Immortality begins with the ninjas of Konoha.

Chapter 100 The Temptation of the Immortal's Eye

On May 8th, Konoha Year 49, as the Sand Village ninjas' offensive weakened, the Konoha ninjas launched a new counterattack.

Although Rasa, who is about to succeed as Kazekage, appears tough on the surface and displays the demeanor of a Sand Village ninja, as the battle lines continue to retreat, negotiations are only a matter of time.

When the Sand Village ninjas began to show signs of war-weariness, it became reasonable to "bring back" Chiyo.

While Konoha was retaliating, it was also preparing to negotiate with Sunagakure. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, began to promote his disciple and continue to increase Tsunade's prestige: "Konoha, led by the Fourth Hokage, will accept Sunagakure's surrender."

The news has already spread throughout the village that Konoha will devour even more of Sunagakure's commission market.

The civilian ninjas were overjoyed upon hearing this news. With the Land of Wind as their backing, if the Sand Village ninjas could secure half of the Land of Wind's commissions, they wouldn't have to worry about their salaries for the next few years.

Under the leadership of the Fourth Hokage, the lives of Konoha ninjas will only get better and better!

For a time, everyone forgot about the destroyed Kikyo Castle. The ancient castle wouldn't bring any benefits to most ninjas; that was the business of the Fire Country's daimyo. Ordinary ninjas only cared about their own wallets.

In the afternoon, Konoha Hospital received another batch of wounded.

The Konoha ninjas who returned from the front lines of the Land of Rain were all in high spirits. Compared to the expanding commission market, a few injuries were nothing.

Because Tsunade was unable to perform some surgeries, Osamu Furukawa was extremely busy during this period.

Shizune also began to participate in more of the treatment. The girl was too tired to think about anything else, and Tsunade secretly breathed a sigh of relief when she saw this.

Having just finished a treatment using the Regeneration Technique, Furukawa Osamu was summoned back to his office. Tsunade first served him juice with a smile, then whispered seriously, "Osamu, I need you to go to the Land of Rain to take over Root's covert operations."

"Danzo is willing to let the Anbu take over some of the intelligence work in the Land of Rain, but I suspect he has other plans."

"In the past, Root's budget was independent. Sarutobi-sensei only started to restrict it in recent years, and as a result, Orochimaru failed to complete the mission."

During the last meeting, Tsunade agreed to temporarily maintain the Root organization. Danzo's handing over the secret service to the Anbu ninjas was a gesture of goodwill, but there was not much trust between the two, and they were already wary of each other before the handover even began.

Furukawa readily agreed, then looked at Tsunade with concern and whispered, "Teacher, what about the surgery? We can't let word about hemophobia get out."

Thinking of her disciple working from morning till night every day to protect her reputation, Tsunade took a deep breath and solemnly replied, "I must try to overcome this resistance. I will have Shizune help me with the preliminary work. The young people in the medical team are also capable of these tasks."

"Thanks to your guidance over the years, I'm fine with the surgery."

Furukawa nodded, offering no further instructions. After his initial modifications, Tsunade's control over chakra had improved once again.

As long as she can stabilize her emotional fluctuations, most treatments will be fine. Perhaps it was this realization that allowed Tsunade to make such a decision.

"When do we set off? Do I need to use my Anbu (Anbu) identity?"

"The day after tomorrow, my direct secret service will be working with you."

After Tsunade finished explaining the mission, she looked thoughtful. Then she stood up, walked up to Furukawa Osamu, tilted her head slightly, stared into his eyes, and whispered, "I don't care what kind of close relationship you have with Orochimaru, just keep an eye on him for me."

"Don't do anything that harms the village's interests, Xiu. Only you can help me."

Osamu Furukawa knew that Tsunade had noticed the connection between him and Orochimaru, but his relationship with Orochimaru was complicated to begin with; the two were simply "seekers of the Way" with the same goal: "Teacher, I will help you realize your dream."

Just as the spirit body helps Tsunade's spiritual body train every day, Osamu Furukawa naturally grasped Tsunade's hands and made a promise.

Seeing Furukawa Osamu's serious expression, Tsunade chuckled softly, reverting to her usual demeanor, and scoffed, "My dream is to visit casinos all over the world. Becoming Hokage definitely won't give me that chance!"

"How could there not be a chance? After you retire, we can travel together."

Seeing the clear, yearning look in Furukawa Osamu's eyes, Tsunade inwardly reproached herself: "With a disciple like this, what on earth am I thinking?"

