Immortality begins with the ninjas of Konoha.

Chapter 91 "Visible betrayal is not so terrible..." (Seeking first subscription)

In mid-January of Konoha Year 49, the enemy's weak performance made the Konoha ninjas begin to look forward to a new round of war.

During the war, the village received subsidies, and the pay was higher than for ordinary missions. As long as one could survive, their income would naturally increase significantly.

Furthermore, the fact that they were the victorious nation meant that Konoha would have more responsibilities, and even the genin started discussing the situation on the front lines before the New Year.

As evening fell, Kakashi, his deadpan eyes squinting, joined the crowd in line outside the barbecue restaurant. Might Guy, standing nearby, occasionally burst into laughter, recounting his mission experiences in a small country: "The Land of Tea wasn't affected by the war; I've been doing missions there recently, and the rewards are incredibly generous!"

"It seems that many merchants have concentrated in the southern region, and we have contracted out all the tasks there."

"The Hokage is very understanding of us Chunin; these are all high-quality requests."

After being promoted to Chunin, aside from routinely going to the front lines to carry out missions and receive training, the village mostly assigns Chunin around the age of 12 to perform other missions.

Only those who perform exceptionally well and possess outstanding strength will continue to perform missions on the front lines. Might Guy did not force himself; as a Chunin, he was already able to take care of his father, and the two of them could look after each other while on missions together.

Genma Shiranui was the same. After his rotation, he returned to the village to perform ordinary tasks. He had a clear understanding of his own strength and looked at Kakashi with envy: "Kakashi, you're too strong!"

"I heard from my seniors that you'll be nominated for Jonin this year, no wonder you recently bought a new apartment."

Kakashi, radiating a cold aura, only snapped out of his daze upon hearing "new apartment." Noticing the envious looks from the others, he calmly replied, "I've been a Chunin for many years; it's only right that I was promoted to Jonin!"

"Hey, you need to consider the feelings of the genin!"

Ebisu complained with a dejected look that he was the only one who failed the Chunin Exams.

Kakashi sighed and looked at the group seriously, saying, "Apart from Guy, none of you are suitable to be Chunin. If possible, please do not team up with me, and definitely do not serve as my subordinates."

"I don't want to lay flowers at your memorial every year..."

"Kakashi, you bastard, what nonsense are you spouting now!"

Obito Uchiha, who arrived late, only heard the second half of the sentence and angrily rushed in front of him to argue loudly.

The name "Cold-blooded Kakashi" is widely known among Chunin. Only those who pursue mission efficiency and have outstanding ninja skills will partner with Kakashi, which leads to polarized opinions about him.

Nohara Rin, standing at the shop entrance, looked worried. She had also heard the rumors; Kakashi seemed to have reached an extreme situation.

After finishing queuing, Kurenai Yuhi tugged at the girl's sleeve and then whispered jokingly in her ear, "You should seize the opportunity to get to know her better!"

Rin Nohara blushed, put her hands behind her back, and admitted gracefully, "I really am blushing. I just felt that everyone hadn't seen Kakashi in a long time, so I wanted to have a meal together."

"He's been getting a bad reputation in the village lately, and as someone from the same graduating class, I want to help him change that."

Kurenai Yuhi looked up, a thoughtful expression on her face. Suddenly, she shared the news she had received from home, saying in an admiring tone, "As expected, Shu is still more capable. My father told me that Shu will be able to become a Jonin by March at the latest."

"We're not even qualified to know about the missions Xiu is currently undertaking. This is what a genius ninja is like! Who knows, maybe our class will produce a Hokage someday!"

Nohara Rin, who didn't work at Konoha Hospital, could only occasionally hear Furukawa Osamu's name from her team leader, Namikaze Minato.

Those high-level missions were too far removed from the girl's world. Nohara Rin was more interested in entering Kakashi's world, and she jokingly pulled Kurenai aside, asking, "Does Kurenai also admire Shu?"

"I think every young person in the village feels this way!"

When the group entered the barbecue restaurant, Obito was still criticizing Kakashi. When he saw Rin Nohara sit down next to him, he became even angrier and yelled loudly.

Sarutobi Asuma was overwhelmed by what he saw. He sat down in his seat with a dejected look on his face. Thinking about his father's daily nagging about retirement, his thoughts wandered: "Kakashi and Guy have outstanding talents, and Shu even has the potential to become Hokage."

