Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 79 Initial Success of Water-to-Electricity Conversion

Konoha Village, downstream of the Naka River, is a secret experimental base designated as an S-class restricted area.

This is the exclusive research facility for Orochimaru's "Team Zero," specially granted by Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Unlike the bustling construction scenes in Danzo and Sakumo, this place was eerily quiet.

High walls and dense barriers completely isolate this place from the outside world.

Only the occasional strange hissing sounds and faint explosions emanating from the laboratory proved that some unknown experiment, one that could change the world, was taking place here.

The atmosphere inside the laboratory was tense and frenzied.

Orochimaru was wearing a white lab coat, and his non-prescription glasses reflected the light of various complex blueprints.

Behind him stood a dozen or so researchers, all wearing white lab coats.

Some of these people were elites drawn from various clans who had in-depth research on the principles of ninjutsu, such as Hiruko; others were the village's top craftsmen who were skilled in precision manufacturing.

Together, they formed the most mysterious and technologically advanced research team in Konoha Village—Team Zero.

At this moment, everyone's eyes were fixed on the huge device in the center of the laboratory.

That was the first simple "water turbine generator," built by Orochimaru's team, using countless precious materials and painstaking effort, and entirely according to the blueprints given by the Hokage.

The turbulent waters of a tributary of the Namka River were introduced into the laboratory through a huge diversion pipe, violently impacting a massive waterwheel made of a special alloy.

The waterwheel spun rapidly, driving the huge and complex generator behind it, which consisted of countless metal coils and magnets.

"Are you ready?"

Orochimaru's voice carried a hint of excitement.

"Report, squad leader! All lines are connected normally!"

"The water flow speed has reached the preset peak!"

"The generator speed is stable!"

Listening to his subordinate's report, Orochimaru took a deep breath.

He walked to a separate console and looked at a red, rudimentary-looking button.

This button is connected to the generator's output, and... at the other end of the laboratory, inside a glass dome, is a light bulb made of special metal wire.

This was the seventeenth energy conversion experiment he led Class Zero in.

(Please remember the website 20 ...

The first sixteen attempts all failed for various reasons.

But this time, he had a feeling that he would succeed.

He extended his pale, slender fingers and slowly pressed the red button.

pat.

A soft sound.

The entire laboratory fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on the tiny light bulb.

one second.

two seconds.

three seconds.

The light bulb did not react at all.

"Did we fail again...?"

Hiruko frowned, his voice tinged with disappointment.

The atmosphere in the laboratory instantly became heavy.

However, Orochimaru showed no sign of frustration.

Its pupils remained fixed on the light bulb, as if waiting for something.

Just when everyone thought the experiment was going to end in failure again.

Inside that tiny light bulb, the delicate metal wire suddenly... flickered.

An orange-yellow light shone forth.

"It's...it's lit up!"

I don't know who was the first to shout it out.

Immediately afterwards, the entire laboratory erupted in thunderous cheers.

"We did it! We did it!"

"We really turned the water into light!"

The researchers jumped and danced with excitement, hugged each other, and some even wept with joy.

They had been fighting for this moment of light for many days and had stayed up several nights in a row.

Orochimaru simply stood there quietly.

Looking at the lit light bulb, a childlike smile appeared on that usually indifferent face for the first time.

Orochimaru slowly took off his glasses, reached out his hand, wanting to grasp that light forever.

"So... energy really can be transformed."

He muttered to himself, his voice filled with obsession.

At this moment, Orochimaru felt not only the joy of success, but also a sense of awe and fear—a glimpse into the fundamental truth of the world.

The Hokage opened a magnificent door for him to the realm of gods.

And he will continue to walk this path steadfastly.