Of course, Kimimaro placing a curse mark on Neji also had the purpose of protecting him.
By marking him with his own seal, even if Orochimaru desired Neji's body, he wouldn't make a move.
After all, Orochimaru's obsession with acquiring other people's bodies was a habit he couldn't shake, at least until he discovered that White Zetsu was the most suitable vessel.
Looking at the two geniuses in front of him, growing at an exaggerated speed, Orochimaru was very excited.
"Sasuke, Neji, there's no need to rush. This is only the first stage of training. You've both performed outstandingly. Now, the training will move into the second phase. You should be prepared for serious injuries at any time."
"As long as I can gain immense power, nothing else matters."
Sasuke's face was cold.
"I hope tomorrow's training won't disappoint me."
Neji was equally indifferent.
Having expressed their dissatisfaction and received a satisfactory response, the two left together.
Watching their departing backs, Orochimaru licked his lips.
"Sasuke's progress is impressive, but I didn't expect that the one Kimimaro chose, Neji, would also have such talent. The gap between them hasn't widened at all.
"Instead, their rivalry seems to be accelerating their growth.
"Heh, how interesting."
Orochimaru was indeed intrigued by Neji.
Unfortunately, Neji already belonged to Kimimaro, otherwise, he wouldn't mind having an extra backup vessel.
Just then, Kabuto Yakushi knocked and entered.
"Orochimaru-sama, there's news from Kimimaro."
"Hm?"
Kabuto held a small snake as he approached Orochimaru.
The snake opened its mouth and spat out a scroll.
A summoning snake from Ryuchi Cave!
In order to maintain contact with Kimimaro, who was infiltrating the Akatsuki, Orochimaru generously taught him the Ryuchi Cave summoning technique.
Orochimaru opened the scroll. Besides a few words from Kimimaro, it was filled with a series of cryptic characters.
Yet, upon seeing it, Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"I didn't expect Kimimaro, even while undercover in the Akatsuki, to have time for research. Heh, quite an interesting idea."
As Orochimaru spoke, he formed hand seals to release the seal in the scroll. A vial appeared before him.
"Is this… Hashirama cells?"
Kabuto immediately recognized the contents of the vial.
There were also a fair number of these in the Sound Village, and he often used them for research.
"These are indeed Hashirama cells, but there's something different about them."
Orochimaru's gaze was fixed on the white substance in the container.
"What's different about it?" Kabuto asked curiously.
Orochimaru didn't answer immediately but instead opened the container directly.
The next moment, the white substance seemed to come to life, jumping out and landing on Orochimaru's hand.
A miraculous scene unfolded.
The white substance wrapped around Orochimaru's right index finger, forming a white glove-like covering.
"What's going on? Have the Hashirama cells come to life?" Kabuto was shocked.
"You could say that. Kimimaro managed to create a symbiotic version of the Hashirama cells. Covering the body with it can enhance one's strength."
As Orochimaru spoke, he pointed his index finger at the table.
With a gentle push, his finger pierced through the table.
"It can be used like this?" Kabuto was astonished.
"It's certainly a bold approach, though not yet perfected. Kimimaro gave me the sample because he wants me to help refine it. After all, the equipment I have here can't compare to what he has in the Akatsuki.
"Those brutes have no understanding of the importance of scientific experimentation. For Kimimaro to achieve this much in such a crude environment, it truly shows his capabilities."
Orochimaru's eyes were filled with admiration for Kimimaro.
Even while undercover, he never forgot his research—truly a kindred spirit in pursuit.
---
Meanwhile, Kimimaro was watching a "fireworks show."
Of course, this wasn't an ordinary fireworks show—it was Deidara's explosive clay show.
"Hah!"
With each shout from Deidara, a three-tailed patterned clay bomb exploded in the air.
"The explosion range is getting more outrageous."
Watching the tailed beast clay bombs' expanding radius, Kimimaro couldn't help but comment.
"What do you think?" Deidara asked excitedly.
"Not that great."
"Huh? Why?" Deidara was doused with cold water.
"The attack range is sufficient, but the power is diluted. What you're lacking isn't a wide-range jutsu, but a focused, lethal one. If you could concentrate the power of the tailed beast clay bomb, now that would be terrifying."
"Concentrate it on one point?"
Deidara was deep in thought.
He already had large-scale attack techniques.
C3 Number 18 had a wide range.
If that wasn't enough, there was always C0 Self-Destruction, which had an even greater blast radius.
If C5 only pursued a wide range, it would be redundant.
Deidara didn't want his art to be redundant.
"You're right! I should concentrate the power of the tailed beast clay bomb. You truly understand the art of explosions."
Deidara was ecstatic.
"It'd be even better if you added a tracking function," Kimimaro added.
"Yes, yes!" Deidara became even more excited.
He was ready to start a new round of research.
But at that moment, a ninja hawk landed on his shoulder.
"This is Sasori-senpai's hawk; has he completed his retreat?"
Deidara removed the message from the hawk's leg, confirming his guess.
"Sasori-senpai really is back. Kimimaro, let's go see what new art he's created."
Deidara rubbed his hands together in excitement.
Seeing him like this, Kimimaro figured he was more interested in showing his new art to Sasori.
An hour later, they arrived at a secluded cave.
"Sasori-senpai, I'm here."
Deidara shouted loudly.
As soon as he spoke, the cave door opened.
A handsome red-haired young man stepped out.
It was none other than Sasori's true form.
"Hm? What's he doing here?" Sasori frowned, showing some displeasure upon seeing Kimimaro.
"Sasori-senpai, while you were away, the leader assigned Kimimaro to team up with me for missions."
"You teamed up with him? What about me?" Sasori's eyes flashed coldly.
"Well... we'd need to ask the leader about the arrangements. Maybe we'll be a three-person team?"
Deidara was torn.
On one hand, he had his respected art mentor; on the other, his artistic brother.
He genuinely didn't know whom to choose.
Ideally, they could all team up so he wouldn't have to pick.
He wanted both.
"Ask the leader? No need. I just have to kill him, and there won't be an extra person. A guy from Orochimaru's Sound Village? He can't be anything good."
The Third Kazekage puppet appeared.
(End of Chapter)