Winds Rise, Clouds Surge

Opening the laboratory doors, I found Orochimaru deep in his experiments.

Seeing Masaki Uchiha enter, Orochimaru halted his work. From the equipment nearby, he produced two syringes filled with a crimson liquid and a glass container holding a Byakugan, displaying them for Masaki Uchiha to see.

"After a series of tests, I have confirmed that there is no longer any rejection between these four Kekkei Genkai: the Byakugan, Shikotsumyaku, Hashirama Cells, and the Sharingan."

"However, without human trials, I cannot guarantee with one hundred percent certainty that there will be no issues."

"Therefore..."

Orochimaru's knowing look left Masaki Uchiha feeling a wave of sentiment; truly, money makes the world go round.

Even Orochimaru could not resist the temptation of wealth.

"Rest assured, the 100 million ryo sponsorship is already prepared for you, Senior."

I pulled a storage scroll from the ninja tool pouch at my waist and handed it to Orochimaru.

As Orochimaru took the scroll, his eyes seemed to transform into the shape of coins, and he extended his long tongue to swallow the scroll in one gulp.

No matter how many times I see that, it still gives me goosebumps, Masaki Uchiha thought to himself.

"Because the essence extracted from the Shikotsumyaku is limited, there are currently only enough materials for two human trials."

"If you can bring me more members of the Kaguya Clan, the number of human experiments can be increased."

Orochimaru's unique voice was filled with temptation.

It was like a devil whispering in one's ear.

Masaki Uchiha chuckled. "No problem. As long as these two trials prove effective, members of the Kaguya Clan will be lying on your operating table as soon as possible."

Given Masaki Uchiha's current strength, wiping out their entire clan would be effortless; it was merely a matter of whether he wanted to or not.

"Then there is only one final question. If you want the best results, I suggest using an Uchiha with a Mangekyo Sharingan as the test subject."

"Only then can we determine if the benefits to the Mangekyo Sharingan are significant, as the data for the Three-Tomoe Sharingan has already been collected."

"The Mangekyo, huh?" Masaki Uchiha mused for a moment before saying, "No problem. I will send someone over when the time comes."

Currently, there were three Mangekyo Sharingan within the Uchiha Clan: Masaki Uchiha, Uchiha Fugaku, and Uchiha Shisui.

Since Shisui was busy with matters in the Land of Waves, only Fugaku was a suitable candidate.

Presumably, Fugaku would not refuse.

Furthermore, Fugaku's Mangekyo ability could potentially increase the success rate of the experiment.

I choose you, Fugaku.

"By the way, Shimura Danzō came to see me a few days ago. He suspects that I leaked his intelligence to you."

"Although I did leak it, I didn't admit to it at the time, which resulted in the loss of some experimental equipment."

When Orochimaru mentioned the loss, he wore an expression of feigned regret.

"Very well. To thank you for your help, Senior Orochimaru, I will send the person and the payment together when the time comes."

Masaki Uchiha chuckled; a greedy Orochimaru was still quite easy to deal with.

"That is all for now. I will return in a while."

Seeing him prepare to leave, Orochimaru personally escorted him to the laboratory entrance.

"I agree, but I will go only after my child is born. The due date is less than a month away."

Uchiha Fugaku was very straightforward. He didn't hesitate at all, agreeing immediately, though he did make one small request.

Masaki Uchiha, of course, had no objections. He hadn't expected Uchiha Fugaku to agree so readily; he had prepared himself to do some convincing.

"I plan to marry Mie Uchiha next month. Since that is the case, let us wait until we have finished our personal affairs before we go."

"This matter is not particularly urgent, after all."

"I am leaving now. Go and spend time with your family."

Brushing the dust from his clothes that he had picked up while traveling, Masaki Uchiha offered a greeting and departed.

One month later.

Uchiha Clan Compound.

Uchiha Fugaku's home was bustling with activity. Since a new member had been added to the family last week, clan members had been arriving one after another with gifts to offer their congratulations.

Uchiha Fugaku was beaming, greeting his clansmen with great enthusiasm.

Masaki Uchiha arrived with his new wife, Mie Uchiha, carrying gifts.

The sharp-eyed Uchiha Fugaku spotted the clan head immediately and hurried over to greet him.

"Clan Head, please, come in and sit." Uchiha Fugaku took the gifts from Masaki Uchiha's hands and hurriedly ushered him to a seat.

The clansmen present, seeing the clan head had arrived, stood up one after another to offer their greetings.

Masaki Uchiha responded to each of them in turn.

Seeing Uchiha Fugaku standing there grinning like a fool, Uchiha Masaki decided he shouldn't be the only one suffering, so he played the role of a hype man and started egging him on.

"Vice-Captain Fugaku, bring out the future genius of the Uchiha for us to see!"

The crowd agreed, chiming in one after another, "Lord Fugaku, bring the child out for us to take a look!"

Unable to refuse under such circumstances, Uchiha Fugaku smiled and replied, "No problem."

He then signaled for Itachi Uchiha, who was standing nearby, to bring the newborn out.

After a short wait, Itachi Uchiha emerged cradling a newborn in his arms.

The crowd immediately swarmed forward, all eager to catch a glimpse of Lord Fugaku's second son.

"What is this child's name?" Uchiha Masaki asked after taking a look at the baby.

"Sasuke Uchiha," Itachi Uchiha replied respectfully with his head bowed.

"I recall the Third Hokage's father was also named Sasuke. Did you seek his permission?"

"It was only after receiving his approval that we dared to give the child this name," Uchiha Fugaku interjected.

"Since he bears that name, he must be a genius. Fugaku, you must cultivate him with care," Uchiha Masaki said in a teasing tone.

"Of course. Since he has been given this name, he must not bring shame upon it."

The corrective force of the Ninja World is truly powerful; the Uchiha's current situation is completely different from the original story, to the point where they actually had to beg Sarutobi Hiruzen for permission to use his father's name.

It doesn't matter, though. The Ninja World still values strength above all else, Uchiha Masaki thought to himself.

He then added, "When Sasuke is a bit older, I am willing to take him as my disciple."

As soon as these words were spoken, the rest of the clansmen began to cheer, and Uchiha Fugaku seized the opportunity, saying, "I am grateful to the Clan Head for this opportunity."

In truth, Uchiha Fugaku had harbored this thought for a long time but could never find the right moment to bring it up.

Since Uchiha Masaki had taken the initiative today, if he didn't follow up immediately, he would have missed his chance.

However...

"I hope the Clan Head will also consider taking my eldest son, Itachi, as a disciple," Uchiha Fugaku said, bowing with a very sincere demeanor.

Caught off guard, Uchiha Masaki pondered for a moment before replying, "Very well."

Upon receiving a definitive answer, Uchiha Fugaku was instantly overjoyed.

The next Clan Head would likely be chosen from among his own children.