006 Copy? I’m just an ordinary porter, nothing more.

At dawn, having sealed everything useful into scrolls, Orochimaru left the Root base and strode into the morning mist between the trees.

“This time, you’ve really made an enemy out of Danzo,” the Lamp Spirit said, poking his head out and glancing at the lingering fog behind them with a laugh. “If you ever want to conduct experiments in Root again, I’m afraid it won’t be easy.”

Orochimaru, nominally one of Danzo’s subordinates and a member of Root, was in truth his collaborator. Outsourced, he solved certain experimental problems for Danzo in exchange for research funding. Now, with their partnership severed, he’d lost a significant financial source.

“It doesn’t matter much. I’d already planned to leave Root soon,” Orochimaru replied indifferently. “Recently, Danzo’s support has dwindled. Perhaps he sensed something. I’ve used all his money to develop the Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique.”

Embezzling funds for personal projects, profiting from public resources—such skills are essential for researchers in any world.

The Lamp Spirit chuckled in surprise. After the laughter, he said, “You don’t need to worry about money. If my predictions are right, before long we’ll have another wealthy patron.”

Orochimaru nodded without asking or pondering who this patron might be. In truth, he had his own contingencies and was prepared for the current situation. Securing funding is, after all, an integral part of research and the pursuit of immortality. But that didn’t mean he liked it or wished to waste energy on it.

The Lamp Spirit’s previous actions had proven his capability. Orochimaru was more than happy to be lazy and leave such matters behind.

“There’s no need to rush choosing a new laboratory site either,” the Lamp Spirit continued. “After the Nine-Tails’ rampage, much of the village was destroyed. The village leadership will likely use this opportunity to win over and divide the ninja clans, and redraw the settlement map.”

Though he said it casually, his tone was certain. After the chaos caused by the Nine-Tails, the high council’s further exclusion of the Uchiha clan during the reconstruction would have far-reaching consequences—he could not be mistaken about that.

“Are you sure? Then again, that’s just what the old men would do,” Orochimaru said, halting before a tall tree. After a moment’s thought, he nodded. “Then that, too, must wait.”

Secrecy was paramount in selecting a new laboratory site, but if it was to be inside the village, it was even more important to avoid those capable of discovering it—such as the Uchiha’s Sharingan, the Hyuga’s Byakugan, and the Aburame’s insects. The latter two were especially difficult to guard against.

Until their activity ranges were confirmed, the laboratory’s location would have to be put on hold.

A faint smile played on Orochimaru’s lips. “So, are you saying I have nothing to do today?”

Fundraising was no longer his concern. With a new research direction, Orochimaru had no interest in repeating crude experiments, and both the Wood Release boy and the one hundred million yen would take some time to arrive. For today—and perhaps until the Wood Release boy’s arrival—Orochimaru’s schedule was wide open, something he found slightly unsettling after being busy for so long.

Some people are never satisfied! The Lamp Spirit’s lips curled. “You could help your teacher, who’s currently overwhelmed, win some goodwill—or, you know, thank me a bit more. Perhaps demonstrate your ninjutsu for me, move by move.”

Orochimaru ignored the Lamp Spirit’s request and smiled. “I’m quite curious—how exactly does your duplication ability work?”

It was a rather abrupt question. Probing into the secrets of another’s abilities, even as partners, could easily cause offense—he’d experienced that with Danzo. But Orochimaru doubted the Lamp Spirit would mind. They were not the same kind of being; to the Lamp Spirit, he posed no threat.

“That’s a bit tricky to explain,” the Lamp Spirit mused, rubbing his chin. “But the ninja world does have machines somewhat like computers, so you probably understand the concepts of hardware and software.”

Orochimaru nodded.

“To me, the host’s body is the hardware, and their abilities are the software,” the Lamp Spirit explained, spreading his hands. “All I do is record the information at the moment the host uses an ability—essentially duplicating the software. Then, I transplant it into the next host.”

It sounded simple, yet was an incredible power.

Orochimaru pondered. “So, if you want to master an ability, don’t you need to record it many times?”

Take ninjutsu, for example—subtle differences in chakra usage could change its power and form. A ninja adapted their technique to the situation, but the Lamp Spirit could only imitate the sample he possessed. Orochimaru thought the duplication ability seemed somewhat inefficient.

“Not at all. I only record a single standard sample.”

Surprisingly, the Lamp Spirit denied it. Orochimaru was intrigued. “Why?”

“It’s simple—because I don’t need to.”

Orochimaru was taken aback. The Lamp Spirit continued, “Adaptation is the host’s concern. I simply reproduce the example. Whether the host can learn it, and to what extent, all depends on them.”

“Even if a host dies, I lose only some time. And for an immortal, time is hardly an issue.”

Orochimaru paused, then grinned. “That’s a cold-blooded answer.”

“I just don’t want you to misunderstand,” the Lamp Spirit replied, shaking his head. “I can help you—but if you become dependent, you’ll die very quickly.”

The atmosphere became a little heavier. Even with some expectation, Orochimaru was surprised by the Lamp Spirit’s bluntness. Still, there was something enviable about such candor—living without reservation, acting entirely by one’s own will.

After a long silence, Orochimaru suddenly spoke. “Lamp Spirit, since you only need to record a standard sample, it means you’re not constantly using abilities yourself.”

“That’s right. What are you getting at?”

“Abilities performed in battle are inevitably affected and altered by the environment—they’re inferior to a deliberate demonstration,” Orochimaru said with a smile. “If I were to demonstrate all the ninjutsu I’ve mastered from start to finish, it would save you a lot of trouble, and what you gain would be more precise.”

The Lamp Spirit nodded. “You’re right. That would indeed benefit me.”

A glimmer of eagerness flashed in Orochimaru’s eyes. “Then what price will you pay for me to do this?”

“That’s simple. You want to see powers from another world. I’ll show you,” the Lamp Spirit replied meaningfully. “Orochimaru, it seems you finally understand what you should be doing.”

Orochimaru grinned but said nothing.

Yes, tonight he had gained much—the Sage of Six Paths’ secrets, ample research funding, the coveted Wood Release sample...

Orochimaru was already more than satisfied.

But the Lamp Spirit clearly disagreed, finding his ambitions too modest. With the largest, most tempting cake right before him, how could he claim he had nothing to do rather than think of a way to take a bite?

Orochimaru felt a tinge of shame, and at the same time, gained a deeper understanding of the Lamp Spirit.

This being—gentle in demeanor and speech—was, at his core, a shrewd merchant. He stoked desire, fueled ambition, and drove Orochimaru to create value. The Lamp Spirit did not fear wasting his own time, but dreaded Orochimaru squandering his.

But if this was a trap, then the bait was far too sweet.

Orochimaru licked his lips. He simply couldn’t refuse.