"As long as you understand," the Third Hokage said, patting Xu Ming on the shoulder.
"This kind of thing shouldn't happen a second time," Uzumaki Mito added firmly.
After discussing Orochimaru's condition and the necessary precautions, they instructed Xu Ming to take good care of him before leaving.
Only Tsunade remained, gazing at Xu Ming with a complicated expression.
"Senior Sister, why are you looking at me like that?" Xu Ming asked, puzzled.
"Grandma Mito and Sensei are so kind to you," Tsunade said with a hint of envy. "When I was playing with Nawaki before, I accidentally made him fall and bump his nose. I got scolded for ages."
"Isn't that because you were too mischievous, Senior Sister?" Xu Ming teased, smiling.
He had heard about that incident from Orochimaru and the others. When Tsunade was eight, she took her toddler brother, Nawaki, out to play. In her usual mischievous manner, she had him climb a tree, leading to a nasty fall.
"I... I was just teasing him!" Tsunade looked away guiltily.
Xu Ming chuckled. "Hah! I hope Nawaki thinks the same."
"He was too young to remember," Tsunade said, waving her hand dismissively.
The two continued chatting. Though they rarely spoke one-on-one, Tsunade could easily carry a conversation, sharing amusing stories from her life. It reminded Xu Ming of childhood friends who excitedly shared even the smallest discoveries.
Eventually, as noon approached, Tsunade left. Xu Ming watched her disappear down the corridor before turning toward Orochimaru's ward. After arranging for a nurse to bring two light lunches, he entered the room.
"Oh? Orochimaru, you're awake?"
As he stepped in, he noticed the 'bandaged mummy' sitting up in bed, leaning against the headrest, and smiling at him.
"With how loudly you two were talking, how could I not wake up?" Orochimaru smirked.
"Did you get enough rest?"
"I've slept all morning. That's plenty. It's not a serious injury."
"You probably think an injury is only serious if it's fatal, huh?" Xu Ming rolled his eyes before placing a hand on Orochimaru's shoulder.
A warm green glow radiated from Xu Ming's palm, flooding Orochimaru's body with vitality, healing his wounds.
"Ah... That feels much better," Orochimaru sighed in relief. "Your medical ninjutsu really is something else."
"Of course! I could remove your bandages and have you up and running right now," Xu Ming said confidently.
Orochimaru shook his head. "No need. Your Yang Release is absurdly powerful. If I recover too fast, others won't be able to accept it. I'd rather rest and heal gradually."
The two continued chatting until the nurse arrived with lunch. After eating, it was time to get down to business.
"So, you were able to perceive natural energy?" Xu Ming asked.
Orochimaru nodded eagerly, eyes burning with excitement. "Yes. I found something interesting in the Senju Clan's archives. It stated that all living beings, including humans, are manifestations of natural vitality. However, our bodies maintain an internal balance by instinctively resisting external natural energy."
He continued, "It's like how animals grow fur to protect against the cold, or how fish develop scales to survive in water. Living creatures naturally shield themselves from changes in natural energy."
Xu Ming listened intently, nodding. This concept aligned with many Taoist philosophies from his past life. The practice of absorbing external energy was deeply rooted in many mystical traditions.
"So, I started thinking: how can we weaken or even remove this instinctive resistance?"
Orochimaru's lips curled into a confident smirk. "I pondered this for a long time, and by chance, I found the answer in the snakes I've been raising."
"Sleep—or rather, hibernation."
"Plants and animals grow stronger while they sleep. When consciousness enters a deep state of rest, the body lowers its resistance to external energies and gradually absorbs them."
Raising a single finger, Orochimaru declared proudly, "I developed a secret technique that induces a near-death state, mimicking a snake in hibernation. I call it the 'Serpent Hibernation Technique.'"
"And after testing it, I confirmed its effectiveness. When my body was in an almost lifeless state, I finally perceived the ever-present natural energy."
Xu Ming clapped in admiration. "Brilliant! That's pure genius."
It was no wonder the system had relayed an ancient cultivation method called the "Corpse Resting Technique" to him. Orochimaru had unknowingly rediscovered an ancient approach to harnessing natural energy and refined it into a viable secret technique.
This was an astonishing accomplishment—a true revival of forgotten knowledge!
"Incredible! You're a natural-born researcher," Xu Ming praised sincerely.
Originally, he had introduced Orochimaru to the concept of natural energy, intending it to be a long-term pursuit. He never expected Orochimaru to make such a breakthrough so quickly.
Orochimaru waved his hand dismissively. "I just got lucky."
He explained, "If it weren't for the medical ninjutsu project, my accumulated Yang Release knowledge, and my experience developing ninjutsu, I would never have thought of using the Serpent Hibernation Technique to perceive natural energy."
With a grin, he added, "This achievement is at least one-third thanks to you, Xu Ming."