Danzo and Orochimaru Appear! (Seeking Follow-up Reads!!)

"Actually, given Minato's strength, it's basically impossible for the Nine-Tails to kill him."

"As for why Minato died under the Nine-Tails' claws, it was most likely an act of martyrdom. After all, Kushina would have undoubtedly died once the Nine-Tails was extracted. Sigh, another lovesick fool!"

At the Third Training Ground, Uchiha Chen sat under a large tree, chin in hand, lost in thought.

Perhaps because of the Hokage succession ceremony, Uchiha Chen was the only one at the training ground, which was exactly what he wanted.

"In other words, if I can prevent Kushina's death, then Minato won't die, right?"

"If that's the case, it looks like I'll have to study Medical Ninjutsu properly."

Just as Uchiha Chen was thinking about how to improve his Medical Ninjutsu, a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties, with his right arm hidden inside his robe and his head wrapped in bandages, leaving only his right eye visible, began to walk slowly toward him from a hundred meters away.

Behind him followed four guards wearing different masks and standard Jonin combat uniforms.

Uchiha Chen glanced up slightly and spotted the group.

He recognized the man in the lead instantly: Danzo Shimura!

Watching Danzo Shimura walk straight toward him, Uchiha Chen couldn't help but wonder:

Why is Danzo Shimura coming to find me? I don't think I've provoked him, have I?

As Danzo Shimura drew closer, the contemplation in Uchiha Chen's eyes turned into confusion.

"You are Uchiha Chen."

Danzo Shimura spoke first upon reaching Uchiha Chen. His deep voice, combined with his aged face, made Uchiha Chen feel inexplicably uncomfortable.

However, Uchiha Chen adhered to the principle of not offending those who did not offend him, so he looked up and smiled.

"I am. May I ask what you need?"

"Uchiha Chen, are you willing to become my subordinate?"

Danzo Shimura stared at Uchiha Chen expressionlessly, though he was secretly calculating. Orochimaru had previously written him a letter, urging him to pay close attention to Uchiha Chen.

After observing him for some time, Danzo Shimura realized that Uchiha Chen was indeed worth watching. In just a few short months, he had gone from a mere Genin to a genius capable of rivaling the One-Tail Jinchuriki.

Although Jiraiya and Tsunade played a part in this, Danzo Shimura believed the main reason was Uchiha Chen's Sharingan!

Thus, today's scene unfolded.

"Uh... who are you, sir?"

Uchiha Chen tilted his head, wearing an expression that clearly said he didn't recognize him.

Just then, the grass beside Danzo Shimura rippled like water, and a man with pale skin and an ominous aura rose slowly from within it.

"Lord Orochimaru?"

Uchiha Chen's pupils dilated. He stood up abruptly, shouting with a look of shock and even a hint of excitement.

The person emerging from the grass was indeed Orochimaru.

"Oh? You know me?"

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, looking at Uchiha Chen with some surprise.

"The Legendary Sannin, Lord Orochimaru—who in the entire Ninja World doesn't know your name?"

Uchiha Chen rubbed his hands together, his gaze toward Orochimaru filled with a trace of excitement...

Hmm? This Uchiha Chen's reaction is a bit beyond my expectations.

If that's the case, then my experiments... couldn't they proceed quite smoothly?

"Hmm~"

Orochimaru looked at Uchiha Chen thoughtfully and then nodded.

"May I ask what brings Lord Orochimaru and this gentleman here today?"

Uchiha Chen looked expectant.

"Right, let me introduce you. This is Lord Danzo Shimura, formerly an advisor to the Third Hokage and the head of the Anbu Training Department. As for me, I am a direct subordinate of Danzo Shimura."

Perhaps because he was in a good mood, Orochimaru actually took it upon himself to introduce Danzo Shimura.

"What?! Lord Orochimaru is actually this gentleman's direct subordinate?"

Uchiha Chen was struck dumb, staring at Danzo Shimura in utter shock.

"So, what is your answer to what I said earlier?"

Danzo Shimura glanced down at Uchiha Chen with a hint of self-satisfaction, asking with an air of arrogance.

"Lord Danzo, I am just an ordinary ninja. To receive your favor like this... I am truly flattered and overwhelmed!"

Uchiha Chen looked completely overwhelmed.

"Hmm? Are you saying no?"

Danzo Shimura frowned; he was not satisfied with Uchiha Chen's answer.

Even the way Orochimaru looked at Uchiha Chen began to change.

"Lord Danzo, you've misunderstood. I was just so happy that I didn't know what to do."

"How about this: give me five days. I need to calm my nerves and give this some serious thought!"

Uchiha Chen waved his hands hurriedly to explain, as if he were truly afraid of Danzo Shimura misunderstanding him.

"Five days is too long. I will give you two days at most to consider it."

Danzo Shimura's expression softened slightly, though it remained cold and grim.

"This..."

"Hmm?"

"Fine! Two days it is. Lord Danzo, Lord Orochimaru, rest assured—I will certainly give you a satisfactory answer by then!"

Uchiha Chen's expression tightened as he replied in a rush.

"Hmph, I hope you won't disappoint me when the time comes!"

Danzo Shimura looked him up and down, shot Uchiha Chen a warning glance, and then turned to leave with his guards.

As for Orochimaru, he cast a meaningful look at Uchiha Chen before leaving without another word.

"Danzo, Orochimaru... are you two really that impatient?"

Watching their retreating figures, Uchiha Chen offered a faint smile. All traces of panic and feigned flattery vanished instantly.

The moment he had sensed Orochimaru, Uchiha Chen had already guessed the reason for Danzo Shimura's visit.

It was nothing more than Orochimaru's unspeakable experiments and his own pair of Sharingan.

"Sigh, sometimes being too talented is a burden. People are always eyeing you!"

Uchiha Chen shook his head with a smile, his expression devoid of any real fear.

"Brother Minato, I might need you to shield me from these troubles. After all, only if no one bothers me can I properly research Medical Ninjutsu, and then I'll be able to save your wife, right?"

As he spoke, Uchiha Chen didn't rush to leave. Instead, he sat back down cross-legged, the knowledge of Medical Ninjutsu surfacing in his mind.

As the saying goes, reviewing the old leads to new discoveries; who knew what unexpected gains he might find?

Unfortunately, the trees may prefer calm, but the wind will not subside.

Uchiha Chen had barely been seated for long when another figure suddenly appeared before him.

"Is today some kind of special occasion? So many people coming to find me—am I really that popular?"

Uchiha Chen slowly opened his eyes and looked ahead.