Inside Umbrella Corporation, the walls—crafted from a special metal—gleamed with a silvery-gray luster, preventing any ninja from escaping.
From the narrow ventilation shaft above the walls, a strange pale-white gas leaked out.
This pale-white gas dispersed into the air, spreading throughout the metallic corridor, pervasive and inescapable.
The gas had potent paralyzing and hypnotic effects—it could induce unconsciousness on contact with the skin, regardless of whether someone inhaled it through their nose or mouth.
"Not good, there's poison!"
A ninja who had just infiltrated moments ago suddenly felt his eyelids droop, an overwhelming drowsiness surging through him. Instantly, he became alarmed.
To his horror, his chakra had slowed dramatically, his senses dulling and mind clouding over.
In an instant, everything went black, his body collapsed, and he lost all consciousness.
He wasn't the only one.
One after another, infiltrating ninjas realized something was wrong—then fell unconscious in quick succession.
After neutralizing the intruders, several figures clad in hazmat suits emerged from the corridors, capturing each of the infiltrators methodically.
These infiltrators came from various backgrounds—commoner ninjas, secret-technique users, and even bloodline limit users.
These were elite warriors, specially trained and developed through unconventional methods. Falling into the hands of Satori Hyūga meant complete ruin.
Satori had long coveted the secret techniques and bloodline inheritances of the prominent clans.
Yet due to his insufficient strength, he couldn't simply dominate the entire ninja world. Additionally, he still had many treasures yet to process, so he hadn't acted rashly.
Now, however, his targets had practically handed themselves over—he naturally refused to let a single one slip away.
Once over a dozen incapacitated Jonin were secured, Satori inspected them one by one.
"Tsk tsk tsk… Yamanaka clan, Nara clan, Fuma clan, Sarutobi clan, Mitashiri clan..."
Representatives from many of Konoha's major families had arrived, much to Satori's delight.
These were all meticulously trained ninjas—whether used for experiments or for studying their mastered jutsu, they represented an invaluable treasure trove.
Especially since some carried secret techniques and bloodline limits that Satori had long desired.
After inspecting the prisoners, he headed toward the underground secret base.
There were numerous scientific instruments here, with many researchers in white coats scurried around, deeply immersed in their work.
Satori passed through the crowd and entered an important laboratory.
Stepping inside, he saw Orochimaru busily working at the equipment, frenetically inputting data into various machines.
Hearing movement, Orochimaru didn't turn around but asked, "How did tonight go?"
Satori smiled. "Professor Orochimaru, we've made a significant haul tonight. These are perfect subjects for studying the relationship between bloodline limits and genetic sequences."
With the Byakugan acting as an ultra-microscope, enabling observation of subcellular structures, Orochimaru and Shinno had made significant progress in their research on human body cells.
Shinno remained wholly devoted to mastering the forbidden Eight Gates technique, determined to unlock its perfect form using only physical training.
His original goal hadn't changed—he still pursued ultimate power through mastery of the Eight Gates Formation.
Orochimaru abandoned his original plan to transform into the White-Scaled Serpent and instead shifted his focus to studying human genetic sequences.
This had indeed diverged somewhat from the original plot.
Under Satori Hyūga's interference, Orochimaru used Wood Release human experimentation as a mere cover for Danzō Shimura. Midway through his body transformation research, Orochimaru shifted directions again.
Now, Satori doubted whether Orochimaru would even become that same pervert capable of transforming into the White-Scaled Serpent at any moment in the future.
It was unclear. But perhaps things wouldn't change.
Satori approached the control panel and began examining the various data and experimental results displayed on the screen.
The genetic sequencing studies had already begun yielding promising results—becoming somewhat practical and operable.
Then Satori walked toward a nearby metal shelf, fixing his gaze on several unusual plants housed in petri dishes.
These plants were all common crops found across the ninja world, although their appearances differed from normal grains.
Not only were they larger in size, but they also produced far more fruit than usual.
Orochimaru glanced over and said coolly, "Genetic modification technology has been nearly perfected now. These genetically modified crops can significantly increase yields."
"But do you really intend to sell these worldwide?"
This was essentially a miracle solution capable of boosting crop production, yet Orochimaru hadn't expected Satori intended to share it with the entire world.
If such a thing surfaced globally, it would surely cause massive upheaval.
Whether it be villages or the daimyos of other countries, they would likely go wild fighting over these genetically modified plants.
Such power could truly reshape entire nations.
Satori picked up one grain, peeled off its outer shell, and tasted it.
"It tastes slightly worse, but still acceptable—enough to fill people's stomachs."
"Releasing this batch of genetically modified food worldwide will greatly improve most people's living conditions."
"There might still be wars across the world, but events like famine and hunger should decrease drastically."
Everything he did served his own purposes.
Changing the world wasn't simply about building factories or launching companies—it demanded fundamental solutions.
This world was dominated by feudal lords and nobles.
In such a society, the issue of food supply had always been a huge problem affecting the world itself.
How could the common people buy goods, develop commerce, or drive global prosperity if they were cold and starving?
They possessed jutsu techniques and chakra energy—but wasted them entirely on killing and warfare.
What a shame.
If properly applied to agriculture instead, such abilities might achieve incredible results.
Orochimaru said, "By releasing something like this, you'll become the target of every faction in the ninja world. All the major powers will set their sights on you."
"At that point, even the Hyūga Clan won't be able to protect you anymore."
Orochimaru clearly understood the value of these genetically modified plants—they boosted harvest yields many times over.
Such immense profit would naturally tempt many to take risks and engage in dangerous actions.
The small-scale conflicts tonight were nothing compared to what awaited.
Didn't the Whirlpool Country get destroyed precisely because they mastered the secrets of sealing techniques? The great hidden villages joined forces and completely tore it apart.
Controlling genetically modified grains meant controlling the world's food supply.
But for Orochimaru, these grains were merely a minor achievement in his research.
All he desired was to deeply uncover the secrets of cellular genetics, comprehend all truths in the world, and attain immortality.
Satori Hyūga wiped the corner of his mouth and replied dismissively, "So what? As long as they don't use my name."
"Didn't Shinno have a bunch of idle subordinates? Let him handle it."
"Shinno… conveniently connected to agriculture. People will naturally assume it's his work anyway."
He wasn't about to stop just because of this.
But if there was danger involved, why not let someone else take the risk?
Shinno's Sky Ninja were enigmatic and unpredictable—they could prove extremely useful.
Promoting genetically modified grains worldwide could help alleviate the struggles of the common folk who barely had enough to eat.
And once this task was completed, it could pave the way for even greater ambitions.
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