Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!
Chapter 524: Shikotsumyaku and the Kekkei Genkai Sickness

Chapter 524 - 524: Shikotsumyaku and the Kekkei Genkai Sickness

"Lord Kawakaze."

Rinnosuke approached, still visibly nervous. He had no idea why Kawakaze had called for him, and though he looked up, he didn't dare meet his gaze.

"Do you want to live?"

Kawakaze's words were quiet, but to Rinnosuke, they struck like a thunderclap.

He hadn't expected an opportunity to come so suddenly. His body trembled involuntarily.

"Yes."

The answer escaped his lips without hesitation.

"Then come with me."

Kawakaze said nothing more and made no promises.

"Understood."

Rinnosuke nodded, his steps firm as he followed behind.

The journey was silent. Kawakaze didn't speak, and Rinnosuke didn't ask where they were headed.

He knew one thing for certain—Konoha's so-called God of Shinobi wouldn't waste time joking with a child like him.

Besides, he didn't think he was worth Kawakaze's attention.

Even if he was considered an exceptional genius, in Kawakaze's eyes, he was probably no more significant than an ant.

The two figures, one large and one small, left the Academy and soon arrived at Konoha's First Public Hospital.

As they entered, many staff members greeted Kawakaze with respect.

Rinnosuke, now fully composed, remained indifferent, as if nothing around him had anything to do with him anymore.

But the moment they stepped into the laboratory and he laid eyes on Orochimaru, a flicker of excitement finally surfaced on his face.

Those snake-like pupils—undeniably Orochimaru's most recognizable trait.

"Stop what you're doing for a moment."

"I brought you an interesting little subject."

With a casual push, Kawakaze nudged Rinnosuke forward.

"I'm busy. Don't bother me."

Orochimaru didn't even spare him a glance.

"Brother-in-law, just a moment. I'm almost done," Misaki interjected apologetically.

"This kid is from the Kaguya Clan of Kirigakure."

"His Kekkei Genkai, Shikotsumyaku, is extremely rare."

"I'm doing you a favor by bringing him here for research."

"If you're not interested, I'll just take him and leave."

Though it was clearly Kawakaze who needed something from Orochimaru, he made it sound like he was the one being generous.

"Leave the kid. You can go."

Orochimaru waved dismissively, fully aware of Kawakaze's little act.

"You're kicking me out already? That's a bit harsh, don't you think?"

Kawakaze wasn't one to leave so easily.

Grinning, he leaned in closer, trying to peek at Orochimaru's work, but when he couldn't make sense of it, he sheepishly pulled back.

"Pfft—"

Orochimaru chuckled at his antics, his cold expression finally cracking.

"I don't have time to entertain you right now."

"Go amuse yourself elsewhere."

He pushed Kawakaze aside, then gave Rinnosuke a quick once-over before shifting his attention back to his work.

"No problem."

Kawakaze strolled over to the rest area and sat down, while Rinnosuke remained standing, curiously taking in his surroundings.

Everything in the lab was unfamiliar and fascinating to him.

And the way Kawakaze and Orochimaru interacted—it was the first time he saw such powerful figures acting so... ordinary.

His earlier tension gradually faded.

About twenty minutes later, Orochimaru and Misaki finally wrapped up their work.

Leaving Misaki to clean up, Orochimaru removed his gloves and walked toward Rinnosuke.

"Don't scare the kid."

Seeing Rinnosuke take a step back, Kawakaze couldn't help but tease.

"His bones are exceptionally strong, his body shows good cellular activity, and his recovery ability is impressive."

"But why is he in such a deteriorating state? He won't live for more than a few years."

Ignoring Kawakaze's remark, Orochimaru removed his hand from Rinnosuke's shoulder, having already assessed his condition.

He made no effort to soften his words, stating his judgment outright.

Rinnosuke's expression dimmed. As expected, his days were numbered.

"Even you can't do anything?"

Kawakaze could imagine how Rinnosuke felt. No one would feel good hearing such a grim prognosis.

He walked over and gently patted the boy's head.

The sudden gesture startled Rinnosuke, and when he looked up at Kawakaze again, his eyes held an unreadable emotion.

"The worst outcome is death."

"I can give it a try."

Death rolled off Orochimaru's tongue as if it were nothing. But to Rinnosuke, those words carried hope.

At least Orochimaru hadn't immediately pronounced him a lost cause like the medical-nin in his village had.

There was still a chance for him to live.

"Did you hear that, kid?"

"You might die here. Do you still want to go through with the treatment?"

Hearing Orochimaru say that, Kawakaze knew he would do his best.

As for whether it would work or not—that would be up to Rinnosuke's fate.

"I'm willing."

Rinnosuke hadn't expected Kawakaze to ask for his opinion. He froze for a moment before responding.

He had no choice. No matter what was done to him here, he would endure it.

Live or die—there was no other path.

"Hope you won't regret it."

Orochimaru's lips curled into a faint smirk, making him look even more sinister.

"Don't smile like that—it's creepy."

Kawakaze exaggerated a shiver, his face full of mock disgust.

"Follow me."

Orochimaru's smirk vanished just as quickly as it had appeared. He shot Kawakaze a glance filled with disdain before turning to leave.

Rinnosuke obediently followed, placing himself in Orochimaru's hands without hesitation.

...

After drawing blood, running a full-body examination, and even having Rinnosuke produce a few small bones for research, Orochimaru finally finished.

"That's enough for today. Take him back."

Once again, he dismissed Kawakaze without hesitation.

"Do you know the way back?"

Ignoring Orochimaru, Kawakaze directed the question at Rinnosuke.

When Rinnosuke nodded, Kawakaze waved him off.

"Then head back on your own."

With that, Rinnosuke left.

Bang.

The lab door shut behind him.

Kawakaze wasted no time dragging Orochimaru over to the rest area, forcing him to sit down.

"Say whatever you need to now."

Freed from Kawakaze's grip, Orochimaru sat properly while Misaki brought over tea.

"Do you think something went wrong in the evolution of his Shikotsumyaku?"

Kawakaze took the opportunity to steer the conversation in the direction he wanted.

"Evolution?"

"Are you suggesting that Shikotsumyaku isn't the final form of this Kekkei Genkai?"

"Like how the Sharingan has multiple stages?"

Orochimaru was quick to catch on, though he doubted Kawakaze had come up with this theory on his own.

It wasn't that he underestimated him—he simply knew Kawakaze lacked the necessary academic knowledge.

When it came to battle, he acknowledged that Kawakaze was stronger.

But in terms of research? He was leagues ahead.

"Exactly."

"And the kid's body couldn't handle it, which is why he's in this state."

Kawakaze appreciated how easy it was to talk to intelligent people, though he was unaware that Orochimaru doubted he had reached this conclusion by himself.

"In theory, it's not impossible."

Orochimaru thought for a moment and gave a noncommittal answer.

"Then it's possible."

"You should look into it."

"I believe Shikotsumyaku has untapped potential beyond what we know."

Kawakaze sounded completely confident, but Orochimaru couldn't understand where that certainty came from.

"I see. I'll consider it."

Orochimaru had his own research priorities. He wasn't about to let Kawakaze dictate his studies.

Having listened to Kawakaze's "nonsense," he stood up, ready to get back to work.

"What do you mean, 'consider it'? You need to remember this."

Kawakaze reached out, but Orochimaru deftly avoided him. Did he really think he was that easy to manipulate?

"Goodbye."

Leaving behind only the sight of his retreating figure, Orochimaru waved him off without looking back.

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