"Is this... Sage Mode? A Sage Mode that doesn't require the second stage of transformation?"
Yōichi exclaimed in surprise when he saw the purple patterns appearing on Orochimaru's body. He sensed that Orochimaru's chakra had suddenly changed, becoming much stronger.
"There's no need for that anymore. Natural energy, physical energy, and spiritual energy are merging in a 1:1:1 ratio. Moreover, this Sage Jutsu mark can last for ten minutes. Now, all that's left is to master the two types of Sage Techniques from Ryūchi Cave."
Orochimaru said with a smile, then took out a scroll and handed it to Yōichi. "This is the method to practice the Sage Jutsu mark, different from the last one I gave you. This one requires one's own control over natural energy. If you're training subordinates, it's better not to use this one—it's too complicated."
Orochimaru cautioned, meaning he would use such a method only for training his few students; now, he was considering whether to let Mina try it, especially since the Chunin Exam was approaching.
"Thanks, Orochimaru, this came just in time."
Yōichi smiled as he received the scroll. He planned to use it for Mikoto and Mina, among others. The Sage Jutsu mark could enhance strength for ten minutes, which was sufficient even if they rarely fought.
As for other Uchiha clan members, they would stick with the previous Sage Jutsu mark. It was more convenient, and they didn't care much about appearance.
"I've come to discuss another matter with you, Yōichi-san. Are you interested in the power of Wood Release?"
After speaking, Orochimaru noted the gleam in Yōichi's eyes and knew he was interested, so he continued with a smile. "I can now obtain the body cells of the First Hokage and have studied the source of Wood Release power. If you're interested in Wood Release, you can exchange it for your Sharingan. I'm very interested in the power source of the Uchiha clan."
"Forget it, Orochimaru. I am interested, but my research on Hashirama cells is much more advanced than yours."
Yōichi replied with a laugh, having experimented with Hashirama cell fusion nearly a thousand times in the dream space and found three fusion methods. If he had Hashirama cells now, he could directly create three Wood Release ninja.
"This exchange isn't equal at all. Let me propose another plan: you give me Hashirama cells, and I give you a method for successful fusion of these cells. That way, you still profit, since those cells were probably given to you by Danzō or the Third Hokage, right?"
Yōichi guessed it was Danzō, but Hiruzen was also a possibility, given his interest in balancing the power of Wood Release after witnessing the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"It was indeed Danzō who gave me the Hashirama cells, but Yōichi-san, how did you come by a method for fusing Hashirama cells without having them yourself?"
Orochimaru squinted curiously. If he had such a method, he must also have a way to obtain Hashirama cells; there was no need to 'gift' him a fusion method.
"I can't tell you that, but I assure you the fusion method is solid. You only need to prepare a test subject, and you'll see the power of Wood Release again."
Yōichi said confidently, his tone convincing Orochimaru, who knew that such experiments couldn't be faked. He would need to see a successful experiment before providing Yōichi with large quantities of Hashirama cells.
"It's difficult for me to get Hashirama cells from the Third Hokage and Danzō, but you can. Get the Hashirama cells, and I'll give you the fusion method. You can also use it to deal with Danzō and even scam a lot of money from him since experiments require significant funding."
Yōichi told Orochimaru, creating a win-win situation. Although this would allow Danzō to obtain a Wood Release test subject, the bloodline limits created through this method could at most be used for building houses.
Achieving the level of Wood Release similar to that of Hashirama was impossible; it could be a possibility on Yōichi, but for an average ninja, at most they could build a house.
After some thought, Orochimaru quickly made up his mind and said, "Yōichi-san, you're right. I'll go to Danzō for the Hashirama cells after this."
"Just let Danzō provide the test subject for the experiment. Once you get the Hashirama cells, remember to let me know."
Yōichi told Orochimaru, appearing to be at a disadvantage on the surface, but the fusion method he offered was the least potent of the three developed by Mina.
