Naruto: The Age of Ninja Swords Begins in Kumogakure

Chapter 204 The Bond Breaks

Leaving aside Hiruzen Sarutobi's actions, Orochimaru, controlling a small white snake, once again infiltrated the Cloud Village camp and approached Mr. Tian, ​​who was alone, taking stock of his harvest.

Sensing the presence of the little white snake, Tamura Hao calmly glanced around before flicking out a rolled-up piece of paper.

The little white snake deftly opened its mouth and bit down, then silently swam away.

Go to a secluded spot, unfold the note, and you'll find it's a simple map.

After looking at the map, the little white snake swallowed the note and then swam toward the location marked on the map.

They discovered it was an underground laboratory, guarded by many Cloud Ninja outside, while inside, many researchers were busy at work.

After observing for a while, it found a hidden ventilation duct according to the map, swam inside, opened its mouth, and spewed out a colorless and odorless poisonous gas that spread outwards.

The researchers inside were all stiff and unable to move.

This is a neurotoxin that can paralyze the nerves, thereby causing the body to stiffen and become immobile for a short period of time, making it impossible to even refine chakra.

After bringing the researchers inside under control, they began searching for Uchiha Myokke's Mangekyou Sharingan.

They quickly found a freezer containing pairs of Sharingan eyes sealed in glass bottles. The top few were Kaleidoscope eyes, with the patterns still visible on them.

However, they are all sealed with sealing spells and have perception barriers. Once broken, they will be detected by the caster.

"It's definitely not that simple!"

Orochimaru, who was controlling the little white snake, was not surprised. After all, it was the Mangekyou Sharingan, so how could the Hidden Cloud Village not take precautions?

He could even see that the bottles had Flying Thunder God Technique seals on them. If he were to take them away, Uchiha Hikaru would probably attack instantly.

Without delay, he carefully studied the sealing technique and the perception barrier, and then set about breaking it.

The method of cracking the bottle was crude but quick; it broke open very quickly, and then the bottle was opened to suck the two eyeballs inside into the snake's mouth.

The next moment, a figure suddenly appeared outside the freezer; it was Uchiha Hikaru.

At the same time, the little white snake that had obtained the eye turned into a cloud of mist and disappeared, having been sent away by the spirit.

"How pathetic!"

With a pitying sneer, Uchiha Hikaru vanished in a flash.

She was only asked by that shameless scoundrel to show her face briefly; she didn't need to do anything else.

However, Orochimaru acted with some restraint and did not kill anyone, clearly not wanting to offend the Hidden Cloud Village to the death.

Meanwhile, Orochimaru, unaware that he had been tricked, was happily looking at the two eyes in his hands, then carefully placing them into a pre-prepared nutrient solution for preservation, to be transplanted later when the body had grown to a certain extent.

After sealing his eyes, Orochimaru turned and walked out to another room, where Fugaku Uchiha was sitting, getting used to the new three-tomoe Sharingan eyes that had been transplanted into his right arm.

During the six months of battles, he used Izanagi several times, which consumed several of the three-tomoe Sharingan on his arm.

Originally, the Sharingan power in his arm and the First Hokage's cells were in balance, but losing several three-tomoe Sharingan has caused the balance to be disrupted.

Previously, he could maintain his balance by suppressing the power of his own kaleidoscope pupils, but now that he has lost the kaleidoscope, the first-generation cells in his arm are becoming increasingly unstable.

This time, Orochimaru replaced and replenished it with surgery, restoring the arm's balance.

"Fugaku-kun's integration of this arm is much better than I expected, and even the Sharingan is more compatible with the First Hokage's cells."

Orochimaru licked his lips as he examined Fugaku Uchiha's right arm.

When Fugaku Uchiha's arm was transplanted with a Sharingan, it was discovered that the First Hokage's cells had fused with the Sharingan.

Clearly, his research direction was correct; the Uchiha and Senju shared the same ancestor, the legendary Sage of Six Paths.

However, the fact that Fugaku Uchiha was able to show signs of fusion between the two was most likely due to the Seven-Tails within him.

As expected, the tailed beasts also have a close relationship with the Sage of Six Paths.

"It's just the power of a kaleidoscope."

Fugaku Uchiha casually replied, attributing the source to the Mangekyou Sharingan, without revealing that it was due to the Seven-Tails' chakra.

When will my eyes be fully repaired?

When asked about cultivating new eyes, he mentioned that he still possessed some of the power of the Kaleidoscope. If he could have his own eyes, he would definitely be able to open them, at least one tomoe would be no problem.

