"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)
"I'm sorry, Nagato's eyes are a matter of great importance; we have to be careful. From the way you just reacted, you know about the Rinnegan?"
Yahiko stared at Fugaku's face, which was mostly covered by bandages, but he could still discern his expression from the area around his eyes.
"The Rinnegan, the Sharingan, and the Byakugan are the three great Dōjutsu Kekkei Genkai of the ninja world. The Sharingan and Byakugan have never ceased to exist, but the Rinnegan has only appeared in the Sage of Six Paths a thousand years ago. If I hadn't seen it today, I would find it hard to believe in the existence of the Rinnegan."
Although Fugaku had seen the stone tablet in the Naka Shrine, with his level of visual prowess, he could only see to the extent where merging the eyes between blood relatives would grant him a pair of eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
There was more content below, but that required a stronger visual prowess to read, so Fugaku didn't know whether the Rinnegan truly existed since a millennium is a very long time, enough to turn the Sage of Six Paths into legend.
"Please keep this a secret. If Nagato's power is leaked, the Akatsuki will definitely attract the attention of many, and with our current strength, we can't cope."
Yahiko clenched his fists for a moment, then released them helplessly, unable to justify killing an innocent person just for a secret.
So they're not going to act against him? How naïve are these people, have they not experienced the cruelty of the ninja world? Fugaku was puzzled. Considering their abilities, it seemed they had specifically studied ninjutsu, but their sensei hadn't taught them about the brutality of the ninja world, which was strange.
In his view, to become a ninja, one must witness the true ninja world; otherwise, without understanding it, how could one survive?
"If the Rinnegan is so important to you, why not hide it? Or keep the eyes covered."
Fugaku asked, finding the idea of using hair to cover the eyes one of the least intelligent methods he had encountered.
"Nagato can't control these eyes yet, and there are times when he needs to fight. He can't just be an ornament for the Akatsuki because of a pair of eyes."
"Can't control the eyes? How is that possible, can you not control your own hands?"
Fugaku, who possessed a Dōjutsu Kekkei Genkai himself, was well aware of this. Even if one couldn't control it at the beginning, it could gradually be controlled with practice in chakra control.
That red-haired boy could even walk on water; how could he not control chakra?
"The fact remains as is. For now, please don't leave the Akatsuki; I hope you can understand us."
Yahiko bowed slightly to Fugaku, not wanting to kill to keep a secret but also not allowing him to divulge what he knew. Thus, they would keep Fugaku under observation within the Akatsuki until they were strong enough not to fear others.
"I have nowhere else to go for the time being, and staying here is no issue. Besides, since I've said I won't talk, I naturally will adhere to that."
Fugaku fell silent after speaking, then looked at Nagato, who seemed somewhat hesitant, and reminded him, "There's no power that can't be controlled unless it isn't yours."
One's own power can definitely be controlled; if not, it indicates that the power is foreign, like a tailed beast within a Jinchūriki or a transplanted Sharingan from another clan.
The Uchiha do not fear others transplanting their Sharingan because non-Uchiha cannot properly use the Sharingan Kekkei Genkai. They might manage to utilize the Sharingan's power in a few battles, but the continual drain of chakra poses a risk of depleting the user.
"Understood, then please excuse our rudeness, and continue to stay with the Akatsuki."
Yahiko expressed relief, having truly been worried that Fugaku intended to leave. If it had come to that, he didn't know what he would have chosen.
Between the principles of the Akatsuki and his family-like bonds with Nagato and Konan, Yahiko felt he might choose the latter.
After returning, Yahiko simply gathered the Akatsuki members and announced that Fugaku had joined the Akatsuki, to handle some logistical matters until he healed. His arrangement also intended for Konan to keep an eye on Fugaku.
Yake was a name Fugaku had come up with on the spot, his surname derived from the Uchiha ancestral land, Naka Shrine.
That night, as Fugaku lay in bed unable to sleep, he suddenly rolled over and grabbed the neck of a strange figure that had appeared beside him.
The appearance of this person shocked Fugaku, with a ghastly pale complexion, and only half of the face resembling a human, the rest like tree bark, not at all human-like.
"Fugaku-san, shush, don't make a fuss. Someone wants to meet you, come with me."
Zetsu deliberately lowered his voice in a comical manner to Fugaku, who, upon hearing Zetsu call out his name, showed a grim and fierce expression, instantly thinking of killing the bizarre creature before him.
His identity could not be revealed; once exposed, it would lead to pursuit by Konoha and Uchiha Yōichi.
"Don't rush; I mean you no harm. There's just someone who wants to talk to you. But if you don't want to go, Itachi-san misses you too. And remember, this is just one of my clones."
After speaking, another Zetsu clone appeared from the ground beside him and said to Fugaku, "Like this one, it's also a clone, so killing us is futile; we mean you no harm, come with us."
Fugaku calmed down, thinking of his son, then said, "Alright, I'll go with you."
"That's good. My clone will take your form, acting in your stead within the Akatsuki until you meet the person. How about that, I've really thought this through."
After touching Fugaku and synchronizing with his chakra, the Zetsu clone transformed, astonishingly taking on Fugaku's exact appearance, not just a Transformation Technique, but a perfect copy, even mimicking the chakra.
"Let's go; I've checked already, the one watching you is asleep."
After speaking, the Zetsu clone led Fugaku outside, quickly bypassing the Akatsuki patrols, and then stopped suddenly outside.
