I Choose Orochimaru as Hokage, Ten Years to Ascend the Moon Chapter 27

It is best for the surrounding nations to remain weak, while I remain the strongest.

With weapons and grain in hand, every risk must be erased in advance; this was the mindset of Danzo, though most of these arrangements ultimately benefited Orochimaru.

"Hmm, three have already been selected."

"And the next step of the plan can also begin."

Uchiha Gin nodded.

The next step was to exchange low-level ninjutsu for funds, though this plan still required some preparation.

He sought out three members of the Uchiha Clan who had the lowest probability of being spies—two old-timers and one younger man; these were individuals who could be trusted.

Orochimaru focused his observations on the genetic changes within the three subjects after they fused with the No. 1 Improved First Hokage Cells, seeking to identify the core and conduct deeper research, as there was nothing left to study in the standard genes of the Uchiha Clan.

He had already captured genetic information related to the Sharingan, and through multiple experiments, he had proven that the subjects with the highest success rate for fusing with the First Hokage cells were Uchiha who had awakened the Three Tomoe Sharingan.

Likewise, he had captured the Wood Release genetic information from the First Hokage cells, but Yamato was the only test subject capable of sustaining it; now, he wanted to see what new genetic information would emerge after an Uchiha fused with the First Hokage cells.

To be honest, he had little interest in becoming the Hokage now; if not for the fact that his partner was an Uchiha and that becoming the Hokage would aid his research, he would not care for the position at all.

That evening, Uchiha Gin waited for the three men near the clan grounds.

One of them was the man who had previously berated Fugaku, his uncle; another was his close friend; and the final, younger man, who was about the same age as Fugaku, had been a trusted aide to his grandfather.

"This matter cannot be exposed, so I must use a Cursed Seal on you all to ensure that this secret is never spoken of."

Uchiha Gin said to the three, two of whom were his elders.

However, for the sake of safety—having been a ninja for so long—one had to maintain a sense of secrecy, and this was also to confirm that the three were truly willing to accept this.

"Do it, Gin."

"As long as it is for the sake of the clan, I am duty-bound."

Fugaku's uncle said calmly.

He trusted Uchiha Gin's character; ever since he agreed to Uchiha Gin's plan to stir up trouble, leading the Uchiha to begin changing for the better, he had trusted Uchiha Gin unconditionally.

The other two also expressed their consent, indicating there was no problem.

Seeing this, Uchiha Gin began to cast the Cursed Seal—the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal used by the Root organization to prevent the leakage of classified information.

After completing the Cursed Seal, Uchiha Gin brought the three to the underground research base.

He handed them over to Orochimaru and Itachi, instructing the two to prioritize the survival of the three men.

At the same time, these three learned of the true history of enmity and affection between the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan; they had never imagined that the genes of the Senju Clan could actually cure the Bloodline Disease of the Mangekyō Sharingan.

This made them even more convinced that Gin could lead the Uchiha toward glory.

If this could succeed, the strength of the Uchiha would increase significantly; this was the true way to change the Uchiha.

Therefore, even knowing that they might pay with their lives for this experiment, none of them refused; instead, they were even more willing.

The fusion of the First Hokage's genes would take place tonight, so Uchiha Gin stayed behind, prepared to watch from the sidelines.

The experiment began with Fugaku's uncle.

"I never expected that a guy like Fugaku could produce a son as outstanding as you."

Seeing his own nephew personally conducting this experiment on him, Fugaku's uncle smiled.

Uchiha Gin, standing to the side, could not smile; if he hadn't been the one guiding this "filial son," who knew what kind of things he might have done.

"Everything is for the Uchiha."

Itachi replied.

He then began his preparations in earnest.

He had performed the experiment of fusing the First Hokage cells many times and had basically determined that no issues would arise; ordinary Uchiha cells lacked sufficient energy and had a certain probability of being devoured by the First Hokage cells rather than fusing with them.

However, the human body produced its own energy and possessed greater endurance; as long as the amount of First Hokage cells injected was sufficiently minute, risks could be avoided.

"Next, inject one unit of the No. 1 Improved First Hokage Cells."