The Sharingan is most perfect when it is one's own. Even though he is also a member of the Uchiha clan, he is not comfortable using the three-tomoe Sharingan that he transplanted into his eye sockets. He longs to have his own eyes.

The pair of shoes that were taken by Kumogakure are probably gone forever; now we can only follow Orochimaru's path.

"It's already being cultivated, and it will take about six months to fully mature."

Orochimaru gave him a time limit. His method was to cultivate a clone of Fugaku Uchiha and then transplant the eyes from that clone onto Fugaku Uchiha, which would be a perfect fit.

Furthermore, Fugaku Uchiha's clone can be used for other experiments, so it won't go to waste.

"How to cultivate to true immortal mode?"

Fugaku Uchiha then inquired about the training of Sage Mode. Although he had inherited the Sage Technique and possessed the Sage Technique Seal, he had never been able to master Sage Mode.

Otherwise, if they had had the Sage Mode buff before, they wouldn't have been in such a passive position.

"Change the medium, but that requires a much larger amount of chakra. If you can perfectly integrate the Seven-Tails' chakra into yourself, that would also work. In my experiments, I might be able to help you achieve that."

Orochimaru offered a solution, knowing that Fugaku Uchiha possessed a Sage Mode curse mark and that it was made from the flesh and blood of Manda.

However, Manda's level is still too low; he needs a higher-level medium to cultivate into Sage Mode.

"You have?"

His expression grew serious; Fugaku Uchiha harbored desire, yet he was also wary.

This person is hardly a good person; would he really give me the medium to achieve Sage Mode?

"I can give Fugaku-kun a portion of Sage Mode power as a medium for training in Sage Mode, but I need Fugaku-kun's assistance in conducting some small experiments."

Licking his lips, Orochimaru took the experimental subject in front of him very seriously, as many of his previous conjectures needed to be verified through this subject.

"Can."

After staring at Orochimaru for a while, Fugaku Uchiha finally agreed.

He had no other choice but to try every means to gain powerful strength, only then would he have a chance to turn the tide.

"Does Serpent Lord know Tamura Hao from Kumogakure?"

Turning the conversation to the boy, Fugaku Uchiha couldn't understand the power he was displaying; his growth rate was too fast.

Especially considering the strength he displayed at the end that night, he felt that even if he unleashed the Seven-Tails' chakra and Susanoo, he still wouldn't be able to withstand the opponent's attack.

This growth rate and the heights he has reached are incredible. There must be a big secret about him, but he just can't see it right now.

If I could obtain the other person's secret, I would definitely be able to become stronger quickly.

"I watched his battle during the Chunin Exams. He's a very talented young man."

Orochimaru gave a very high evaluation, saying that although the other party's achievements largely depended on his special Samehada, they were also inseparable from his own efforts.

Samehada's potential is astonishing, even surpassing that of the Tailed Beasts in some respects. If I didn't have a grander goal, I might have been envious of it.

"What kind of illusion did he use that night? Even your kaleidoscopes couldn't break through it immediately."

He had actually arrived there long ago and secretly watched the entire battle, including the part where Fugaku Uchiha and the others were controlled and had their eyes gouged out.

He simply couldn't understand how such an illusion could simultaneously control seven kaleidoscopes; it was truly unbelievable.

"It should be the Tsukuyomi eye technique. He has the ability to steal eye techniques from others. According to records, Uchiha Hikaru has the Tsukuyomi eye technique. He used Tsukuyomi on us and on multiple people at once. That sword is also strange. It may be a special medium."

What's most terrifying is his eye power; it's greater than the combined eye power of all seven of us. This is highly unusual.

Fugaku Uchiha couldn't understand this at all. He knew about the Tsukuyomi eye technique, and there were related records in the clan's records.

The Mangekyou Sharingan techniques of the Uchiha clan are incredibly diverse. Every Mangekyou Sharingan user, before their eyes are ruined or before they die, records the effects and development methods of their techniques. Over the years, they have accumulated a great deal of records, including the Tsukuyomi technique.

However, the opponent's Tsukuyomi eye technique was used in a very strange way. It didn't have that kind of strong control ability, but it could be used on multiple people. In addition, the eye power was unusually strong, so none of them were able to break through it for a while.

At the same time, Uchiha Hikaru, in coordination with gouging out eyes, gave them no chance to retaliate.

The key to that battle was their several pairs of Mangekyou Sharingan. They were all taken down immediately, rendering all their tactics a joke, and their defeat was inevitable.

"Is your pupil power profound?"

Orochimaru understood and roughly guessed what was going on.

