"When I have completely integrated Root and finished some of the research projects at hand, I will bring the manpower there."
"At that time, relying on our technical strength to extract the power of time and space in Dragon Vein and connecting it to Sky Fortress level war weapons, we can accurately control the time and space coordinates and achieve 'fixed-point travel' in the true sense."
Uchiha Jun's voice was unhurried, with a convincing certainty. "When the time comes, you can return to Warring States Period and personally take revenge on those who used you as a weapon of war!"
The air in the room seemed to freeze at this moment.
Uchiha Hikari lowered his eyelashes, and deep inside those Mangekyō Sharingans that were covered by contact lenses, something was surging violently.
She thought of the blood of her companions, those figures who fell on the battlefield.
It reminds me of those days when they were forcibly ripened and used as consumables for battlefield needs.
She was created just to be a weapon.
This hatred never really disappeared, but was temporarily suppressed by the warmth and hope Uchiha Jun gave her.
Now, when I hear the words "I can go back to that era", the suppressed hatred bursts out from my heart like a volcano.
Uchiha Hikari raised his head, with a rare hint of excitement in his voice. "When will we set off?"
"There's no rush. It'll take a day or two." Uchiha Jun put away the map, "You need to adjust your condition first. Once I sort out Konoha's affairs, I will arrange for you to set off."
"During this period, you can get to know each other first with Chino - although she is young, she has excellent chakra perception, which may come in handy."
"In addition, Yugito will also go together. If something unexpected happens, directly activate the Sharingan I stored at Two-Tails and activate Izanagi."
Due to the underworld mechanism of Izanagi, which can reverse even death, Uchiha Jun also directly transferred all Three-Tomoe Sharingan to Izanagi after killing the hostile forces headed by Uchiha Setsuna.
And Uchiha Hikari, as the confidant of Uchiha Jun, was also equipped with three Revival Coin at the first time.
And because of the special nature of Tailed Beasts, Uchiha Hikari also engraves the Matatabi in Yugito's body, and can mobilize this Revival Coin at any time.
"Hmm."
Half an hour later, Konoha Orphanage.
When Uchiha Jun stepped into the gate of the orphanage, Yakushi Nonō was squatting in the yard cleaning the wounds of several children - the children also recognized Uchiha Jun, put away their past noisy, and sat quietly on the steps.
"Master Chun!" Yakushi Nonō saw Uchiha Jun, stood up quickly, and wiped the water on his hands on the hem of his clothes, "Why did you come here in person?"
"Let's see you and Kabuto." Uchiha Jun looked around, his eyes sweeping over the children who were looking at him curiously, "By the way, I have a few things to discuss with you."
Yakushi Nonō understood, handed the gauze in his hand to an older child next to him, gave a few instructions, and then led Uchiha Jun into the office inside.
The office is still the same, but it is a little more lively than when I first came here - there is a pot of newly bloomed flowers on the window sill, a few new medical books on the bookshelf, and a medicinal grinder that looks valuable in the corner.
"I have people purchase these equipments. Are the teachers still used to it?" Uchiha Jun asked casually while sitting on the chair.
"Get used to it, very used to it!" Yakushi Nonō nodded repeatedly, with a sincere and grateful smile on his face.
"With these devices, the efficiency of treating children's injuries has been improved several times compared to before, and the quality of that batch of medicinal materials is much better than what I used to purchase myself... Master Chun, really, I..."
As she spoke, her eyes turned slightly red.
"Don't be polite to me." Uchiha Jun waved his hand, "You help me do things, and I provide funds and support. This is the spirit of the contract, but-"
He changed the subject. "Besides treating the children, I have one more thing that I need you to take over."
Yakushi Nonō looked serious. "Master Jun, please give me your instructions."
Uchiha Jun took out a thick scroll from his arms and placed it on the table. "These are several of my research projects - including Compound No. 1's mass production optimization plan, preliminary research data on chakra gene sequences, and the formulas of several special drugs."