Orochimaru, standing to the side, could no longer wait and prepared to do it himself.

Fugaku's uncle lay on the experimental table, eyes open, watching Orochimaru perform the injection; he only had his left arm left, as his right had been lost on the battlefield.

The left arm was closer to the heart, and Orochimaru quickly injected the No. 1 Improved First Hokage Cells into the artery of Fugaku's uncle's arm.

The three people nearby all had their Sharingan activated, focusing on the progress of the experiment.

After the injection, Orochimaru also observed the instruments nearby, confirming the vital sign data of the test subject.

Heart rate, blood oxygen levels, pulse, blood pressure, and so on.

"Dōjutsu is indeed convenient; if I had the Byakugan, I could directly observe the changes in the meridians and confirm more accurate data."

Orochimaru looked at the three pairs of Sharingan and could not help but sigh.

At the same time, he felt that the Byakugan was better suited for research-related work.

"If there is an opportunity, I can get you a pair; I know where there are many, but my current strength is not enough to do so."

Uchiha Gin spoke.

Aside from Orochimaru, everyone present assumed Uchiha Gin was referring to the Hyuga Main Family, and they naturally held no affection for those arrogant individuals.

However, Orochimaru sensed that Uchiha Gin was not talking about the Hyuga Clan, but something else entirely.

This piqued his interest, though the test subjects were more important for the time being.

"Vital signs are normal. Let's proceed to the next experiment."

Orochimaru continued.

Waiting for physical changes takes a long time, and for the sake of safety, the amount of First Hokage Cells injected was minimal, so the transformation was not particularly rapid.

The other two did not hesitate and conducted their respective experiments.

If no accidents occurred during the initial phase, the possibility of the First Hokage Cells causing a backlash was essentially non-existent.

The experiment lasted for a long time. After confirming that the three clansmen were not in any life-threatening danger, Uchiha Gin left a Shadow Clone behind and returned.

Orochimaru was the leader of Root, so he could go whenever he pleased, and Itachi was off duty tomorrow, so neither of them had any obligations, but Uchiha Gin had to go to work.

"The Uchiha truly refuse to give up. Shisui possesses the Mangekyo, yet he didn't tell Sarutobi Hiruzen. This so-called defection might just be a ruse to hunt me down."

Shimura Danzō looked at the information delivered by his subordinate, his expression grim.

He dared not show his face easily now, relying only on his subordinates to communicate with the outside world. Furthermore, the ambush on Uchiha Gin had cost him several loyal confidants, and he no longer had many capable ninja at his disposal.

"Sarutobi Hiruzen is indecisive and fundamentally unfit to be Hokage. If I were the Hokage, the threat of the Uchiha would have been resolved long ago!"

Danzō set down the intelligence and muttered to himself once more.

Since leaving Konoha, he had been deeply uncomfortable. Without his lofty position and power, the current situation of skulking in the shadows and struggling to survive left him extremely dissatisfied.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had not provided him with any personnel support, offering only intelligence and a small amount of funding, while simultaneously demanding that he investigate the Akatsuki and keep tabs on the Uchiha.

Now that Uchiha Shisui had been added to the mix, he felt the task was becoming too difficult.

"Danzō-sama, intelligence from the Akatsuki indicates that the S-rank missing-nin from Sunagakure, Sasori of the Red Sands, is a core member of the organization."

"The leader of the Akatsuki is referred to as a god by its members, and there is also a woman known as the God's Envoy, along with several other missing-nin from various villages..."

Danzō's subordinate continued to report on the situation regarding the Akatsuki.

This included information gathered through Konoha Anbu channels, as well as intelligence obtained by Root operatives who had infiltrated the outer ranks of the Akatsuki.

"This organization seems to be the same one we dealt with in the past by joining forces with Hanzo of the Salamander."

"Could the mastermind behind the scenes be Hanzo?"

Danzō furrowed his brows.

He had a private alliance with Hanzo of the Salamander, but no information regarding the Akatsuki had come from Hanzo's side.

