Success

Konoha.

Sigh~

A sigh echoed from the Hokage's Office as Fugaku smoothed the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes with two index fingers.

"What's wrong, Lord Fugaku? Is something not going well at the front?"

An Uchiha Clan ninja appeared and asked Fugaku a question.

This isn't the first time Ren has abandoned the village and gone off to have fun on his own.

He didn't have Fugaku impersonate him before; he relied entirely on some trusted clan members to cover for him.

This time, Ren didn't hide it from them either.

"It's nothing, I'm just getting old and a bit sentimental!"

After smoothing out the wrinkles around his eyes, Fugaku answered his clansmen.

Fugaku had just contacted the frontline command. Although the resistance from Iwagakure had caused the allied forces some minor trouble, it wasn't a big problem.

Fugaku didn't need to do anything; Ren had already arranged everything before leaving.

Fugaku had to do was listen to the daily reports, in Ren's name.

Following the principles that Ren had told him before leaving, Fugaku listened to the report with a smile throughout.

The reason I sighed was simply because I'm getting old and life is tough.

Not long after she started acting, Mikoto Uchiha asked herself what she had been doing Tenten and why she had more and more wrinkles on her face when she got home that night.

Fugaku naturally wouldn't tell Mikoto Uchiha that he came to the Hokage's Office to stand guard every day.

This has made Mikoto Uchiha increasingly suspicious lately, and last night she even kicked Mikoto Uchiha out of the bedroom, leaving him to sleep alone in the guest room.

"How's it going on your end? Have you managed to contact the Lord Hokage?"

"No!"

The tribesman shook his head in response.

Before Ren and Orochimaru went to the moon, they had already informed Konoha that they would be out of contact for a while and that they should not contact him unless it was something very important.

Besides communicating through the 'Heavenly Eye', one can also contact Ren using Summoning Technique.

Fugaku considered his situation and concluded that it wasn't a serious matter, so he could only sigh again.

Sigh~

Five days ago, after learning that Ren had something to do and needed to be disconnected, Fugaku asked what kind of situation would be considered particularly important.

Ren gave only two answers at the time.

First, Konoha is about to be destroyed.

Second, the project codenamed [Yuan] in the Experimental Building has achieved its final results.

The first thing, Fugaku felt was completely impossible in his lifetime.

As for the second matter, Fugaku knew nothing about what the project codenamed [Yuan] was, what it did, or what its purpose was.

Ren didn't explain, and Fugaku didn't ask.

Ren had told Fugaku that he could freely browse all the unlocked and unsealed documents in the office.

A few days ago, when I was extremely bored, Fugaku came across a document that contained clues about the [Meta] project.

It was a financial report, which showed a payment received in the amount of [yuan], but there were no other records or recipient information.

Fugaku, slightly intrigued, reviewed past financial reports and discovered that the project had started several years ago.

Initially, the accounts were processed through the Konoha Military Police Force rather than Konoha's, a practice that dates back several years.

Fugaku had no idea that a project from several years ago would just happen to yield its final results during the time Ren was away.

Feeling hopeless, Fugaku secretly hoped that Ren could finish his business quickly and return to Konoha as soon as possible.

Konoha can't live a single day without you, Ren- kun!

Meanwhile, inside the Experimental Building.

Orochimaru's once spacious laboratory now felt somewhat crowded, with researchers in lab coats moving about busily, each busy with their own tasks.

"Team leaders, the results are in!"

A researcher respectfully handed a screen to Orochimaru and Kabuto.

Kabuto remained unmoved, looking at Orochimaru and speaking.

"Senior, this is your project, please go first."

Orochimaru didn't hesitate; he took the screen, glanced at it, and then smiled.

"Du-kun, you see, that's just how it is."

With that, Orochimaru flipped him over so he was facing Kabuto.

When Dou saw the results, his face was filled with disbelief, and he kept muttering to himself.

"How could this be? How is this possible!"

But immediately, Dou regained his composure, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.

Orochimaru clearly grasped this point and spoke up.

"Kabuto-kun, use Sealing Jutsu. Just like you said, this is my project!"

"But this isn't safe!"

Kabuto showed no sign of backing down, and his body tensed up, ready to strike at any moment.

Seeing that Kabuto looked ready to unleash a massacre at any moment, Orochimaru spoke up.

"Do you still remember what Ren- kun said before he left, Kabuto-kun?"

Orochimaru's suggestion reminded Ren of Yuuki's instructions, and his body finally began to calm down.

"That's how it will be for now, but the specifics will depend on Ren's decision."

After saying that, Kabuto summoned a researcher who was second only to him and Orochimaru.

"All researchers, including you, must leave the laboratory and undergo the highest level of sealing. Execute immediately!"

"Yes, Chief Pharmacist!"

After the researcher began his operation, Kabuto left the laboratory and rushed towards the Hokage Building.

Ten minutes later, after Fugaku finished listening to Kabuto's story, his eyes lit up.

"Quickly, contact the Lord Hokage immediately!"