Fugaku became alert, facing another peculiar figure that appeared. "Is this the person who wants to meet me?"
"No, this one is to help you travel faster. Attach it to you; you're too slow. At this rate, it would take at least three days."
After Zetsu finished speaking, he approached Fugaku and suddenly exploded into a thin film-like substance, wrapping around him.
"Don't resist, eh? I'll give you control of your body in a moment, but you can't use my power yet."
Fugaku suppressed his urge to resist upon hearing this, mainly because he didn't know how his son Itachi was doing, so he dared not act rashly.
With the strange creature attached to him, Fugaku immediately felt his strength increase significantly, and his injuries also healed considerably.
"Pretty impressive, right? This is just a simple possession. If you could really use my power, you'd be truly astonished!"
Zetsu boasted, "Alright, now release control of your body; I need to hurry."
"Who exactly are you?"
"You'll know when you meet the person soon."
After speaking, Zetsu controlled Fugaku's body to use Earth Release: Subterranean Voyage Technique. As a special Zetsu, Zetsu naturally had this ability.
Traveling underground, the speed now was three to four times faster than Fugaku's own pace; it would take less than a day to reach Madara's secret base.
Fugaku was shocked by this; he felt himself sinking into the ground and moving rapidly underground; this exceeded his understanding of ninjutsu, even Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique couldn't surpass the speed of a ninja running on land.
But despite his shock, since he had decided to meet this mysterious person, Fugaku calmed his emotions.
He was not without means to fight back, still able to use Susanoo, so he was indeed curious to see who this person behind the scenes was.
After a long journey, Fugaku suddenly felt himself arriving in a vast underground space. Once his feet touched the ground, the creature on him suddenly detached.
"We've arrived, the person who wants to meet you is inside, come with us."
Zetsu spoke, leading Fugaku into the interior.
After passing through a corridor, Fugaku entered a dark, spacious underground space. Although there was little light, he could still see a giant stone statue ahead.
And in front of the statue was a platform with a figure sitting on it.
Fugaku guessed that the figure on the platform was the person behind the scenes and shouted, "Is it you who wanted to meet me? How is Itachi? If you dare harm my son, I will never forgive you."
Itachi? His son?
Madara looked at Zetsu, who shrugged and said, "That was just to get him to come here. With Konoha's tight security, it's not easy to kidnap someone, Madara-sama."
"Madara?"
Fugaku repeated the name, having seen if he wasn't mistaken, that person seemed to have Sharingan.
"I am Madara, and Zetsu is the one I sent to find you, failed Uchiha clan leader."
"Madara? Impossible, Madara died decades ago!"
Fugaku exclaimed in shock and disbelief, then his expression darkened, "If you think using the name of Madara will intimidate me, you are mistaken."
"There's no need for that. No one in the ninja world dares to use my name unless I have granted them that title."
Madara then spoke calmly as if reminiscing, "The battle with Hashirama was within my plans. To obtain his power, I used Izanagi to fake my death, deceiving Hashirama and acquiring his power."
"Although I obtained the power of the Senju, in the eyes of the village and the Uchiha clan, I am still a failure. However, Hashirama's idea was also wrong. Wars still occur in the ninja world, and there have been three Great Ninja Wars in just a few decades, which is not much better than the Warring States period. Therefore, I have devised a new plan for peace, the Eye of the Moon."
"The Eye of the Moon Plan will be led by me. You have activated the Mangekyō Sharingan, so you qualify to join. Once the Eye of the Moon Plan is completed, you will also be able to achieve your own goals through it."
Fugaku frowned, thinking this was an invitation to join? He then asked, "My goals? Do you know what my goals are?"
"Your wife left you, you betrayed your clan, and in ten years, no one in the Uchiha clan except your son will remember you. What else could your goals be?"
Madara looked at Fugaku indifferently and continued, "I know the taste of betrayal. Back then, no one in the clan believed me, and now those suppressed can only curl up in the guard squad. Having been a clan leader, you should know better than anyone. But to the current you, that doesn't matter anymore."
Fugaku's face looked terrible, and his eyes, inflamed with anger, revealed the triple tomoe. Each time he remembered these matters, the rage in his heart became uncontrollable.
"Now you have two choices. Join the Eye of the Moon Plan, and you will have everything you desire. After revenge, everything will return to the world you most long for. The other option is to refuse, but then I will take your eyes."
Madara finished speaking and directly cast a genjutsu on Fugaku. Connected to the Gedo Mazo behind him, even if the triple tomoe in his eyes weren't his own, he could easily pull Fugaku into an illusion.
"This is my genjutsu world. Now make your decision."
Fugaku was suddenly pulled into a genjutsu, unable to break free no matter how he tried, and even unable to use Susanoo.
This level of Sharingan genjutsu convinced Fugaku of Madara's identity, using an illusion to render him utterly powerless, something only Uchiha Madara could achieve in the ninja world.
"Join the Eye of the Moon Plan. What do I need to do?"
Fugaku fell silent for a moment before finally agreeing, "And what exactly is the Eye of the Moon Plan? You haven't told me."
"For now, there's nothing you need to do. Someone will tell you about the Eye of the Moon Plan later."
Madara released the genjutsu and spoke to Fugaku, "But after a while, 'I' will come to find you, and then you can be useful. After completing the Eye of the Moon Plan, all the desires in your heart will also be fulfilled."
His opportunities to act were not many. Once the plan with Obito was completed, he would let him replace himself as Madara in the ninja world.
(End of Chapter)
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