At 3:58 a.m. two days later, at the gate of Konoha Village, Danzo, dressed in a Jonin combat uniform, squinted and waited with his four-person team behind him.

Behind the masks, the Root ninjas glared angrily at the two ANBU squads ahead. The other side made no attempt to conceal their surveillance and completely disregarded Danzo, their former leader.

"Lord Danzo!"

A burly Root member whispered in Danzo's ear, but Danzo didn't speak. He simply waved his right hand, and Danzo retreated back into the group.

Just as 4 o'clock arrived, Osamu Furukawa, carrying a short sword and wearing a demon mask, suddenly appeared in front of the group.

"Whoosh!"

Behind him, eight ANBU ninjas knelt on one knee in unison, their masks lowered to indicate obedience.

Danzo's eyes twitched slightly at the sight, but he struggled to maintain his composure. Turning to look at Furukawa Osamu, he silently cried out in his heart, "The power that the Hokage brings!"

Danzo believed that no matter how strong Furukawa Osamu was, he could not match the power of the ninja village and missed the position of Hokage, which made him increasingly frustrated.

Wearing a mask, Furukawa Osamu merely nodded slightly to Danzo and the others before giving a deep command: "Begin the operation!"

With a series of whooshing sounds, the group began to speed up their journey toward the Land of Rain.

Behind the mask, the Root ninja's face grew increasingly grim, but he dared not utter a word demanding an explanation, only complaining inwardly, "Lord Danzo has become weak too."

On the front lines of the Land of Rain, in the Konoha ninja camp, Orochimaru leisurely organized the experimental materials he had collected.

Orochimaru didn't take this conflict seriously at all. Rasa was seriously injured twice by Furukawa Osamu, and the Jinchuriki was "detonated" by them. It was only a matter of time before Sunagakure was defeated.

As for the Iwagakure ninja, that was Jiraiya's task. Although he disliked his old friend's foolish personality, he did not question Jiraiya's strength.

Orochimaru spends his days selecting "materials" and doesn't care about minor casualties.

War can bring Orochimaru more benefits, and "recruiting" some talented children is also one of his goals. He needs to prepare more containers.

Late at night, Danzo, who had come to the front lines, secretly met with Orochimaru. The two were old friends, and there was no formality between them.

"You're in such a hurry to come here because you want to hand over those experimental subjects?"

"What an ugly posture. If you had recognized the gap between us sooner, perhaps I could have given you a chance to leave with dignity."

Orochimaru's smile was particularly unrestrained in the candlelight. He was destined to control the darkness of the village, and everything Danzo had would be his sooner or later.

Hearing that cold, hoarse mocking voice, Danzo suppressed his anger and sat expressionlessly in front of Orochimaru: "You win. I don't know why Tsunade made such a choice. Perhaps it has something to do with Osamu Furukawa, but I have no interest in knowing the inside story."

"Orochimaru, let's make a deal. I have something you want here."

"Those experimental subjects?"

"A boring deal? With the village's power, I can always find a suitable one. Do with it however you like."

Orochimaru's casual response did not anger Danzo. He knew what Orochimaru desired and calmly said, "The Rinnegan."

"What are you talking about?"

Orochimaru frowned and asked in return, but Danzo became even more composed and slowly introduced, "I have accurate information that the Akatsuki ninjas possess the Rinnegan. I underestimated them in the past. With this power, they have already become a threat to Konoha."

"If you agree to join my plan and promise to preserve Root in the future, I will help you take these eyes and, incidentally, get rid of Hanzo."

Gone is his previous nonchalant demeanor. Orochimaru, no longer doubting the accuracy of the information, unleashes a murderous aura as he stares at Danzo: "Why should I cooperate with you?"

"Do you want to share these immortal eyes? After all, they are legendary powers, and only I can help you."

"The Root ninja possess the seal of 'Tongue-Severing Seal,' which will remain a secret between the two of us."

Danzo could tell that Orochimaru was already interested. After saying these words, he narrowed his eyes and remained silent, quietly waiting for the result.

Orochimaru looked thoughtful, giving Danzo a deep look before a smile returned to his pale face: "I can agree to your request. When will we act?"

"The Sand Village ninja have retreated, and the Cloud Village is waiting for the Iwa Village to wear us down. I already have definite intelligence that the Fourth Raikage will return to the battlefield."

"We'll set off when Furukawa accepts the mission from Kumogakure. Tsunade doesn't trust me."

Danzo inadvertently began to display his strength again, and Orochimaru nodded in acknowledgment, a strange smile appearing on his face: "I seem to have underestimated you. I'll accept the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths."

