He has even mastered Haki, and you say this is Naruto?

When it comes to scientific prowess, Orochimaru doesn't even come close to Amado.

This guy is ridiculously powerful, no question about it.

Even Orochimaru had to praise his ninjutsu development capabilities. From Amado, you could see how even the most illogical jutsus somehow became logical.

He was a man of outstanding talents across the board.

But Amado's biggest flaw was that he always felt inferior to others and constantly sought to surpass the Legendary Sannin.

Eventually, he began researching forbidden jutsu in Konoha. When Hiruzen (the Third Hokage) found out, Amado defected. Not only that—Hiruzen even sent the three Sannin to chase him down.

Keep in mind: these were the already legendary Sannin. Forget about Amado—who in all of Konoha could take on the three of them at once? No one.

Hiruzen's decision was also a way of making a statement to the village.

A ninja defected—of course we pursue them. And it wasn't just anyone; I sent the Sannin.

What? You're saying the Sannin were close to Amado? Hmph! I, the Third Hokage, am impartial and just! Do I look like the kind of man who lets personal feelings sway me? I can't believe there are people in Konoha who'd even think like that. Have you forgotten the Will of Fire?

"Sigh, the old man is still too soft.

If a tree's branches and leaves don't flourish, its roots will rot in time."

"Such a tree could never bear good fruit."

Orochimaru stared at the Devil Fruit in his hand, once again marveling at Shanks' wisdom.

"This guy is absurdly powerful. The truth of history was buried, yet through sheer intellect, he dug it out from a false past.

Even the sages from the Three Great Sanctuaries are wary of him. His reverse-engineering of ninjutsu and chakra has broken through the limits of the era.

Truly, he's a man who will usher in a new age."

Orochimaru began documenting the findings in his experimental log. Recruiting Amado wouldn't be easy—it would require a worthy price.

Shanks' "gift" was the bargaining chip.

Orochimaru had conducted in-depth research into Kekkei Genkai—or rather, he had researched everything deeply.

After all, he could even clone tailed beasts. In this era, Orochimaru's intellect and scientific skills far surpassed the current generation, though he himself didn't fully realize that.

What truly shocked him was Shanks' jutsu conversion method and chakra reverse-engineering system.

The Devil Fruit was, in fact, one such reverse-engineering method. More precisely, it used chakra reverse-engineering to generate a unique Kekkei Genkai, then refined that Kekkei Genkai into its purest form—the Devil Fruit.

The origin of Kekkei Genkai must be traced back to the Chakra Fruit of the God Tree.

"Shanks' reverse-engineering method works like this:

Before ninjutsu existed, people still had physical and mental energy—but they couldn't form chakra.

Chakra only came into being due to the influence of the God Tree.

So by reverse-engineering manifested chakra—aka ninjutsu—and then sealing certain jutsu back into the God Tree via a special formula, chakra can be returned to its source."

"And that source—is the Devil Fruit."

Orochimaru kept writing in his journal:

"Devil Fruits are limited in number and absolutely unique. Two fruits with the same power cannot exist in the world. In the end, Devil Fruits are special Kekkei Genkai created through reverse engineering, derived from the abilities within the original Chakra Fruit of the God Tree.

All Devil Fruit powers trace back to a single origin fruit—this is what makes them special."

"Although limited in number, their total is capped only by how many ninjutsu can be reverse-engineered into Devil Fruits.

Any ninjutsu can potentially be turned into a Devil Fruit."

"Each fruit takes one month to cultivate. If two people try to cultivate the same fruit during that period, only the stronger of the two will succeed."

Orochimaru pondered. Once cultivation techniques for Devil Fruits are mastered, they become fairly easy to reproduce. Any competent ninja could cultivate one.

The real bottleneck is the materials. To create a Devil Fruit, one must use materials from the God Tree.

Even Orochimaru had only a tiny amount—Madara had given him just a sliver. Cloning those materials would take time.

Fortunately, replicating the God Tree's materials was simpler than cloning tailed beast tissue, so with some conservation, he could manage.

"The power of Devil Fruits will be the strongest force in the new world.

But their cultivation is extremely restrictive. God Tree materials are required.

As of now, there's no lead on where to find more. Perhaps the ancient Poneglyphs will help us locate the original site of the God Tree—maybe some remnants still remain there."

"Aside from that, only Shanks seems to have any God Tree materials left."

