Chapter 419 Children in the Research Institute
Chapter 419 Children in the Research Institute
Konoha Science Research Institute.
In Building A, the office of the leader of the Energy and Sealing Project Team was pushed open with a "bang".
"Red-haired sister, I'm here!"
Mitarashi Anko, with her hair in a bun, rushed in, clutching half a candied hawthorn stick she hadn't finished eating, her lips smeared with glistening syrup.
Mizuki Uzumaki, who was concentrating on organizing data, relaxed instantly upon hearing the noise.
She looked up at the lively little girl, a gentle smile spreading across her face.
"It's Anko. Didn't you learn chakra refinement from Headmaster Orochimaru today?"
In just one month, Mitarashi Anko, Orochimaru's newly accepted disciple, has already thoroughly explored the vast Konoha Science Research Institute.
When she first arrived, she was like a frightened kitten, hiding behind Orochimaru's wide sleeves all day long.
But after getting to know people at the research institute, his mischievous nature was exposed.
Coupled with her unique way of recognizing people, Hongdou quickly became very successful in the research institute.
"The teacher said I met the chakra refinement target today, so I got half a day off!" Anko ran over and skillfully hugged Mizuki's leg. "Sister, your glowing tube is so pretty! Can I play with it?"
She pointed to a test tube emitting a faint blue light, which she had prepared for Lady Tsunade.
"No, Anko." Mizuki gently pinched her chubby little face and patiently explained, "This contains highly concentrated chakra fluid. If you accidentally break it, it will explode with a 'bang'."
"Wow, it might explode? Let's forget about it then." Although Anko is a bit of a brat, she listens to advice, especially to Orochimaru and Mizuki. She immediately withdrew her hand and instead stared at a box of cookies on Mizuki's table.
"Are you hungry? This is what Shizune brought over this morning, have some." Mizuki smiled and pushed the cookie box in front of her.
Without any hesitation, Hongdou grabbed two pieces and stuffed them into her mouth, mumbling indistinctly, "Thank you, red-haired sister, you're the best! Much better than that fierce blonde big-breasted auntie!"
"A blonde, big-breasted auntie?"
Mizuki was stunned for a moment, then gasped.
"Red Bean, you...you didn't go to the Biological and Medical Research Center and start calling Tsunade-sama like that, did you?"
"Yeah, right!" Red Bean nodded confidently. "She has such big breasts, blonde hair, and looks so fierce. She made me memorize those herbs that all look exactly the same, and she wouldn't let me eat any dumplings if I couldn't memorize them!"
Mizuki swallowed hard and silently prayed for Aodou.
To dare to address the legendary Sannin in such a way within the research institute, this little girl's audacity is simply beyond belief!
"Oh? Who's calling me 'Auntie' behind my back?"
A lazy voice, yet tinged with a hint of murderous intent, came from outside the door.
Tsunade, wearing a white lab coat and holding a document, leaned against the door frame with a half-smile.
"oops!"
Like a cat whose tail has been stepped on, Hongdou jumped up and nimbly hid behind Meiyue, only peeking out half of her head.
"Gold...Hello, Tsunade-neechan!" Anko quickly changed her address, being very tactful.
"You little rascal, you're quite clever." Tsunade snorted and walked in, slamming the documents on Mizuki's desk. "This girl is too mischievous. It's unbelievable that Orochimaru, that cold-blooded guy, would take such an energetic kid as a disciple."
"Lady Tsunade, Anko is still very well-behaved." Mizuki smiled and patted Anko's head.
Seeing that Tsunade didn't get angry, Anko became bolder again, slipped out from behind Mizuki, and ran out of the laboratory in a flash.
"This girl..." Tsunade shook her head helplessly, "Her personality is somewhat similar to Kana's; they're both troublesome brats."
Mizuki nodded in agreement upon hearing this: "That's true, Anko and Kana should get along very well."
The residential electrical appliance R&D team in Building B.
There, a group of researchers without chakra were working diligently.
"Uncle Glasses! What is this spinning metal box?" Hongdou asked, pointing to a front-loading washing machine that was being tested.
"Red Bean, this is called a washing machine. Just put your dirty clothes in, and it will clean them by itself," a researcher wearing thick-rimmed glasses patiently explained.
"Wow, that's amazing! Can it be used to wash meatballs? I accidentally dropped some meatballs on the floor yesterday."
"Well... if you put the meatballs in there, they'll probably turn into mush." The researcher smiled wryly and wiped his sweat.
Red Bean didn't run away immediately, but stayed in this area with great interest for a long time.
She looked at the household appliances that could operate automatically without hand seals or chakra, her big eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"You guys are amazing!" Red Bean said, resting her chin on her hand as she leaned over a researcher's table who was drawing the structure of a microwave oven. "You don't even have chakra, yet you can create so many fun and useful things."
The researcher paused slightly, then chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Red Bean, we're just ordinary people. In the research institute, the truly powerful ones are Director Orochimaru and those adults who can develop ninjutsu and scientific ninja tools. We, who make consumer electronics... are really nothing special."
In the ninja world where strength reigns supreme, this sense of inferiority is deeply rooted in their hearts. Even though they now earn high salaries, they still feel like "second-class citizens" in the research institute.
“That’s not the case!”
Hongdou suddenly stood up straight, put her hands on her hips, and said loudly and seriously:
"Your teacher praised you all yesterday!"
"Director Orochimaru... is praising us?" The researchers stopped what they were doing and looked over in surprise.
"Yeah!" Red Bean cleared her throat, mimicking Orochimaru's deep, hoarse voice.
"The teacher said: Although the researchers in Building B cannot refine chakra, they have created miracles that have changed the lives of ordinary people with their wisdom and hands. Their creativity in benefiting the masses without relying on chakra is truly admirable."
"Yes, that's what the teacher said!"
Although Hongdou's imitation was not perfect, her earnest expression did not seem fake.
For a moment, the laboratory in Building B fell silent.
The researchers, who usually kept their heads down, gradually revealed an undisguised excitement in their eyes.
They looked at each other, some even with tears in their eyes.
In their eyes, Dean Orochimaru was usually aloof, cold, and indifferent to everyone.
They never expected that this top ninja expert and the highest leader of the research institute would have such a high opinion of them, ordinary people, in private!
"So...the Dean has always appreciated our work..." The bespectacled man took off his glasses and secretly wiped the corner of his eye.
"Of course! The teacher has a great eye for people!" Hongdou proudly raised her little chin.
"Go, everyone! I'm going to find the guy with the afro to play with!"
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