Chương 195: Chapter 196: Damn It, Sensei Turned Into a Tree

No matter how one looked at it, Dongye zhen's primary mission this time had been to resolve the sea monster attacks plaguing the Land of Fish and investigate whether they were connected to Orochimaru's activities in the Land of Sea before and after the war. Thus, after departing Summoning Island, Dongye zhen's team continued onward to the Land of Sea. For several days, they diligently carried out the sort of work proper shinobi were supposed to do.

With Honoka guiding them, they even conducted covert investigations into several ninja factions within the country. In truth, Dongye zhen already knew that Orochimaru had indeed established a laboratory in the Land of Sea. However, it had likely been abandoned by now. The only one still clinging to it was a researcher named Amachi, stubbornly continuing his human modification experiments in the hope of proving his worth to Orochimaru. A remarkably diligent employee, really.

Unfortunately, Orochimaru was obsessed solely with his pursuit of immortality. He was a terrible capitalist—unable to appreciate hardworking subordinates and utterly failing to exploit them properly. The current Orochimaru had no interest in people who had lost their value. The laboratory itself was well hidden and had no ties to the local ninja organizations, making it extremely difficult to locate. The only practical approach would be to investigate coastal settlements and trace the laboratory's supply chains.

But that would take far too much time. Now that they had confirmed the sea monsters troubling the Land of Fish had nothing to do with Orochimaru, Dongye zhen ordered the operation terminated a few days later and began the journey home. After traveling across sea and land, his team returned to their beloved Konoha on the final day of June. Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi finished reading the mission report and nodded in satisfaction.

Every mission Dongye zhen undertook was not only completed flawlessly, but often yielded unexpected gains for Konoha as well. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. If every shinobi were like him, why would Konoha ever fail to prosper? And if his youngest son possessed even half of Dongye zhen's maturity—if only the boy knew how to respect and understand his aging father—the Third Hokage felt he might still have a full head of hair.

"So the sea monsters in the Land of Fish were all products of research from this Summoning Island?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama. I secretly reviewed their research records. Before attempting to create the Ultimate Summoning Beast, they conducted a large number of animal experiments and produced various mutated species."

"The Ultimate Summoning Beast, hm? How strong was it?"

"Very strong. I estimate it would take at least three jōnin working together to bring it down. The most frightening aspect was its ability to evolve continuously through devouring other lifeforms. Its potential ceiling was extremely high.

"Unfortunately, its mind was hopelessly unstable. It possessed only instincts of slaughter and consumption, making it nearly impossible to control. Otherwise, it would have made a rather attractive summoning contract."

"A creature like that is far too dangerous for humanity. You made the right call, Zhen. Better to eliminate it early than let it become a future catastrophe.

"Can you confirm none of this was connected to Orochimaru?"

"Absolutely. The laboratory on Summoning Island existed long before Orochimaru became involved. Initially it was funded by certain factions within Kumogakure. When no worthwhile results emerged, they withdrew.

"After that, the project continued solely through the efforts of the Land of Sea's local ninja factions. I infiltrated and investigated every major group there. Orochimaru never had any direct dealings with them." Hiruzen frowned thoughtfully.

"Then what was he doing there so frequently?"

"Possibly stealing research data. Possibly establishing a hidden laboratory of his own. But personally, I don't think Orochimaru would stay in the Land of Sea."

"Oh? Why?"

"Too few resources. The shinobi are weak. There are no noteworthy bloodline limits. It's isolated from the mainland while sitting uncomfortably close to Kumogakure.

"Given Orochimaru's ambitions, there's nothing there worth pursuing. And if something valuable did exist, Kumogakure would have stripped it bare long ago."

"That does make sense." Hiruzen nodded, then glanced at Honoka's file and chuckled.

"Heh. Not entirely stripped bare, it seems. You still managed to find another Uzumaki."

"She was discovered by one of the Land of Sea's ninja factions by chance and spent years working on Summoning Island. Even Kumogakure never learned of her existence."

"If they had, they would've taken her immediately." The Third Hokage recalled the old kidnapping attempt against Kushina and then looked at Dongye zhen with amusement.

"You know, I can't help noticing—you seem strangely destined to cross paths with the Uzumaki clan."

"Pure coincidence. Maybe I'm just lucky."

"Hahahaha! Then I hope your luck never runs out. Bring a few more Uzumaki back to Konoha