"I need you to become familiar with the contents of these projects as soon as possible, and then, as my agent, be responsible for coordinating resource allocation and progress monitoring between these projects."
"At the same time, in order to ensure that this information will not be leaked, I will engrave an improved version of Cursed Tongue Eradication Jutsu on you. Don't worry, the improved 'Tongue Elimination' will reduce the load on the body on the original basis and will not cause the original periodic severe pain."
Uchiha Jun will not completely believe in the illusory 'loyalty', the combination of stick and jujube will never go out of style.
After taking advantage of his Uchiha Jun, you still have to get a proper exposure to the 'big stick'.
Yakushi Nonō Hearing this, he was stunned for a moment, then quickly took the scroll and unfolded it.
After hearing that "Cursed Tongue Eradication Jutsu" was going to be engraved on it, Yakushi Nonō had no resistance and was even a little lucky.
After all, she is not related to Uchiha Jun, so Uchiha Jun helps her like this, so naturally he needs her.
But Yakushi Nonō only read a few lines, and his expression changed instantly.
Compound No. 1--A drug that can permanently increase the upper limit of chakra.
Chakra gene sequence research--experimental data involving the activation and stable expression of Kekkei Genkai.
The formula even involves the synthesis of cell activity enhancers and meridian healing catalysts...
The gold content of these studies, even just one of them, is enough to shock the entire Shinobi World!
I originally thought that Uchiha Jun would only give me some basic and simple solutions, but I didn't expect that Uchiha Jun would give me the entire plan directly!
Wouldn't it be a little unsafe to just engrave 'Cursed Tongue Eradication Jutsu'?
"Master Jun... do you really want to show me these things?"
Yakushi Nonō's voice was a little trembling, "I... Although I have learned some Medical Ninjutsu, but a project of this level..."
"How about a few more Cursed Seal? Wouldn't it be too safe to only have one 'Cursed Tongue Eradication Jutsu'?"
"Uh... let's do this for now, open your mouth."
Looking at Yakushi Nonō who was eager to try, Uchiha Jun was stunned and interrupted her.
"Since I plan to train you to be my deputy, there is no need to hide it."
"Accordingly, when the time is right, I will remove the 'Cursed Tongue Eradication Jutsu' from you and give you freedom."
After saying that, Uchiha Jun stretched out his hand Hand Seals, and then clicked on Yakushi Nonō's extended red tongue. The next moment, Uchiha Jun's fingertips bloomed with several Sealing Jutsu patterns and sank into Yakushi Nonō's tongue.
"Uh-huh~"
"As for professional issues, just watch and learn. When I come back, I will personally take you with you. Next, I will leave Konoha for a while. It won't be long, only half a month at most."
"During this period, you will be responsible for the training of Kabuto Yakushi, and just get familiar with these projects of mine."
Yakushi Nonō took a deep breath and nodded solemnly. "Since Lord Chun trusts me so much, I will definitely live up to your expectations!"
"Very good." Uchiha Jun stood up, "Where is Kabuto?"
"In the backyard, he is sorting and drying medicinal materials with some older children. Do you want to see him, Lord Chun?"
"Take me there."
The backyard is sunny.
Several children were sitting around a long table, carefully sorting various herbs - removing dead leaves, cutting into sections, and sorting. Although their movements were unfamiliar, they could be seen to be very serious.
Among them, a boy with light blue short hair wearing glasses stood out.
His movements are more careful than other children, and each leaf must be carefully observed before being placed in the corresponding basket.
--Kabuto Yakushi.
Uchiha Jun confirmed this the first time he saw him.
"Kabuto." Yakushi Nonō called, "Come here, Jun-sama wants to see you."
Kabuto raised his head, glanced at Uchiha Jun through the lenses, then put down the herbs in his hand and walked over quickly.
He is a little thin and his skin color is paler than that of children of the same age.
"Jun-sama." Kabuto bowed slightly, his voice calm and polite.
