Although the Wood Clone Technique is a type of clone jutsu, in terms of its manifestation, it is more similar to the Shadow Clone Jutsu, as the clones have their own thoughts.
The principle is quite simple.
In the original story, Yamato once retrieved his wood clone and turned it into a seed.
In other words, this seed can resonate with the original body's chakra, producing an effect similar to that of the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Orochimaru's courtyard looked extremely dim under the night sky.
Natsume was on high alert, looking around, but there was no one in sight.
Filled with doubt, he opened the hall.
Meanwhile, in the underground laboratory.
Orochimaru was holding a scalpel and dissecting a corpse.
A moment later, a white snake slithered up to him, sticking out its long tongue and hissed.
"An uninvited guest has arrived. It's a strange ninja with a very odd aura."
Orochimaru understood the snake's words and immediately showed a glimmer of interest.
He glanced at the corpse and casually threw the scalpel aside.
This was the corpse of a ninja with a Kekkei Genkai.
Since his apprentice Nawaki died, Orochimaru had realized his own limitations.
He was developing the Living Corpse Reincarnation to achieve immortality on one hand, and researching the Kekkei Genkai to break through the limitations on the other.
However, both of these experiments were extremely difficult.
So far, Orochimaru still hadn't achieved much.
Since that was the case, he wasn't in a hurry and decided to deal with this unexpected visitor.
Orochimaru left the laboratory and came to the hall.
When he saw Natsume, his narrow snake eyes narrowed.
There was indeed something a bit off.
But he couldn't put his finger on it.
Orochimaru licked his lips, raised his hand, and several venomous snakes immediately flew out of his sleeve, wrapping around Natsume.
Naturally, he wanted to capture the one that piqued his interest, in case he ran away.
Sweet - talking isn't his thing.
He'd rather catch the prey and then dissect it piece by piece for a slow study.
But the next moment, something unexpected happened to Orochimaru.
The Natsume who was wrapped by the snakes suddenly turned into several wooden branches, which wrapped around the snakes instead.
For a moment, it was like a Russian - doll situation where they were all wrapped around each other.
Orochimaru stood there, stunned.
As someone who was determined to learn all Ninjutsu, he immediately recognized the Ninjutsu that Natsume had used.
The Wood Clone Technique.
Orochimaru had previously collaborated with Tanzo Shimura on the Wood Release: Hashirama Cells experiment.
Simply put, it involved transplanting the cells of Hashirama Senju into ninjas or infants to enable them to have Wood Release.
However, due to the strong rejection reaction, all the experimental subjects died.
Orochimaru and Tanzo Shimura had no choice but to temporarily abandon the experiment.
Now, a ninja who could suddenly use Wood Release had appeared.
You can imagine how surprised Orochimaru was.
"Is this how the Legendary Sannin Orochimaru treats his guests?"
Another Natsume walked in from the outside and said, "If so, I'm really disappointed."
Orochimaru's face darkened slightly, but he didn't make another move.
Because he could tell that this Natsume had a similar aura to the previous one and was probably also a wood clone.
"Let me guess what you're thinking."
Natsume casually pulled out a chair and sat down, as if he were at his own home.
Orochimaru noticed his look, which was quite calm, without the fear or respect that other ninjas showed when they saw him.
Apparently, he was quite confident.
"Are you wondering why someone can use Wood Release when all the Wood Release experiments have failed?"
Natsume asked rhetorically in a leisurely manner. "Am I right?"
Orochimaru was suddenly startled.
He'd hit the nail on the head.
But only a few people knew about the Wood Release experiments.
He couldn't have leaked it. Could it be Tanzo Shimura?
"Who on earth are you?"
There was a dangerous glint in Orochimaru's eyes. This out - of - control situation made him want to kill.
"Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is that I can bring you benefits."
Natsume picked up the teacup and said slowly, "For example, fulfill your wishes."
"My wishes?"
Orochimaru scoffed and asked, "Do you know what my wishes are? How dare you say you can fulfill them."
"Eternal life and omniscience."
Natsume smiled slightly and said, "I know a lot of secrets."
Orochimaru could no longer hold his composure.
Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
How could anyone know his deepest wishes?
Apart from himself, no one should know.
Did I leak it myself?
That was just nonsense.
"Who on earth are you?"
The same question, but with different feelings.
Orochimaru was already on guard.
A stranger who knew all his secrets. How terrifying was that?
Natsume let out a soft laugh.
This was the advantage brought by the information gap.
He spoke in a cryptic way like a riddle - master, "I am fate, lurking in fate, the hunter of fate. Do you understand?"
Actually, this sentence was imitated from the pretentious male lead in "The Eminence in Shadow".
Orochimaru tilted his head. What the fuck?
Actually, Natsume was telling the truth.
He had the Tamaki of Destiny and was planning to hunt so - called fate.
"Seems like you don't understand."
There was a feeling of disappointment in Natsume's tone, like hating iron for not turning into steel.
"..."
Orochimaru rarely showed irritation.
Can you just speak plainly?
"It doesn't matter if you don't understand. Let's talk about business."
Natsume held up two fingers. "I want Hashirama cells. In return, I'll offer you two secrets."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed.
Natsume was very mysterious.
But proposing a deal at this moment made him understand that mystery didn't equal omnipotence.
The person in front of him had a weakness.
Orochimaru licked his lips. This was his excited gesture.
"You should understand the value of Hashirama cells. How do I know if your alleged secrets are worth the price?"
"I can offer you a small secret first. After the deal is done, I'll offer you a big one."
As Natsume had expected, he said calmly, "You're a good trading partner. We can cooperate in the long term. What do you think?"
Orochimaru frowned slightly.
To be honest, he didn't like to cooperate with someone who knew him but he didn't know.
But Natsume knew too much.
Orochimaru wanted to investigate Natsume, and cooperation would be a good way to achieve this.
"That depends on whether your secret is valuable. If it is, cooperation is fine."
"There's a survivor of Tanzo Shimura's [Wood Release] experiments, and they've awakened [Wood Release]."
"What?"
Orochimaru couldn't stay calm any longer.
Tanzo, you dared to deceive me?!"
"This survivor is in Root, with the codename Kinoto."
Natsume was, of course, talking about Yamato.
Yamato's Destiny nodes was to leave Root and join the Anbu. Even his name, "Yamato," was given by the [Third Hokage], Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Now, his fate was about to change.
Natsume was curious about what Yamato's future would be like if he followed Orochimaru.
Ordinary time-travelers wouldn't want to alter the plot.
But his cheat meant the plot was bound to change drastically.
To get stronger, Natsume naturally wouldn't be restricted by the plot.
Because as long as he is strong enough, the plot doesn't matter.
Orochimaru took a deep breath and said, "I'll verify what you said. If it's true, our deal is made."
"Happy cooperation."
Natsume smiled, stood up, and in front of Orochimaru, canceled the [Ninjutsu].