Opportunities to obtain Hashirama cells were rare; they couldn't just wait until Sakumo became the Fourth Hokage.
Orochimaru continued, "Yōichi-san, if I want to study the Sharingan, what would it cost?"
"A price... Orochimaru, you must have many close associates, right?"
Yōichi thought for a moment before asking. Currently, Orochimaru had not yet researched the art of immortality and was somewhat reclusive, but he still had personal strength and charisma, with a following since he was a disciple of the Hokage.
"Not many close associates, but I have some. Why do you ask?"
"The Third Hokage is already fifty years old. If there's a contest for the Fourth Hokage, I hope you can use your connections to support Sakumo ."
"Sakumo?"
When Orochimaru heard Uchiha Yōichi mention this, he immediately understood his intentions.
"Why do you want to support Sakumo for the Fourth Hokage?"
"It's simple. He is fair, and that's enough."
Yōichi shrugged and said, "Orochimaru, although I have a better relationship with you, I don't think you are suitable for the Hokage position. I'm afraid that if you become Hokage, you would spend all your time in the lab, and the power of the Hokage would revert to the Third Hokage and the current advisors of Konoha."
"You do understand me."
Orochimaru laughed. More than desiring the position of Hokage, he preferred to explore the truths of the world and study all ninjutsu thoroughly.
The breakthroughs in ninjutsu he achieved in the lab and the thrill of conquering unknown knowledge were what he truly enjoyed.
Orochimaru still harbored a desire to prove himself to his teacher, the Third Hokage, by becoming the Hokage, but knowing that the Uchiha clan was fully supporting Sakumo made him reconsider.
Compared to himself, Sakumo was indeed a better candidate. It might be better to give up early and exchange it for something he needed more.
"Alright, I agree, Yōichi-san."
"After the Wood Release, I'll give you a pair of triple tomoe Sharingan and some flesh and blood of the Uchiha clan. That's the most I can do."
Yōichi said, unable to hand over a living Uchiha to Orochimaru; at most, he could give him the eyes of a clan member who had died in battle.
Orochimaru nodded without greed. Yōichi was the clan head, and he didn't expect to get an Uchiha test subject.
After finalizing the deal, Orochimaru stayed to discuss other matters with Uchiha, mainly inquiring about the village and the situation in the ninja world.
He often stayed at the research base, and the Third Hokage had no tasks for him, so Orochimaru was content to relax, rarely coming out.
To be honest, although the Third Great Ninja War had escalated to this extent, with two major battlefields ending the war, Yōichi felt the war was not yet over.
It seemed neither side had inflicted significant pain on the other. The battle at the Land of Hot Water could be overlooked; the village was defending against two other ninja villages at the time, and the support given was minimal. Ending the war immediately was a matter of necessity.
The sudden peace talks at Kikyō Castle puzzled Yōichi. At the time, he had clearly opposed negotiating with the Sand ninja during the Jōnin Council meeting. They had already reached the border of the Land of Wind; a little more effort, and they could have pushed directly into it.
Yet, when the Sand ninja proposed peace talks, the high ranks of Konoha actually agreed. The Sand ninja's losses were not severe, allowing them to conserve their strength and withdraw. Now, although the large-scale wars had ended, the smaller countries had seen the weaknesses of the major nations and started provoking them at the borders, frequently causing skirmishes.
Sending elite squads to directly cut off the provocations from the smaller countries would have been sufficient, but Hiruzen insisted on organizing a joint Chunin Exam to showcase the strength of the village's ninja.
This truly puzzled Yōichi.
After sending Orochimaru away, the cleaning staff also left; they had come during his conversation with Orochimaru.
Then Yōichi went upstairs to call Mina for dinner, although she had eaten a lot at noon, the two had practiced more than a dozen physical techniques in the afternoon, consuming a lot of energy.
During dinner, a wooden man suddenly spoke, "When can I use chakra?"