Uchiha Jun looked at him for a few seconds, and then said, "How are you feeling recently? Did you eat well? Did you sleep well?"
Kabuto was slightly startled, obviously not expecting that the rumored "Konoha Great Consultant" who was so frightening would ask such a daily question in his first words.
"... Very good." He replied honestly, "Dean Nonō is very good to us."
"That's good." Uchiha Jun nodded, "I plan to accept you as my disciple, what do you think?"
Hearing this, Kabuto's eyes clearly flashed with shock, and he passively looked at Yakushi Nonō, seeking her meaning.
Yakushi Nonō nodded.
Seeing this, Kabuto no longer hesitated and immediately wanted to kneel down and salute Uchiha Jun.
"Teacher--"
"Well, there is no need to perform the apprenticeship ceremony. I will leave the village next and wait until I return to the village. I will then conduct the apprenticeship ceremony. Then I will hold a decent apprenticeship ceremony and announce to Konoha all the major ninja clans that you are my Uchiha Jun disciple."
"By the way, you don't need to participate in any combat training or perform any high-intensity physical exercise in the next half month."
Hearing this, a trace of doubt flashed in Kabuto's eyes.
Uchiha Jun saw his confusion and continued, "Your physical foundation is too poor. Malnutrition has caused delayed bone development, and the toughness of the meridian system is not enough. If we directly arrange high-intensity ninja training for you now, it will not cultivate you, but destroy you."
"So, your mission in the future is only four words - eat well, sleep well, take Compound No. 1 on time every day, lay a solid foundation for this body, and then talk about the next step of training plan."
"By the way, although the apprenticeship ceremony has not yet been carried out, you are also my disciple, so I will give you some gifts first."
"This is 'Revival Coin'. This is the ninja tool that symbolizes my identity. With it Konoha, you can walk sideways. If there is that unsighted and unscrupulous person who dares to bully you, just use the knife and I will take care of the rest."
After that, Uchiha Jun threw two scrolls to Kabuto Yakushi. One of the scrolls contained a Izanagi·Sharingan disguised as a necklace.
"This is your 'living expense' for this month, tentatively one million taels per month."
"There are also these ninjutsu manuals and Medical Ninjutsu manuals, which I got from Orochimaru. If you are interested, you can look through them, but don't be in a hurry to learn them. Practicing these too early will put a burden on your body."
Kabuto was stunned on the spot, originally thinking that after becoming Uchiha Jun's disciple, he would receive hellish special training to make him worthy of this name.
Unexpectedly, the first thing I did was to 'eat to gain weight'?
He thought about many possibilities - for example, Uchiha Jun would let him learn ninjutsu, let him join Root, let him perform tasks... But he never thought that the first task given to him by Jun-sama would be this.
Kabuto lowered his head, his voice a little stiff. "... Yes, I will do it."
"In addition, I will have someone deliver a batch of books this Sunday."
Uchiha Jun added, "Including basic chakra theory, Shinobi World general history, and medical common sense - you can use this month to read it carefully and build a solid knowledge base."
"Yes." Kabuto nodded again.
Looking at Kabuto's serious and reserved look, Uchiha Jun couldn't help but reached out and patted his head. "Don't be so nervous, I don't eat people."
After doing all this, Uchiha Jun turned around and left the orphanage.
When Uchiha Jun walked out of the door, a crisp sound sounded in his mind--
[Ding!]
[Hidden mission completed: Incorporated Yakushi Nonō, Kabuto Yakushi]
[Reward: Gold Coin×3000, random A-Rank Ninja Fragment×5, recruitment coupon×3]
Uchiha Jun looked at the reward list and raised his eyebrows slightly.
I didn't expect that accepting plot missions would trigger mission rewards, but why didn't it trigger when I accepted disciple Itachi Uchiha?
If it must be included under a specific organization, then Kabuto Yakushi should not be added to the root.
Putting away the reward, Uchiha Jun quickened his pace.
Next, he is going to Root.