Haojun's Samehada can devour the corpses of powerful individuals and gain some of their abilities. It must have devoured the corpse of an Uchiha ninja, thereby obtaining the Sharingan and even the Mangekyou Sharingan.

Moreover, it has absorbed a considerable number of Sharingan, and with the support of the Hidden Cloud Village, who knows how many Sharingan it has absorbed? It's normal that its ocular power is so strong.

"Our battle plan was clearly leaked in the previous battle, and Snake Lord appeared there again. Is this a coincidence?"

With a change in expression, Uchiha Fugaku questioned in a cold voice.

He wasn't stupid; he naturally saw that the Hidden Cloud Village was plotting against them, and their schemes were even more elaborate, which led to their utter defeat.

Otherwise, with seven pairs of Mangekyou Sharingan, plus the forbidden Izanami technique from Uchiha Chiri, even the Third Raikage and his allies would be confident of victory; defeat would be impossible.

"I don't know whether it was the teacher and Shimura Danzo who did it. I went there at the request of the White Snake Sage. She wanted to take the opportunity to severely injure the Cloud Ninja and then take back the Summoning World that had been taken from the Cloud Village. I just went there to collect some experimental materials."

However, I can tell you that the mysterious person who stole Uchiha Naka's eyes was an Impure World Reincarnation, a forbidden technique that can summon the souls of the dead from the Pure Land of the Dead and temporarily revive them, giving them some of their former strength.

Currently, only I, Danzo Shimura, and my teacher can perform the Impure World Reincarnation technique. There should also be someone on the Senju side who can.

Orochimaru appeared quite frank; he needed Fugaku Uchiha to cooperate with some research, so he naturally wouldn't want the volunteer to harbor any resentment.

"Impure World Reincarnation!"

Fugaku Uchiha's face darkened. If what Orochimaru said was true, this forbidden technique was terrifying.

"Naka's eye techniques are Amaterasu and Kagutsuchi, which are not well suited to the fighting styles of Shimura Danzo and the Senju clan. Therefore, it was Hiruzen Sarutobi who took Naka's eyes."

He quickly made an analysis. Although he was still under the control of illusion at that time, he later saw the scene from the memory of a tribesman. The other party was specifically targeting Naka and had obviously set their sights on Naka's eyes.

Based on this, it's easy to conclude that it must be that old bastard Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Orochimaru smiled without saying a word. He shared the same guess, and even had his own guesses about the person resurrected using Edo Tensei.

Given the current state of the Impure World Reincarnation technique, it's impossible to control a Kage-level dead person unless they did so willingly. Obviously, that person is someone the teacher can trust and someone who can completely trust the teacher. Add to that the Kage-level chakra, and it's easy to guess who it is.

"Snake-kun doesn't seem to be very interested in the Hokage position."

Fugaku Uchiha suddenly asked a question. He had previously communicated with Orochimaru and found that Orochimaru didn't seem to care about the list of Hokage candidates released by Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"My pursuit is not power, and there is no conflict between me and Mr. Fugaku. We should be able to cooperate more in the future."

Moreover, it seems that Mr. Fugaku has already been ousted.

Orochimaru remained very frank, leaving Fugaku Uchiha unable to immediately discern the truthfulness of his words.

"I'm going to Senju's place. Does Orochimaru want to come?"

He couldn't swallow this insult and was determined not to let that old bastard Hiruzen Sarutobi get away with it.

After this defeat, he increasingly agreed with Hao Jun's words: when it comes to scheming and plotting, the Uchiha clan was no match for Hiruzen Sarutobi and his group, and the Senju clan was probably about the same.

Hiruzen Sarutobi is their greatest enemy.

"I also want to see Tsunade, but I won't go with Fugaku-kun. I still need to maintain the laboratory at Shimura Danzo's place."

Orochimaru remained silent for a moment when asked about the question, but ultimately decided to go and take a look.

After all, Nawaki was his student, and he should have gone to check on him when he was murdered.

Without hesitation, Fugaku Uchiha put on his clothes and went outside.

He urgently needs to meet with the head of the Senju clan to discuss the next steps regarding Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others.

The complete collapse of the battle lines may seem to put him out of the game, but as long as he has absolute strength, he can still forcefully compete for the Hokage position.

However, this cannot be revealed. The secret between the Tailed Beast Chakra, the First Hokage's cells, and the Sharingan is his trump card for turning the tide.

Orochimaru didn't linger there. After quickly tidying up, he headed to the Land of Grass to lure Tsunade out with a snake.

He knew that the Senju clan would definitely hate him as well. In their eyes, he was now one with Shimura Danzo. Nawaki's death was inextricably linked to Shimura Danzo; at the very least, that old man was definitely involved.