"Once you join Konoha and become my subordinate, I can release the seal on you," Yōichi said, then gestured with his chin towards Mina beside him and continued, "See Mina? From the Uzumaki clan, a bloodline of sealing, even capable of quickly adapting to the power of the Two-Tails if it were transferred."
"If you remain stubborn, then I'll have to consider other plans!"
These were words Yōichi had said many times. At first, Yugito was somewhat frightened, shivering under the covers at night, afraid of dying completely if the Two-Tails were extracted.
But having heard it so often, Yugito no longer felt the same fear, especially since she felt that Yōichi, a notorious lecher, had no intention of killing her.
"If I join Konoha, would the village accept a rogue ninja?"
"I say they will accept, and they will. What do you think my position in the village is?" Yōichi hmphed, then said to Mina beside him, "Mina, release the Five Elements Seal for Yugito later."
"Okay, I know."
Mina glanced at Yugito, a mere child and no threat, just a bit uncomfortable living with Yōichi-sama, also unsure if she had heard the afternoon's noises.
"The Chunin Exam is about to be held, you don't need to participate in that. Once I sort out your identity, you might still need to stay in the village for half a year. Except for not leaving the village and some special areas, you're free to roam anywhere."
Yugito had the Flying Thunder God mark on her, so Yōichi was not worried about her leaving or hiding; giving her a chance to accept the test.
---
"Madara-sama, I have two pieces of news, I found the information you needed so quickly, can I—"
Zetsu suddenly changed the topic, sensing danger, and spoke up about business: "Fugaku has been found.
It's truly coincidental. The clone monitoring Nagato, while following Nagato back, suddenly noticed that a few strangers had joined the organization he founded, one of them wrapped in bandages is Fugaku."
"Did he approach Nagato? How is the Rinnegan?"
Madara's tone suddenly changed, the Rinnegan being crucial for his revival, and Fugaku had activated the Mangekyō Sharingan, possibly also seen the stone tablet in the Naka Shrine.
"He saw it, but he was just surprised and did not try to take the Rinnegan."
Zetsu continued, "It seems Fugaku was injured and then rescued by the Akatsuki organization, and stayed on afterward, the purpose unknown."
"What's the second piece of good news?"
Zetsu then danced with joy, saying, "Madara-sama, the second piece of news also involves Fugaku. My clone in the Uchiha clan territory discovered something strange.
Fugaku's son did not follow his mother, and Fugaku's wife now lives alone in one place, often visiting the current Uchiha clan head."
"You mean—"
Madara understood the hint, slightly pondering the reasons behind Fugaku's defection from Konoha.
"Really boring, just for such a matter."
But having guessed the reason, Madara also understood why Fugaku had defected from Konoha, his heart now surely filled with hatred.
The Mangekyō Sharingan, very likely to become an assistant in the Eye of the Moon Plan, but Fugaku was an experienced adult who, although had suffered enough to activate the Mangekyō, was also very cautious, unlike Obito.
"Zetsu, find a way to bring Fugaku over, but don't let the Akatsuki organization suspect him."
Madara spoke, seeing value in using hatred. He wanted to meet this younger relative, and if he could not become an assistant in the Eye of the Moon Plan, he was just in need of a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan.
Although he was nearing death, having Obito take possession would still allow him some power.
"Go, Zetsu."
"Understood."
Zetsu, upon hearing this, immediately burrowed underground, leaving the base.
Elsewhere.
In the Land of Rain, Fugaku was indeed shocked upon seeing the Rinnegan on Nagato's body, and his expression caught Yahiko's attention.
Yahiko realized someone had seen Nagato's Rinnegan, which was not good, as he normally had Nagato cover his eyes with his hair when there were many people around.
But a gust of wind had ruined that.
Yahiko called Fugaku out, letting Konan and Nagato follow him, but how to deal with Fugaku now troubled him.
Ideally, it would be best to kill the man and be done with it, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
Fugaku, seeing the conflict on Yahiko's face, fell silent for a moment before speaking, "You don't need to do this; I have no intention of revealing this matter."
(End of Chapter)