"I can't do anything about this right now." Tsunade's answer, as expected, did not meet Akane's expectations.
There is no succession of thousands of people from North Korea. It is difficult to break the age limit in terms of chakra capacity. At this time, Tsunade had not yet developed the [Yin Seal] ninjutsu, and it was really difficult to help Chao Yanqian in the accumulation of chakra.
However, Asakura Chiyo was not disappointed either. If Tsunade couldn't do it, there was always Orochimaru.
If Orochimaru made a breakthrough in the study of Hashirama's cells, the First Hokage's cells could be transplanted into Chao Yanqian. On the one hand, this would allow mastery of Wood Release (Mokuton) ninjutsu, and on the other hand, it would greatly increase chakra reserves.
For Chao Yanqian, chakra capacity had become the biggest problem limiting growth.
As for taijutsu, Tsunami Asagi had mastered Tsunade's [Strength of a Hundred Technique] and the method of enhancing cell vitality. Even when fighting an adult shinobi, she would not be at a disadvantage in hand-to-hand combat. Regarding ninjutsu, Chao Yanqian had learned a variety of techniques, including medical ninjutsu, which were enough to formulate various tactics. In the area of genjutsu, although not highly proficient, Chao Yanqian's strong mental power gave her a means to counter illusions.
What Chao Yanqian lacked most now was combat experience and chakra capacity — the two most urgent priorities.
There was another thing that concerned Asakura Chiyo.
It had been several days since she returned to Konoha, but Orochimaru had yet to contact her. Chao Yanqian didn't know whether Orochimaru was simply busy or deliberately avoiding her because he didn't want her involved in his forbidden jutsu research.
If it was the former, that was fine. But if it was the latter, Chao Yanqian would have to prove her value further to attract Orochimaru's interest.
Leaving Konoha Hospital, Chiyo went to visit Ueno. As for her former Jonin leader, Chao Yanqian still felt a special connection.
It was Ueno who had taken Chao Yanqian, fresh out of the Ninja Academy, across the shinobi world, training her through real experience.
Unfortunately, after Keita Hyuga died in battle, Hoshinohara joined the medical team and became Tsunade's disciple. The Ueno squad was disbanded.
Ueno had just returned from the battlefield and was enjoying a rare break. Chao Yanqian stayed until evening and had dinner before leaving.
While walking down the street, Chao Yanqian spotted Orochimaru approaching slowly with a young girl.
Chao Yanqian smiled and stepped forward, saying, "Lord Orochimaru, long time no see!"
Although their relationship was distant, as a subordinate, Chao Yanqian still showed respectful pretense.
"Hehe, walk with me, Chao Yanqian," Orochimaru said. Judging by his tone, he was in a good mood.
Chao Yanqian nodded and followed Orochimaru, her mind racing. Knowing Orochimaru's nature, he wouldn't do anything meaningless. Her gaze soon shifted to the little girl.
"Her name is Mitarashi Anko. She's a good child and will be my disciple," Orochimaru said, licking his lips slowly.
As expected…
Mitarashi Anko had indeed become Orochimaru's student. At this point in time, he was still relatively humane — not yet the depraved figure of the later years.
"Something wrong, Chao Yanqian?" Orochimaru keenly noticed a slight shift in her expression.
"It's nothing," Chao Yanqian replied indifferently with a shrug.
After chatting idly, they arrived at Orochimaru's residence.
Though openly entering Orochimaru's home was risky — potentially exposing her relationship with him — since Orochimaru didn't care, Chao Yanqian didn't overthink it and simply followed him inside.
After sending Anko away, Orochimaru led Chao Yanqian into his secret laboratory.
The lab entrance was extremely well-hidden and protected by seals. Even though Chao Yanqian had seen Orochimaru deactivate them, she couldn't replicate his methods.
Sealing, barriers, and curses were the most difficult types of ninjutsu to master, and Chao Yanqian had not yet delved into them.
Walking down the lab corridor, Orochimaru suddenly grinned. His snake-like eyes gleamed darkly as he asked, "Aren't you afraid Tsunade will discover your relationship with me?"
"Hehe, if she does, I won't be able to obtain the Senju clan's secret techniques," Chao Yanqian replied with a faint smirk.
"That's your concern," Orochimaru rasped, unconcerned by her subtle defiance — even slightly amused.
He smiled at Tsunami and didn't give it a second thought.
If someone like Orochimaru could be tracked so easily, he wouldn't deserve the title of one of the "Legendary Sannin." Besides, the village's Anbu didn't dare monitor him openly. As long as he didn't deliberately reveal his whereabouts, no one would discover Chao Yanqian's visit.
Orochimaru's lab was as dark as ever. Corpses lay around, long dead. Several prisoners — living "experimental material" — remained in the cells. Their blank expressions betrayed a loss of hope.
"Chao Yanqian, go check that subject," Orochimaru said, pointing to someone on the table, his tone revealing thinly veiled excitement.
Chao Yanqian approached the test bench and was surprised.
The white skin — a clear result of the subject being infused with Hashirama's cells. It was evident Orochimaru had already begun collaborating with Shimura Danzo in experimenting with the First Hokage's DNA.
She masked her reaction and conducted a thorough inspection of the test subject.
Fusing Hashirama's cells was something Chao Yanqian deeply desired, so she examined every detail, mentally recording the changes.
This was a rare opportunity, and she had no intention of wasting it.
Soon, she concluded: "There's an extremely powerful cellular energy devouring the subject's original cells. Although drugs are suppressing it, the vitality of the Hashirama cells is incredible. They're still slowly consuming the host's body. Once the white cells devour everything, the subject will die."
It was an honest conclusion, and Chao Yanqian didn't try to hide anything under Orochimaru's gaze.
Orochimaru licked his lips in excitement. His mouth curled into a smile, and his face lit up with rare satisfaction. "It seems I chose correctly, Chao Yanqian. Do you have a way to keep him alive?"