Danzo handed over the scroll; reaching a deal was not easy, and he needed to temporarily consolidate his power.

Orochimaru chuckled nervously a few times. He wouldn't completely trust the other party; he would personally verify the information when he had time. Thinking of the legendary Sage of Six Paths' eyes, a surge of excitement rose in his heart: "On the path to eternity, I must take the lead."

When Furukawa Osamu made his routine visit to Orochimaru, he asked Danzo about the purpose of his trip, as always, with utmost respect.

Orochimaru didn't show any different emotions. When talking about Root and Danzo, he still looked disdainful: "I also have my own power in the Land of Rain. Xiu, this is part of the list. You can cross-verify the information."

"There's no need to worry about Root ninjas; those tools that have lost their own will are products of a specific period."

Knowing that Danzo had also visited Orochimaru, Furukawa Osamu didn't press for details of their conversation. Instead, he continued with the mission: "Tsunade-sensei hopes to expand the village's interests, and this wavering little country has caused us quite a bit of trouble."

"The Third Hokage may have to abdicate sooner because of this. After all, it is an ancient city, and the Daimyo of the Land of Fire has already sent an envoy."

Upon hearing Furukawa Osamu's account of the village's recent situation, Orochimaru immediately burst out laughing, clearly pleased that the Third Hokage was stepping down early: "If Sarutobi-sensei can retire early, I'll have to regain some respect."

"Xiu, the war will be over in a few months. Our research has only just begun. With the village's support, we will achieve our goal sooner or later."

"Does the Senju clan have any detailed records about the Sage of Six Paths? I've recently become very interested in the history of the ninja world."

Upon hearing "Sage of Six Paths," Furukawa Osamu's thoughts flashed through his mind, then a look of reminiscence crossed his face as he replied with a smile, "I read some of it when I was a kid, and Tsunade-sensei even laughed at me for it."

"The Sage of Six Paths is probably a romanticized version of himself. Those legends and stories seem to have nothing to do with the profession of ninja."

Orochimaru nodded, not pressing the matter further, and casually changed the subject, offering praise: "I didn't expect your strength to have improved so much! No wonder Sarutobi-sensei passed on some of his ninjutsu to you."

"The three of us really disappointed him in terms of ninjutsu."

"The ability to master the five elemental transformations and combine them into ninjutsu at such a young age is truly astonishing!"

Osamu Furukawa maintained a respectful expression and humbly replied, "I'm just spending more time on my training."

1

After a close conversation, neither of them mentioned Danzo's visit, which made Orochimaru even more satisfied.

Osamu Furukawa remains the disciple who pursues eternity, uncorrupted by power!

"Shu, this is part of my ninjutsu knowledge. After returning to the village, I will take on another disciple."

"If you have time, you can teach in my place. After all, I'll be very busy for the next few years, and I'll have to shoulder that darkness myself."

Orochimaru presented a scroll, which Furukawa Osamu accepted and placed in his ninja tool pouch behind him. He then solemnly replied, "I will help my teacher pass on this knowledge!"

The intelligence outposts in the Land of Rain were taken over by Tsunade's direct ANBU, along with some of Orochimaru's loyal subordinates, and the handover was completed quickly.

From the intelligence, Shuuya Furukawa learned about the Akatsuki's reputation in the Land of Rain. Yahiko, who pursued peace, attracted many companions who shared the same dream.

The intelligence report did not mention the Rinnegan. After carefully reviewing it, Furukawa confirmed this and, considering Orochimaru's reaction, roughly guessed the purpose of Danzo's visit.

Late at night, Furukawa Osamu retrieved the spirit that had worked diligently during this period at a base. The slug wriggled onto his shoulder and said softly, "Lord Osamu, the White Zetsu's body only needs to return to Shikkotsu Forest to recharge for two days before it can move again."

"Will we have to return to the Iron Country Peninsula in the next few months?"

Furukawa Osamu considered Danzo and Orochimaru's possible actions, pondered for a moment, and then simply instructed: "Continue to collect energy for the spirits on the battlefield. We're still a little short. If I encounter a mission, come to the Land of Rain."

"If we can successfully obtain the chakra of Ashura and Indra, the next step is the body of the Divine Tree."

"The Eye of the Immortal, theoretically, should be able to evolve, right..."

Furukawa Osamu stroked his chin, no longer thinking too much. To help Tsunade resolve any potential troubles, he simply added, "After collecting enough energy, Katsuyu, help the spirit set up more Flying Thunder God runes."

"Having more transfer points is never a bad thing."