Orochimaru thought for a moment. Shanks must have some in reserve—he's found too many secrets from the historical texts not to.

But surely not much remains. It's far too precious.

As Orochimaru looked at the chaotic mess of notes in his journal, he knew it was valuable—at least to researchers like him.

"Known defects of the Devil Fruit:

Once consumed, the user loses the ability to perform any ninjutsu. However, physical and mental energy remain.

Ninjutsu abilities are forever replaced and suppressed by the fruit's power."

"Additionally, a crystallized substance appeared during the cloning process of the God Tree materials—this crystal limits the tree's vitality and suppresses the power of the Devil Fruits.

It behaves similarly to the Haki Shanks possesses."

"My current research direction will focus on how Haki affects Devil Fruit users."

Orochimaru went into deep thought.

He had learned a lot from the White Snake Sage—including the nature of Haki.

Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation) had little practical effect, but Haoshoku (Conqueror's) and Busoshoku (Armament) had profound impacts on life force.

Conqueror's suppressed life forms indirectly, while Armament destroyed them directly.

Currently, only one person in the entire ninja world possessed Haki—Shanks.

Even the sages of the Three Great Sanctuaries were scratching their heads trying to understand it. Researchers like Orochimaru? They just experimented on live people—those who survived were considered successful.

But the sages wouldn't act unless absolutely necessary.

"Seems I'll need to send someone to make contact with Shanks. We need to test how Haki interacts with Devil Fruit users."

Orochimaru stared at the Devil Fruit in his hand. It was time to step outside again.

Of course, he wouldn't meet Shanks in person—too dangerous.

This kind of experiment could be delegated to a few disposable pawns.

"Bring Kidomaru and the others. I have a new task."

The command was issued.

Though not elite, Kidomaru, Sakon/Ukon, Tayuya, and Jirobo were capable enough.

Kimimaro also came along.

"Lord Orochimaru."

Kidomaru greeted respectfully, excited inside—finally, a mission! If they completed this one flawlessly, the Four would definitely earn Orochimaru's favor.

As for that cold guy beside them? Why'd he have to come? Just because Orochimaru favored him? So what if he was slightly stronger than them?

"This mission is important."

"Lord Orochimaru, we'll give it our all!"

They all answered in unison—any mission that Orochimaru valued this much, and assigned to them—was huge.

"Lord Orochimaru, if it's your command, we're ready to take on even the Hokage!"

"Who's the target?"

"No one. Because even if you gave it your all, you'd still die."

Orochimaru replied bluntly. He wasn't sending them to die.

"Lord Orochimaru, is the enemy really that weak? Why do all four of us need to go?"

Kidomaru was confused.

A weak target that needed all four of them? If it was that easy, why bother?

"You would die. And you still think of challenging him?"

Orochimaru was stunned. These kids really had guts.

Kimimaro, on the other hand, was intrigued. He'd never seen Orochimaru show such reverence before.

"Lord Orochimaru, let me go as well."

"You can't. You have a more important role."

"Your job is to take this Devil Fruit, go to sea, and find a pirate. Make him eat it."

"Then cause a conflict between him and Shanks. Avoid revealing your identities."

"Even if you're exposed, prioritize survival. If necessary, invoke my name."

Everyone was stunned. Orochimaru had never told them to stay alive before.

"Your lives must be preserved for the new era. Don't throw them away."

None of them really understood what this "new era" was, but they got one thing loud and clear—survive.

"Move out."

Orochimaru handed the Devil Fruit to Kidomaru. The team turned and left.

Only Orochimaru and Kimimaro remained in the lab.

"Lord Orochimaru, what about me?"

"Your task is to extract your Kekkei Genkai, and convert its power into a Devil Fruit.

But first... I need to find Tsunade."

Kimimaro's body was deteriorating, beyond saving. But perhaps, with a Devil Fruit—and Tsunade's help—he could survive.

Amado wouldn't be quick enough.

Kimimaro nodded without asking further.

But at the door, he paused and asked:

"Lord Orochimaru, what kind of person is Shanks? For you to speak of him with such respect?"

"..."

"Shanks? Just a pirate.

Once you're well, head to sea and see for yourself. Then you'll understand."

Kimimaro saw Orochimaru smile.

He had never seen Orochimaru smile like that before.

The sea, huh? Very well.

He would see for himself what kind of man could earn that smile from Lord Orochimaru.