Playing with Your Organs

"Genie, you really do think in an unusual way... nothing like an ordinary person."

That was what Orochimaru said, but he had to admit that Genie's theory did make some sense.

Setting Kakashi's case aside, the physical data they had collected from the Uchiha Clan showed that their constitution declined to varying degrees after they awakened the Sharingan.

This was especially true of genjutsu specialists. The stronger their eyes became, the greater the strain on their bodies. In battle, this showed in their crisp, decisive fighting style—a way to make up for their inability to fight for long.

It seemed he needed to speed up his plans for the Sharingan. Orochimaru was eager to find out what this Kekkei Genkai would look like once it matured.

Meanwhile, Genie took Orochimaru's assessment as a compliment rather than an insult. In his line of work, broad thinking was the name of the game.

He couldn't help laughing. "If your guess is right, you don't need to worry about them rejecting transplants of First Hokage Cells. The Uchiha Clan generally admire strength. They should be begging you to help them."

The idea struck Orochimaru like a bolt of lightning. He paused, rubbing his chin as he thought, a crafty glint flashing in his eyes from time to time.

To be honest, he had completely lost interest in the war itself. Now he couldn't wait to find a few Uchiha Clan ninja and operate on them.

After a moment's thought, Orochimaru said, "Genie, I want to end this war as soon as possible. Do you have any good ideas?"

As he spoke, Orochimaru explained the deal he had made with the Third Hokage.

Driving Kumogakure back wasn't enough. Weakening the Uchiha Clan was also a goal they had to achieve in this war.

"That old Third Hokage really is ruthless. He actually wants you to do something like this."

Genie rubbed his chin and thought for a moment. "Drive Kumogakure back while also inflicting heavy losses on the Uchiha... I've got it."

Orochimaru looked at Genie, waiting for him to continue.

"What loss could compare to a Mangekyō Sharingan? Offer up the Uchiha Clan's Forbidden Eye as a sacrifice, and I'm sure the Third Hokage will be satisfied."

Genie smiled. "Besides, the Mangekyō Sharingan could also be used as a weapon to drive Kumogakure back..."

Orochimaru frowned slightly. He wasn't entirely on board with Genie's plan, since he coveted Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan, too.

Genie's plan would clearly wring every last bit of value out of that Mangekyō Sharingan all at once.

"You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing a child."

Genie tilted his chin, deliberately putting on a contemptuous look. "If your research on First Hokage Cells yields results, you could try helping him recover. He'd be a test subject delivered right to your door."

Orochimaru's eyes lit up.

Just then, a Konoha Ninja came in to report. "Lord Orochimaru, Shisui and Team Kakashi have returned. They're waiting outside to be summoned."

Orochimaru came out of his reverie and nodded. "Let them in."

Shisui and Kakashi soon entered the control room. Both looked ashamed. In a sense, neither had completed the mission, and they had let Orochimaru down. Kakashi especially had other failings to answer for besides the mission's failure.

Orochimaru looked at them and said, "Tell me what happened."

Kakashi and Shisui exchanged a glance. Kakashi recounted what they had encountered, focusing on the Two-Tails Jinchuriki's attack and the mysterious enemy who had appeared afterward.

After listening, Orochimaru fell silent, giving Kakashi's intelligence serious consideration.

Genie had described Obito Uchiha's identity and abilities, but his perspective was ultimately different from a ninja's, so his account could only serve as supplementary information.

Genie had also reminded him several times that relying too much on him could get him killed.

After a long pause, Orochimaru said softly, "Go get some rest."

Seeing that they still looked ashamed, Orochimaru continued, "Your mission failed, but you also held off the Two-Tails Jinchuriki and the mysterious enemy. Your merits and faults cancel each other out. Go get some rest now. There'll be another battle soon."

Only then did Shisui and Kakashi bow and withdraw.

Watching them leave, Orochimaru gave a derisive snort.

In truth, he thought there was no need for the two of them to feel this way. The mission had been crucial to the battle, but that was precisely why it would have been incompetent for a commander to place all his hopes on them.

Even if they had failed to seize the outpost this time, Orochimaru was too proud to pin the blame on them.

After dismissing Shisui and Kakashi, Orochimaru chatted with Genie on and off until four in the morning, when he had finished setting up the barrier.

After activating it, Orochimaru didn't stop for a moment. He headed straight for the makeshift Medical Room.

The Konoha Shinobi Army had naturally brought the Medical Corps along for a large-scale mission like this one. To show how seriously he took the matter and to avoid any possible stain on his reputation, the Third Hokage had dispatched some of the best medical ninja in Konoha.

But the injured Uchiha had grown used to Doctor Orochimaru's quick, effective treatment. Compared with him, the Medical Corps' care left them somewhat unimpressed.

The skill gap... was a bit too wide.

So when Orochimaru appeared in the Medical Room, the seriously injured Uchiha Clan members readily had the medical ninja line up their beds, waiting for Orochimaru's... clinical treatment.

On the other hand, if not for how important the fortress's defensive barrier was, Orochimaru would have wanted to treat the Uchiha patients right away.

After several Tailed Beast Simulation Battles, the Uchiha Clan had grown more cooperative with his methods. At first, he had only treated wounds and removed diseased tissue. Now, they were used to him reaching into their chests and abdominal cavities and playing with their organs.

That, without a doubt, would let him collect even more data.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk..."

With half his body poking out from behind Orochimaru, Genie watched the bizarre scene of the doctor and his patients getting along splendidly and clicked his tongue in amazement.

He'd only been asleep for a little while. How had Orochimaru gotten so wild? This scene really didn't fit.

Still, from another perspective, Orochimaru's performance certainly made him worth investing in further.

Thinking of the new ability he had come up with, Genie furrowed his brow.

The help he would have to give Orochimaru next wouldn't be as easy as just talking.

It would take a toll on him, too.

He needed to find some way to make up for it. Genie fell into thought.

Meanwhile, after collecting data as usual, Orochimaru finished treating the Uchiha. The patients who had been seriously injured were now only lightly wounded, and fit to fight again.

Once he was done, Orochimaru returned to the control room to rest.

By dusk, after fully recovering, Orochimaru summoned the Captain-level ninja and had Shisui and Kakashi describe the enemies they had encountered.

Learning how strange and powerful the enemy was, the assembled ninja fell somewhat silent. Their excitement over the previous night's victory faded, and the mood grew rather oppressive.

Orochimaru got straight to the point. "I want to crush Kumogakure in one battle. Do any of you have suggestions?"