Root's base is located on the third underground floor of Hokage Building. The entrance is hidden behind a seemingly solid wall and needs to be opened through a specific Hand Seals.
Uchiha Jun walked to the wall, and quickly Hand Seals--after changing three different handprints with both hands, the wall silently slid open to both sides, revealing a spiral staircase extending downward.
At the end of the stairs is a heavy iron door.
The door is densely engraved with the Sealing Jutsu pattern, with a twisted "root" character in the center.
Uchiha Jun stretched out his hand and pressed his palm on the word "root", and the chakra in his body poured into Sealing Jutsu style like water.
"Buzz--"
The iron door made a low resonance and slowly opened inwards.
What comes into view is a spacious underground hall.
The surrounding walls are inlaid with lighting crystals, emitting a dim yellow light.
There is a huge round conference table in the center of the hall, with a few chairs scattered around it. A thin layer of dust fell on the table - no one has taken care of it since Shimura Danzō defected.
At the edge of the hall, there are several rows of filing cabinets, which contain the intelligence and information collected by Root over the years.
Uchiha Jun looked around, his eyes sweeping over these facilities that were as silent as skeletons, and then fell on a figure in the deepest part of the hall.
--Hizashi Hyuga.
He was wearing a simple spiritual attire, with his back straight, standing in the shadows, obviously waiting for him for a long time.
Seeing Uchiha Jun walking in, he lowered his head slightly. "Master Chun."
"No need to be polite." Uchiha Jun walked to the conference table, brushed the dust off a chair with Wind Release Ninjutsu, and sat down, "I asked you to wait at Root, what do you think?"
Hizashi Hyuga was silent for a moment, and then said, "I want to know why Lord Chun wants me to join Root."
"I am just a Jonin member of the Hyuga Branch Family. Regardless of my strength or identity, I am not among the top batch of Konoha."
"Because you are Hyuga Branch Family." Uchiha Jun's voice was calm, "To be more specific, I am interested in your split family Caged Bird. I plan to study it. If I can crack it, I can also gain a powerful ninja clan."
"That's why I asked you to join Root."
In view of the strength of Super-Kage Level, Uchiha Jun no longer hides it, and directly shows his cards.
After hearing this, Hizashi Hyuga was also shocked and speechless by Uchiha Jun for a while.
Seeing this, Uchiha Jun continued, "Konoha's power structure has just undergone a reshuffle. Sarutobi Hiruzen retired, Orochimaru came to power, and Uchiha Clan stood in front of the stage."
"Hyuga Clan has lost the political initiative - you now need an external voice to fight for your interests."
"And you, Hizashi Hyuga, can be that voice."
Hizashi Hyuga's face changed slightly, with a hint of bitterness in his voice. "Master Chun, do you want me to be Hyuga Clan's 'hostage' in Root?"
"Hostage?" Uchiha Jun shook his head and looked directly into Hizashi Hyuga's eyes, "Hizashi Hyuga, you made a mistake-"
"I'm not asking you to be a hostage, and I don't care to take you as a hostage. To be honest, as long as I am willing, I can destroy the entire Hyuga Clan within ten seconds. If I really want to take action, it will take three seconds."
"Under such circumstances, do you think I still need this ridiculous hostage?"
Hizashi Hyuga remained silent after hearing this. It is true that with the power of Uchiha Jun, he does have the capital to say such words.
The huge Hyuga Clan doesn't even have a strong Kage Level, so what's the right to resist Uchiha Jun?
"One more."
"Hizashi Hyuga."
"Don't you hate it?"
This sentence is like a sharp blade, accurately piercing the wound deep in Hizashi Hyuga's heart that he least wants to touch.
His expression froze instantly.
"You are obviously the younger brother of the head of the Main Family, and you are not bad at talent, but because you were born so late, you are destined to be the dog in the separation family."
Uchiha Jun's voice is neither urgent nor slow, but it carries a cold and penetrating power.
