Then Take Another Look Behind You, Sword of Benevolence, Sword of Righteousness

Uchiha Jun: "..."

Wait?

80 points? It had shot straight from -40 to 80?

No wonder the favorability hadn't shown up before. So it only displayed once they were in the same camp!

Uchiha Jun turned his head and glanced at Uchiha Hikari standing behind him.

She still wore that indifferent expression, but Jun vaguely felt that the gaze she cast at his back seemed ever so slightly gentler than before.

Uchiha Fugaku paid no attention whatsoever to the subtle atmosphere between the two. He was in an excellent mood and waved a broad hand.

"Jun, the clan has also finalized your reward for the previous mission. There happen to be two vacant residences in the central area of the clan grounds. They each have three courtyards front to back, along with private gardens and training grounds. We'll give them to the two of you as your daily residence."

"Thank you for your generosity, Clan Head." Uchiha Jun thanked him once more.

By the time they returned to their newly assigned residence, night had completely fallen.

The courtyard was spacious but kept immaculately clean. The main house was a two-story building, with a wooden corridor circling the courtyard. An old cherry tree stood in the yard, its branches already sprouting a few tender buds.

Uchiha Hikari stood in the middle of the courtyard, looking up at the cherry tree in silence for a long time.

She raised her right hand and lightly touched the rough bark with her fingertips.

"This is... a home?"

Her voice was soft, so soft it was as though she feared disturbing something.

Uchiha Jun leaned against a pillar beneath the eaves, his arms folded across his chest. "Strictly speaking, yes."

Uchiha Hikari lowered her head, an exceptionally complicated light flickering in her Sharingan.

It was an emotion Jun had never seen on her face before—an... lost and uneasy tenderness.

"I've never... had a permanent place to live."

She spoke quietly, a rare uncertainty in her voice. "Since I could remember, I was either fighting or sleeping within a seal. I didn't need a place to live. I only needed orders to hunt down enemies..."

Her voice grew softer and softer until it vanished into the night breeze.

Uchiha Jun did not answer.

He simply stood there quietly, waiting for her to finish.

After a long while, Uchiha Hikari raised her head. Her scarlet Sharingan looked directly at him beneath the moonlight, and for the first time, there was not the slightest trace of concealment or wariness.

"...Thank you."

She said only two words, but Jun could hear the weight behind them.

[ Ding! [Uchiha Hikari], Favorability +10 points. Current Favorability: 90 points (Fondness) ]

Uchiha Jun smiled faintly and nodded.

Moonlight flowed like water over the brand-new courtyard.

That night, after settling Uchiha Hikari in, Jun returned to his own room. He sat cross-legged on the tatami, just about to sort through the various gains and plans from the evening when—

A small pitch-black snake silently slipped in through a crack in the window.

The little snake flicked out its tongue, opened its mouth wide, and spat out a scroll covered in slime.

Uchiha Jun: "...Seriously... could you use a different kind of packaging?"

With a disgusted expression, Uchiha Jun pinched a corner of the scroll between two fingers, shook off the slime, and opened it.

The familiar handwriting read—

"Meet me at the laboratory tomorrow at the hour of the Snake.

Additionally: I would like to hear your thoughts on 'Artificial Humans' and 'cloning.'

—Orochimaru"

Uchiha Jun looked at the final few words, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Orochimaru, Orochimaru... times have changed. Back then, I was only a little 'Elite Jonin.' I had to worry about this and that, following your wishes."

"But things are different now. Starting today, I think it's necessary to change this 'master-servant' relationship!"

Tucking the scroll into his clothes, Uchiha Jun looked up at the bright moon hanging above the treetops outside.

"It looks like I'll need to prepare some real 'hard goods' for tomorrow's meeting."

The next day, at the hour of the Snake, Uchiha Jun appeared on time before the abandoned torii gate downstream of the Naka River.

This time, he did not wait.

The moment he stepped beneath the torii gate, the ground at his feet automatically split apart to either side, revealing a dark spiral staircase. Orochimaru's laboratory seemed to have already identified him as a "regular visitor"; even its defensive barrier proactively opened the door for him.