"What is the purpose of my existence as an ordinary ninja who is taken care of by my family?"

In the underground laboratory in the dense forest on the west side of the village, Orochimaru looked at Furukawa Osamu, who was performing surgery on the experimental table, with admiration: "Unbelievable, you actually did it. The activated implanted Hashirama cells prevented the experimental subject from being corroded."

"Even Tsunade would have a hard time performing this!"

Lying on the experimental table, Yekura felt power surging through her left arm, and the refined chakra was also affected. Her mutated body was slowly recovering.

Without looking at Yekura's reaction, Furukawa frowned slightly and fell into deep thought. Then, he said with some regret, "This kind of activation causes cells to lose their original power and will eventually be assimilated by the body."

Noticing that Yekura had lost consciousness, Furukawa Osamu smiled and cut to the chase: "Orochimaru-sensei wants to feel the energy of nature, right? To activate his whole body, increase his chakra, find a balance point, and finally synthesize Sage Chakra."

"It is theoretically possible, but the body will also be completely changed, since it relies on cell modification."

Orochimaru didn't give a direct response. He glanced at Furukawa Osamu and changed the subject in a deep voice: "Osamu, your classmates, your teachers, and the village's higher-ups probably don't know this other side of you—your indifference to life and your fanaticism for eternity!"

"In their eyes, you have perfectly inherited the Will of Fire, but unfortunately, becoming Hokage is definitely not your pursuit."

"Is it because of your increased strength? I can sense the change in you."

It had been a long time since we'd heard Orochimaru's talk-no-jutsu. Furukawa Osamu looked at his teacher with surprise, pondered for a moment, and replied simply, "Orochimaru-sensei is the same, isn't he? I just want to help Tsunade-sensei become Hokage."

"This wish should come true soon, and then I can go and pursue my own dreams."

"Eternal life is more meaningful; that's what you taught me, teacher."

When the topic turned to "eternity," Orochimaru regained his usual confident demeanor and no longer dwelled on Furukawa Osamu's transformation: "Danzo doesn't seem to have given up yet. Kakashi will soon become the next White Fang of Konoha. You should have heard the gossip in the village."

"He probably won't make the same choice as Sakumo; this child has already gone down a different path."

Orochimaru noticed that Furukawa Osamu showed no change in emotion, and raised his voice slightly to ask, "Osamu, will you watch him become a tool of Root?"

"We're almost 12 years old now, we're not little kids anymore."

Osamu Furukawa spoke up to remind Orochimaru, who was still not getting to the point, and could only say with a serious face, "Orochimaru-sensei, it's time to seriously discuss the plan to infiltrate Sunagakure. After the war, obtaining the One-Tailed Chakra won't be so easy."

"Cultivating the chakra of a tailed beast is no easy task; we'll have to rely on you, teacher, for this."

Orochimaru nodded, chuckled nervously twice, and didn't bring up Root matters again. He tossed out a scroll and earnestly instructed, "I have accurate intelligence. Sunagakure is attempting to activate the Tailed Beast weapons. This should be their last attempt."

"I've written the plan here. With our capabilities, collecting some experimental materials shouldn't be difficult."

Furukawa Osamu showed a respectful expression, placed the scroll in the ninja tool bag behind him, and was about to flatter him when the blue snake suddenly wrapped itself around him affectionately.

After giving instructions, Orochimaru escorted Furukawa Osamu out of the lab. Upon returning, Aobozu reappeared beside him: "Little guy, could you sense the aura of natural energy?"

Seeing the green snake swaying its head from side to side, Orochimaru couldn't help but show a look of disappointment. The inheritance of Ryuchi Cave was too dangerous, and Sage Chakra was the key to his achieving immortality. He needed to make thorough preparations.

Furukawa's modified Hashirama cells were very appealing, but he always felt there was something wrong with them.

Orochimaru took one last look at the Scorch Release test subject, but ultimately couldn't bring himself to modify his own body: "Visible betrayal isn't scary, Osamu Furukawa. What are you really pursuing?"

The green snake silently flicked its tongue, carefully sensing Orochimaru's body. Finding nothing amiss, it released the summoning jutsu with a bang.

The secret medicine awaits it; it is not one of those beasts incapable of cultivation.