It was said that he was going on a reconnaissance mission, but not immediately. After all, the peace between the major ninja villages remained relatively stable, and Kumogakure still had matters to resolve in the Land of Hot Water.

Kazuyama understood they wouldn't be heading to Sunagakure anytime soon. For now, all his attention was fixed on Orochimaru's laboratory.

The next day, when Kazuyama arrived at Orochimaru's house, he was especially excited. After waiting so long, he would finally have the chance to explore Orochimaru's true secrets.

"Kazuyama, this is my laboratory. You may join the experiment now," Orochimaru said. "But remember, don't touch anything." His tone, colder than usual, betrayed how important this laboratory was to him. Even his own apprentice had to tread carefully.

Kazuyama nodded eagerly, silently vowing to follow every instruction.

Once again, they stepped into the dark, eerie laboratory. Around them were several massive containers filled with liquid, inside which floated animal carcasses. Shelves and tables were crowded with jars and bottles of all shapes and sizes.

"Kazuyama, do you know the Scroll of Seals?" Orochimaru asked.

He nodded. "Yes, it's a book of forbidden arts left behind by the Second Hokage, filled with difficult and dangerous techniques."

"The Scroll isn't completely locked away," Kazuyama continued. "In Konoha, it's possible to trade great contributions for a chance to learn one of the forbidden techniques. Someone of your level, Sensei, and a beloved disciple of the Third Hokage, must have had access to it."

Orochimaru looked at him approvingly. "Indeed, I have studied ninjutsu from the Scroll—and not just one. Aren't you curious about the techniques I've learned?"

Kazuyama shook his head. He wasn't curious at all. He already knew: it had to be Impure World Reincarnation. Orochimaru had likely used that technique to create Living Corpse Reincarnation, achieving true immortality.

"Hehe," Orochimaru chuckled. "The techniques I've mastered are indeed mysterious. If you don't want to know, that's fine."

Then his golden eyes gleamed with interest. "Let me ask you another question, Kazuyama—are you curious about life?"

Not at all. People lived their whole lives just trying to be happy. That was the simple truth Kazuyama believed. But he couldn't say that aloud—not to Orochimaru. The last thing he wanted was to be thrown out of the lab.

"Life is amazing. It is clearly very fragile, but it is also full of tenacity."

This was the answer Kazuyama had prepared long ago. After all, Orochimaru's obsession with life stemmed from witnessing far too much death and survival.

As Kazuyama anticipated, a flicker of light appeared in Orochimaru's serpentine eyes upon hearing his response. It was clear that Orochimaru was both surprised and impressed.

"Very good. You are indeed suitable to be by my side," Orochimaru said, a cold satisfaction in his tone. "Come, Kazuyama, let's start with the most basic anatomy."

He gestured toward a dead toad lying on a nearby table, indicating it was time for Kazuyama to begin his first lesson.

Kazuyama stared at the toad, and for some reason, a name flitted through his mind: Snape, the Half-Blood Prince. In this dimly lit and oppressive space, it felt as though he'd stepped into the dungeon-like cellar of Hogwarts itself.

Life was indeed full of surprises.

In the days that followed, Kazuyama demonstrated what it truly meant to be a scientific nightmare.

When Orochimaru instructed him to dissect, Kazuyama turned it into a game of creative dismemberment.

When tasked with extracting blood for observation, he somehow managed to drain nearly a liter from the unfortunate subject.

When it came to learning biology, he spent most of his time daydreaming or outright napping.

Orochimaru was at his wit's end. He, the great Sannin, the venomous serpent, had somehow ended up taking a mute worm as his disciple. The boy had somehow managed to disrupt even the most meticulously controlled lab environment in the ninja world.

Finally, after three months, Orochimaru couldn't take it any longer.

Pushing Kazuyama out of the lab door, Orochimaru's expression was a mix of exasperation and reluctant acceptance. His eyebrows furrowed tightly as he muttered, "Kazuyama, I've thought it over carefully. You should learn ninjutsu."

His voice dropped slightly, laced with a rare tone of resignation. "Science is not for you…" Then, as though suddenly remembering, his eyes narrowed. "And where is my Kusanagi sword?"

Orochimaru sighed inwardly. He's my chosen disciple, after all. What else can I do?

Kazuyama had talent, remarkable strength, and even a Kekkei Genkai that could aid Orochimaru in understanding genetic structures. Yet when it came to scientific experiments, the boy was hopeless.

It had been three long months, and he had yet to make any progress. Not only that, but he had misplaced countless lab specimens—and, to Orochimaru's utter disbelief, even lost a Kusanagi sword.

Kazuyama looked around the laboratory with deep regret. He truly wanted to stay longer. Over the past few weeks, he had gained so much—not just knowledge but also countless potions he'd "tested" on himself.

Potions that stimulated Chakra flow. Potions that enhanced physical recovery. Potions that boosted spiritual power growth.

To Kazuyama, Orochimaru was nothing short of a Sage. A sinister one, perhaps, but a Sage nonetheless. The man was a treasure trove of invaluable resources.

On one of his frequent explorations of the lab, Kazuyama had stumbled upon a secret compartment in a cabinet. Inside, he found several swords.

Kusanagi swords! He immediately recognized them.

One in particular caught his attention—a straight blade without a sword guard. It was unmistakably the same type of weapon wielded by two future legends. Kazuyama saw no reason not to claim it for himself. Sliding it into his robe, he felt a surge of satisfaction.

Coupled with his habit of helping himself to Orochimaru's various experimental potions, the results had been extraordinary. Kazuyama had gained significant attribute enhancements. At just 15 years old, he had already reached the benchmark for a Jōnin.

[Kazuyama]

[Age: 15]

[Konohagakure, Jōnin of the Gekkō Clan, Jinchūriki (Seven-Tails)]

[Kekkei Genkai: Transparent Escape (Perfect Mastery)]

Ninjutsu: Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, Eight Inner Gates, Flying Thunder God Technique, Fire Release (Fireball, Phoenix Fire), Earth Release (Earth-Style Wall, Double Suicide Decapitation Technique), Wind Release (Protective Wind, Great Breakthrough, Wind Slash), Hidden Shadow Snake Hands

Tailed Beast: Chōmei (Affinity: 100)

Strength: 55

Speed: 70

Chakra: 70

Stamina: 75

Ninjutsu: 80

Taijutsu: 50

Genjutsu: 55

Hand Seals: 55

Kazuyama couldn't help but feel satisfied with his progress. While he still had some weaknesses, his 80 in Ninjutsu allowed him to unleash incredible power far beyond his former limits.

Faced with Orochimaru's decision to expel him, however, Kazuyama felt both aggrieved and reluctant to leave.

"Sensei, this isn't my fault," Kazuyama protested, his voice carrying an air of exaggerated innocence. "The scalpel is completely different from my ninja blade! I meant to cut vertically, but it went horizontally!"

He sighed dramatically before continuing, "Sensei, I wish I could keep experimenting with you!"

Then, his tone shifted to one of confidence as he added, "But if you ever need my help, just call me! With my Kekkei Genkai, you could even steal Old Man Third's pipe if you wanted!"

Orochimaru stood silently, watching Kazuyama gesturing animatedly. His lips twitched in an expression halfway between irritation and regret.

For the first time, Orochimaru wondered if he had made a mistake in taking Kazuyama as his disciple.

What use would I have for the Hokage's pipe?

But despite himself, something about Kazuyama's words stirred a faint flicker of intrigue in Orochimaru's heart.