"In order to protect Main Family, you can be sacrificed at any time - even if something happens to Hiashi, you will be responsible for protecting his child. And your child, from the moment he is born, is destined to be branded Caged Bird and live in the shadow of the Main Family his whole life."
"I will be a dog to the Main Family for the rest of my life, and have children and grandchildren."
"Hizashi Hyuga, tell me - do you want to live like this for the rest of your life?"
Hizashi Hyuga's breathing became rapid.
Those grievances and unwillingness that he had never told anyone were now cut open word by word by Uchiha Jun, and were laid out naked before his eyes.
He gritted his teeth and clenched his hands into fists, his knuckles turning white from the exertion.
"You join Root and listen to my instructions."
Uchiha Jun's voice became very soft, but it carried unquestionable power. "When the time is right, I will let you see that the system that makes Hyuga Branch Family breathless is not as indestructible as they say."
Hizashi Hyuga's body shook violently.
He raised his head and looked at Uchiha Jun - there was no teasing or contempt in those eyes, only an extremely calm confidence.
That kind of confidence gave birth to a thought in Hizashi Hyuga's heart for the first time that he had not dared to think about for many years - maybe... maybe it could really be changed.
After a few seconds of silence, he knelt down on one knee and lowered his head.
"Hizashi Hyuga, I am willing to serve Master Jun."
"Very good, I will be away from the village for a period of time, about half a month. During this half month, what you have to do is sort out the list of people in your family who do not want to be 'dogs'."
"Whether you act blatantly or secretly, from now on, your life does not belong to the Hyuga Main Family. If Main Family questions you, report my name."
"Holding this Ninja Blade, you will see the knife as if you were seeing me."
"Yes!"
After finishing the integration of Root, Uchiha Jun walked out of the underground base, and it was already approaching dusk.
The setting sun enveloped Konoha in a warm orange halo. On Hokage Rock in the distance, Orochimaru's face had just been carved out. Standing side by side with him were the heads of First, the second generation, and the third generation.
The four faces are juxtaposed, symbolizing that Konoha has entered a new era.
Uchiha Jun stood on the ground, looking at the four faces, with a very faint arc at the corner of his mouth.
"The great era is coming!"
He whispered to himself, then turned around and walked towards the outside of the village.
Behind him, the portrait of Orochimaru on Hokage Rock seemed to be slightly raising the corners of his mouth under the reflection of the setting sun.
The night wind blew through the treetops, making a rustling sound.
Uchiha Jun stood on the official road outside Konoha, with lights fading away behind him.
Jonin's uniform glowed with a cold luster in the moonlight, and hanging on his waist was the Peacock Twin Swords he got from Seimei - although he hasn't fully figured out how to use it, it is quite qualified for use as a knife.
"Summoning Technique."
"Bang--"
A cloud of white mist exploded, and a small snake with a dark body and blood-red eyes emerged from the mist. It coiled obediently around his wrist and spit out a message.
Uchiha Jun puts a scroll into the little snake's mouth.
The little snake shrank its body, darted into the grass like an arrow from a string, and disappeared into the night in the blink of an eye.
Uchiha Jun moved his shoulders and raised a smile on his lips.
"Land of Waterfalls is famous... I hope your little treasury is thick enough."
At this moment, Uchiha Jun is walking on the road to Land of Waterfalls.
It was already dark, and the fields on both sides of the official road were silent, with only the occasional chirping of insects breaking the tranquility.
He didn't walk fast, as if he was just taking a walk, taking each step calmly and steadily.
At this moment, a white figure suddenly appeared in the middle of the road ahead.
The figure emerged from the ground. It was all white and had Uzumaki Clan-like patterns on its face. It was Spiral White Zetsu.
"Yo! Jun-sama!"
Spiral White Zetsu waved his hand, with a unique silly smile on his face.
"Lord Madara asked me to bring you a message - the boy named Obito Uchiha has woken up and is currently undergoing rehabilitation training. Lord Madara wants to ask you, do you want to strike while the iron is hot and get in touch with him?"