It wasn't long before Orochimaru returned to the stronghold. Meeting again as old acquaintances, the two naturally exchanged a few polite greetings.
Orochimaru spoke first, "Your Shadow Clone is still alive. That means everything with your main body must be going smoothly."
Anya nodded, "There shouldn't be any issues; otherwise, the soul force from my main body would've already returned."
"As expected. I knew it—the Shikkotsu Forest Sage Art is effective against the seal on your body."
Anya replied sincerely, "Thank you."
Orochimaru shook his head, "No need to thank me. This counts as something you owe me, and debts must be repaid."
"Of course," Anya immediately agreed.
"Now, I'm the one who needs your help," Orochimaru said bluntly, making his request without hesitation.
This caught Anya off guard, causing him to hesitate slightly as he responded, "Serpent Master, I'm just a clone—my capabilities are limited."
"That's right—a mere clone. Dying won't be a big deal," Orochimaru replied with a sinister smile.
Anya sighed, "Serpent Master, let's hear what kind of assistance you need first."
"Don't look so reluctant. It's actually good news. Come with me." Orochimaru led Anya into the deepest laboratory, where a boy with orange hair and similarly colored eyes stood. He had a large frame and a youthful face but exuded intense pressure.
Orochimaru introduced him enthusiastically, "This is Jugo."
Anya had heard the name before—he was apparently someone who would later join Sasuke's Taka team, though he didn't really stand out much in terms of achievements.
After glancing at him a few times, Anya simply shifted his gaze elsewhere, uninterested.
"Don't underestimate this kid," Orochimaru warned seriously. "He's a natural Sage by birth—one who can absorb surrounding Natural Energy. However, in areas with strong Natural Energy, he'll lose control and go berserk." He added solemnly, "Through him, I discovered the location of the sacred site—Ryuchi Cave."
At this point, Anya suddenly became interested, even gaining a vague understanding of Orochimaru's intentions.
"You're planning to have me help you master the Sage Art in Ryuchi Cave?"
"Yes," Orochimaru admitted straightforwardly. "I'm quite intrigued by the Power of the Sage."
Anya asked suspiciously, "Why don't you go yourself?"
"I've already been there," Orochimaru answered with some regret. "Unfortunately, my body couldn't withstand the Natural Energy of the Sage Art—I eventually failed."
Now it all made sense. Anya pressed further, "Then what happens if the cultivation fails?"
Those who fail at Mount Myoboku turn to stone statues; those who fail at Shikkotsu Forest leave behind only corpses and bones. As another of the Three Sacred Lands, Ryuchi Cave obviously holds its own dangers too.
Orochimaru casually replied, "What do you think makes Manda so fond of eating humans?"
Got it. They're all part of the same tradition. If you fail, you get eaten.
So...
Anya curiously asked, "Serpent Master, if you failed, why are you still alive?"
"Do you see many animals eating their own kind?"
Ah, right. With your constitution, Snake Uncle, you really are more like a snake.
After clarifying everything, Anya decisively agreed, "Fine then, I'll go."
"Perfect. Let's go." Orochimaru wasted no time and immediately prepared to lead Anya onward.
"Wait, not now. I still have something to do with this clone."
Orochimaru quickly understood and couldn't help but complain, "Every time you come here, you're asking for my help. What is it this time?"
Anya grinned awkwardly and said, "This time, it's a collaboration. The Uchiha clan is about to collapse, and I want to save someone from them without anyone knowing."
"So?"
"Uncle, please help me create a clone, and I'll bring you some Sharingan eyes. How does that sound?"
Orochimaru wasn't very interested in Anya's proposed collaboration. He had already mastered the ordinary Sharingan; only a Mangekyo Sharingan could truly capture his interest.
"Has that person awakened the Sharingan yet?"
"No."
"Then it should be simple enough," Orochimaru remarked casually. "Your clone is actually more suitable for creating clones. After adding body cells and tissues, it can easily pass as the real thing."
Anya exclaimed happily, "Really?"
"You need to find the cloning instructions yourself. After this matter is settled, you must come to Ryuchi Cave immediately. My patience has its limits."
Orochimaru was patient enough with Anya, but after all, this was just a clone, so he naturally felt somewhat resentful.
"Fine, no problem at all." Anya understood Orochimaru's feelings and said nothing more, quickly leaving.
Facing the silent Jugo, Orochimaru said, "Let's begin. Let me see how we can suppress that wild power within your body."
The news of Shisui's death was like a stone cast into a still pond, causing tremendous shock within the Uchiha Clan. With the exposure of Shisui's last letter, Itachi—who had always been close to Shisui—became the object of suspicion among the clan members.
Many even suspected Itachi of murdering Shisui.
One day, three members of the Konoha Military Police directly approached Itachi for questioning.
One of them said, "I remember you admired Shisui like an older brother."
Itachi replied expressionlessly, "Is that so? We haven't met much lately. That's unfortunate."
Another long-haired clan member spoke up, "The Military Police have decided to thoroughly investigate the truth."
"Investigate?" Itachi suddenly realized—he was being suspected.
One of them handed the letter to Itachi and said angrily, "This is his final letter. The handwriting has been verified—it was definitely written by him."
"If that's the case, then what else is there to investigate?"
The long-haired man snorted coldly, "With a Sharingan, copying someone else's handwriting is easy. Shisui was a genius in our clan, known as 'Shunshin no Shisui' (the Flash Technique)—a title earned for his unmatched speed. For the sake of the clan, he'd rush to the front lines for any mission. Therefore, we find it hard to believe that he would write such a letter and then take his own life."
Taking the letter with calm indifference, Itachi replied, "Still, one shouldn't judge a person solely by appearances or personal assumptions."
"Anyway, we'll leave this letter with you. Take it and ask Anbu to assist in the investigation."
Itachi responded calmly, "Understood."
The three police officers turned and left.
Of course," one added with a sneer, "it'd be even better if you could *somehow* find any actual clues."
Itachi, already seething with grief and anger, finally lost his cool after his clansmen kept mocking him. He spoke each word with heavy emphasis: "Fine then. Let me just come out and say it—are you suspecting me?"
The four people present activated their Sharingan almost simultaneously.
The long-haired clansman spat through clenched teeth, "Yeah, brat."
Enraged, Itachi dashed forward using Shunshin. Several minutes later, all three members of the Konoha Military Police lay beaten on the ground.
Repeating his earlier words, Itachi spoke fiercely, "You recklessly assume I'm a patient man and look down on me. You always talk about the clan but don't even understand your own capacity or recognize the depth of my abilities—which is why you ended up flattened like this."
One of the Military Police members struggled to speak, explaining why Itachi had become suspicious: "Shisui has been monitoring you recently. Ever since you joined Anbu, your behavior and mannerisms have become strange. What exactly are you thinking?"
"Being obsessed with the Organization, the clan, reputation and gains is a restrictive act that shackles yourself and limits your potential. Furthermore..."
"That's enough, Itachi! Don't push this too far," Fugaku interrupted in time, stepping in to cut off Itachi's words.
Looking at his beloved son, he felt a strange, unfamiliar emotion stirring inside him for the first time.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
Want to read the subsequent content in advance?
Please follow my Patreon:patreon/Tansnovel
Tans Novel - The Fastest-Updating Naruto Fanfiction Account
Read 100+ chapters in advance, with at least 3 new chapters updated every day! More free chapters! 20+ Naruto fanfictions!
Just three steps:
1. Download and open the "Patreon" app
2. Search for "Tans Novel"
3. Click on the collection and enjoy to your heart's content
<><><><><><><><>