After securing Shisui's eye from the crow, Shishou examined it briefly before storing it in a scroll. With this in hand, he now possessed the means to deal with Uchiha Obito. Should Obito attempt any schemes, Shishou would have a formidable countermeasure ready. Additionally, having awakened Hashirama's power, the cooldown period for using Kotoamatsukami would be significantly reduced, bypassing the usual decade-long wait.
Storing Shisui's eye, Shishou disappeared from his location and reappeared in the Land of Fields. With Kotoamatsukami in hand, he aimed to test its capabilities. Orochimaru, notorious for his wicked deeds, incomplete soul, and advanced scientific expertise, was the perfect subject.
"Tsk tsk tsk, Orochimaru really is cautious," Shishou mused. Arriving at the now-deserted Sound Village, Shishou felt a pang of regret. Orochimaru had abandoned this place long ago, likely due to their last encounter.
With the village overgrown with weeds, it was evident Orochimaru had left long ago. Shishou had hoped to use Kotoamatsukami to control Orochimaru, harnessing his scientific skills for the betterment of the ninja world. However, Orochimaru's cautious nature led him to abandon the village after a single meeting. This caution had allowed him to evade the Akatsuki's pursuit for years.
"But do you think you can escape me?" Shishou chuckled, disappearing once more. In the next moment, he appeared in the palace of Ryūchi Cave.
"Master," Hime, one of the three snake princesses of Ryūchi Cave, greeted Shishou eagerly upon his arrival.
"Can you reverse summon Orochimaru?" Shishou asked, looking at Hime.
"Master, to reverse summon a contract holder, we need to use the power of the contract scroll and get the White Snake Sage's permission," Hime replied respectfully.
"Then take me to see the White Snake Sage," Shishou ordered.
"Yes," Hime responded, transforming into a giant snake and coiling at Shishou's feet. After witnessing Shishou's terrifying power, the three snake princesses of Ryūchi Cave had wholeheartedly accepted him as their master.
With Shishou on her back, Hime slithered towards the depths of Ryūchi Cave. Before long, they arrived at the area where the White Snake Sage and the other two snake princesses, Island Princess and Vine Princess, resided.
"You wish to reverse summon Orochimaru?" the White Snake Sage said coldly, taking a drag from her pipe and looking at Shishou. "Ryūchi Cave will not interfere in the affairs of the ninja world. Don't get your hopes up."
The three snake princesses glanced worriedly at Shishou, fearing he might react violently. This man was not to be trifled with.
"Is that so," Shishou said, narrowing his eyes before disappearing from the spot. If the White Snake Sage was unwilling, there was nothing he could do for now. Unless he could find a way to kill the White Snake Sage and take the summoning contract scroll himself. However, the White Snake Sage's inorganic reincarnation technique was formidable. Killing her within Ryūchi Cave would be extremely difficult. Without absolute certainty, Shishou decided not to escalate the situation.
Seeing Shishou leave, the three snake princesses exchanged relieved glances. If their master had fought the White Snake Sage, they would have been caught in the middle.
...
In the mansion at Fire Source City, Shishou returned from Ryūchi Cave to find Uchiha Mikoto diligently training in their courtyard.
"How are you feeling?" Shishou asked, smiling as he approached Mikoto.
Since awakening her Mangekyō Sharingan, Mikoto had been working hard to adapt to her rapidly increasing ocular power.
"It's going well," Mikoto replied, wiping sweat from her face. She walked over to Shishou, naturally taking his arm and smiling up at him. With Shishou's help in awakening her Mangekyō, Mikoto had become increasingly dependent on him, genuinely seeing him as her husband.
"I'm not hungry, but another part of me is," Shishou said with a grin, lifting Mikoto into his arms and heading towards her room.
"I'm all sweaty. Let me wash up first," Mikoto said, her face flushed.
"Then let's wash together," Shishou suggested, changing course towards the bathhouse in Mikoto's courtyard.
"Okay," Mikoto agreed softly, resting her head against Shishou's chest, feeling sweet and happy inside. She never expected Shishou to like her so much. Because of this, she always responded enthusiastically and even took the initiative, determined to keep Shishou's affection firmly in her grasp.
An hour later, Mikoto lay in Shishou's arms, her face glowing with satisfaction as she softly discussed the business operations in Fire Source City.
Listening, Shishou thought about the next steps for Mikoto and Izumi. With both having awakened their Mangekyō Sharingan, it was time to arrange for them to awaken the power of Hashirama. With Hashirama cell extracts, helping Mikoto and Izumi awaken this power wouldn't be as troublesome as cultivating Madara's cells. It wouldn't take long at all.
With the power of Hashirama, Mikoto and Izumi could use their Mangekyō abilities freely without worrying about the side effects. With their support, Shishou could target the White Snake Sage, potentially acquiring her sage powers. This way, he wouldn't have to struggle with sage training himself.
As he pondered, a fiery figure appeared before him, shouting angrily.
"Shishou, you bastard! You locked me in that weird place! Do you know I almost couldn't get out?" Kushina yelled.
Looking at Kushina's tiny form, Shishou instinctively glanced at Mikoto beside him. He hadn't expected Kushina to appear at this moment.
This might be more interesting, he thought with some mischief.
Kushina followed Shishou's gaze and, upon seeing Mikoto's beautiful face, was instantly shocked.
"Mikoto?" Kushina exclaimed.
"Kushina?" Mikoto replied, equally astonished.
**********
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