Mito Uzumaki

What Uchiha Yashiro meant was that he hoped to see him awaken the Sharingan as soon as possible and truly enter the Uchiha Clan's inner circle—in the Uchiha Clan, whether one had awakened the Sharingan and the number of tomoe one possessed were tied to status, benefits, and even authority.

"That day will come, Cousin Yashiro."

Uchiha Gen nodded at Yashiro.

In truth, he had no idea when he would awaken the Sharingan.

This body's talent was not top-tier, but it was by no means poor. His place in the elite class at the Ninja Academy had not come from the system's Gacha Pulls.

He definitely had the aptitude to awaken it.

It was just that Uchiha Gen felt his emotions were perhaps too stable most of the time, which would certainly pose some obstacle to awakening the Sharingan.

However, Uchiha Gen believed that in the future, he would surely be able to pull Character Cards of Uchiha Clan members with the Sharingan.

After all, as everyone knew, Naruto had several other nicknames, such as The Legend of Eyes and The Living Dead's War Against Red Eye Disease. Uchiha Clan characters occupied a huge portion of the story, and there were countless forms of those characters from various periods. Whether popular or merely there to fill out the roster, his colleagues from his previous life had crammed them all in.

As long as his leveling speed did not slow down, he would eventually pull a relevant Character Card.

"Mm. In that case, I'll be taking my leave first. You caused quite a commotion just now, so I still need to return and report it to the Konoha Military Police Force."

Uchiha Yashiro patted Uchiha Gen on the shoulder. After saying a word to Orochimaru, he and his squad vanished in a Body Flicker.

"We should get going too. You can clean yourselves up first, then we'll find someone to treat your injuries. Tonight, I'll take you out to celebrate the squad's formation. Starting tomorrow, you won't have the easy life you had at the Ninja Academy anymore."

Orochimaru turned back and surveyed the wrecked forest. He raised a hand and released the summoning, sending the snakes back to Ryūchi Cave.

Though they were only superficial injuries, Orochimaru had further training plans and did not wish to waste time.

He could treat these injuries himself, but if he wanted them healed quickly, Orochimaru had another option.

More importantly, he needed that person to thoroughly examine the three students' physical data and developmental conditions so he could formulate a more scientific and reasonable training plan.

Half an hour later.

After returning home to wash up and tidy themselves, the three Genin of Orochimaru Squad regrouped with Orochimaru and arrived at the true center of Konoha.

"Are those on the ground... Fuinjutsu?"

Utsuki Ruri looked curiously at the long red seal inscriptions carved alongside the road.

"Those are barrier seals set up by Lady Mito. Even though your abilities are incapable of causing any damage to them, you must still keep at least one meter away."

Orochimaru gave a slight nod to an Anbu Ninja who poked his head out from a distant rooftop, then led the three onward.

The farther they went, the more luxuriant the surrounding vegetation became. From time to time, they could see markings on the weathered walls around them—the clan emblem of the Senju Clan, the Uchiha Clan's longtime rival.

At the end of the road stood a grand yet ancient residence, its design steeped in the style of the Warring States period.

Two people stood before its gate.

A man and a woman.

The woman was pretty, with long pale-golden hair and brown eyes. She had the fresh, lively aura of a young girl.

The man, meanwhile, had spiky white hair and a tall, sturdy frame, yet he gave off a somewhat lecherous air.

"Ahahaha, Orochimaru, you're here. Tsunade and I have been waiting for you for a while."

Jiraiya stood with his hands on his hips as he spoke to Orochimaru.

"Why are you here?"

"Cough, cough. I just happened to be taking a stroll around here."

Jiraiya clasped his hands behind his head again and hurriedly turned his gaze toward Uchiha Gen and the other two, changing the subject.

"So, these are the new disciples you took in? Mm, not bad. They look pretty energetic. I've also been thinking about finding a few students to teach over the next couple of years."

"Heh. Then your future disciples are truly pitiful. If they don't have the ability to learn on their own, I'm afraid they'll find it difficult to make any progress."

Orochimaru rolled his eyes at Jiraiya.

"All right. You must be Orochimaru's new students. Come inside first."

Tsunade studied Uchiha Gen and the other two, her gaze carrying a trace of complicated emotion.

After Nawaki had left this world, Orochimaru had taken on disciples again...

Inside the old residence.

An elderly woman with graying hair, in which traces of red could still faintly be seen, reclined in a lounge chair and basked in the sun.

"Oh, little Jiraiya and little Orochimaru are here again. And these little ones too. Mm, they look quite spirited."

The elderly woman wore a faint smile as she watched the group enter from outside. Her kind eyes continuously appraised them. When she saw the Uchiha Clan Crest on Uchiha Gen's clothes, a hint of surprise flashed through her eyes, followed by an even warmer smile.

She loved seeing children from different clans getting along as intimately as family.

Because that was the very value her late husband had striven for his entire life.

"Lady Mito."

"Lady Mito, it's been a long time."

Jiraiya and Orochimaru hurried forward to greet her, bringing Uchiha Gen and the others along to pay their respects.

Mito Senju—no, she should have been called Mito Senju—actually held the highest status in Konoha. As one of Konoha's founding elders and the First Hokage's widow, her standing surpassed even Hiruzen Sarutobi's as the Third Hokage.

To many old retainers of the Senju faction, this little old lady's words carried more weight than those of the Third Hokage.

"Mm, you all go tend to your business. This old woman is just having a look around. When you have time, come visit this old lady who doesn't have much time left."

"Come on, Grandma, don't say something so unlucky. With how healthy you are, you'll definitely live to be a hundred!"

Tsunade wrapped herself around Mito's arm and coquettishly pleaded with her.

"Alright, you know Grandma's condition too. You lot should come by more often lately. These little ones are about the same age as Kushina, so they can spend more time getting to know each other."

Mito patted Tsunade's hand and gently shook her head.

"When they leave, remember to give each of them a collection of Fuinjutsu, just like when your two teammates first came here. Consider it a gift from Hashirama and me to these juniors."

"I understand, Grandma. You three, come in with me first. I'll treat you and check your bodies."

Tsunade nodded lightly, then beckoned Uchiha Gen and the others over.

Following Tsunade, they soon arrived in a clean room furnished with several examination beds.