Hokage, I Choose Orochimaru, Ten Years to Ascend the Moon

He figured he was just overthinking things, so he went to pick up Sasuke, who was nearly three years old and still smelled of milk; this was his favorite time of day.

If Uchiha Gin knew what Itachi was thinking, he would certainly tell him that his intuition was spot on.

After all, one was Itachi, the butcher who had personally slaughtered the entire Uchiha Clan, while the other was Sasuke, who had risked his life for the Uchiha, working tirelessly and even willingly descending into darkness to obtain power.

Uchiha Gin undoubtedly preferred Sasuke.

Kana!

Mangekyo Bloodline Disease is a genetic defect?

At night, Itachi arrived on time.

Although Anbu were monitoring everywhere, they still dared not interfere within the Uchiha Clan's territory.

When Itachi arrived, he found Uchiha Gin already waiting with Orochimaru, one of the Sannin.

"Just a child?"

Orochimaru frowned.

Tonight was the day Uchiha Gin was supposed to provide him with an assistant.

The kind that couldn't see the light of day, responsible for researching First Hokage Cells, hidden away in the shadows.

He had expected Uchiha Gin to arrange a few elites from the Uchiha Clan, but he hadn't expected only a child to show up.

"He is a genius of the new generation, with an IQ even higher than Shisui."

Uchiha Gin explained simply.

"I hope so. I await your answer tonight."

Orochimaru didn't press the matter; after all, he wasn't planning on relying on anyone else for human experimentation.

He was more interested in the secret information known to the Uchiha, feeling that it might help him solve the mystery that had been troubling him for so long.

Then, Orochimaru led the two of them toward the secret research base he had prepared.

The location was underground at the edge of the Uchiha Clan's territory, near the forest, where only members of the Uchiha Clan usually practiced ninjutsu.

Now, with the concealment provided by the Uchiha and Root, this base would basically never be discovered unless they exposed it themselves.

"It's truly surprising that you managed to prepare so many machines in such a short time."

The group passed through a deep tunnel and arrived at the laboratory Orochimaru had prepared.

It wasn't large, less than two hundred square meters, but it was filled with various instruments.

"These are Danzo's collections; it took quite a bit of time for me to get them ready."

Although Orochimaru's voice was raspy, Uchiha Gin could hear a hint of schadenfreude in it.

Itachi remained silent. He didn't actually know what had been discussed with Fugaku, so seeing all this, Itachi felt that it was indeed a matter of great importance.

When he left home, Fugaku had urged him to give his all for the sake of the clan.

He just couldn't figure out what this had to do with Sasuke.

"Alright, can we continue with the topic we haven't finished yet? The relationship between the Senju and the Uchiha."

Orochimaru couldn't help but ask.

"The Senju and the Uchiha were both descendants of the Sage of Six Paths. You know the situation with the Uchiha; they can go mad at any moment. They were hostile toward each other from the very first generation of descendants, which then formed a thousand-year feud."

Uchiha Gin explained briefly.

"?!!!"

Itachi stared at Uchiha Gin in shock.

Orochimaru nodded, then raised a hand to signal Uchiha Gin to continue.

"You must have seen the Second Hokage's research intelligence on the Uchiha Clan. Although the Mangekyō Sharingan can bring powerful ocular techniques, it also comes with side effects; forcing its use will lead to blindness."

"The solution Uchiha Madara used back then was rumored to be using his brother's Mangekyō, but in reality, Madara's brother was severely wounded by the Second Hokage and died. Before he died, he gave his Mangekyō to Uchiha Madara."

"After transplanting his brother's Mangekyō Sharingan, Madara discovered that his Mangekyō Sharingan had evolved, and the side effect of blindness had vanished."

Uchiha Gin skipped over a great deal, going straight to the changes in Uchiha Madara during the Warring States period.

"The Mangekyō Sharingan evolved?"

Orochimaru was very excited, and at the same time, he had a guess in his heart.

"Eternal Mangekyo, that is the name after evolution, but I feel that this was Uchiha Madara's genetic defect being patched."

Uchiha Gin's words made Orochimaru's eyes widen, revealing an excited expression.

"That is indeed the case. The Mangekyo Bloodline Disease is essentially a genetic defect; it can be considered a flaw caused by one's own genes being unable to withstand this power."

"As long as the defect is compensated for, one can perfectly unleash the power of the Kekkei Genkai!"

Orochimaru spoke with a hint of excitement.

He acknowledged Uchiha Gin's statement.

"You mean to say that the bloodline of the Senju Clan can also compensate for the Uchiha Clan's genetic defect, making the Mangekyo Bloodline Disease disappear!"

Orochimaru also realized the meaning behind what Uchiha Gin had said.

"That's right."

Uchiha Gin replied.

After Obito replaced his arm with one made of White Zetsu formed from First Hokage Cells, he could use the dōjutsu Kamui as if it were a basic skill, with almost no consumption.

