I, Uchiha Hikaru, have joined the chat group.

Chapter 312 [Ultimate Mecha 3D Armor Assault Freedom Mode Prototype 02]

It hasn't been too long since Uchiha Hikaru returned to Konoha.

The Uchiha clan has not changed much overall, except for three more Jonin with three tomoe, one of whom is Uchiha Izumi, and there are four or five Jonin trainees.

That's right.

This is the result of the "Phase I clinical trial".

—The gene-targeting drug, created by Dr. Brief and modified by Orochimaru, has achieved good results on the Uchiha clan, especially those young people who were already quite talented and had the potential to become elite Jonin. They avoided several detours and gained an extra tomoe on top of their original abilities.

This result brought great joy to the Uchiha clan.

Because Fugaku subtly revealed to his clansmen during the gathering that all of this was thanks to Uchiha Hikaru, her prestige within the clan rose significantly. It is said that some clansmen have proposed to create a golden statue of her and enshrine it in the highest position at the Naka Shrine; others have expressed their intention to carve her image on the Hokage Rock so that the unworthy Hiruzen Sarutobi would step down as soon as possible.

"Um……"

It seems the Uchiha clan does indeed have a rebellious streak.

If these words were to reach Hiruzen Sarutobi's ears, the latter would probably have no sleep that night.

However, Uchiha Hikaru had no interest in that position.

Being a lowly village chief doesn't necessarily mean much power, but you have to work hard day and night, with so many documents piling up that you can't finish processing them all. This kind of life is really meaningless.

If Shisui wants to be one and has the ability, she wouldn't mind giving him a push.

"...Grandma, you flatter me. I am not worthy of such a great responsibility."

Shisui wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and didn't dare to say more on the topic: "By the way, Great-Grandma, there is something I need to tell you. The Third Hokage and Jiraiya have come to the clan several times recently, trying to inquire about your and Naruto's whereabouts... Naruto is the only Jinchuriki in the village, and now that his whereabouts are unknown, they are worried that someone might take the opportunity to cause trouble."

"Oh."

"When Naruto was here, they didn't seem to care much, and he didn't cause any trouble. Now that he's gone, they're in such a hurry?"

Uchiha Hikaru waved his hand: "Let them stay out of the way. I'll bring Naruto back when he's had enough fun."

"……good."

Zhi Shui nodded in agreement.

After explaining to Shisui, Uchiha Hikaru looked at Orochimaru next to him.

After completing the "Phase I Experiment," this guy didn't leave. Instead, he reopened the experimental base he had left behind and began studying the blood samples of Shisui, Itachi, and other members of his clan, attempting to use their genetic sequences to optimize the "Dragon's Curse Seal I." When Uchiha Hikaru threw the "Demon Transformation Agent 2.0" over, he was still somewhat bewildered.

"Lord Guang, what is this?"

"You can roughly understand Dr. Gro's research as a form of medicine called 'Hundred Healings Technique,' but its effects may be stronger than that technique."

In front of Shisui, Uchiha Hikaru did not explicitly mention the "demon," but Orochimaru could probably tell from the potion in his hand.

Compared to Dr. Gero's lab, Orochimaru's research progress has been a bit slow lately. It's time to put some pressure on him and get him to roll up his sleeves.

"Oh, right, Orochimaru."

Uchiha Hikaru seemed to suddenly remember something, raised his left hand, held up two fingers, and said, "Let me ask you two questions first."

"First, how's the research on 'Reaper Death Seal - Release' going?"

In response to Uchiha Hikaru's question.

Orochimaru hissed, "We've made progress on this. However, to undo the 'Reaper Death Seal,' we might need to use a ninja tool from the Uzumaki clan—a Shinigami mask passed down through generations. According to the records, this mask is enshrined in the Uzumaki clan's Namen Hall, and its location is known only to the successive clan heads. I'm currently trying to find it."

"Oh... let me know when you find it."

In the original Naruto manga, although the Uzumaki clan's "Namendo" is mentioned, its exact location is not specified, so Hikaru Uchiha couldn't have predicted it. However, given that Orochimaru found the place in the original work, he should have some clues, so finding it again shouldn't be difficult.

then.

Uchiha Hikaru then followed up with, "Secondly, what's been happening with the Akatsuki lately?"

"Not at the moment."

Orochimaru gave a negative answer, then paused: "Those guys recently appeared in the Land of Rice Fields, seemingly trying to find out about me and the Sound Village. I'm not sure if they wanted to invite me, a rogue ninja, to join them, or if they've discovered some clues about you..."

"?"

Uchiha Hikaru frowned slightly.

She hadn't had any contact with the Akatsuki members for some time.

Logically, the Akatsuki organization would have had a motive to recruit Orochimaru, given that he was an S-rank rogue ninja with considerable strength and ability, and was indeed a member of the Akatsuki in the original storyline. Now that the Akatsuki's operations have suffered repeated setbacks, considering recruiting him would be a perfectly reasonable decision.

But the problem is...

The Sound Village in this timeline developed much faster and was also much larger in scale than in the original work.

The addition of Karin and her daughter, Kimimaro, Yakushi Nonou, and Kabuto... allowed Otogakure to develop rapidly, even gaining some fame within the Land of Rice Fields. Furthermore, Uchiha Hikaru had deep ties to Otogakure, and many villagers had witnessed his previous visits.

If there are a few traitors among them, or if some of the new villagers are actually spies sent by Obito and his group to gather intelligence...

It's hard to say why the members of the Akatsuki organization came here.

"I roughly understand the situation."

Uchiha Hikaru thought for a moment: "Well, let's wait and see for now. If anything happens, remember to let me know immediately."

If the Akatsuki organization really has ill intentions, it doesn't matter to others, but Karin and the others, Uchiha Hikaru will definitely have to find a way to help them.

present.

After giving Orochimaru his instructions and exchanging a few more words with Shisui, Uchiha Hikaru temporarily left Konoha and, through Bulma, eventually arrived in the Dragon Ball world.

……

A few hours later.

Below the castle where the Red Ribbon Army headquarters is located.

Inside a massive underground experimental base that had been hollowed out.

Uchiha Hikaru looked up at the imposing and magnificent armor in front of him, with Dr. Gero and his wife beside him, as well as "Mechanical Maru" and Yukichi from the world of sorcery.

"so……"

"...Is this your latest product, [Ultimate Mechatronics Strike Free Mode Prototype 02]?"

(End of this chapter)