Immortality begins with the ninjas of Konoha

In mid-August of Konoha Year 48, Shikkotsu Forest remained a peaceful scene.

Live slugs of varying sizes appear from time to time in the woods, and whenever Furukawa Osamu walks by, these clones greet him in soft, sweet voices:

"Master Xiu!"

Furukawa Osamu spent more than half a month cultivating here, focusing not only on perfecting his immortal techniques but also on adjusting his body's "cellular structure."

This requires the cooperation of the living slug itself, as well as the injection of some energy generated from the roots of the mutated divine tree.

Fortunately, thanks to [Gathering], Furukawa Osamu completed the initial "unity of spirit and body", and this physical transformation went very smoothly.

Around noon, Furukawa Osamu arrived at the huge cave where the live slug's true form was located. Looking up at the white Zetsu hanging above, he smiled and praised it:

"I never expected this body could be reused, Slug. It's all thanks to your ability to manipulate the power of these tree roots."

The slug's main body merely wiggled its tentacles, generating a gust of air. Left with no other option, it created another clone, which quickly wriggled to Furukawa's side and responded regretfully:

"I'm so sorry, Lord Xiu!"

"After re-energizing this body, the original Wood Release technique can no longer be used."

"The roots of the divine tree here have been assimilated by me, and their energy is very different from the original energy. They are closer to Sage Chakra."

"Even if the repairs are completed, this body will be of no use in the battle."

After Furukawa Osamu [collected] White Zetsu, the opponent's body lost all energy and became shriveled. Now, after being adjusted by the live slug, White Zetsu's body has regained its vitality.

"Fighting? I've never even dared to dream of that."

"It's enough that this body can replicate chakra and contain spirits. I hope it can help me create some 'alibs'."

"After all, the next step is to prepare to search for the chakra of Indra and Ashura, and that is the most important thing."

As Osamu Furukawa spoke of the plan, the slug's spirits rose. Witnessing the evolution of her kind these past few days had made her increasingly happy.

"With Lord Xiu's current strength, the subsequent actions will surely yield results!"

"As long as he continues to evolve, Master Xiu will be able to extend his lifespan once again."

Through the resonance with the live slug, Osamu Furukawa successfully achieved "unity of spirit and flesh".

Tsunade's Creation Rebirth ninjutsu was also incorporated into Furukawa Osamu's body. Under the control of the spirit of the Hundred Healings Seal, Creation Rebirth has become a "passive skill" of his body.

Currently, the cells of Furukawa Shuu's body contain his own consciousness, automatically absorbing natural energy. The spirit within the Hundred Healings Seal governs his entire body through techniques, constantly transforming Sage Chakra.

Although the conversion efficiency of spirits is not high, it is stable and does not require too much mental effort.

Once the seal is broken, efficiency will increase exponentially, and creation and regeneration will be activated.

Furukawa Osamu was very satisfied with this combination of immortal techniques. The downside was that he would be greatly depleted after being injured in battle, but the live slug could help him "recharge," so this drawback could be ignored.

"Living Slug, you've had a tough time these past few days. Every time I used my shadow clones to practice my immortal arts, the fatigue would transfer to you after the resonance..."

A slug the size of a palm wriggled on Furukawa Osamu's shoulder, seemingly not quite understanding what he was saying, and interrupted him:

"Lord Xiu, what is fatigue?"

"We had a lot of fun practicing Sage Mode together. The Rasenshuriken is a really powerful technique!"

"..."

Furukawa Osamu suddenly fell silent, subconsciously glancing at the enormous form of the slug. His eye twitched slightly; he had underestimated this immortal. Finally, he sighed helplessly.

"A long life is truly something to look forward to!"

-

On the Iron Country Peninsula, in a region called the Graveyard of Mountains, sounds have been frequently heard recently.

After the strange situation was noticed by ordinary people, rumors of "haunting" began to circulate in the area.

With the Gedo Mazo successfully moved deeper into the mountain and the barrier spells set up within it, Madara Uchiha was finally at ease.

For a full two weeks, the White Zetsu worked diligently, but still failed to detect any changes in energy at the remaining roots of the Divine Tree.

Madara Uchiha became increasingly cautious. Although he believed that he could still defeat a Kage-level powerhouse with his aged body, he did not want to make any unnecessary mistakes for the sake of his grand plan.