Uchiha Jun descended the stairs along the route he remembered. The smell of formalin in the air, along with an indescribable scent of blood, was even stronger than last time.

The laboratory lighting was much dimmer than before, with only a few wall lamps left on, shrouding the entire space in dim yellow shadows.

On a stone platform at the center of the laboratory stood a transparent glass jar. Inside floated a fist-sized piece of grayish-white tissue—Hashirama Cells.

The Chakra contained in that tissue was much more "docile" than when Jun had seen it last. It no longer throbbed violently as before, but floated quietly in the nutrient solution, slowly releasing pale green life energy.

Although it still did not appear suitable for use on a human body, it was a huge improvement compared to before.

"You arrived earlier than I expected."

Orochimaru's voice came from the shadows.

Wearing a white research robe, he slowly emerged from the darkness in the depths of the laboratory, his golden vertical pupils gleaming with a cold light in the gloom.

"It seems your trip to the Land of Earth brought you considerable gains."

He approached Uchiha Jun like a snake that had scented prey, tilting his head slightly. "Your Chakra has become sharper... and it carries a hint of bloodlust."

Uchiha Jun did not respond.

He took a well-sealed container from his ninja tool pouch. Three layers of sealing formulas were engraved over its surface. Even with the seal secured so tightly, a rich Tailed Beast aura, almost tangible, still leaked from its mouth—the distinctive aura of the Seven-Tails Chomei's shell tissue.

"Orochimaru, this is a 'specialty' I obtained from a Tailed Beast. It possesses extremely unique Chakra properties and contains a considerable amount of Life Force."

Uchiha Jun placed the sealed container on the experiment table. "I wonder if you would be interested in cooperating with me to establish a joint research project?"

Orochimaru's gaze fell upon the sealed container.

He merely reached out and lightly touched the container wall with his fingertips, sensing the immense Life Force within. The next instant, his golden vertical pupils abruptly constricted.

"...Where did you get this kind of tissue?"

"From that Tailed Beast?"

The Seven-Tails Chomei's shell tissue might not be the Shinobi World's premier material like Hashirama Cells, but it had a unique structure—naturally formed Chakra-conducting patterns, an extremely high energy capacity, and the distinctive Chakra properties unique to Tailed Beasts.

These were all exceptionally rare research materials!

Orochimaru raised his head. For the first time, something besides scrutiny appeared in his gaze toward Uchiha Jun—approval.

He fell silent for a moment, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. "Interesting... come with me."

He turned and headed deeper into the laboratory, the snake tail beneath the hem of his robe swaying gently.

Uchiha Jun followed behind him, passing through several barrier doors and entering an area he had never set foot in before—the Core Research Area.

It was fully three times larger than the outer laboratory, with all kinds of sophisticated instruments arranged neatly throughout. The walls were covered in scrolls and statistical charts filled with data.

But what truly caught Uchiha Jun's attention were the "test subjects" fixed to metal frames in the center of the room by wooden stakes and chains—seven or eight people in armor from different hidden villages. Some had faces already blurred beyond recognition, while others were still twitching faintly.

Uchiha Jun's gaze swept over the "test subjects," then he turned to Orochimaru, his tone carrying just the right amount of disdain. "Orochimaru, what is this... some kind of human art project?"

The smile on Orochimaru's face did not change in the slightest. "As a researcher, one always needs some 'basic materials' to verify one's theories."

"If that's the case, then I suggest you do less of this lowbrow nonsense in the future."

Uchiha Jun walked over to an unconscious test subject, examined the crude restraints, and shook his head.

"No matter what, we're researchers now, not ninja executioners who'll do anything to complete a mission. As they say, if you're going to do a job, do it properly. Since we're doing research, we need efficiency and standards."

"Put these test subjects one by one into nutrient pods and sustain them with a standardized life-support system. Wouldn't that look better than tying them up like this? It would also make data collection more convenient."

Orochimaru was silent for a moment, and his voice carried a rare trace of helplessness. "You make it sound easy. Do you know how much those high-precision nutrient pods and biological data collection devices cost? One unit costs several million ryo. Every single coin I have here was saved through careful budgeting."

He looked around the laboratory, and for the first time, weariness showed in his tone.

