Konoha: The Soul King from the Uchiha Clan

Chapter 75 explores the tacit understanding between geniuses.

In the lush forest behind Konoha, Uchiha Gen easily navigated the secret passage into the research base.

At the end of the dark passage, Orochimaru, dressed in a black bodysuit, a green Jonin vest, with his black hair casually draped over his shoulders, pale skin, golden pupils, and blue magatama earrings on his ears, stood quietly with his hands behind his back, exuding a gloomy and cold aura.

Uchiha Gen wore a black casual suit underneath a black cloak with silver and white patterns. He had a head of slightly unruly black hair, a handsome face, and ruddy skin. He had a Kusanagi sword at his waist, making him look dashing and heroic.

"Orochimaru-sensei," Uchiha Gen said with a faint smile and a slight bow.

"Heh heh... Looks like you killed quite a few people on your trip."

After saying that, Orochimaru turned and walked towards the research base's lounge.

Uchiha Gen was slightly startled and followed, saying, "I clearly concealed myself, yet Orochimaru-sensei still noticed?"

"I'm quite sensitive to killing intent."

"Your ability to conceal your murderous intent isn't perfect yet. I'll teach you how to better control it later."

"That's great."

The two arrived together in a bright and spacious lounge, where a fresh and elegant fragrance filled the air, and a freshly brewed tea was already prepared on the table.

Orochimaru knelt properly on the cushion behind the desk, while Uchiha Gen sat casually in front of the desk.

After taking a sip of his tea, Uchiha Gencai asked, "How much money is left after purchasing the research equipment?"

"Excluding gold, silver, jewelry, jade, and agate, there are still 80 million taels left."

"Then let's split it equally, master and apprentice."

"Yes, I'm a bit short on funds lately," Orochimaru said bluntly.

"Oh? What happened?"

"Danzo has been forced into seclusion, and my teacher is now in charge of Root."

"Although Root is still under Danzo's control and has some secret sources of income, it has lost Konoha's funding and is now in dire straits."

"My experimental research was also significantly affected."

"Tsk tsk, the Fourth Hokage is really quick to act," Uchiha Gen remarked.

"It wasn't Minato who gave the order, but my teacher who did it, but ultimately it was still because of Minato."

"Danzo must be very unhappy, right?"

"You've got some nerve, calling him by his name like that," Orochimaru said with a half-smile.

"Likewise, likewise. He's the Hokage now, not just a rising star."

Uchiha Gen raised an eyebrow and said calmly and composedly.

"Heh heh... Danzo is naturally very dissatisfied and has ordered me to speed up the Wood Release experiment. If it succeeds..."

At this point, Orochimaru fell silent and gave Uchiha Gen a meaningful look.

If the experiment succeeds, are you prepared to take strong measures, or even seize power by force?

Unfortunately, the successful experimental subject did not possess the legendary power of Wood Release. If Yamato's Wood Release had the power of Hashirama Senju, or even just the power of Yamato when he was controlled by White Zetsu during the Fourth Shinobi World War, Danzo would definitely have been tempted to seize power by force.

However, Orochimaru's experimental direction has been on the right track. If he continues to delve deeper, he may be able to replicate the glory of Hashirama Senju's Wood Release!

"Orochimaru-sensei, it seems you still have your eye on the Hokage position."

"That's true. After all, it was one of my dreams, so it's normal to still have that thought. If it were me, I probably would too."

"Hehe... I just want to keep my experimental research from being affected."

"If the Hokage is one of our own, he won't be affected at all; in fact, he'll benefit greatly!"

"Come on, if the Wood Release experiment really succeeds, would you be willing to let Danzo control the Wood Release test subjects?"

"It's normal to feel resentful, but stop pretending in front of me, okay?"

"Believe it or not!" Orochimaru said irritably.

Tch, he just doesn't believe that Orochimaru would be unmoved by a position as Hokage that he could simply nod to and take.

However, since he was still a teacher, Uchiha Gen didn't delve any deeper into the conversation and instead changed the subject.

"Orochimaru-sensei, how's your training in the Spirit Transformation Technique going?"

Where are you?

"I've already got a clue. I estimate I'll be able to successfully cultivate it by the end of next year at the latest."

Uchiha Gen doesn't want to reveal the results of his Spirit Transformation Technique training yet; some things are his own secrets.

He believed that Orochimaru must also have his own secrets.

This has nothing to do with trust or distrust, but rather with the sense of privacy that a qualified ninja should have.

"Now that you've successfully cultivated, your teacher will need to examine your soul and body."

Orochimaru's eyes lit up.

"Impossible. The soul and the body are so private; I would never allow you, teacher, to study them."

Uchiha Gen said resolutely, his face full of solemnity.

"If you need any help, I'd be happy to lend a hand."

"Don't focus on studying your disciple's soul and body; there are plenty of others like that."

"Tsk tsk..."

Orochimaru seemed somewhat disappointed, but he didn't insist. Then his expression changed, and he became excited.

"I failed to master the art of spirit transformation, probably because I lack the talent for it, but I gained inspiration about immortality from it."

"This idea is more plausible than any of my previous ideas about immortality!"

"Furthermore, my research revealed that the Second Hokage actually shared similar ideas with me. The Second Hokage was truly a genius!"

"oh?"

Uchiha Gen cooperated by appearing very interested.

"Both the Second Hokage and I considered transferring one person's soul into another's body to extend lifespan, or even achieve immortality!"

"The difference is that the Second Hokage has already taken action, while I haven't even started..."

Uchiha Gen feigned surprise and said, "What a brilliant idea! And what were the results?"

"He failed, but it wasn't a complete failure; he produced a semi-finished product."

"I estimate that this ninjutsu was developed by the Second Hokage for the First Hokage."

"The First Hokage died of illness not long after returning from his battle with your Uchiha clan's ancestor. This shows that the First Hokage either suffered very serious injuries or lost a lot of vitality."

"At this time, the Second Hokage, who had just taken over, had to think of other ways to maintain Konoha's status and for the sake of peace, but unfortunately he didn't figure it out before he died."

"Give him enough time, and he might figure it out."

The Second Hokage invented so many ninjutsu and forbidden techniques, plus some unfinished ones, that he must have conducted a lot of human experiments.

Therefore, the tradition of conducting human experiments has existed in Konoha since ancient times, and it is not a big deal at all.

Of course, using villagers and ninjas for human experiments is a completely different matter.

He remembered that Tobirama Senju had once been studying Madara Uchiha's corpse in some secret cave.

Given Hashirama Senju's personality, he would not allow Madara Uchiha to be left to rot in the wilderness, nor would he allow Tobirama Senju to desecrate the body of his former best friend.

Therefore, it is estimated that Hashirama Senju stole it by digging up a grave.

Madara Uchiha, now corrupted, became much smarter. He not only anticipated Hashirama Senju's actions but also knew that Tobirama Senju wouldn't destroy his body.

Furthermore, Tobirama Senju possessed such profound knowledge of the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan that he even knew that the evolution of the Sharingan was due to the generation of special chakra in the brain caused by intense emotional stimulation…

It's hard not to suspect that Tobirama Senju conducted human experiments on Uchiha clan ninjas, most likely during the Warring States period before Konoha was established.

Whether Tobirama Senju continued to conduct human experiments on any Uchiha clan ninjas after the establishment of Konoha is unknown.

"So, Orochimaru-sensei, are you confident you can figure it out?"

(End of this chapter)