Fortunately, half a month has passed, and no "punitive force" or "Uchiha or Senju clan conspirators" have appeared. No one in the ninja world has discovered his existence.

"Lord Madara, through possession, we have confirmed that no Mangekyou Sharingan has been born within the Uchiha clan."

"In the clan association of Naka Shrine, Fugaku Uchiha simply keeps sending clansmen to the battlefield for training. In recent months, the number of young people who have awakened the Sharingan has been slowly increasing."

The newly awakened ancient White Zetsu is stronger and more intelligent than its inferior companions, and can report its work in a reasoned and well-founded manner.

Madara Uchiha lowered his head, a thoughtful expression on his wrinkled face, and muttered to himself:

"Without the Mangekyou Sharingan, how could one detect a White Zetsu?"

"Since no successors discovered the secret of the Uchiha and Senju clans, and it wasn't absorbed, where did the Divine Tree's energy go?"

"Could it be that there is someone in the ninja world who can use the energy of the Divine Tree?"

The surrounding White Zetsu remained silent until Madara Uchiha stopped speaking, at which point one of the White Zetsu reminded him in a comical tone:

"Lord Madara, it might be Osamu Furukawa. We only have two missions, and the missing energy might be related to him."

Madara Uchiha looked up at the group of "idiots" and replied in a mocking tone:

"How could an ordinary genius ninja master this true power?"

The White Zetsu remained silent, and Madara Uchiha didn't expect these tools to provide him with advice. After a moment of contemplation, he solemnly instructed:

"There is a hidden genius in the Uchiha clan. He should have already awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan."

"Be careful, he might have already noticed we're being watched."

“Continue to observe carefully, or you can extend an invitation to him, for he possesses this talent and is qualified to inherit my will.”

"Yes, Lord Madara!"

Madara Uchiha was still pondering after hearing the response. He suddenly remembered the medicine the White Zetsu had mentioned earlier, and muttered to himself again:

"Could it be that the drugs that helped awaken the Sharingan allowed the three-tomoe Sharingan to evolve?"

"After reading the inscription on the stone tablet, what choice will you, my descendants, make?"

-

At the end of August, when Osamu Furukawa returned to the village, the Chunin Exams had reached their final round of individual battles.

Currently, only the front line of the Land of Hot Springs is frequently harassed by the Hidden Cloud Village; the other two battlefields are experiencing fewer and fewer conflicts.

Might Guy has been mainly on missions with his father during this period. The Third Hokage took good care of him, which is why he was able to get some suitable missions.

In the dumpling shop on Mingcha Street, Matt Kai, while devouring three-colored dumplings, mumbled with wide eyes:

"Xiu, you've changed so much!"

As Furukawa Osamu sat near the street, not only did his fellow students at the dango shop look at him with curiosity, but even passersby cast curious glances his way:

"It's only a tiny bit of progress."

Chapter 79 "Retreating to Advance" - Uchiha (Please continue reading)

In early September, Osamu Furukawa will be turning 11, and Tsunade, as always, generously gifted him a long sword made of chakra metal in advance.

Although it's not needed right now, this weapon will be a perfect fit once Furukawa Osamu continues to grow taller.

At Konoha Hospital, the girls were chattering away early in the morning. With fewer wounded, everyone was in the mood for gossip again, and they were all "giving advice" to Shizune.

"Birthday night is the best opportunity to confess your feelings!"

"What? Confessing your feelings on your birthday is likely to get you rejected. It's better to do it a few days in advance."

"How could I refuse? Furukawa-kun is so gentle..."

"I heard from my senior that Furukawa-kun was called 'Furukawa Shura' by the Sand Village ninjas. Shura means slaughter, right?"

"That was on the battlefield. In the hospital, Furukawa-kun was both handsome and gentle, and he always smiled when talking to everyone. No wonder Shizune always blushed and ran away..."

As Shizune heard the group's increasingly outrageous remarks, she could only angrily call them out to leave. While the group was still laughing and joking, Furukawa Osamu and Tsunade appeared outside the office door.

"It can actually increase the number of cell divisions?"

"In this way, the shortcomings of creation and regeneration can indeed be made up for."

"It's too difficult to modify cells through activation; I probably won't be able to master that technique."

"Are you trying to make me look foolish?"

Wearing a blue Jonin casual outfit, Tsunade turned her head and complained while holding the documents. She had left home too early and hadn't styled her hair in pigtails, making her look younger than usual.