Therefore, he assumed that Hanzo controlled the Akatsuki, using them as a black glove to carry out unspeakable deeds in the dark. Perhaps the person they were collaborating with was Uchiha Madara. That boy's eyes were the power that truly interested him; he had originally intended to acquire them through that incident, but later learned from his subordinates that the remaining two members of that organization had escaped. It was possible, however, that Hanzo had let them go intentionally to control them.

After all, Hanzo of the Salamander was known as the Demigod of the Shinobi World, and the leader of the organization was called a god; it was unlikely there was no connection.

"Go to Amegakure. I shall meet with my ally."

Danzō prepared to depart.

If he could uncover the truth about this matter, he could use the merit to return to Konoha.

As long as Sarutobi Hiruzen claimed it was his arrangement—that becoming a missing-nin was merely to gain the enemy's trust—no one could refute it, provided he achieved a sufficiently great feat!

For instance, capturing the culprit behind the Nine-Tails Incident!

Or perhaps, after Uchiha Shisui's defection, he might also be targeting this Akatsuki.

After all, the intelligence stated that Shisui had connections to Uchiha Madara. If this organization truly had ties to Uchiha Madara, there was a high probability that Uchiha Shisui would appear!

And if that boy's eyes were still around, he should be able to control them now. Perhaps they were a dojutsu power even rarer than the Sharingan!

"Is this the Akatsuki?"

While Danzō was preparing to depart, Shisui had already reached the base of the Akatsuki's outer members and easily defeated the person in charge.

He extracted some information from the man's mind.

He discovered that the intelligence proved the Akatsuki was merely a mercenary organization. Their goal was money; as long as the price was right, they would complete any mission.

This organization was responsible for assassinating certain nobles and inciting wars between several small ninja villages.

"They have never seen the leader. Is it a trusted figure within the organization who assigns them their tasks?"

Shisui prepared to infiltrate slowly. This time, he had used a Transformation Jutsu for the ambush, but he intended to use his original identity to join the outer organization and learn more gradually.

Chapter 40: The Will of Fire Cannot Save Konoha

"Uchiha Shisui?"

Zetsu looked at the intelligence transmitted by the White Zetsu he had stationed at the sub-base, a look of surprise crossing his face.

Naturally, it was Zetsu who was responsible for controlling the outer members of the organization.

He had lived for so many years and made extensive preparations to wait for a suitable candidate. Money meant nothing to him; if he weren't so cautious and insidious, he could have collected many Tailed Beast himself.

He managed the peripheral organization to lower his own presence and let the members of the Akatsuki capture the Tailed Beast. After all, he knew more than anyone else, understood that even his mother had targets she feared, and did not believe that Otsutsuki Hagoromo had died so easily, so he had always kept his figure hidden.

"Uchiha Shisui, is that the new Mangekyō Sharingan user you mentioned?"

Obito stood up and put on his mask.

He had just returned from Kirigakure not long ago and was preparing to meet with Nagato before heading to Konoha.

He hadn't expected that upon his return, he would receive the latest intelligence from White Zetsu: a new Mangekyō Sharingan user had appeared within the Uchiha Clan. This person had ambushed another Mangekyō user, Uchiha Gin, and after failing, had defected from Konoha. He never imagined they would actually strike at an Akatsuki branch base.

"That's right. The target has now infiltrated that branch base and become a peripheral member."

"Could it be someone sent by Konoha? Or the Uchiha?"

Zetsu was somewhat cautious; like Danzo, he was a coward who disliked showing his face.

He was extremely careful with sudden surprises, ensuring they would pose no threat to him.

"We'll know once we go see for ourselves!"

"The target came knocking, and as a missing-nin at that—could they be coming for 'Uchiha Madara'?"

Obito felt a surge of excitement.

Ever since Rin died, and after he sent his master and mistress to keep her company, he had become pathologically insane.

If he hadn't vented his frustrations in Kirigakure, he truly would have gone mad.

Fortunately, the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan sustained him; otherwise, he would have had no reason to go on living.

Thus, whenever he encountered an interesting fellow, he would toy with them, letting them feel the depths of despair before finally stepping in to finish them off.

This sensation of inflicting despair brought him immense satisfaction.