"You think I don't want to build a proper research base? During the war, all of Konoha's resources are tilted toward military needs. Research funding has been cut so severely that even purchasing legitimate equipment has become a problem."

"If money is the problem..."

Uchiha Jun took a Sealing Scroll from his clothes. It contained the money he had looted from the Land of Fire Daimyo Palace—roughly two hundred million ryo.

"Then I have a way to solve it."

Orochimaru's gaze fell upon the scroll. When he saw what was sealed within, his pupils shrank slightly.

"...This is two hundred million ryo? Where did you get so much?"

"Picked it up."

An incomparably sincere smile hung on Uchiha Jun's face. "Look, we now have a common goal, and I can provide financial support. I think our cooperative relationship can be taken a step further?"

Orochimaru did not answer immediately.

Those golden vertical pupils stared at Uchiha Jun like a snake assessing its prey.

"You mean you want to invest in my research?"

"More precisely, it will be your research and my investment. But only you and I can participate in the project—Danzo cannot."

Uchiha Jun's tone remained calm, but the words "Danzo cannot" were delivered with absolute finality.

Orochimaru was silent for several seconds, then suddenly let out a low laugh.

"Heh heh heh... it seems you have quite an issue with Danzo?"

"I just don't want the research project I invest in to be led astray by an old man who spends all day thinking about how to sow discord."

Uchiha Jun shrugged, his tone relaxed.

Orochimaru's smile suddenly disappeared.

The next instant, Uchiha Jun felt the ground vanish beneath his feet. The wooden flooring split open violently, and several pitch-black giant snakes shot out from the cracks, instantly wrapping around his legs, arms, waist, and abdomen!

Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!

Orochimaru's signature ninjutsu was so fast that even an Elite Jonin might not have had time to react!

Uchiha Jun was lifted flat on his back by the snakes, his entire face forced toward the ceiling.

Orochimaru slowly walked to his side. His golden vertical pupils stared down into Jun's eyes, close enough that they could smell each other.

"Jun-kun..."

Orochimaru's voice was hoarse and low. He deliberately spoke slowly, carrying the oppressive quality unique to snakes.

"You've become quite famous lately. Famous enough that you no longer call me teacher? And this money—what did you have to do with the Daimyo Palace not long ago?"

Uchiha Jun was bound like a pig awaiting slaughter, but his expression did not change in the slightest. He still wore a playful grin.

He even had the leisure to turn his head and inspect Orochimaru's pale, androgynous face before grinning mockingly. "Oi, oi, Orochimaru, I'm not into men."

"Even if you want to play bondage with me, at least get a better-looking body first."

Orochimaru: "..."

The smile on Orochimaru's face visibly froze for an instant.

Without waiting for his response, Uchiha Jun added, "Come to think of it, do you really think you've got me completely under your control?"

Uchiha Jun extended his right arm, opened his palm, folded down four fingers, and left only his middle finger raised. The direction it pointed was behind Orochimaru.

"Then take another look behind you."

Orochimaru's pupils shrank slightly.

He abruptly realized that something was wrong with the sensation from the snakes under his control!

The snakes wrapped around Uchiha Jun were becoming lighter and lighter in his Chakra perception. Some had even shifted from solid forms into translucent phantoms!

Without a second thought, Orochimaru immediately pulled back, forming hand seals at the same time to cast a ninjutsu!

But just as his Body Flicker Technique took its first step, a smiling voice sounded behind him.

"Checkmate."

Orochimaru's movements froze.

He could feel it—the Nameless Kusanagi Sword he had previously given Uchiha Jun was currently pressed against the center of his back.

The distance was precise enough that the fabric of his clothes had already been pierced. Its cool tip rested against the surface of his skin; another half inch forward, and it would pierce his heart.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

With the aid of [Uchiha Sasuke], Uchiha Jun had used his Mangekyō Sharingan to pull Orochimaru into a Genjutsu the instant the floor collapsed, turning the tables.

If Orochimaru had not yet been in the state he would reach in the future—his original body corroded by Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu Chakra and mutated into the "White Phosphorus Snake," with his soul degraded after repeated Living Corpse Reincarnation—

He might truly not have been able to break free from this Genjutsu cast through Jun's Mangekyō!

