Satori Hyūga wore an odd expression, gazing at everything in the laboratory with a strange look.
All of this seemed completely alien to the ninja world.
It was like advanced technology had surfaced in ancient times.
But a closer look revealed that each instrument bore traces of chakra and ninjutsu.
"Strange. Really strange," Satori murmured.
"All of this is so new—completely unlike anything you'd find outside."
"Coming here feels like stepping into a different era altogether."
"Honestly, I wouldn't question it if someone told me this was a different world entirely."
At his words, Orochimaru let out a chuckle—a rare smile appearing on his face.
"These are the most advanced instruments in existence. I paid an enormous price for them."
"It's precisely because of these tools that I can fully devote myself to researching ninjutsu and exploring every truth this world holds."
"My signature snake-based techniques were all developed here, in this very laboratory."
"And since you also seek immortality and wish to extend your life indefinitely, you must learn how to operate these devices and master human research techniques."
Nodding solemnly, Satori said, "Sensei Orochimaru, teach me everything you've got."
Hadn't he become Orochimaru's apprentice precisely for this reason?
Such advanced equipment would surely bring massive benefits to his future endeavors.
Mastering it might even allow him to attempt evolving his Byakugan into the Tenseigan.
His path toward immortality would also advance significantly.
However, something puzzled him—why did the ninja world possess so much top-tier technology while many people outside struggled to get enough food?
With such powerful technology available, most still couldn't even secure basic sustenance.
He voiced this question directly.
"Ninjas are tools of war," Orochimaru stated bluntly. "We receive missions and earn rewards by completing them."
"How much food there is and issues of survival are matters for the Daimyo. That's their responsibility—not something we ninja concern ourselves with."
"As long as ninja fulfill their duties, work hard to increase their strength, and complete assigned missions, that's more than enough."
After a brief pause, he continued, "One country, one village—that's the system established by the First Hokage. No one dares to defy it."
Among the people of Konoha, Satori often heard the phrase—"Ninja are just tools."
He had never agreed with that belief.
In his past life, he had always found the system ridiculous.
He hadn't expected even pre-rogue Orochimaru to still believe in this doctrine.
Ninjas possessed tremendous power yet willingly allowed themselves to be controlled by ordinary people who lacked even the strength to tie up a chicken.
What a warped worldview.
Still, this mindset dominated most people's thinking nowadays, and Satori knew better than to try changing it head-on.
If he voiced these thoughts openly, others might think he was crazy.
Those who refused to conform were always treated differently.
Only by possessing immense power—equal to that of the First Hokage—could one hope to reshape the world.
"Satori… do you hold different beliefs inside?"
Orochimaru, known for his razor-sharp intellect, noticed Satori's silence and quickly deduced his thoughts.
Satori Hyūga nodded thoughtfully and then smiled. "I just find this world... a bit strange."
"Why should the weak have the right to command the strong?"
"Ninjas with the potential to change the world fixate on destruction instead. Doesn't that only make things worse?"
"I wonder if there's another way to make the world better, with less war and death."
"That's quite an unusual way of thinking, Satori."
Orochimaru's gaze flickered as he seemed to savor those words.
Already a genius himself, Orochimaru was instantly spurred into deep reflection by Satori Hyūga.
After all, a daimyo was nothing more than an ordinary person—one who lacked even the strength to tie up a chicken.
Meanwhile, ninjas wielded immense power and could kill ordinary people at will.
Yet why were daimyos high and mighty while ninjas had to obey them?
Why was it like this? What gave them the right? What gave them their authority?
As soon as he thought about it, something clearly felt off.
Orochimaru slightly narrowed his eyes.
Since birth, and especially since becoming a ninja, people had continuously instilled these ideas in him until he accepted them as truth.
But one day, his own apprentice questioned those very ideas.
Could it mean everything up until now was wrong?
If things were right, then why did so many ninjas die?
Why did everyone live such difficult lives?
Satori Hyūga had no idea that his casual words had caused Orochimaru to begin pondering and reflecting.
"Taking you as my apprentice was truly a wise decision," Orochimaru said with a smile, gazing at Satori Hyūga as if he'd uncovered a hidden treasure.
"What you've said is quite interesting. Tell me, when did you first realize these things?"
Satori smiled slightly and replied calmly, "After I realized I was a member of the Hyūga Main House, I started considering matters like these."
"The Branch House members aren't inferior in any way, yet they must obey the Main House and bear the Caged Bird Seal."
"They have numbers on their side, but still cannot resist—they can only complain and blame fate."
"Then I turned my attention within the village, observing the relationship between Konoha and the Land of Fire, which made me even more confused."
Satori framed his thoughts carefully, disguising them as a reasonable observation.
The system dividing the Main House and Branch House within the Hyūga Clan was equally outdated and oppressive.
It was similar to how ninjas were controlled by daimyos—equally absurd systems.
Yet, these absurd systems persisted unchallenged.
Orochimaru looked surprised and said, "Coming from the Main House, you see beyond your status—a rare and commendable perspective."
"But have you considered any solutions?"
Satori shook his head lightly and said indifferently, "Not really. Or rather, I don't wish to change anything right now."
"I don't yet have the strength to bring about real change. If I recklessly stand out, I'm afraid the consequences won't be pleasant."
He knew the old saying well—"the tallest nail gets hammered down."
Orochimaru nodded slowly. His long tongue flicked out to moisten his lips, intensifying the eerie fascination he felt toward Satori.
"Your thinking aligns with mine, Satori," he said. "I will teach you to the best of my ability and observe the changes you bring."
"But I suspect it will be most intriguing."
Orochimaru showed Satori Hyūga around the entire laboratory, instructing him on the use of various instruments. When the explanation was nearly finished, he led Satori into a small library.
The moment he stepped inside, Satori was awestruck by the countless ninja scrolls tightly packed within the room.
There were hundreds, even thousands of scrolls, encompassing all forms of ninjutsu across every elemental attribute.
"Orochimaru-sensei, you collected all these yourself?" Satori asked in surprise.
Orochimaru nodded, his eyes gleaming with pride as he gazed at the room filled with jutsu scrolls.
"I acquired them through great effort. Some were rewards for completing missions, some I purchased, and others were taken from the corpses of those I defeated."
"You may read any of the jutsu here. You need not master them all, but you must understand their principles and learn how to counter them. I will test your understanding from time to time."
Satori: …
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