"Akatsuki, huh..."
The following day, in a farmhouse on the outskirts of Amegakure.
After hearing Sakuya's intelligence, Orochimaru stroked his chin and fell into thought.
"Although we don't know how Akatsuki learned about our intelligence, Sakuya's right. At least for the time being, we're safe."
"But no matter what, we still need to be on our guard against this Akatsuki Chamber of Commerce."
Dan Katō said, "You never know what people are really thinking. They may have told us about the research facility, but no one can guess what they have in mind."
"But can we afford not to go?"
Jiraiya frowned as he held Akatsuki's letter. "We've been investigating Amegakure for days, and haven't found a single lead about the research facility. Now, at last, we have one..."
"What if something goes wrong?"
Dan Katō spoke again. "What if we get trapped there? What if the research facility is full of ambushes and traps? We can't just barge in recklessly because of a single letter!"
"Then are we supposed to keep wasting time here?"
Jiraiya stared at Dan Katō. "How long can the battlefield in the Land of Wind hold out? What if Hanzo takes it? If we don't hurry and find the poison from that demigod's salamander, what if they start fighting Konoha..."
"Enough. Stop arguing."
Orochimaru frowned and cut off their quarrel.
He didn't understand it either. It was as if Jiraiya and Dan Katō were destined to clash; whenever they went on a mission together, they always ended up arguing over one thing or another.
He glanced at Uchiha Sakuya, who sat quietly to one side.
Sakuya seemed to have known this would happen. He didn't look surprised.
Ah, the common people are so ignorant. Only one person understands me.
He sighed inwardly once more, then spoke to Uchiha Sakuya. "Sakuya, let's do it your way."
"However, I think we should make a few adjustments."
"Adjustments?"
Sakuya asked, puzzled, "What are you planning, Orochimaru?"
Meeting Sakuya's gaze, Orochimaru said, "You and Tsunade can't go to the research facility. The ones who should go are Dan Katō and me."
"Oh?"
Sakuya blinked. "You mean..."
"Even if you and Tsunade get inside the research facility, you won't find the salamander's poison."
Orochimaru shook his head. "The only person who can find it is a researcher like me, who's highly sensitive to poisons and medicines."
He turned to Dan Katō. "Come with me, Dan. Your Spirit Transformation Technique is useful for scouting. And if we run into danger, it'll help us find a safe way to retreat."
"...All right."
Although he was reluctant to simply go along with Akatsuki's wishes, Orochimaru's reasoning made sense, and they didn't have any better options right now.
"Tsunade, go retrieve Shota's body."
Orochimaru thought for a moment before speaking. "We can't leave a Konoha Ninja's body hanging there."
"Understood."
Tsunade nodded.
"Jiraiya, did you finish making the preparations I asked you to make a few days ago?"
Orochimaru asked Jiraiya.
"Just as you suggested, I buried a large amount of Toad Oil at key points throughout Amegakure."
Jiraiya nodded.
"Good."
Orochimaru looked at Sakuya. "Jiraiya, find a way to leave the village today and prepare to receive us outside. Once we've succeeded, we'll be counting on you to help us get out."
"No problem."
Jiraiya nodded.
"What about me?"
Seeing that Orochimaru had almost finished assigning everyone their tasks, Uchiha Sakuya pressed him.
"As for you, Sakuya, I have a very important mission for you."
Orochimaru said, "It's extremely important—in fact, our lives depend on it. Of the five of us, only you, the strongest, can do it."
"...Toad Oil? You want me to..."
Uchiha Sakuya's gaze sharpened.
"Exactly!"
Orochimaru nodded. "We need someone to draw Amegakure's attention and buy us enough space and time. You're the only one who can do it."
He continued, "The Toad Oil from Mount Myoboku burns at an extremely high temperature. It's naturally suited to Fire Release users and can greatly amplify the power of their techniques."
"But the most important thing is..."
Orochimaru looked at Uchiha Sakuya. "Once this Toad Oil catches fire, it's very difficult to extinguish with water. Even in a place like Amegakure, where it rains heavily, it can easily start a massive blaze."
"Orochimaru's right."
As a student of Mount Myoboku's Senjutsu, Jiraiya knew the power of his toad oil better than anyone.
"The Toad Oil from Mount Myoboku has a very low ignition point. Even in heavy rain, the slightest spark can set it alight, so it's quite dangerous to use under normal circumstances."
"Sakuya, when the time comes, make a real scene in Amegakure. The bigger, the better."
Orochimaru fixed his eyes on Sakuya. "One hour. If you can keep things going in Amegakure for an hour, you'll give us enough room to retreat with the poison. It's dangerous, but you're the only one who can do it."
"Understood."
Sakuya nodded firmly.
"Leave everything to me."
In a dim underground chamber.
The steady drip of water woke the old man.
He opened his cloudy eyes and felt that a little more of his life force had faded away. He sighed softly.
He had grown older again.
"Hashirama..."
Leaning back in his chair, he softly called the name of his deceased friend.
"Lord Madara."
The black shadow at his feet suddenly rose and took shape before him.
"The Rinnegan transplant is complete."
"Is that so?"
The old man named Madara Uchiha nodded. "Any rejection?"
"None at all."
The shadow praised the old man's decision. "As expected of you, Lord Madara. That Senju-Uzumaki Bloodline you chose really is incredible. It withstood all that immense ocular power. You know, an ordinary person would be overwhelmed by it and lose themselves after having just one eye implanted."
"Hmph. They're the product of the finest essence of Hashirama and me. They're no ordinary mortals."
Madara Uchiha spoke proudly.
"Speaking of which, Black Zetsu, while I was asleep, did the Uchiha Clan produce any interesting geniuses?"
He asked the shadow.
"Yes, Lord Madara."
The dark shadow nodded. "There's one young prodigy. He's only just turned fourteen, and he already has Three Tomoe. I've also observed the ocular power in his eyes. He's very, very close to the Mangekyō."
"...Fourteen?"
Madara Uchiha nodded with satisfaction. "Not bad. He'd have been considered a young genius even during the Warring States era. What's his name?"
"His name is Uchiha Sakuya."
"Hmm... Place a few White Zetsu near him so I can observe him."
Madara Uchiha yawned. "There's still a long time before I sleep again. Let me see what this Uchiha is made of."
Before you continue