"Any new developments with the experiment?" Danzo asked, getting straight to the point.
"Transplantinga the First Hokage's cells isn't easy," Orochimaru replied in his unique, raspy voice.
"I expect you to accelerate your progress!" Danzo urged, his face expressionless. "Remember, without my protection, your laboratory would have been discovered by the village long ago!"
"In that case, your Root organization should increase its support! Also, my theory is that the First Hokage's cells can be made compatible with the Sharingan, but I need some Uchiha subjects!"
Orochimaru licked his lips.
"The war with Iwagakure is over; we've lost the best opportunity. But things are still unstable, so there may be other chances. I'll keep an eye out."
"I need other resources. Here's the list!" Orochimaru handed Danzo a pre-prepared note.
Danzo took it, glanced at it, and pocketed it without a word, turning to leave.
After a few steps, Danzo stopped and reminded Orochimaru, "My men said someone was here earlier. Be careful and don't get exposed."
"Is that so? It's not a big deal. If I'm exposed, I'll just leave the village," Orochimaru chuckled.
Danzo said nothing more and left with his men.
Neither Danzo nor Orochimaru knew that Uchiha Kouki had witnessed their meeting through the Telescope Technique.
"Looks like they didn't detect me."
Uchiha Kouki, having observed them, put away the glass ball and ended the Telescope Technique. He wasn't a peeping Tom; he was only interested in confirming whether he had been exposed.
He didn't care about the alliance between Orochimaru and Danzo, except that they planned to capture Uchiha for experimentation.
Based on what he knew from the series and their conversation, Uchiha Kouki concluded that Danzo and Orochimaru were working together to transplant Sharingan onto Danzo's arm. The First Hokage's cells were for the Sharingan transplant.
"I hope they don't target my family and friends; otherwise, I'll have to retaliate," Uchiha Kouki thought.
Having been reborn for six months, he felt a sense of belonging to the Uchiha clan. He couldn't ignore the care his parents had shown him; he considered the Uchiha couple his real parents. He also had new friends within the clan.
Now that he possessed great power, he couldn't stand by and watch those close to him be harmed. However, he didn't care about other Uchiha he didn't know. If they fell victim to Orochimaru and Danzo, it was simply bad luck.
The next day, Uchiha Kouki clocked in, went to work, and patrolled as usual.
The work was monotonous, but chatting and joking with his clanmates made it bearable.
"Did you hear? Konoha and Kirigakure ninjas had another skirmish yesterday, with casualties on both sides."
"Of course. Kirigakure's Ao led the team, trying to strike us from behind, but Shisui scared them off."
"Haha, Ao? The one who stole a Byakugan from the Hyūga clan? He runs from us Uchiha!"
"We Uchiha are the best! Konoha needs us!"
"Alright, enough about that. Who's the most beautiful woman in Konoha? Have you decided?"
Uchiha Kouki interrupted, changing the subject. If he didn't, it would turn into a rant about the Uchiha's grievances with Konoha, creating tension and leading to the Uchiha mistreating civilians, further damaging their reputation.
"Of course, it's Yūhi Kurenai. You're lucky, Kouki. I heard you're always at the training grounds. Are you trying to get with Kurenai?"
Mentioning women successfully changed the subject, and everyone began discussing and debating enthusiastically. The earlier tension was forgotten.
"Uchiha Kouki! Stop right there!"
A frustrated, angry voice suddenly rang out.
Uchiha Kouki and the others turned to see a young man storming towards them from another path – Sarutobi Asuma, the Third Hokage's son.
"It's Asuma-sama. What's with the temper?" the Uchiha said, mocking Asuma.
"None of your business!" Asuma snapped.
"Don't think you can act so arrogant just because you're the Hokage's son!" the Uchiha retorted.
Despite their words, they wouldn't actually harm the Hokage's son.
"Stay out of this! I'm here for Uchiha Kouki!" Asuma yelled.
"Young Asuma is such a thug," Uchiha Kouki said, amused.
The middle-aged Asuma was laid-back and generous, but young Asuma was a delinquent, arguing with his father and running away, completely different.
"He's here for me. I'll handle this," Uchiha Kouki said to his companions, stepping forward to face Asuma.
"Spit it out!" Uchiha Kouki said, looking at Asuma.
"Stay away from Kurenai! Otherwise, I'll make you regret it!" Sarutobi Asuma threatened.
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