If I were to actually enter the camp, I would definitely be targeted, and a fight might break out. Luring Tsunade out is the best option.

"What are you doing here?"

Looking at the long, straight black hair in front of her, Tsunade coldly questioned him.

"I should have come sooner."

Turning around, Orochimaru felt a pang of sadness seeing the coldness on his former teammate's face.

"Just say what you have to say. I'm busy and don't have time to waste on you."

"Tsunade said impatiently."

"It wasn't Shimura Danzo who plotted to harm Nawaki; at least he didn't directly do it yet."

By revealing this information, Orochimaru was able to confirm that Shimura Danzo had not killed Nawaki, or at least that the bombing of Nawaki was not arranged by Shimura Danzo.

These words made Tsunade's expression even colder. If it wasn't Shimura Danzo, then it could only be her teacher.

She's such a good teacher to me!

"Thanks!"

After saying thank you, Tsunade turned and left.

"Things can never go back to the way they were!"

Watching his comrade depart, Orochimaru knew that his friendship with Tsunade was a thing of the past.

Jiraiya, that idiot, must have felt the same way, and the three of them eventually parted ways.

"Teacher, is this the result you wanted?"

Thinking of that teacher, Orochimaru felt that his teacher-student relationship with that teacher was a joke, and in the end, he was still just a tool.

Even when he first encountered those brutal studies, he knew there was no turning back, and that he could be abandoned by his teacher at any time, or even become a rogue ninja.

As a member of the Senju clan, Tsunade had long been marked as "crossed out" in her teacher's mind.

Even if the Senju clan is not destroyed in the future, they will definitely not return to the village.

Jiraiya, that clever idiot, has been running away all along and will most likely not stay in the village.

That idiot has been pursuing Tsunade, but he doesn't realize that's exactly what he's missing.

This is their future; it's truly laughable.

But it doesn't matter anymore. I have a new goal to fill the emptiness in my heart, and that is what I should pursue with all my might.

The village, friendship, bonds—it's all just a joke.

"Orange Water, is there anything you want to say to me?"

Suddenly, he looked at a large tree and sensed Wood Release chakra there.

He was very familiar with this and would never be mistaken. After some thought, he realized that the only person who could be transplanted here was the Thousand-Handed Orange Water.

You've changed a lot!

Realizing that her form had been discovered, Thousand Hands Orange Water's body emerged from the large tree.

"Cheng Shui Jun has also changed a lot. The first-generation cells you transplanted are very stable. No wonder they are the legacy of the second generation."

Orochimaru was surprised by Senju Orange Water's application of Wood Release, and the First Hokage cells transplanted into the opponent were also very stable.

"Fugaku Uchiha used Wood Release and the power of the Seven-Tails on the battlefield in the Land of Hot Springs. That Wood Release should be related to you, right?"

With her eyes slightly narrowed, Senju Orange Water loathed this practice; Wood Release was something that belonged only to the Senju clan.

"It was originally made for Danzo Shimura, but it was stolen and transplanted by Fugaku Uchiha."

Orochimaru did not deny that he did not want to make enemies with the Senju, and even less did he want to be targeted by them.

However, if the Senju clan were to be destroyed by his teacher and the others, he would be happy to go and inspect the experimental materials.

The secrets of the Senju family's bloodline are not so easy to understand. He needs a lot of materials to support his research and explore it bit by bit.

Only by understanding the secrets of the Senju family's bloodline can one better develop that body and further study the power of the Sage of Six Paths.

This is my future goal in ninja way!

"You didn't transplant Wood Release power into yourself?"

After staring at it for a while, Thousand Hands Orange Water was quite surprised.

Based on his understanding of Orochimaru, this person was obsessed with power and would definitely covet it if he conducted Wood Release experiments. However, judging from his current senses, the other party did not seem to have Wood Release chakra.

"I'm not interested in transplanting Wood Release techniques, and my body can't handle it."

Orochimaru told the truth, and he wasn't lying. His body really couldn't withstand the erosion of the First Hokage's cells, and he didn't want the weakened version.

His current goal is to take over that body, not to transplant it, so he's not lying.

"Wood Release is not something you can covet. We Senju do not want to be your enemies, but only if you do not become our enemies."

After giving a final warning, Thousand Hands Orange Water disappeared into the trees and left.

"I don't want to be enemies with your Thousand Hands!"

Muttering to himself, Orochimaru really didn't want to be enemies with the Senju. He just wanted to gather as many materials as possible to aid his research, and then no one in the Senju clan would mind.

(End of this chapter)