Root's Recruitment, Mangekyō Sharingan

The lingering glow of dusk spilled into the depths of the forest. Three figures darted through the trees like ghosts, accompanied by an overwhelming stench of blood.

They had been extremely careful along the way.

But they had still encountered some Kumogakure ninja blocking their path.

Fortunately, they made it through without incident.

"Hold on a little longer. The Root Base is up ahead."

Hearing Chiyo's voice, Yakushi Nonō nodded.

"Cloud's pursuers are even more persistent than expected..."

"After all, we killed their Jinchuriki."

After passing through a patch of bushes, the three finally arrived at the hidden Root Base.

The heavy stone door slowly opened, and dim torches illuminated the deep passageway.

Once the three entered,

the heavy stone door slammed shut behind them, cutting off the last trace of twilight.

Inside the secret chamber of the Root Base, the solemn atmosphere was palpable.

Under the dim lights, Danzo sat in the seat of honor, his single eye glinting coldly.

Before him stood Chiyo Uchiha and Orochimaru side by side, while Yakushi Nonō stood off to one side.

Upon seeing the three arrive, he wasted no words.

"Report."

Orochimaru stepped half a pace forward, his golden Vertical Pupils brimming with excitement.

"The Eight-Tails Jinchuriki has been confirmed dead. Kumogakure lost at least ten Jonin, and all facilities within five kilometers of Cloud-Thunder Gorge were affected."

The corner of the mouth pulled into a dangerous arc.

Even the stiff face of Konoha's "Pot King" showed a hint of delight at this result.

Danzo immediately rose to his feet.

He strode quickly to Orochimaru.

"Specific details."

Orochimaru gave a sinister smile and tossed a Sealing Scroll into the air.

Danzo's single eye lit up sharply, and a bandaged hand caught the Scroll halfway through its flight.

He opened the Scroll and began reading.

"There are no missions for the time being, so stay in my Root and rest easy."

Orochimaru nodded without refusing.

After saying that, Danzo's gaze passed over Yakushi Nonō and settled on Chiyo Uchiha.

"Chiyo, you performed exceptionally well on this mission."

Danzo's voice was low and forceful, his gaze locked firmly on Chiyo.

"I have seen your strength and potential."

Chiyo smiled.

"You flatter me, Lord Danzo. I merely fulfilled my duty."

Danzo nodded.

"Konoha's future needs talents like you.

"I have a proposal. I hope you can join Root and become my subordinate."

Join Root?

Wasn't that handing my life over to this old bastard?

There was no way Chiyo would agree.

His face remained calm, and his tone was steady.

"Lord Danzo, I appreciate your goodwill. However, the war on the front lines cannot do without me. I cannot leave at a time like this."

Danzo's brow furrowed slightly, and a flicker of displeasure passed through his eyes, but he quickly regained his calm.

"The war on the front lines is indeed important, but Root also needs geniuses like you.

"If you join Root, you will receive more resources and support, allowing you to better realize your potential."

What, everyone in Root was a talent except everyone else?

Still, Chiyo was quite adept at dealing with this sort of thing.

"Lord Danzo, I understand what you mean.

"Joining Root would certainly improve my skills and strength.

"But the front lines are what concern me most.

"And they are also my most important mission at present. I cannot leave at a time like this.

"Konoha's future requires our shared protection. I hope to continue serving the village on the front lines."

The light in Danzo's single eye flickered slightly, as though he were weighing Chiyo's words.

He fell silent for a moment before finally nodding.

"Very well. Since you insist, I will not force you.

"But remember this: Root's doors will always remain open to you."

Chiyo smiled faintly and bowed.

"Thank you for understanding, Lord Danzo."

There was a hint of amusement in Orochimaru's eyes.

He licked his lips and spoke softly.

"Chiyo-kun, won't you consider it a little more?

"Serving on the front lines contributes to the village, but so does Root."

Chiyo smiled faintly but did not respond.

He understood Orochimaru's intentions, but he would not easily let anyone control him, no matter who it was.

Danzo's gaze swept over Chiyo and Orochimaru before finally falling on Yakushi Nonō.

"Nonō, how is your situation?"

Yakushi Nonō lowered her head slightly, her voice calm.

"Lord Danzo, I have completed the mission according to your orders.

"Now, I hope to rest for a while."

A nearly imperceptible flash of displeasure crossed Danzo's eyes, but he still nodded.

"Very well. You have worked hard. Go rest."

Yakushi Nonō gave a slight bow, turned, and left the secret chamber.

Seeing this, Chiyo did not linger either. He headed out as well and left the Root Base.

Only Orochimaru and Danzo remained in the secret chamber.

"Lord Danzo, it seems your recruitment attempt failed!"

Danzo glanced at the smiling Orochimaru and snorted coldly.

"That ungrateful Uchiha."

"Orochimaru, has there been any breakthrough in the Sharingan research I assigned you?"

At the mention of the Sharingan, Orochimaru's smile faded.

"If Lord Danzo wishes to transplant a Sharingan, you will likely need Hashirama Cells as support."

Nearly every Sharingan possessed "spiritual power," so to bring out the Sharingan's power,

one needed to increase the corresponding "physical energy" to maintain balance.

Without sufficient "physical energy" to balance it, discomfort or Chakra depletion would occur.

Just like Kakashi in the original story: after using the Sharingan too much, he looked like his kidneys had been drained dry.

For non-Uchiha, the best choice for increasing the necessary "physical energy" was Hashirama Cells.

Hashirama Cells could provide tremendous amounts of "physical energy." Once the procedure succeeded, there would be no need to worry about one's own consumption.

However, fusing Hashirama Cells still carried a certain degree of risk.

Danzo was silent for a moment, and a hint of madness appeared in his eye.

"Didn't you say you had a stable plan some time ago? We won't wait any longer. Perform the transplant!"

After speaking, Danzo carefully took a Scroll from his robes, bit his finger, and pressed it against the Scroll.

A glass bottle appeared before the two of them.

"This is also a Sharingan?"

Seeing the Sharingan in the glass bottle, Orochimaru's eyes lit up with immediate interest.

"Yes. This is a Mangekyō Sharingan, one that surpasses the Three Tomoe Sharingan."

Mangekyō... Sharingan?

Orochimaru stared at the eye in the glass bottle, his gaze gradually filling with intense interest.

"Lord Danzo, if an eye like this were used for research..."

Danzo snorted coldly.

"I only have this one eye."

"Start the procedure!"

As Danzo spoke, he unwrapped the "eye" covered in bandages.

"What a pity!~"

Upon hearing that there was only one, Orochimaru could not help feeling regretful.

His gaze shifted to Danzo's empty eye socket, carrying a hint of mockery.

"Lord Danzo did not transplant an ordinary eye before this, so some tissue around the eye socket has necrotized. It seems it will need to be thoroughly cleaned before the transplant!"

Danzo's single eye was grim, as though he had expected this all along.

"Clean it."