"Hanzo's invitation. What do you all think? Should we?"
Yahiko asked the other members of the Akatsuki organization after receiving the invitation. He didn't trust Hanzo's good intentions, especially after Hanzo previously tried to kill them. Therefore, he sought opinions on an alternative solution.
After spending the million ryo supported by Hiruzen, they had to once again take on ninja missions to earn rewards.
But this time, something unexpected happened. After the Akatsuki had been active for a while, the Rain Ninjas found the members of Akatsuki. However, instead of attacking them, they handed over an invitation to the Akatsuki members, asking them to deliver it to their leader, Yahiko.
"Hanzo definitely has bad intentions. Let's ignore him!"
"That's right, the Rain Village isn't that strong. If it comes to a fight, they might not even be a match for us."
The one who spoke first was a standard member of Akatsuki—strong but not very smart. However, he always completed the tasks assigned to him diligently, so he was included in this meeting. Nevertheless, almost no one took his words seriously.
"I heard that the Rain Ninjas have been struggling recently. They seemed to have gained a lot of benefits from the Sand Ninjas in the last war, but given the Rain Village's strength, it's hard for them to hold onto those gains."
"So Hanzo wants to negotiate with us? But he tried to assassinate Yahiko-sama and Konan-sama last time."
"I'm not saying Hanzo is trustworthy, just that this might be possible."
The group discussed various opinions, and Yahiko listened for a while. He felt that everyone had valid points, except for the member who wanted to go to war with the Rain Village.
"Konan, Nagato, what do you think? How about you, Nanhe-kun?" (I kinda forgot the name they put to Fugaku...)
Yahiko initially wanted to ask Konan and Nagato's opinions but remembered that they usually followed his lead. So, he turned to ask Fugaku instead.
"I'll go with the leader's decision."
"Nanhe-kun, go ahead and speak your mind; it's fine."
Fugaku saw Yahiko's expression and thought to himself that this young man had grown. Although he hadn't given up monitoring him, Yahiko hoped he could come up with a good idea since he couldn't find anything suspicious.
However, Fugaku knew this situation was orchestrated by the person claiming to be Madara. Now was the time to assist.
"Hanzo's words can't be trusted. His invitation to you, leader, might be part of some conspiracy. But we lack intelligence and don't know Hanzo's plans."
Fugaku paused, then continued, "If the leader decides not to go, the organization must prepare for a potential attack from the Rain Ninjas. If Hanzo's plan fails, he might tear off his mask.
If the leader decides to go, we must be prepared because he might be targeting your life. If we can avoid this confrontation, Hanzo will gain nothing. The choice is yours, leader."
The consequences of both options were clear, but Fugaku used a rhetorical trap. Not going would make Yahiko seem like he valued his own life over risking the organization, putting other members in danger.
At that point, Akatsuki would be on the verge of disintegration, and lacking external support, they had to be active.
So, Yahiko initially had only one choice.
"I've decided. Accept Hanzo's invitation. I will make all the necessary arrangements."
After listening to Fugaku, Yahiko quickly made his decision, which deeply moved the other members of Akatsuki. Their leader, disregarding his own safety, wanted to prevent them from being threatened by the Rain Ninjas.
"Leader, let me accompany you."
"And me. I will ensure the leader's safety."
Yahiko interrupted them, then said, "Don't worry, everyone. I will be fine with Nagato accompanying me."
Fugaku, hearing this, secretly shook his head. From the beginning, they were mere pawns. No matter how they struggled, it was useless now.
...
Yoichi woke up, thinking about the chaotic dream of studying last night, and shook his head. "Indeed, I can't completely rely on luck. The opportunity to learn from Hong on the first day was too rare."
This ability worked only once a day, and once asleep, the dream started immediately. Even if he slept for just one minute, the opportunity was used, and he could study in the dream for three days.
In those three days, he didn't learn anything useful. The first day, he learned to make parts from a short-tempered seventh-level lathe worker named Liu, and they ended up fighting in the dream.
The second day was a bit more fruitful. He became an assistant to Killian, the founder of AIM in the Marvel world. However, this was when AIM was newly established.
Although Yoichi learned the theoretical knowledge of the Extremis Virus from Killian, converting it into a mature virus required a lot of research time.
Killian took nearly ten years to develop an imperfect Extremis Virus.
The third day, Yoichi felt like he went to the world of "Fights Break Sphere," but it seemed different from what he remembered. He became a disciple of a sect and encountered Xiao Yixian at an auction, learning a useless Dou Technique, Tianyu Finger.
Yesterday's dream was indeed indescribable. Yoichi, inherently kind-hearted, was ill-suited for the Yin Sect, but his dream identity was a disciple of that sect.
Moreover, the Tianyu Finger Dou Technique was garbage, and he planned to seal and destroy it.
(I hate when authors add wuxia sh*t in fanfics...)
"The Extremis Virus... once developed, it could unify the ninja world under the Fire Nation. But Minato is pregnant. Should I hand it over to Orochimaru?"
Yoichi was conflicted. He wasn't a research-oriented person, and in Konoha, only a few could research human bodies. Maybe not even three. Only Orochimaru and Minato were suitable.
But Minato was unsuitable for the next one or two years due to pregnancy. So, should he give it to Orochimaru?
However, Orochimaru was so busy recently that even four or five shadow clones couldn't keep up. He neglected his student, Anko, and sometimes forgot to eat, only having a few boiled eggs.
Orochimaru had to research the Five Heart to Heaven Technique, Hero Water, and some secret techniques from Yoichi. Yoichi felt that giving the Extremis Virus to Orochimaru wouldn't yield quick results.
Recently, Yoichi sensed Orochimaru's reluctance when he visited him, even though they used to be friends.