Yet, after Kakashi used it a few times, he would be as drained as if he were suffering from presbyopia.

"The Senju Clan doesn't seem to have any bloodline diseases. No, that's not right—aside from the First Hokage, it seems no one in the Senju Clan possesses a Kekkei Genkai."

Orochimaru wondered aloud.

"The Senju Clan inherited physical prowess, while the Uchiha Clan inherited the Kekkei Genkai eyes; they are the Sage Body and the Sage Eye, respectively."

Uchiha Gin answered.

"I see. So, the reason you approached me is also because of my research into First Hokage Cells?"

Orochimaru wore a look of realization.

This actually increased his trust in Uchiha Gin slightly; the other party had a clear purpose rather than just trying to fool him.

"Did Uchiha Madara tell you these things?"

Orochimaru's sudden question caused the room to fall into silence.

Itachi's heart rate accelerated. He sensed that Orochimaru's attitude had become sharp. He also knew something about Uchiha Madara and understood that this was a taboo subject.

"If I said it was because my Mangekyō Sharingan's dōjutsu allows me to see the past and the future, would you believe me?"

Uchiha Gin did not mind Orochimaru's aggressive questioning.

"Perhaps it is true."

Orochimaru said with a smile.

However, Itachi felt as though both sides were ready to bare their fangs at any moment.

"Looking at it this way, continuing this research seems to be helping the Uchiha Clan, while I haven't gained much."

Orochimaru continued.

"You can use the Uchiha bloodline, which perfectly integrates with First Hokage Cells, combined with your own genes to clone a body most suitable for you."

"Also, senjutsu is a very important piece of the puzzle."

Uchiha Gin offered a plan for compensation.

He didn't reveal everything at the start; after all, he had to keep something to dangle in front of Orochimaru.

If he were completely seen through, the power dynamic between them would shift.

Painting a grand picture for an employee is a vital skill for any boss.

He kept the Rinnegan, the God Tree, and the Otsutsuki as carrots to dangle.

"Interesting. Cloning, you say?"

"And senjutsu—is that because of the First Hokage?"

Orochimaru did not refute him, seemingly accepting Uchiha Gin's proposed compensation while remaining curious about the senjutsu aspect.

"You are researching the Cursed Seal, a secondary product of senjutsu, aren't you? The 'Sage' in Sage of Six Paths comes from senjutsu. The natural energy of senjutsu is the original energy of this planet."

Uchiha Gin's words were somewhat vague.

Yet, Orochimaru's expression turned to one of shock.

Because the research into the Cursed Seal had only just begun; he had only discovered that special body while leaving the village to search for materials.

It was currently being kept in a research base outside the Land of Fire, and he had never disclosed it in Konoha. To think Uchiha Gin knew about it.

"Can your eyes truly see the past and the future?"

Now, Orochimaru doubted that what Uchiha Gin had said earlier was a joke.

"Perhaps. But the facts I see should all be true."

Uchiha Gin's answer left Orochimaru unable to grasp his meaning.

However, he decided to continue his research into the First Hokage Cells. He had originally intended to set it aside, but it seemed his own perspective had been too shallow.

It appeared he had barely touched the true nature of the world.

Chapter 23: Itachi, the Aspiring Research Scientist

Next, Orochimaru began to test Itachi's capabilities as an assistant.

After a series of tests, Orochimaru wore a look of astonishment.

"He is only eight years old, yet he has already mastered the Mystical Palm Technique, Chakra Scalpel, and the Chakra Scalpel Extraction Technique."

These were techniques that usually required a medical ninja to reach the rank of Chūnin before they could be mastered.

If one could proficiently master a few more medical techniques, they would be eligible for promotion to Special Jōnin.

And yet, Itachi was only eight!

"He has already memorized all the information you provided and can answer any questions fluently."

"Basically, as long as a jutsu has been demonstrated once, he can master it rapidly. He is a genius in every sense of the word."

Although Uchiha Gin did not have any particular fondness for Itachi.

There was no doubt that Itachi's talent was top-tier!

Shisui leaned more toward genjutsu and the Body Flicker Technique, but Itachi was far more well-rounded.

"I approve of this assistant."

"However, will he be afraid of the human body?"

Orochimaru no longer had any objections to Itachi becoming his assistant, and he asked Uchiha Gin this question.

"He has already been on the battlefield, even before he became a ninja."

Uchiha Gin's answer caused Orochimaru to fall silent for a moment.

"The Uchiha are truly a terrifying clan."

Orochimaru sighed.

"It would be more accurate to say that the Third Hokage is too incompetent, forcing these newly graduated genin onto the battlefield to act as human bombs."

"If there were an easier way, who would want their own clansmen to go to the battlefield at such a young age?"

Uchiha Gin sneered.

This matter could not be blamed on the Uchiha.

Orochimaru was somewhat surprised; he sensed that Uchiha Gin's perspective was vastly different from that of the people of this era.

Such a strong attitude of insubordination was far too rare in this world.