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One week later.
An underground base near the Sound Village.
"Lord Orochimaru."
A boy of around thirteen knelt on one knee, bowing respectfully.
Yakushi Kabuto.
A spy Orochimaru had planted in Konoha. He had grown up in the village orphanage and currently posed as a medical apprentice working at the Konoha Hospital.
He was also a prodigy in medicine, possessing a razor-sharp mind adept at manipulation and schemes.
Most importantly, his loyalty was absolute.
"Do you know why I called you back?"
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
"Forgive my ignorance, I do not."
Kabuto answered honestly.
By all rights, he should have remained one of Orochimaru's most important pieces, existing solely for the plan to destroy Konoha.
Now that Orochimaru had vanished, returning to Konoha in the future would be extremely difficult.
"Because I have more important work for you."
"With your talent, acting as a spy is a waste, I want you to help me manage my experiments. I have been busy lately."
"And the Akatsuki may approach me at any time."
Orochimaru explained calmly.
In truth, the final sentence was the real reason.
Now branded an S-rank rogue ninja by Konoha, Orochimaru had also become a recruitment target for Akatsuki.
He had little interest in their vision of world peace, but Akatsuki's influence on the shinobi world was immense. Joining them was not a bad option.
Becoming one of them would also lower the vigilance of those lurking in the shadows.
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru."
"I understand."
Kabuto grasped the situation immediately.
He had heard rumors of Akatsuki. A mysterious organization composed entirely of powerful rogue ninja.
It made sense that Orochimaru anticipated being busy in the future and needed someone to oversee his laboratories and bases.
"Come."
"It has been a while since I last saw Shisui. I have almost forgotten the taste of his blood."
Orochimaru licked his lips, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
...
Not long after.
Underground base.
Level One Containment Chamber.
"My lord."
Two medical staff members stood before monitoring equipment, recording data, and observing Uchiha Shisui's condition.
"Physical indicators are stable, Overall condition is good."
Kabuto took the report with practiced ease, scanned the data, and spoke.
During his time undercover in Konoha, he had never stopped studying. He had immersed himself in medical knowledge, mastering techniques such as the chakra scalpel, with foundational theory firmly ingrained in his mind.
Though he still fell short of Orochimaru, his learning speed was exceptional.
"And the blood collected over the past few days."
Orochimaru glanced at Shisui, then quickly lost interest.
With his most valuable eyes gone, the remaining worth of this body lay only in blood extraction and use as a cloning template.
Eyeballs were like human limbs. Once lost, they did not regenerate.
To restore such an organ would require the monstrous vitality of Hashirama Senju himself.
But Hashirama's cells were far too invasive. No ordinary body could withstand them.
"Lord Orochimaru."
"Following your instructions before you left, we have been extracting blood at regular intervals without endangering Uchiha Shisui's life."
"A total of two four hundred cc blood bags have been collected. The next extraction is scheduled in two days."
One subordinate reported respectfully.
He retrieved two dark red blood bags from cold storage and placed them on a tray, offering them forward.
"Mm."
Orochimaru replied indifferently.
His right hand transformed into a White Phosphorus Serpent, its body extending as it latched onto the blood bags and drained them.
"Perhaps I should begin experimenting with the clones first."
Orochimaru fell into thought, a spark of insight flashing through his eyes.
"Kabuto."
"Once the five clones made from Uchiha Shisui are born, begin fusing them with Hashirama's cells. Record every reaction and outcome."
"Have the other bases begin cultivation as well."
"In one year, I want to see at least one hundred individuals with Uchiha bloodlines."
"Before long, I will also be bringing back the Byakugan bloodline. When that happens, we will begin cultivating the Byakugan kekkei genkai at the same time."
Orochimaru issued his orders calmly.
On the way back with Anko, he had already received news.
Envoys from the Land of Lightning would soon arrive.
If events unfolded as expected, he would soon have an opportunity to quietly obtain the Byakugan.
"Yes."
"Lord Orochimaru."
Kabuto replied respectfully.
To him, this man's commands were absolute.
It was Orochimaru who had saved him on the battlefield. His life belonged to him.
For Orochimaru's ambitions, Kabuto would do anything without hesitation.
"My eyes are close to reaching two tomoe."
Orochimaru felt the heat rising behind his eyes and reflected inwardly.
However, as he consumed more blood, the effects seemed to weaken slightly.
At this rate, even with constant devouring, he would likely only reach the peak of three tomoe.
If he wanted Mangekyo-level power, he would need a different approach.
"The Uchiha bloodline."
"It is a pity Shisui is not a reincarnation of Indra's chakra."
"I wonder if he can even withstand Hashirama's cells."
Orochimaru shook his head and dismissed the thought.
There was no need to rush. Once the clones were born, he would have time to test everything.
He also needed to set aside time to continue researching the body transfer technique.
This body was already nearing fifty years of age.
Though it still looked youthful, its performance in ninjutsu was beginning to decline.
At most, he had six years.
Within that time, the body transfer technique had to be perfected.
And he would need to prepare a superior new body.
If he intended to become the final victor in the future shinobi wars, preparation was everything.
"Let us go, Anko."
"Sensei has not eaten lunch yet. Today, I will try your cooking."
Orochimaru said softly.
The crimson light in his eyes flickered briefly before fading. His expression returned to normal, a faint smile forming on his lips.
The white-scaled serpent had already finished absorbing the blood and reverted to its resting state.
"Yes, Sensei."
Anko nodded gently.
...
One week later.
Underground base.
There was no distinction between day and night here. The corridors were always lit by dim candlelight.
Aside from the occasional distant screams of test subjects, the base was mostly silent. Orochimaru's subordinates worked diligently and without complaint.
"At last. The two tomoe Sharingan."
"Now my bloodline can finally be considered a true Uchiha lineage."
Orochimaru stood before a mirror, admiring the transformation in his eyes.
Against the crimson backdrop, a second black tomoe had fully formed.
There was still a long road before the Mangekyo Sharingan, but this was progress. A real breakthrough.
Once one reached Kage level, advancing further became exceedingly difficult.
It was only because of that mysterious devouring ability that he had grown this fast.
"Such beautiful eyes."
"This is true art."
"If Danzo knew my secret, that old dog would probably die of rage."
Orochimaru chuckled darkly.
And it would not stop with the Sharingan.
In the future, he would collect even more bloodline limits.
The stronger he became, the easier it would be to harvest the blood of kekkei genkai users, which in turn would make him even stronger.
"Sensei has grown stronger again today."
Anko stood quietly at his side, eyes sparkling with admiration.
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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