru formed a stark contrast to the sinister Orochimaru in the audience.
Jiraiya stared at the Orochimaru on the screen, who was so "normal" that it made his hair stand on end. He then glanced at the dangerous and "abnormal" real Orochimaru beside him. The huge sense of incongruity made him unable to hold back any longer and burst out laughing.
That smile immediately attracted the attention of everyone present.
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly, glancing displeasedly at Jiraiya who was laughing.
Tsunade and Hiruzen Sarutobi both turned their gazes to Jiraiya, clearly surprised that he would laugh out loud at a time like this.
Even Nagato and Konan, who had been silently observing, couldn't help but cast puzzled glances at him.
Jiraiya, however, didn't care about all that; a rash question had already uncontrollably flooded his mind.
At this moment, his curiosity had clearly completely overcome his will to survive.
"Hey, Orochimaru—"
Orochimaru frowned, glancing at him impatiently. "What are you trying to do now?"
Jiraiya's face was full of curiosity. He leaned closer and asked quickly in a low voice, "Tell me honestly, when did you develop the habit of licking your lips when you talk? That's quite a unique hobby! Look, the you in my dream was so normal; he never licked his lips once."
Upon hearing this, Tsunade and Hiruzen Sarutobi were both stunned for a moment, instinctively looking at Orochimaru's lips before quickly looking away, their expressions becoming quite strange.
Only after Jiraiya reminded them did they suddenly realize.
Orochimaru's signature little gesture in real life seemed to be completely absent in the dream!
Orochimaru was momentarily stunned by this illogical and stupid question. The smile on his face suddenly froze, and his eyes turned icy cold.
He stared intently at Jiraiya's face, which was filled with thirst for knowledge, without saying a word. His face was so dark it could drip ink, and the pressure around him suddenly intensified. To be honest, Orochimaru had never really noticed his slightly strange speaking habit before.
Now that Jiraiya had so brazenly pointed it out in public and compared it to his dream self, he felt a surge of inexplicable annoyance.
[Ding! Orochimaru's emotional fluctuations have been detected! Emotional value +500!]
Jiraiya felt his scalp tingle and cold sweat break out on his back from Orochimaru's chilling and terrifying gaze.
He then realized he might have spoken too quickly, gave a dry laugh, and scratched his head sheepishly: "Uh, well—never mind—"
on the screen.
Orochimaru had already turned around and returned to the experimental table.
Kabuto Yakushi calmed down, quickly sat up from the lab bed, and began to tidy his clothes.
However, at that moment, the tightly closed metal door of the laboratory was suddenly pushed open with a loud bang!
The door slammed against the wall with a loud bang.
A young man burst in.
He was wearing training clothes, his short black hair was slightly messy from the rush, and his face showed obvious dissatisfaction and urgency.
He shouted loudly at Orochimaru's retreating figure without any restraint, "Lord Orochimaru! Why am I not on the list of participants for the next Wood Release experiment? I'm fully prepared to enter the fourth stage!"
Upon hearing this, Dou frowned slightly, and his gaze behind his glasses instantly sharpened.
His first thought was that the person who dared to barge into Orochimaru's laboratory without prior notice was most likely the impulsive and unconventional Nawaki.
However, when he looked closely, he found that although the other person also had black hair, their face was completely different.
He wasn't Nawaki; he was just an ordinary young man from the Senju clan.
The thought flashed through Kabuto's mind, and then a chill, stemming from his understanding of Orochimaru in reality, suddenly swept over him.
He subconsciously shook his head slightly, thinking to himself, "Whether it's Nawaki or not, barging in without warning and speaking to Lord Orochimaru in such an accusatory tone—"
This behavior is simply courting death!
Kabuto could already foresee the cold and cruel scene that might unfold next. Perhaps in the next second, this reckless young man would be ruthlessly suppressed, or even killed on the spot.
However, to Kabuto's astonishment, Orochimaru's reaction in the dream once again completely overturned his expectations.
Hearing the intruders' shouts, Orochimaru in the Dream Realm showed no displeasure or anger whatsoever.
He turned around calmly, without even frowning.
He slowly put down the recording tablet and explained in a calm tone, "Kikujin, calm down. The results of your Wood Release cell adaptability test are still highly volatile, especially when your emotions are fluctuating wildly. This indicates that your control over your current power has not yet reached its most stable state. If you rashly enter the fourth stage now, the risk of losing control will increase dramatically, and it is very likely to trigger an uncontrollable rampage. That would not only endanger your own safety, but also pose a threat to the laboratory and other participants. This is not to restrict you, Kikujin, this is to be responsible for you."
The wooden figure was stunned upon hearing this. Its flushed face froze on the spot, and it couldn't utter a single word in response to this calm and lengthy analysis.
Orochimaru's tone remained calm and composed throughout, without a single reprimand or threat. He simply presented facts and reasoned with the other party, using data and risk analysis to persuade them.
He continued earnestly, "Focus on consolidating the results of the third phase and improving your self-control. You have great potential, so there's no need to rush. You're already on the shortlist for the next experiment, provided you pass the next stability retest."
Kabuto, who had been watching quietly from the side, was now even more shocked than before. This lord was actually patiently explaining.
When presenting data and reasoning, is the safety of the test subjects being considered?
Dou felt that his worldview had been shocked like never before. He was speechless for a moment, and his glasses almost slipped off his nose.
[Ding! Kabuto's emotional fluctuations have been detected! Emotional value +400!]
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