Immortality begins with the ninjas of Konoha.

In early May, news of the Sand Village ninja's failed counterattack reached the village, causing an uproar among the Konoha ninja.

The ninja clan that fought back suffered considerable casualties, but Sunagakure also paid a price, with Rasa, a candidate for the Fourth Kazekage, seriously injured.

The fact that Furukawa Osamu, who would only be 11 years old in a few months, not only frightened the Sand Village ninjas, but also startled the Konoha ninjas who stayed behind in the village.

He had strength surpassing that of an ordinary Jonin at the age of 11?

In the news that reached the village, Furukawa Osamu's Water Release had been transformed into "Sea Release," and he had created a Lightning Release ninjutsu to defeat the Magnet Release, a bloodline limit.

His physical skills are even more astonishing; he can shatter puppets with his bare hands and crack the earth with a casual kick.

Most ninjas love to sing praises of the strong, which made the news spread more and more outrageous. Eventually, even ordinary people in the tavern would proudly puff out their chests when they mentioned Furukawa Osamu!

The information relayed by the Root ninjas was more accurate. Danzo fell silent after reading the intelligence. He had been monitoring for so long, yet he had never discovered Furukawa Osamu's astonishing strength.

In the dimly lit room, Danzo looked at his subordinate kneeling on the ground before him and gave a simple order:

"You've done a great job. Keep an eye on Osamu Furukawa."

"How is A's cultivation progress?"

"I may disappoint Lord Danzo, as the power of Kagami's ninjutsu has not met expectations."

The Root ninja wearing the tanuki mask bowed in response. Danzo nodded but said nothing, only showing increasing concern for the Wood Release plan, as he needed to acquire more power.

The Root medical ninja kept his head down when reporting on the progress of the experiment, seemingly worried about being punished, and repeatedly assured the reporter at the end:

"Lord Danzo, please give us a little more time!"

"We already have a plan for dealing with the rejection reaction; we just need to find some 'experimental materials'."

Danzo was somewhat disappointed; he hadn't expected to encounter so many difficulties simply in repeating the experiment. However, he was also aware of the corrosive nature of Hashirama cells, and ultimately satisfied his subordinate's request.

"The test subjects will be entering the lab soon, and I want to see the results as soon as possible."

Despite his subordinates' renewed promises, Danzo remained skeptical. At this moment, he missed Orochimaru even more. After a moment of contemplation, he made his decision:

"It seems I need to back down, Orochimaru. Don't disappoint me."

-

As a frontline commander, Orochimaru was extremely busy and had no time to deal with the Root ninjas' proposal for renewed cooperation.

After reinforcements arrived, Orochimaru focused most of his attention on the experimental subjects.

Late at night, in a simple underground laboratory in the Land of Rain, Orochimaru stared with fanatical eyes at Pakura on the experimental table:

"A strange change! The chakra of a bloodline limit ninja can indeed hold more information."

"Shu, you removed the consciousness from Hashirama's cells, and after merging into this body, you can absorb the body's information from the chakra."

After the girl on the experimental table was integrated with Hashirama's cells, her right arm had already shown some signs of lignification.

Pale-faced Furukawa Osamu, still suffering from the aftereffects of the [Gathering], felt compelled to speak up and offer a reminder upon hearing Orochi's praise:

"Orochimaru-sensei, we still haven't been able to completely resolve the rejection reaction."

"Currently, her body is still unable to fully integrate the life force within the cells."

Orochimaru didn't take it seriously. In his view, this level of mutation was acceptable. Thinking that Furukawa Osamu was still a child, he chuckled and replied in a hoarse voice:

"Xiu, the body is merely a vessel to hold the soul."

"As you get older, you'll understand my point of view."

Furukawa Osamu nodded without arguing. After arriving at the front line, he didn't ask Orochimaru about the process of capturing Yekura. Instead, he acted as an experimental assistant and quietly learned some biological knowledge.

Orochimaru was satisfied with Furukawa Osamu's attitude; some necessary sacrifices were needed on the path to immortality.

"I never imagined your Water Release ninjutsu had improved to this level. Danzo would be quite surprised."

"The Root insists on restarting the Wood Release project, so we can entrust them with finding some 'materials.' I also have some ideas regarding the rejection reaction."

Orochimaru made no attempt to conceal the information he had just received. In his view, the Root ninjas' medical ninjutsu was far inferior to that of Furukawa Osamu, and cooperating with them was merely a way to seek more resources.

Furukawa Osamu followed behind Orochimaru, responding with a nod of agreement, then changed the subject, asking:

"Orochimaru-sensei, if chakra can carry soul information, then what exactly is the Pure Land?"

"Is it possible for the soul after death to be transformed into chakra, a type of energy?"

Upon hearing the question, Orochimaru's pale face broke into a hysterical smile. After a few eerie laughs, he gave a brief reply:

"Excellent question! Xiu, it seems you've transcended the thinking of ordinary ninjas."

"I cannot give a precise answer, but that's precisely why we must explore these unknowns!"

After Orochimaru activated his talk-no-jutsu mode, a look of reverence appeared on Furukawa Osamu's face. Since his body began to evolve into the unity of spirit and flesh, his acting skills have gradually become natural.

-

After the defeat of Sunagakure, the Konoha ninjas on the front lines felt much more relaxed, and the young men, who had been through a brutal battle, were given time to rest.

Fugaku Uchiha suffered a minor injury and did not participate in the raid at the end of last month, but the clan head was in a very good mood after seeing the results.

The Uchiha clan suffered significant losses in the two weeks of fighting, with many young men who had not yet awakened their Sharingan sacrificing themselves in these conflicts.

There were sacrifices and gains. The clan's best ninjas underwent transformations on the battlefield. Perhaps due to the effectiveness of the medicine, the surviving boys all awakened the Sharingan.

The youngest is Uchiha Shisui, who will be 9 years old in a few months. His ninja talent has been unanimously recognized by the Uchiha ninjas!

As Uchiha Yatsuho proudly introduced these young men to Furukawa Osamu, Uchiha Fugaku, standing nearby, crossed his arms and sighed in admiration:

"Only after undergoing the test of blood and fire can the Uchiha clan complete its transformation!"

"These are necessary sacrifices, Xiu. Thanks to your care, otherwise some of these children would most likely have been left on this land forever."

Osamu Furukawa witnessed the breakdown of several Uchiha boys, with Shisui Uchiha experiencing the most significant emotional fluctuations, clearly amplified by Kyogenmaru.

"Chief Fugaku, it's still too early for them to engage in direct combat. It would be better to have them perform more patrol missions."

Fugaku Uchiha shook his head and looked at the boys, giving them earnest advice:

"I want you to see this reality as soon as possible."

"Ninjas are creatures of battle. Never forget this experience, because this is the world you will live in from now on."

"Even if it were my own son, I would teach him the same way. You must believe in the power of the Uchiha clan's bloodline!"

"Yes, Chieftain!"

The injured boys responded in unison, their confidence greatly boosted by the awakening of their Sharingan. Only the short-statured Uchiha Shisui quietly lowered his head, clenched his fists, and whispered to himself:

"I don't want this evil power."