Uzuki Yugao

"Lord Yoru, do you know what Kou's appearance represents?"

After completing all the examinations, Orochimaru rarely displayed such an unrestrained, almost sickly smile. Uchiha Yoru immediately answered, "Wood Release?"

"No! You're wrong!" Orochimaru flatly rejected his disciple's answer. He stared feverishly at the precious documents in his hands, his snake-like eyes brimming with fanaticism.

"This represents Kekkei Genkai! Kekkei Genkai can be cultivated in ordinary people, created from nothing."

Good grief. Watching Orochimaru before him, Uchiha Yoru was stunned. A scientist's way of thinking really was absurd.

He had thought Orochimaru wanted to cultivate a group of ninjas capable of Wood Release. Even if it was a weakened version, it was still Wood Release. Yet Orochimaru had already gone further than him—what he was thinking of now was cultivating all kinds of Kekkei Genkai.

If Wood Release could be cultivated, then what about other Kekkei Genkai?

Kekkei Genkai! A mysterious existence that had never disappeared from the Shinobi World. During the Warring States Period, the highest-ranking clans had been the Kekkei Genkai families, representing immense power, followed only by clans of secret techniques.

If this problem could be conquered, if Kekkei Genkai could be cultivated on a massive scale, the entire Shinobi World would be shaken.

"Teacher Orochimaru, you mean—"

Uchiha Yoru seemed to realize something. Orochimaru nodded like a madman. "That's right. Although Kou's Wood Release cannot compare to the First Hokage's, as long as I overcome the difficulties of cultivation, I'll be able to create a Kekkei Genkai family with my own hands."

Damn! Uchiha Yoru could not help cursing inwardly. Why had his train of thought circled back again? He had thought Orochimaru would say he wanted to cultivate every Kekkei Genkai in the Shinobi World, but he had gone right back to this. Sure enough, he could not understand a scientist's way of thinking at all.

Outwardly, however, Uchiha Yoru put on an excited expression. "If Teacher Orochimaru can cultivate several Wood Style Ninjas, you'll be able to use them to secure your position as Fifth Hokage."

Uchiha Yoru's excited appearance cooled the equally excited Orochimaru at once. A flash of frustration crossed his snake eyes. Sure enough, they still had a gap in common ground. How could Yoru think of something like that?

Using a few Wood Style Ninjas to become Fifth Hokage? Was that truly great? Wouldn't it be far greater for him to create a Kekkei Genkai family with his own hands? Like the legendary Sage of Six Paths, he would become a god capable of creating all things.

Two people, two minds, their thoughts heading in completely opposite directions.

Orochimaru had been overflowing with excitement, only to suddenly discover that no one could understand his joy. It was truly depressing. He hoarsely waved a hand. "Lord Yoru, Kou will stay with me for now. Remember to keep this confidential."

It seemed Orochimaru had acquired Kou from Danzo. Although Wood Release was rare, Kou's Wood Release could only be considered a weakened Kekkei Genkai. Compared with the First Hokage's Wood Release, it was worlds apart, so Danzo had been willing to let him go.

Or perhaps Danzo and Orochimaru had joined forces to restart the Wood Release Project in hopes of seeing whether they could produce several more Wood Style Ninjas. After all, no one ever complained about having too many Kekkei Genkai ninja. What if another accident produced a Wood Release user on the First Hokage's level? Wouldn't that be a jackpot?

"Lord Orochimaru."

Kou had just undergone a round of examinations and had no idea how much blood had been drawn from him. His body still swayed after getting out of bed, yet he respectfully bowed to Orochimaru.

Orochimaru had long grown accustomed to Root's brainwashing and conditioning, so he felt little about it. He merely waved a hand casually. "Kou, you've worked hard. I'll call for you if I need anything."

Clearly, Danzo had assigned Kou to work under Orochimaru. After all, Orochimaru could now be considered part of Root as well.

"Yes!"

Kou was numb, like an emotionless puppet. He did not make any plans for his own future at all. He was simply the most obedient laboratory rat.

As Uchiha Yoru watched Kou and Orochimaru's fascinated expressions, he quietly began to ponder. Orochimaru could artificially create Kekkei Genkai, and there was a certain ninjutsu that could do the same.

After returning to the Konoha Military Police Force, Uchiha Yoru looked exhausted. Sitting in his office, leaves occasionally fell from his palm beneath the desk.

Strangely, these leaves seemed somewhat unusual, as if they had been shocked by electricity. Faint arcs of electricity even flickered across them as they fell.

Uchiha Yoru took another leaf from the drawer and clenched it in his palm, revealing a smile. He could clearly feel his progress. Sure enough, enhancing a certain aspect of his physique was equivalent to enhancing his talent.

Before awakening his Sharingan, he had merely been an ordinary ninja with decent aptitude. After awakening it, he had clearly undergone an enhancement. He could distinctly feel that his training results were much faster than before.

For example, the amount of Chakra that once took a month of training to increase could be reached in ten days after his bloodline awakened and strengthened his body. Now, after awakening his Two-Tomoe Sharingan and further enhancing his physique, his training speed had increased once again, fully reaching the level of a genius.

"Especially when training Lightning Release, I should count as a genius in that regard too." Uchiha Yoru muttered, a faint smile appearing on his tired face.

In the ninja world, strength was the foundation. Status alone was not enough; one also needed matching power. Likewise, before reaching the level of the First Hokage or Madara Uchiha, who could suppress an entire ninja village alone, he could only obediently integrate into the collective.

"Teacher Orochimaru, you truly are worthy of yourself." Every time he spoke with Orochimaru, he would readjust his training direction. Just as he had expected, the Shinobi World's scientist had directly analyzed the direction of his talents.

Orochimaru's training plan was for him to first strengthen the nature transformation of Lightning Release while intensifying his taijutsu training over the next three months. After all, with the Sharingan's assistance, he could learn ninjutsu very quickly.

Just as Uchiha Yoru was thinking about the training direction Orochimaru had arranged for him, a knock suddenly sounded at the office door.

Knock, knock, knock~

"Come in."

The office door opened, revealing Uchiha Shisui entering with a female ninja behind him, carrying a stack of documents. She looked rather young.

Uchiha Yoru did not pay her much attention. He merely smiled at Shisui. "Shisui, what is it?"

Seeing the exhaustion that Uchiha Yoru could not hide behind his smile, Shisui felt guilty. His elder brother had taken on far too much for the clan.

"Brother Yoru, the personnel for the Seventh Division of the Military Police Force have all been recruited. These are the files and roster for everyone on the team."

The thick stack of files was placed on the desk. Every page contained a ninja's photograph, background, Ninja Academy grades, instructors, and post-graduation squad leader. It was all there.

"Brother Yoru, this is Uzuki Yugao. She is relatively skilled at handling documents." Uchiha Shisui smiled as he introduced the female ninja behind him. He had personally selected her specifically to reduce his elder brother's workload.

It was Tuesday today. Please keep reading.