Strange Kirigakure Guards

"Shisui-kun, how are the results?"

Regarding his latest research breakthrough, Orochimaru was impatient to know the outcome.

After tentatively drinking a small portion of the reagent developed by Orochimaru, Shisui could clearly feel a surge of energy containing vitality being absorbed by his body. Immediately following this, his eyes were nourished by this energy, and the ocular power within them had actually recovered significantly.

Even the cooldown period for his right Mangekyō Sharingan showed signs of shortening.

"Lord Orochimaru, your research has achieved the expected results." With the problem of ocular power temporarily resolved, a smile appeared on Shisui's face.

"Quick, tell me the specifics." Orochimaru was truly a research fanatic; he began collecting experimental data the very first moment.

After listening to Shisui's description, Orochimaru confirmed that his research had been a success.

"This time, I certainly didn't let Shisui-kun down." It had to be said, Orochimaru lacked no personal charisma at this moment.

The mere fact that he prioritized meeting Shisui's needs before delving into his own path to immortality made Shisui look at him in a new light.

"It's just that this reagent cannot be mass-produced yet. Aside from the vial in your hand, Shisui-kun, I have two extra here; I'll give them to you as well." No sooner had Orochimaru finished speaking than the laboratory staff brought over two test tubes filled with a transparent liquid.

"I will continue to make more for you later, Shisui-kun. If you run out, just send someone to collect them."

Faced with Orochimaru's sincerity, Shisui felt he could offer more in return. He took out another sealing scroll and handed it to the bewildered Orochimaru.

"Inside is another corpse of a White Zetsu. I present it to you, Lord Orochimaru, and I wish for you to find the path to immortality soon."

For Shisui, who was about to inherit the assets of Uchiha Madara, consumables like White Zetsu were not precious resources. Rather than letting them sit idle, it was better to give them to Orochimaru now to maintain this favorable relationship.

"With this test subject, my research progress can speed up again." After a brief moment of surprise, Orochimaru regained his composure.

"Shisui-kun, I'm starting to hate to see you go," Orochimaru said, licking his lips.

In just over four months, Shisui had already brought him quite a few surprises.

Orochimaru had a premonition that he would reap even more from Shisui in the future.

"It is time to take over Kirigakure." With the issue of ocular power consumption temporarily resolved, Shisui could now take over the control of the Fourth Mizukage and Three-Tails jinchūriki, Karatachi Yagura, from Uchiha Madara.

Land of Water, Kirigakure, inside the office of the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura.

"Madara-sama, that is the extent of Nagato's experiences in the Land of Rain." The yin-yang creature Black Zetsu was reporting to Uchiha Madara about the various dealings between the Akatsuki organization and Hanzo.

"In order not to reveal any flaws, Biwa Juzo and the others we sent did not intervene too much, allowing Nagato and that woman named Konan to leave." Black Zetsu had witnessed the entire process from the shadows that day.

"It does not matter; consider it leaving a bond for Nagato." In Madara's view, keeping Konan could serve as a means to control Nagato when necessary.

"The current Nagato has realized the importance of power; he will follow the path we have arranged." A peace-loving Nagato would clearly not use the Samsara of Heavenly Life to resurrect Madara, which was why Madara had sent an envoy to lure Hanzo into driving Nagato into a desperate situation.

"You have considered everything thoroughly, Madara-sama, but I always feel that that fellow Uchiha Shisui is unreliable." In Black Zetsu's view, Uchiha Shisui was not the type of person to be brainwashed by a so-called "ideal world," and one could not even find a decent bond on the seemingly sociable Shisui.

Faced with such an extremely rational person, Black Zetsu could not see what Shisui truly wanted at all.

This was what made it feel most uneasy.

"Furthermore, he had the Konoha missing-nin Shimura Danzō impersonate you, and for these past few months, he has been probing for information on the bloodline families in the village. I suspect they have some hidden agenda."

Regarding the questions raised by Black Zetsu, Uchiha Madara was noncommittal.

"As an Uchiha, no one can resist the power brought by these eyes." Uchiha Madara pointed to his own Sharingan.

"Above the Mangekyō Sharingan is the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, and the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan combined with the power of the Samsara of Heavenly Life can grant the Rinnegan. Shisui absolutely cannot resist such temptation," Madara said with certainty.

"And I, precisely, see this ambition in Shisui." As an old antique who had lived for nearly a hundred years, Madara believed he could see through everyone's heart.

"So, even if it is just to obtain power, he will stand with us."

In truth, Uchiha Madara had also pondered the questions raised by Black Zetsu for a long time.

The reality was that, no matter how one looked at it, there was no one more suitable to "succeed Madara" than Shisui.

"As for that Shimura Danzō, he obtained a few Sharingan and a castrated version of the Hashirama Cells, but there is no possibility of him awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, so there is no need to worry too much." As for his reputation, Madara no longer cared. As for Shimura Danzō, he was simply beneath Madara's notice.

"But..." Black Zetsu had been preparing for the resurrection of Kaguya Otsutsuki for thousands of years; meeting Uchiha Madara was the closest it had ever been to success, and it would not allow any accidents to occur in this plan.

"If an accident occurs, it will be up to you to correct it, Black Zetsu." Uchiha Madara interrupted what Black Zetsu was about to say.

At this point, neither of them had any path of retreat.

"Yes, Madara-sama, I understand."

Black Zetsu replied while thinking about how to guard against Uchiha Shisui.

"Achoo! Who is speaking ill of me?"

Outside Kirigakure, Shisui had already returned with Tayuya and the others.

"Stop, who are you people?"

When the guards of Kirigakure saw a familiar figure, and the red light in the opponent's eyes flickered beneath his straw hat, it immediately reminded them of their previous encounter.

"Don't, wait a moment."

A quick-witted guard immediately spoke up.

"This time, you don't need to use your genjutsu, my lord; we can hypnotize ourselves."

As he spoke, the guard actually collapsed to the ground, pretending to be asleep.

The remaining three guards reacted as well, closing their eyes one after another, swaying and stumbling; they didn't even want to look in the direction of Shisui and his group again.

"My lord, are the guards in this Kirigakure very strange?"

Beside Shisui, the disguised Tayuya was looking curiously at the inexplicable behavior of these guards.

"Strange? You're the strange one, your whole family is strange!" The four guards lying on the ground pretending to be asleep dared not retaliate openly, so they could only curse silently in their hearts.

"Follow me inside; there are plenty of strange things in this village."