"Be careful of Mei Terumī?"
Hearing Jiraiya's words, Ren Uchiha froze.
He could understand why Chiyo would target him—after all, he had killed her brother, Ebizō. But with Ebizō gone, as one of the few powerhouses remaining in the Sand, Chiyo should be needed at the front lines. Why would she suddenly appear in the Land of Hot Water?
But the other piece of intelligence from Jiraiya was even more bizarre.
Watch out for Mei Terumī?
A month ago, Mei had been his comrade-in-arms. Along with Hidan and Shinno, they had wiped out the leadership of the Jashin Cult in the Land of Hot Water. It was a significant achievement.
However, although Mei possessed the rare dual Bloodline Limits of Lava and Boil Release, her strength hadn't seemed particularly outstanding to Ren during their time together. Perhaps it was her youth, but the performance of her techniques didn't quite live up to the title of "genius" in a high-stakes battle.
Given his current strength, if they clashed, she should be the one being careful.
"I know it's hard to wrap your head around, but never underestimate those two women," Jiraiya said, shaking his head. He pulled a scroll from the storage pouch at his waist. "The situation in the Land of Hot Water is far more complex than you imagine."
"Read it on the road. As for now—" Jiraiya paused, looking toward the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
A rhythmic tapping sounded. It wasn't so much a request for entry as a notification of arrival. The door pushed open, revealing a man clad in a black cloak, wearing sleek sunglasses, with a purple mark tattooed on his right cheek.
It was Ren's superior, Aburame Ryōma.
Ryōma glanced at Ren on the bed, raising an eyebrow slightly. "You seem to have recovered well. Come with me. The Third Hokage wishes to see you."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the village...
In the vast, expensive laboratory built by Orochimaru, an old man stood with a black robe draped over his shoulders. Bandages covered his head and right eye, and his hands rested on a wooden cane.
Danzō Shimura.
He stood behind Orochimaru, watching with indifference as the Sannin dissected a Sand Village spy captured by Root. The spy was "material" Danzō had provided.
After a long silence, seeing that Orochimaru was still immersed in his experiment and ignoring him, Danzō frowned.
"Orochimaru, how much longer will you continue this futile effort?" Danzō's voice was cold. "The events of seven years ago proved that merging Wood Style into the human body is a dead end."
"Stop this experiment immediately. Focus on a way for me to control the Sharingan. Then, take to the battlefield, seize glory, and become the Fourth Hokage. Once you are in power, you can do whatever you wish. Remember who has always supported you!"
Orochimaru slowly peeled off his blood-stained gloves. Without turning around, he let out a playful, raspy chuckle.
"Hehe... My, my. Is Lord Danzō in such a hurry for the next step?"
"Have you already implanted Wood Style? Is it the power of the Uchiha that makes you nervous? It seems the Sharingan in your right eye is struggling to suppress that energy. That's why you've come to me... isn't it?"
Danzō's expression didn't change, but a deep sense of wariness and confusion flickered in his eyes. How could Orochimaru know?
His decision to merge with Wood Style had been a snap judgment made after meeting Ren Uchiha. On the day he summoned the boy, Danzō had intended to forcibly seize the Tailed Beast within him.
But the moment he saw the kid, Danzō hesitated. Through the Sharingan active behind his bandages, he had sensed an exceptionally powerful, chilling energy hidden in Ren's eyes—something vastly different from normal chakra or ocular power.
Combined with the boy's status as a Jinchūriki, Danzō's instincts screamed: I am not his match. A cold sweat had broken out on his brow.
Seeing the eager battle-thirst in the kid's eyes—as if he were dying for a reason to pick a fight with Root—Danzō had immediately swapped tactics, playing the role of a "kindly grandfather" and gifting him the Reverse Four Symbols Seal.
Playing nice with a "wicked Uchiha brat" had nearly made Danzō gag. Immediately afterward, he had gathered Root's experts to undergo an "upgrade" himself.
Facing Orochimaru's exposure now, Danzō remained calm. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"You don't?" Orochimaru smiled darkly. "Then leave. I have nothing for you. You can try swapping out Sharingans to delay the woodification... but as for how many eyes you can get... well, that depends on the Uchiha clan's attitude, doesn't it?"
"Whether I am making 'futile efforts' or not... perhaps that depends on your sincerity, Lord Danzō."
Danzō's face finally twitched at the blatant blackmail. He was certain now: Orochimaru knew exactly what was happening. His face darkened.
"Orochimaru, what have you done? How do you know this?!"
Orochimaru turned around, tossing his gloves into the trash. He looked at the "Darkness of the Shinobi" and hummed hoarsely.
"Lord Danzō... you've misunderstood something. But allow me to clarify—right now, you are the one begging me!"
Danzō's face contorted with fury. "You—!"
Orochimaru's gaze turned predatory, his golden slit pupils looking down at Danzō. "Give me the child named 'Kinoe.' Otherwise... you can wait for death to take you."
Danzō remained silent for a long time. Orochimaru held the core technology—the life-saving research that Root's own "experts" couldn't solve. And with the village currently on better terms with the Uchiha, hunting for fresh Sharingans was too risky.
Finally, Danzō gritted his teeth and let out a frustrated huff. "Hmph! You had better give me a perfect result, Orochimaru. Or you know the consequences!"
BANG!
Danzō slammed the door and stormed off in a rage.
A cryptic smile played on Orochimaru's lips. He performed a hand seal, summoning a small white snake. He let it swallow a pre-written scroll and watched it glide silently toward the Hokage Building.
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