The lab was dim, humming softly with the low vibration of machinery. Sparks flickered occasionally as the latest prototype internal combustion engine roared softly under containment, infused not with oil or gas, but something far more potent—Chakra powered by Yang energy.
The kinetic energy being unleashed was unlike anything Andrew had ever seen, even in his past life. The power output completely shattered the limits of any combustion series he could remember from Earth.
"This is insane!" Andrew marveled, eyes wide. "Orochimaru! Try incorporating Hashirama cells into this engine's core. Let's push it further."
Even the infamous Sannin looked surprised by the request. Orochimaru, ever the pioneer of combining biology with technology, smirked. "Fascinating, isn't it? Chakra's potential is nearly limitless when married to proper design. Especially with the vitality of Hashirama's cells."
Andrew nodded, still stunned. Orochimaru continued, his voice calm yet brimming with curiosity. "While the First Hokage's cells are perfect for manipulating Chakra, I must say… the blueprint you brought in is the true masterpiece. There are sections I still can't decipher. The energy conversion matrix, for example—how Chakra flows and is released—makes no conventional sense."
Andrew waved him off hurriedly. "Don't ask me! I didn't design it. It came from a… let's say, mysterious source. Just focus on getting the output working."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, suspicious. But without proof, he let it go. "Very well. This version is ready to go. But be cautious. The Hashirama cells, though vigorous, degrade over time if not supported by an active Chakra flow."
He handed Andrew a sealed case. "These are diluted cells derived from the blood sample of Uchiha Itachi. I've processed them. They won't reject or devour the host upon injection. But their effects… that, you'll need to discover firsthand."
Andrew's gaze turned solemn as he looked at the vial. He knew Orochimaru wasn't just handing him a cure—this was an answer to the Uchiha clan's long-standing curse.
Orochimaru, leaning back against the operating table, spoke slowly. "The Mangekyō Sharingan is a double-edged blade. Its power is unmatched… but its cost is brutal. What we're seeing in Itachi's condition is not merely fatigue—it's an erosion of the body by Senjutsu chakra, specifically from the Yin side, each time he activates the Mangekyō."
Andrew sighed. "Itachi brought this on himself. He overused Susan—his Susanoo—to the point of collapse. Especially in that battle with Chong Yan. He drove his Mangekyō beyond its natural limits."
He could still recall how Itachi had summoned the mature Susanoo and even wielded sacred tools, only to pay the price in his deteriorating body.
"For those born with a Uchiha bloodline, their chakra leans heavily toward Yin. So, using Hashirama cells—rooted in Yang energy—is the only real way to balance it."
Andrew now understood Danzo's logic. His crude experiments were horrifying, but not baseless. A yin-yang balance was key to survival.
"If done right," Orochimaru added, "Itachi won't just stabilize—he may even regain clarity and delay blindness. And it's not just him. If you bring Fugaku and Shisui here too, and we inject them as well, we might create three potential candidates for eternal Mangekyō."
Andrew nodded. "That's the plan. With my eyes already stabilized as Eternal Mangekyō, they'll serve as backups. We can't risk losing our powerbase now."
He tucked the vial into his scroll pouch. "But that's not all. I have another task for you."
Orochimaru raised a brow as Andrew revealed a small container—a vial containing preserved male reproductive fluid.
Orochimaru was about to ask about the earlier chakra blast Andrew had released but held his tongue. Curiosity could wait.
"I need you to get in touch with Iwagakure," Andrew said firmly. "Help them out on the Tianno battlefield. Weapons, intelligence, supplies, even science—whatever it takes. But don't engage directly in war."
Orochimaru blinked. "You want me to help Rock Shinobi… fight Cloud Shinobi?"
The Snake Sannin looked baffled. "Why not just declare war? If you're this invested, why not go all in?"
Andrew rolled his eyes. "Because I'm not interested in leading wars. Uchiha needs funding to grow, and you need funds for your twisted science. If Cloud Shinobi dominates, Iwagakure won't buy a thing from us. So we keep the war going. Make Cloud Shinobi bleed a little. That's all."
Realization lit Orochimaru's face. "I see. You're not trying to win the war—you're trying to prolong it to profit from both sides. Clever."
"Exactly," Andrew confirmed. "But don't do anything stupid. I know you're not weak, but don't think you can take a handful of genin and change the tides of war."
Orochimaru chuckled. "Don't worry. I'll make Cloud Shinobi regret underestimating this conflict."
Still, deep down, Orochimaru had his reservations. His own grudge against Iwagakure still lingered. Years ago, it was Rock Shinobi who ambushed and nearly killed him during a mission in a cave. But orders were orders—and money was money.
---
Meanwhile, deep within Iwagakure, the situation was tense. But the tension wasn't coming from the battlefield—it was coming from within.
Onoki, the aging Tsuchikage, was under immense pressure. Not just from the advancing Cloud Shinobi forces, but from his own people.
The Fourth Raikage's strategy had been unexpectedly effective. By splitting his forces and launching multiple skirmishes, he shattered Rock Shinobi's morale, drained their war funds, and destabilized their command structure.
Onoki had managed to secure emergency funds from the Land of Earth's daimyo, but money alone couldn't replace lost equipment. You could substitute food pills with normal meals in a pinch—but kunai, shuriken, and explosive tags were a different matter.
Ninja tools were expensive, requiring skilled forging and materials. Production couldn't keep up with battlefield consumption. Worse still, a single Cloud Shinobi raid had wiped out one of Iwagakure's largest weapon stockpiles.
Beyond the battlefield, the villagers were also suffering. The Land of Earth wasn't exactly a paradise—its natural resources were better than the Wind Country's, but its terrain remained harsh.
Iwagakure's quality of life had always been second to Konoha or even Kirigakure. Onoki's decision to funnel nearly all funds into military investment had turned the village into a fortress—and a starving one at that.
Was Iwagakure powerful? Without a doubt. They once held off the Third Raikage for three days and three nights using sheer numbers and brute tactics. But that kind of power had a cost.
The village's infrastructure was crumbling. Its people, loyal as they were, could only tighten their belts for so long. One whisper of revolt could send the entire machine spiraling.
And the Fourth Raikage knew that.
He didn't just want to beat Iwagakure in the field—he wanted to destroy their will. Let them fight with empty wallets, broken blades, and starving civilians.
And the war had only just begun.
---
Back in Otogakure, Orochimaru entered his lab again, eyes gleaming with thought.
"I'll send scouts and ensure Iwagakure receives just enough support to survive—but never enough to win," he muttered. "Just as Andrew wanted."
As his assistant approached, Orochimaru smiled.
"It's time to turn war into profit."
And so, behind the shadows of the five great villages, a new kind of war was being fought—not with steel and chakra alone, but with economics, science, and silent manipulation.
---
Highlights Recap (Bold Events):
Andrew requests Orochimaru to fuse Hashirama cells with a chakra engine, pushing the limits of ninja tech.
Orochimaru reveals that the Mangekyō Sharingan erodes the body via Senjutsu chakra.
Andrew plans to stabilize Uchiha Mangekyō users with Hashirama cells, including Shisui and Fugaku.
Andrew orders Orochimaru to aid Iwagakure—not to win, but to keep the war profitable.
Onoki faces internal collapse as Cloud Shinobi's tactics drain Iwagakure's morale and resources.
Orochimaru prepares to manipulate the war subtly, aligning with Andrew's strategy.
--------------------------
Visit our Patreon for more:
Get membership in patreon to read more chapters
Extra chapters available in patreon
patreon.com/Dragonscribe31
-----------------------------------------------------