Shocking! Hashirama Senju Still Had an Heir

In a dim secret chamber, a man with long black hair, skin fairer than a woman's, and tomoe-shaped earrings murmured as he prepared his test tubes.

"Everything with a physical form will wither sooner or later. People are no different. Only the formless can live forever. Eternal life..."

This man was none other than Shisui Uchiha's target for this visit-Orochimaru!

Yet just as the man was absorbed in his work, a blurred figure abruptly appeared on a chair inside the laboratory.

"Multiple Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

Orochimaru's golden pupils contracted sharply at the uninvited guest. Large snakes shot out of his sleeves, their jaws snapping open as they lunged to kill.

"Orochimaru, is this how you treat your guests?"

Slash!

As Shisui Uchiha's words fell, the attacking snakes suddenly stiffened. In an instant, every one of them was cut in half.

All that could be seen clearly was the blood-speckled shuriken spinning in his hand.

And an unidentified youth wearing a wooden mask!

"Damn it!"

Seeing the intruder break through his ninjutsu in an instant, Orochimaru set down his test tube and spoke in a sinister voice.

"Who are you? You dare barge into Konoha so openly and attack the Hokage's student? Aren't you afraid you'll never leave this place alive?"

Although Orochimaru had already begun experimenting on living subjects, he had yet to be fully exposed.

Publicly, he was still the student of Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and one of Konoha's renowned Sannin.

So his words were not wrong.

But faced with Orochimaru's attempt to pressure him with his status, Shisui Uchiha merely smiled indifferently and tossed out several unconscious Root ninja.

"Threatening me? Save it. I came here for two reasons. First, to bring you some living subjects for your experiments. Second..."

Living subjects!

At those words, Orochimaru's golden eyes widened.

This man actually knew about his secret experiments!

I can't keep wasting time with him. Find an opening and run!

Despite Orochimaru's wariness, Shisui Uchiha calmly continued.

"Orochimaru, I'll give you all the materials you want. That cowardly fool Shimura Danzō doesn't deserve to work with someone as talented as you!"

As he spoke, Shisui Uchiha slowly formed hand seals and pressed his palms together.

Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique!

Roar!

A ferocious Wood Dragon burst forth in front of Shisui Uchiha, its enormous jaws opening as it lunged straight at Orochimaru.

At this sight, the fear on Orochimaru's face vanished instantly, replaced by a sick, frenzied excitement!

"How can you use Wood Release? And its purity... could it be?! My friend, give me a drop of your blood. Please, give me a drop!"

"I'm willing to pay for my earlier recklessness!"

Orochimaru spread his arms with a smile, seemingly prepared to take Shisui Uchiha's Wood Dragon Technique head-on with his own flesh and blood.

Seeing this, the corners of Shisui Uchiha's mouth curled upward.

Just as he had expected, once he displayed his exceptionally pure Wood Release, Orochimaru could no longer hide the greed in his eyes.

"Disperse!"

Shisui Uchiha gave a slight nod at Orochimaru's response. With a flick of his hand, he dispersed the Wood Dragon, cut his palm with a shuriken, and flung several drops of blood toward Orochimaru.

Orochimaru hurriedly grabbed a test tube, caught the blood with fumbling hands, and immediately bent over it to begin testing.

After a long while, Orochimaru suddenly threw back his head and laughed wildly, his entire body trembling uncontrollably.

"This is what I've wanted! This is exactly what I've wanted!"

The next moment, Orochimaru whipped his head toward Shisui Uchiha, his face alight with excitement.

"My friend, tell me! What do you need me to do?"

As long as he could keep obtaining this exceptionally pure blood containing Wood Release chakra, he would do anything.

All he wanted now was eternal life!

"I don't mind talking to clever people. Especially clever people as capable as you."

With that, Shisui Uchiha stated the purpose of his visit.

"My name is Senju Ye. I'm a student of Lord Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage. I've only recently returned from training, and I'm deeply dissatisfied with Konoha's current state. Why has the Senju Clan declined so far? Why is the Uchiha Clan being ostracized? The current Hokage is a terrible disappointment."

"So, for Konoha's stability and strength, I intend to eliminate every factor that threatens it. To do that, I need you to betray Shimura Danzō at a specific time. Ideally... kill him."

"Kill Danzo? You're going to betray Konoha!"

Orochimaru frowned slightly.

Although Shimura Danzō's health was deteriorating with age, killing him without alerting anyone would still be difficult.

As Orochimaru weighed the matter, Shisui Uchiha slowly approached the laboratory table and patted his shoulder, making him recoil slightly.

Shisui Uchiha's smile remained unchanged.

"Don't be afraid. If I wanted to kill you, I'd have done it already. There would be no need to waste so much breath."

Then Shisui Uchiha changed his tone.

"Betray Konoha? I have no intention of doing that. But Shimura Danzō must die!"

"If he lives, the relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha will deteriorate further, eventually leading to a split and betrayal! That's not something I want to see."

And if anything happened to the Uchiha, he would undoubtedly be caught up in it too!

"In any case, I'll create the opportunity for you. All you need to do is continue your experiments and wait."

"...All right. I'll trust you for now."

After considering it for a moment, Orochimaru finally agreed.

"But if anything goes wrong, I'll end our cooperation immediately. I have no intention of dying for some young man's reckless impulse."

"Heh heh heh. Have you ever seen a true dragon break its word to a venomous snake?"

"..."

Orochimaru remained silent.

Shisui Uchiha merely shrugged.

"Oh, and give me a Kusanagi Sword."

His abilities went beyond terrifying speed. He was also a formidable swordsman!

He needed a fine weapon!

"...All right."

Orochimaru paused at the request, but ultimately tossed him one of his specially made Kusanagi Swords.

He knew perfectly well that his relationship with this "Senju Ye," who claimed to be a student of Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage, was merely a transaction.

To gain something, he had to give something up.

Whoosh!

"A fine sword. Well then, I'll be going."

Shisui Uchiha examined the Kusanagi Sword, a satisfied smile appearing on his face as he studied its keen edge.

The next moment, his figure blurred, leaving only his calm voice echoing through the laboratory.

"I'm merely offering you a better option, not making a demand. You can wait until the situation becomes clear before making your choice."

"Orochimaru, I believe you're a talented man. I hope your final decision won't disappoint me."