Second Gathering

By the time he returned to the hotel, it was already late at night.

Tsunade had yet to return. It seemed she intended to fight a bloody battle through the night. All Uchiha Sōgetsu could do was hope the woman would not lose too miserably.

It was not often that he stayed at a hot spring hotel, and this technically counted as a business trip paid for with public funds. Naturally, Uchiha Sōgetsu could not miss the chance.

Soaking in the hot spring, he closed his eyes comfortably, though his mind remained deep in thought.

"I hadn't planned to move this quickly, but it seems I have no choice but to speed things up." His unexpected encounter with Jigen today had pushed matters somewhat beyond his control. Uchiha Sōgetsu climbed out of the hot spring, changed into a set of clothes, and returned to his room.

He inspected the surroundings and carefully set up traps.

Then, he took Hermes' Brass Candlestick from the Scroll he carried with him, infused it with soul power, and ignited it.

A mysterious force dragged him down into a deep black dream.

Flowing like a tide, he kept falling through the stars.

Orochimaru, who had been preparing to end his research, suddenly felt a heavy wave of sleepiness wash over him.

"Hmm?"

Orochimaru froze for a moment, but quickly realized that this was some kind of "summoning."

He then walked over to a chair and sat down. Settling into a comfortable position, he slowly closed his eyes and stopped resisting the force.

His spiritual body fell through the boundless Black Mist until it reached the deepest depths.

In the depths of the boundless ocean of the subconscious mind stood a Pure Land constructed from dreams: a magnificent Church of Bones.

An ancient aura permeated the church. Two hazy figures appeared beside a mottled bronze table.

"Good evening, Mr. Adam."

Avoiding his gaze, Orochimaru bowed deeply. "Thank you very much for your guidance regarding what happened last time."

"Mr. Adam."

Hatake Sakumo's reaction, however, was far calmer.

"There's no need to be so restrained. Sit."

Uchiha Sōgetsu was shrouded in an indistinct haze. He raised a hand in a pressing gesture, his tone casual.

After taking their seats, neither of them knew what to say, and both fell silent.

Orochimaru was the first to break the silence. "Mr. Adam, did you call us here this time because something has happened?"

"The Shinobi World has been at peace for far, far too long."

Uchiha Sōgetsu lightly tapped the tabletop with his index finger, smiling meaningfully. "Some people seem to be unable to remain seated any longer."

Hearing this, Hatake Sakumo's expression shifted slightly. "You mean the Ninja World War is about to begin again?!"

"Heh, what is so strange about that? White Fang, you are still so naive." Orochimaru sneered. "The major Hidden Villages have limited resources, while Konoha alone occupies the most fertile lands. Ever since the Second Hokage died, the other Hidden Villages have long been itching to make a move."

"Compared to the coming war, what I am more curious about is this."

After saying that, he paused. Avoiding a direct look at the figure seated in the high-backed chair, reverence flickered in his eyes. "Judging from your tone, Mr. Adam, this war seems to be more than it appears, isn't it?"

"There are always people who enjoy hiding in the shadows, aren't there?"

Uchiha Sōgetsu stopped tapping his fingers and slowly leaned back in his chair. "Originally, I had not intended to interfere. But those people wish to obstruct the will of the 'Lord,' and that cannot be allowed."

"Perfect. My research has recently reached a standstill."

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly and licked his lips, a dangerous glint appearing in them. "Going out for a stroll seems like a good choice. Perhaps I might find some new inspiration."

"You are not suited to show yourself in this matter."

Uchiha Sōgetsu had his own considerations. He said calmly, "Those people are very timid. If you go, they will only hide themselves even deeper."

"I'll go, Mr. Adam."

At that moment, Hatake Sakumo spoke. "In everyone's eyes, I am a dead man. And dead men will not attract attention."

"Mm, then I'll leave it to you, Sakumo." After saying that, Uchiha Sōgetsu turned to Orochimaru. "Orochimaru, I need you to do something else."

"Please tell me, Mr. Adam."

Orochimaru respectfully lowered his head. Understanding that this was a test for him, he said solemnly, "No matter the task, I will devote all my strength to completing it."

Just a single Black Zetsu Cell had allowed him to glimpse the "future."

That extraordinary vitality resembled First Generation Cells, yet was not entirely the same. It even seemed somewhat inhuman—a pure aggregate of Yin Release energy!

After conducting deeper research into Black Zetsu's cells, a terrifying conjecture emerged in Orochimaru's heart.

Though he still dared not be certain, it only strengthened his resolve to follow the Twilight Hermit Society.

"Heh, there is no need to be so serious. For you, it is a very simple matter."

Uchiha Sōgetsu spoke in his usual calm tone. "Collect as many Byakugan as possible. Just do so within your means."

"Byakugan?" The request surprised Orochimaru somewhat. "Forgive my bluntness, Mr. Adam. Although they are known as Konoha's two great Kekkei Genkai, compared with First Generation Cells and the Sharingan, I do not believe the Byakugan's importance can rival either of them."

Hatake Sakumo, seated nearby, nodded in agreement.

Indeed, among the Kekkei Genkai passed down in Konoha, the Byakugan was as famous as the Sharingan, but those who truly understood them knew the two could not be mentioned in the same breath.

Perhaps before the Sharingan reached Three Tomoe, the Byakugan could still hold an advantage. But once the Sharingan awakened its Mangekyo, the difference between them was like heaven and earth.

"You are all underestimating the Byakugan too much."

Having long expected their reaction, Uchiha Sōgetsu casually dropped a bombshell with a smile. "Both the Byakugan and the Sharingan originate from the bloodline of the Sage."

"The Sage?!"

Orochimaru and Hatake Sakumo's pupils constricted as they were shaken by the revelation. "You mean... the Sage of Six Paths? He actually existed?"

Uchiha Sōgetsu merely smiled without speaking.

Yet his refusal to deny it was undoubtedly confirmation of their suspicions, making both of them involuntarily draw in sharp breaths.

"The myth was actually real..."

Compared with Hatake Sakumo's shock, Orochimaru had already had his suspicions, so he felt more excitement than anything else.

For a scientist, what could be more captivating than the unknown?

"Since the Sharingan can become a 'Mangekyo,' then the Byakugan..." Just imagining it made Orochimaru tremble all over. But it was not fear—it was the excitement of personally exploring the unknown and uncovering this secret. "I understand, Mr. Adam. I will make sure to 'study' it properly."

Seeing Orochimaru licking his lips across the table, Hatake Sakumo's eye twitched. He seemed to have already foreseen the Hyuga Clan's miserable future.

Forget it. If they suffered, they suffered. What did it have to do with a "dead man" like him?

"Alright, we'll end things here for today."

Sensing someone approaching, Uchiha Sōgetsu decisively chose to end the gathering. He glanced at White Fang and said, "Later, I will tell you what the person you need to find looks like."

December 10th, sunny.

Oh yeah, finally a break. I feel like I can rest in peace. During the new book period, please support me, dear readers~ Thank you! (Didn't win the scratch card again, damn it. I'm not buying one next week!)