As much as Lucas Moore disapproved, he could still understand Orochimaru's excitement.
For a scientist ninja whose life goal was immortality, stumbling upon someone suspected of mastering an eternal life technique someone rumored to be a relic from the Warring States period how could he not be excited?
How could he not be obsessed?
Especially now, during a low point in his career, his longing for immortality had only intensified.
The only problem was... Lucas didn't actually know any immortality techniques.
The only reason he'd lived this long was because his true nature was that of a Hollow.
Strictly speaking... he wasn't even human.
In the Bleach universe, there are three major races: humans, Shinigami, and Hollows.
Humans require no explanation.
Shinigami are typically souls of deceased humans who are guided to the Soul Society. Over time, their spiritual essence stabilizes and evolves into a unique lifeform a Shinigami.
Hollows, on the other hand, are souls that linger too long in the human world after death, their hearts corroded by unchecked desire. Eventually, they transform into monstrous spirits Hollows.
Lesser Hollows lack consciousness and exist only to kill. They were nothing like Lucas, a top-tier Hollow with power and awareness.
Both Hollows and Shinigami have transcended humanity.
Their evolution has granted them incredibly long lifespans.
Take Captain Yamamoto of the Gotei 13, for example he'd lived for thousands of years. Despite his snow-white hair, his muscular frame and fierce energy were anything but feeble.
But even Shinigami and Hollows eventually die.
They are long-lived, not immortal.
And yet Orochimaru expected Lucas to teach him the secrets of eternal life?
Lucas was at a loss.
After some thought, he decided to be honest. "Orochimaru, I don't actually know any immortality techniques. All those bounty posters and rumors are nonsense."
"So you haven't lived for 120 years?" Orochimaru asked, skeptical.
"No, that part is true."
Lucas calmly shook his head. "I've lived far longer than most, but immortality is a stretch. I haven't achieved that at least, not yet."
Orochimaru licked his lips, eyes gleaming. "Then may I ask... how long can you live? Three hundred years? Four hundred?"
"At least a few thousand," Lucas said.
"A few... thousand... years?!"
Orochimaru's jaw dropped. Even Kabuto looked stunned.
Drool nearly slipped from Orochimaru's mouth as he bowed deeply. "Please, I beg you, teach me the secret to such longevity! I'll do anything you ask anything!"
Lucas felt a headache coming on.
This wasn't how it was supposed to go.
Was this man seriously willing to sell his soul just for the chance at a longer life?
Talk about obsession.
Orochimaru probably hoped to extract Lucas's longevity secret and use his extended lifespan to eventually develop a true immortality technique.
And frankly... with his talent, he just might succeed.
After all, in the original timeline, Orochimaru practically did uncover the secrets of immortality.
Not only did he get younger over time, he could even change gender on a whim.
From Snake Uncle to Snake Aunt. Hilarious, really.
After some consideration, Lucas finally said, "Since you're that determined, I'll agree. But my long life comes from my body itself. I don't understand the principles behind it, so I can't teach it."
"However, I can offer you samples hair, blood, even organs. Whether you discover anything useful depends entirely on your own talent. What do you say?"
Orochimaru fell silent.
Nothing obsessed him more than immortality.
Lucas offering his own body for study... that was already a huge gesture of trust.
He didn't need long to decide.
"Deal," Orochimaru said with a firm nod.
Lucas smiled without answering.
As a top-tier Hollow, he had two signature abilities.
First, the devastatingly powerful Cero.
Second, the absurdly effective high-speed regeneration.
As long as it wasn't the head, any body part could recover in moments.
He could chop off a bloody arm and toss it to Orochimaru like a toy, no problem.
But despite this, Lucas still didn't fully trust him.
In the original story, Orochimaru betrayed the Akatsuki like it was a hobby.
One minute he's your ally, the next he's giving you a warm, snaky backstab.
Who could trust someone like that?
So Lucas issued a stern warning. "Since you've joined us, let me be clear. Betrayal, in any form, is unacceptable. If you turn on us, I'll kill you myself. Understood?"
"Understood, understood," Orochimaru said with a forced smile. "Until I crack the secret to longevity, I'm not going anywhere."
"Good. Now let's fight."
"Wait, what? Why?!"
Orochimaru looked confused. He'd already pledged loyalty.
"I feel like it. Don't ask why. Go all out, or you'll die," Lucas said flatly.
After all, defeating a Kage-level opponent meant generous system rewards.
He wasn't about to let that opportunity slip away.
No more talk. Time to brawl.
Lucas brought his palms together and pointed at Orochimaru.
"Hadō #33 Sōkatsui!"
In an instant, the sky gathered spiritual pressure.
Blue flames rained down like a meteor storm, engulfing the area in a roaring blaze.
Fwoosh!
The firestorm was wild and intense.
"So this is a spell without hand seals? This man really is something... to unleash such power with a wave of his hand!" Orochimaru was startled but reacted quickly.
His hands blurred through seals. "Wind Style Great Breakthrough!"
A gust of powerful wind whipped up, scattering the incoming flames in every direction.
Lucas clapped, impressed. "Nicely done. You actually dispersed my Sōkatsui. But what about this? Hadō #73-"
"Twin Lotus Sōkatsui!"
This time, four times the amount of blue fireballs formed in the air.
They fell like an avalanche upon Orochimaru.
Boom! Boom!
This time, Orochimaru wasn't so lucky.
Though he dispelled many, over a dozen still struck home.
He was sent flying, landing in a crumpled heap.
"Dead? No... probably not."
Lucas smiled faintly. He knew Orochimaru well enough.
Still, he pretended to check, stepping toward him casually.
But just as he got close bam!
Orochimaru's body suddenly stretched to inhuman lengths, lunging at Lucas.
With jaws wide open, he went straight for Lucas's neck.
"Too slow."
Lucas's eyes were calm as he dodged with ease.
Then he raised his hand like a blade and swung.
Shing!
Orochimaru was sliced clean in half.
But he didn't die.
From the upper half of his body, a gooey, sticky mass spilled out.
And from it, a fresh new Orochimaru emerged, mouth open wide
A sword shot forth, stabbing Lucas in the chest.
"You underestimated me, Lucas."
Orochimaru grinned, confident. "Your skin might be like steel, but this... this is the Kusanagi no Tsurugi! A divine weapon that cuts through anything. Even you can't resist huh?"
He froze.
Because the Kusanagi sword had pierced Lucas's chest... but it hadn't gone in.
It was stuck. Completely blocked by his skin.
The so-called divine blade was utterly useless.
"No way. Your skin is so tough... not even the Kusanagi can pierce it?!"
Orochimaru was shaken to his core.
The Kusanagi no Tsurugi, a sword that had never failed him, couldn't even break the surface of this man's body.
This was humiliation.
Or maybe...
Maybe this wasn't a man at all, but a monster in human skin.