"I need to start my plan to bring Tsunade back."
Yoichi thought that if Tsunade could return, it would significantly boost the research progress.
"It's about the agreement with Tsunade."
After thinking for a while, Yoichi decided to visit Tsunade in a while. There must be other ways. Maybe persuading her to return would work.
Fulfilling the agreement was the simplest and most direct method. Since it was a strategy guide, there must be other ways. After all, Tsunade's affection for him was still high, around eighty.
Today's tasks were the same as the past few days: a wood clone instructing Nohara Rin and assisting the Hokage, and the main body focusing on researching heat abilities and improving medicine.
The remaining wood clones absorbed cosmic energy and refined gene primordials, while another clone practiced the Five Heart to Heaven Technique.
The bodies of the Mist Ninjas from the front lines had also been sent back. After interrogation, the truth about the Mist Village's plot was finally revealed.
They had sealed the Three-Tails inside Nohara Rin and intended to send her and Kakashi back to Konoha, planning to release the Three-Tails to destroy Konoha.
Nohara Rin had deliberately impaled herself on Kakashi's short sword to thwart their plan.
When Kakashi heard this analysis, although he was saddened, it resolved some of his guilt. He had always thought he had accidentally killed Nohara Rin, but the interrogation team had finally told him the truth.
After being discharged from the hospital, Kakashi visited Yoichi. He had been reflecting on his situation for the past few days and realized he was stuck in a rut because of his fixation on Obito's eye, which hindered his progress.
Late at night, Kakashi often recalled the events. If it had been his father or Yoichi-senpai, they would have protected Rin and killed all the pursuing enemies.
Ultimately, Kakashi felt he was too weak.
So, Kakashi came to the Uchiha compound to seek Yoichi's help in solving the drawbacks of the Sharingan.
When he arrived, many clan members noticed Kakashi, but no one showed hostility, even though he, an outsider, was using their clan's Sharingan.
This was because Kakashi was a friend of their clan leader. Otherwise, even if he were the Hokage's son, he wouldn't be welcomed.
"Yoichi-senpai, sorry to disturb you."
"This is my clone. Wait a moment."
Yoichi dispelled the clone and returned a minute later.
After welcoming Kakashi into his house and serving tea, he asked, "Kakashi, have you thought about what I mentioned last time?"
Kakashi nodded, "Yes, Yoichi-senpai. I want to become stronger. Only with strength can I better protect my teammates."
"Good. It's good that you've figured it out. You've participated in the Ninja World War; you shouldn't be stuck in the past. Now that you know the truth, it's time to move forward."
Yoichi then discussed the main issue, "Leave some of your blood here. I will cultivate a fusion of your cells and the First Hokage's cells. It will take a few days to complete, after which I can transplant the cells into you."
"Once the transplant is successful, your chakra will increase, and the Sharingan will no longer be a burden. Although you still can't control the activation, it will be much better than now. You can also train in Wood Release, but your strength depends on your own choices. Both kenjutsu and Wood Release are just tools; the ninja's individual strength matters most."
"I understand, Yoichi-senpai."
Kakashi expressed his gratitude. In Konoha, besides his father, Yoichi had been the most helpful to him, even more than his teacher, Minato.
After leaving some of his cells, Kakashi chatted with Yoichi for a while before leaving.
During the conversation, Yoichi carefully examined the Sharingan in Kakashi's left eye, confirming it had evolved into a Mangekyō Sharingan before letting him go. Before Kakashi left, Yoichi told him to seek his advice if he had any questions about the Sharingan.
The Sharingan contained a strong ocular power that Kakashi couldn't fully utilize.
If the Sharingan were merely known for copying techniques, it would tarnish its reputation.
True Sharingan users were feared in one-on-one battles. If you encountered an Uchiha, turning and fleeing was the best option.
Since you couldn't look directly at their eyes, you couldn't properly fight them. A glance at their eyes could trap you in a genjutsu.
Ocular genjutsu didn't even require hand signs and couldn't be broken by the target alone.
Not being able to look at your opponent made the battle unwinnable, so escaping was the best option.
After acquiring Kakashi's cells, Yoichi went to the basement to perform a cell fusion. Although Minato wasn't around, he knew the detailed steps of the experiment.
He just had to follow them, ensuring the balance so that the Hashirama cells wouldn't devour Kakashi's cells.
"Almost done. I need to leave a clone to monitor this. It's been quite a struggle to obtain the Kamui Mangekyō."
His good relationship with the Hatake father and son helped. If it were just an ordinary relationship, he would have reclaimed the Sharingan directly.
After completing the cell fusion in the basement, Yoichi left a clone to monitor the experiment, which required long-term observation. If chakra ran out, they would need to take turns.
Back then, Minato's hard work had earned her many favors from Mikoto, as she had helped her successfully integrate Hashirama's cells.
"Is it you? Why are you back so early today?"
Seeing Yoichi coming up from the basement, Yugito's delicate, fair face gave a light snort. But as she turned her head in a tsundere manner, an unnoticeable smile appeared on her face.
"Of course, I came back to see you. How's your mission going?"
Yugito immediately retorted, "Nonsense! You were busy in the basement. Don't try to fool me!"
"Let's not talk about that. Yugito, I'm so tired today. So, please."
"You, you pervert! You always say you're tired!"
A trace of blush appeared on Yugito's fair face. Seeing Yoichi walking towards the sofa like a rascal, she angrily went to her room to change her socks.
After a while, Yugito, wearing smooth, white knee-high socks and stepping into slippers, walked towards the usual sofa.
However, when she sat down, her delicate, fair face turned pink, and she stammered angrily, "W-why are you lying down? Turn around!"
"My chest feels a bit sore today. Please, Yugito!"
(End of Chapter)