"Then I'll wish you a happy marriage in advance, Minato Kushina."
Minato Namikaze scratched his head, looking unusually shy.
"Haha, speaking of which, Meikyō, you're already this age, why haven't you started looking for a partner yet?"
Kushina, on the other hand, was quite uninhibited.
"Is it because you have too high standards and can't find other girls attractive? How about I introduce you to some girls? There are quite a few eligible girls in the Sealing Unit who admire you a lot!"
"Haha, well... let's talk about it another day, another day."
Meikyō made the same head-scratching gesture as Minato Namikaze had done before, trying to brush it off with a laugh.
To avoid them bringing up the topic again, Meikyō decided to change the subject.
"By the way, Minato, Kushina, how's it going with breaking the seal on the seven Ninja Blades from Kirigakure, and the Reverse Amber Seal on Dodai's corpse?"
Once back to the main topic, Minato Namikaze and Kushina's expressions immediately became serious.
"Let me go first."
Minato Namikaze spoke up.
"The seal that brought the seven Ninja Blades to our door is indeed interesting, but Kushina and I did not break it because we had a better solution."
As Minato Namikaze spoke, he formed Hand Seals and summoned a scroll Toad. He then took out the scroll and summoned seven Ninja Blades that were sealed with cloth.
"After Kushina and I deciphered these seals, we began to modify the seals on the Ninja Blade, leaving a backup plan. While Kirigakure can summon the seven Ninja Blade back, if Kirigakure wants to use these seven Ninja Blades to fight us again in the future, we can still use this backup plan to summon the Ninja Blade back. Unless the other side also has Sealing Jutsu Master of Kushina's caliber, it is impossible to fix this loophole."
Meikyō frowned slightly.
"So, you mean the Third Hokage wants to return these seven Ninja Blades?"
Minato Namikaze nodded silently and looked out the window at Nohara Rin, who was placing buttons on the snowman's eyes.
"Elder Yan is still negotiating with Kirigakure. Their attitude towards the Three-Tails and the Ninja Blade is very firm, but now that the Three-Tails is inside Rin, the Third Hokage will not hand Rin over."
That's hard to say!
Meikyō inwardly complained, but outwardly showed an expression of agreement.
In the original timeline, when Konoha was relatively weak, the Third Hokage, that old monkey, actually did something like sacrificing his fellow villagers to exchange for peace.
However, this is unlikely in the present timeline.
The current Konoha is at its strongest in terms of high-level combat power since the death of the First Hokage, and there is no need for it to compromise with Kirigakure.
Furthermore, none of the Young Faction of Konoha, including the legendary Sannin, Dan Katō, Minato Namikaze, and Uchiha Meikyō, would agree to this condition.
Returning seven Ninja Blade is probably the limit.
"It's alright. If Kirigakure tries to cause trouble again, I'll just call Senior Orochimaru and we'll go back to Kirigakure and do the same thing we did in Kumogakure."
Meikyō waved his hand dismissively and said...
"If that ever happens, Meikyō, please don't forget to call me."
Minato Namikaze also joined in the joke.
"It's my turn next."
After Kushina spoke, she also unfurled a scroll.
"I'm almost able to reverse-engineer the Amber Seal's Dodai, but the reason I haven't acted on it yet is because the seal has become entangled with Dodai's body. In some ways, it's similar to our Jinchuriki."
The scroll depicts a complete adult male body, with seals engraved on it.
"The entire seal extends from the surface of the Dodai's skin all the way into his internal organs. It's as if he's using his own body as a container to seal the Six Paths Tools, just like sealing the Tailed Beast. To remove the Ninja Tools, the seal must be broken, and to break the seal, his body must be destroyed."
"But a change in one part affects the whole. The Re: Amber Seal is extremely integral and highly variable. If one part changes, it will also cause further changes to the seal itself. As a result, even if I can break it, it will take a lot more time. Therefore, I need a master who has a high understanding of the human body and is skilled in Sealing Technique to help plan and shorten the process."
Within Konoha, there are actually three people who can meet the condition Kushina mentioned.
Uchiha Meikyō, Tsunade, Orochimaru.
"Tsunade seems to be very busy lately, and Senior Orochimaru is nowhere to be seen either, so I'll have to leave this matter to you, Meikyō."
"No problem."
Meikyō nodded in agreement.
As they were talking, several more people arrived outside the mansion.
Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto, each holding one of Uchiha Itachi's hands, arrived at the gate. Beside them were Uchiha Tatsu and Uchiha Shisui, who were supporting Uchiha Yu.
"Lord Meikyō!"
Uchiha Itachi bowed respectfully to Meikyō.
"Meikyō, are you satisfied with this house?"
As the New Year arrived, even Uchiha Fugaku's usually serious face showed a hint of a smile.
"I like it very much, Fugaku."
Meikyō also smiled and said.
"Yes, this house is quite fitting for the status of the number one Uchiha. It can also be used as a wedding room in the future."
Uchiha Yu suddenly interjected.
Meikyō:...
"Ahem, by the way, Mikoto, did you bring everything?"
Meikyō coughed and changed the subject.
"They're all here!"
Uchiha Mikoto answered for Fugaku, waving a large bundle of Sealing Scroll in her hand.
What's sealed inside isn't ninja tools or anything like that, but a large quantity of fresh food.
"Mikoto, you've come at the right time. The Medical Department is closing soon, and Tsunade and Dan-senpai are coming over too. There will probably be a lot of people tonight, and I need an assistant to help with the cooking later."
Kushina hurriedly led Uchiha Mikoto to the kitchen to get busy.
After Nohara Rin and Uchiha Obito the snowman, they went inside to help out.