Furukawa Osamu dodged Tsunade's attack by tilting his body to the side, took the document from her hand, and continued:

"Chakra is a kind of energy that enables people to communicate with each other. The higher the quality, the more information it carries."

"Teacher, I should be able to help you reconstruct the Hundred Healings Technique."

Finally, Furukawa whispered something to Tsunade, who nodded slightly, indicating her approval of the proposed body modification suggestions.

Seeing the two so close, Shizune subconsciously tugged at her Chunin vest. The girl felt a little disappointed; she still couldn't keep up with the genius.

"What's wrong, Jingyin? Don't you like this breakfast?"

Shizune only snapped out of her daze when she heard Furukawa Osamu's voice. Looking up, she saw his familiar yet unfamiliar profile and could only stammer a reply:

"I love it! I really love it... Xiu, thank you for breakfast."

Sitting in her seat, Tsunade watched Shizune run off, her face flushed, and shook her head helplessly. Once all the girls in the office had left, she muttered to herself again:

Will the Hundred Healings Technique also change one's temperament?

Furukawa Osamu stroked his chin, feigning deep thought, and finally pointed to the deep purple mark on his forehead, responding with a smile:

"It's probably because of the mark; you'll get used to it."

Tsunade didn't ask any further questions. As ninjas, everyone has their own trump cards. She just felt that Furukawa Osamu had merged with "nature," and his entire demeanor had changed drastically.

-

Invited to the Uchiha clan's territory that evening, Furukawa Shuichi once again drew gasps of amazement from everyone on his way there. During the banquet, even Uchiha Fugaku expressed his admiration several times.

The Uchiha youths who survived the main battle took turns expressing their gratitude. Although the Three-Colored Pill had some aftereffects, it could awaken the Sharingan, so the side effects were not worth mentioning!

“There are sacrifices to make greater gains. Xiu, we have discussed this several times in the clan council and decided to give up part of the guard force’s staff.”

"Once the war is won, the Uchiha clan will only retain the First Guard Unit."

"I hope that the elite ninjas in the clan can work in the Anbu and do their part for the Fourth Hokage!"

Perhaps because he had attended so many clan meetings, Fugaku Uchiha seemed unusually relaxed about "borrowing" his future position, implicitly assuming that Tsunade would be the Fourth Hokage.

Furukawa Osamu hadn't expected his previous suggestion to actually pass smoothly within the Uchiha clan. Seeing Fugaku Uchiha's confident expression, he whispered a reminder:

“Clan Chief Fugaku, if such a decision is made, the village’s funding for the Uchiha clan will be reduced.”

"Don't worry! Xiu, we hope to increase the clan's income through the herb business."

"During this time, I have also reached some agreements with the other ninja clans in the village, so I will not cause any trouble for the Hokage."

When Fugaku Uchiha talked about the plan, he looked at Osamu Furukawa with a burning gaze. The herb business still needed Tsunade's approval.

Once they control the upstream raw materials, the Uchiha clan can use their established channels to dump their products on other small countries and ninja villages.

Furukawa Osamu doesn't mind the spread of the mutated herbs, because he has always controlled the "source," and he can reap rich rewards if he authorizes it to the ninja clan.

"The problem isn't the herbs themselves, but the market for herbs will shrink once the war ends."

"Chief Fugaku, there is no need to rush."

Fugaku Uchiha laughed heartily, explaining that besides making money, the herbs could also be used to develop and improve the Kyonenmaru.

After testing on the battlefield, it was found that some Uchiha ninjas' ocular power was enhanced after taking the Kyogenmaru, a discovery that brought great joy to the clan!

"As a member of the village, the Uchiha clan doesn't mind giving up some benefits."

“Xiu, you should know that we, like everyone else, have inherited the Will of Fire.”

"We are willing to make changes as long as we can let go of past prejudices."

Instead of revealing the real reason, Fugaku Uchiha invoked a grand principle. As the inheritor of the Will of Fire, Osamu Furukawa naturally showed admiration upon hearing this and respectfully replied:

"With Clan Chief Fugaku around, the Sharingan will definitely appear on the Shadow Rock in the future. I really look forward to that day!"

Hearty laughter frequently filled the banquet. This time, they were taking a step back to advance. Everyone in the clan believed that as long as their strength continued to grow, the Uchiha clan would eventually obtain the position of Hokage.