Orochimaru slowly turned his head, glancing at the young man behind him from the corner of his eye.

Uchiha Jun gave him a pure and harmless smile.

"Orochimaru-sensei, don't be nervous. I only wanted to tell you—I'm no longer some 'minor character' you can manipulate at will."

"I think it's necessary for you to change your attitude toward me from now on."

Orochimaru was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly let out a cold laugh—though it was a laugh from the heart, hoarse and delighted.

"Heh... heh heh heh... interesting. Very interesting."

Uchiha Jun also knew when to stop. He withdrew the wooden spike, patted Orochimaru on the shoulder, and spoke with utter sincerity. "Orochimaru-sensei, don't take it personally. We're practically brothers, aren't we?"

A complicated emotion flickered in Orochimaru's golden vertical pupils—shock, scrutiny, curiosity, and something Jun had never seen on his face before—respect.

It was the respect of one strong person recognizing another.

Orochimaru had known that Uchiha Jun might catch up to him someday. He simply had not expected that day to arrive so quickly.

"Very well. Since you've demonstrated your strength, I should demonstrate my sincerity as well."

Orochimaru turned toward one wall of the laboratory and pressed his hand against it. A hidden compartment slowly opened, and he removed an oilcloth-wrapped scroll and a small sealing box.

When the sealing box opened, it revealed an ancient scroll—the Ryūchi Cave Contract—as well as several research notes on Uzumaki Clan sealing techniques and Hashirama Cells.

"This is Ryūchi Cave's contract scroll."

Orochimaru pushed the scroll toward Uchiha Jun, his tone unusually solemn. "With your talent, you are more than qualified to contract with Ryūchi Cave. As for these sealing technique notes, they are fragments I excavated from the ruins of the Uzumaki Clan. Though incomplete, the formula structure concerning 'Adamantine Sealing Chains' is worth studying in depth."

Uchiha Jun's gaze lingered on the Ryūchi Cave Contract scroll for two seconds.

Obtaining Ryūchi Cave's contract meant gaining access to one of the "Three Great Senjutsu."

As for the giant snakes contracted through Ryūchi Cave—they were optional.

No.

Manda could serve as a "famous sword."

"Then I'll gladly accept." Uchiha Jun unceremoniously tucked the Ryūchi Cave Contract scroll and the sealing technique notes into his clothes.

At the same time, Uchiha Jun placed the Sealing Scroll on the experiment table before Orochimaru.

"These two hundred million ryo will serve as the initial investment for our partnership."

Uchiha Jun paused. "The remaining funds will be disbursed in installments according to the project's progress."

Orochimaru glanced at the scroll, a flicker passing through his golden vertical pupils. "Two hundred million ryo... Where did a mere Uchiha Genin like you get that much money?"

Uchiha Jun returned a cryptic smile. "Didn't I say? I picked it up."

He paused, and his tone turned serious. "But before that, I'd like to buy two swords from you."

Orochimaru raised a brow. "Swords?"

"Don't you have quite a few nameless blades from the Kusanagi Sword series in your collection? I want two. Ones about the same quality as the one you gave me last time will do."

Orochimaru gave him a look but asked no further questions.

Right there, he put on a performance: he spat out snakes, and the snakes spat out swords.

"Pick whichever two you like from these four. Two are double-edged swords, and two are tachi."

"I'll take these two tachi, then. Is fifty million ryo enough?"

Uchiha Jun picked up the two tachi and weighed them in his hands.

Their weight was just right, their balance fit his palms perfectly, and their grips were comfortable and snug—a pair of flawless tools for killing.

With these two swords, [Senju Tobirama (Wandering Samurai)] would be able to display his proper strength as well.

"Fifty million... Heh, I couldn't tell you'd become so wealthy."

"Then that means you agree?"

"Here. Take them."

After tossing the Sealing Scroll to Orochimaru, Uchiha Jun sheathed one blade at his left hip and held the other in his hand. He slowly drew it, its silvery gleam reflected in his deep black eyes.

"From today onward, this one will be called the Sword of Benevolence..."

He raised the sword at his left hip, then lifted the one in his right hand. "...And this one will be called the Sword of Righteousness."