Not long after, Dan Katō and Tsunade, along with Aburame Nami and Inuzuka Ryo, strolled over.
By the time buckwheat noodles, pufferfish hot pot, and touso wine, traditional New Year's foods, were served, it was already dark, and brilliant fireworks exploded in the sky, illuminating the night.
As night fell, young men and women gathered for a New Year's celebration with a song party.
The new year represents a new beginning. After Konoha emerged victorious from years of war, everyone, young and old, placed new hopes on a peaceful future.
As the last dish of White Fish cakes was served, Jiraiya's nonchalant voice came from outside the door again.
"Hey, Orochimaru, it's almost New Year's, stop holed up in your lab researching Ninjutsu."
"So you asked me to come out because it's Chinese New Year today?"
"Hey! Don't exaggerate like that, okay? You can hear the music from the concert outside."
Dan Katō and Tsunade exchanged a glance, then took the initiative to open the door.
"Well, Jiraiya and Orochimaru, we've been waiting for you for ages! Come on in, today's stew is your favorite fish cake and chicken skewers."
Dan Katō took Orochimaru's arm and led him into the house.
There are many kinds of zōni, the most well-known of which is the Kanto region zōni, which is the familiar oden.
In the Naruto World, the variety of zōtō (a type of stew) also varies from country to country due to geographical factors. The Land of Fire, with its abundant resources, produces a wide variety of zōtō.
"Speaking of which, it's been quite a few years since we, the Konoha Sannin, have had a get-together like this. We should celebrate."
Jiraiya casually sat down next to Minato Namikaze, and, in a very familiar manner, picked up a cup of toso sake and poured himself a drink.
"Jiraiya, the Toso wine should be drunk by the young people first, and then it's the turn of the oldest, Yu-senpai, so that the old can be rejuvenated."
Orochimaru sat next to Dan Katō, holding a skewer of fish cakes, and gave Jiraiya a disgruntled look.
"Rejuvenation is something even the Sage of Six Paths couldn't do, so I don't really care. But if we're talking about the youngest, Itachi isn't old enough to drink yet, and there's also Shisui and Obito, and you guys too."
Uchiha Yu stroked his short, white beard and spoke as an elder.
"Why be so formal? I propose we all toast to the first drink together!"
Meikyō raised her wine glass high and placed it in the center of the table.
"Cheers!"
Hands held wine glasses and clinked them together in the center, splashing sparkling water droplets under the soft lights.
After staying up all night to welcome the new year, the banquet also comes to an end.
Completely drunk, Tsunade was carried back by Dan Katō.
Jiraiya was also slurring his words from drinking, was helped away by Minato Namikaze and Kushina.
Uchiha Yu was too old to endure for long, so he and Uchiha Tatsu left with Shisui and the other younger generation.
Except for Uchiha Obito.
He was dragged along by Meikyō to the underground laboratory of the Konoha Military Police Force with Uchiha Fugaku and Orochimaru.
"Clan Chief Fugaku, Lord Meikyō! And Obito."
The five young Uchiha who had been assigned to the laboratory bowed to Meikyō and his group.
Upon hearing himself addressed as "sir," Uchiha Obito broke into a silly grin.
"Obito, don't get distracted."
Meikyō gave a reminder, dismissed a few assistants, and, along with Obito, followed Orochimaru deeper into the laboratory.
The underground base was divided into two levels. The first level looked like a normal laboratory for developing Ninjutsu, ninja tools, and some common items.
This is used as cover.
The second level is located ten meters below the first level. The entrance is concealed by Genjutsu and is sealed with Iron Armor Seal that Orochimaru obtained from Kumogakure.
"These are... the monsters that Teacher Meikyō captured before!"
"Uchiha Obito exclaimed in surprise."
Several White Zetsu bodies were placed in cylindrical glass containers filled with an unknown green liquid, with tubes attached to their backs.
Some containers contained strange things that Obito couldn't understand, such as a bizarre large lump of flesh.
"Hehe, Meikyō- kun, I think with your and Tsunade's abilities, it shouldn't be difficult for you to discover the special characteristics of White Zetsu Cells. In a sense, it's almost a weakened version of that thing, making it more controllable."
Orochimaru stuck out his long tongue and licked his lips as he spoke.
Given that Uchiha Obito was present, he did not mention Hashirama Cells.
Although he has already awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, Uchiha Obito's current ninja level is not qualified to access information such as Hashirama Cells, which even ordinary Jonin do not know.
"So, the Yang Release Potion you mentioned was cultured using White Zetsu's cells?"
Following Orochimaru's footsteps, Meikyō walked to a table.
On the table was a row of pale gold test tubes that emitted a faint Chakra glow.
"That's right, this is the eye power restoration potion I made from the Yang Release substance extracted from White Zetsu's body. It seems to have only so-so effects, because transplanting some White Zetsu cells into your bodies can also bring about some eye power restoration, but..."
Speaking of this, Orochimaru couldn't help but lick his lips again.
"But this is a byproduct of transplanting that thing into the body of White Zetsu. Because the DNA between the two is essentially the same, there will be no rejection reaction. On the contrary, it allows the White Zetsu Cells to repair the damaged body after receiving a large amount of homogeneous vitality. I injected a large amount of nutrients into it to accelerate the proliferation rate and make it continuously produce new White Zetsu Cells."
"And I discovered that the properties of these new White Zetsu Cells can be adjusted according to the nutrients I inject into them. So now, although the Yang Release Chakra contained in these new White Zetsu Cells is not as good as that thing itself, it is stronger than the original White Zetsu Cells. The Enhancement Serum extracted from them has all sorts of incredible effects!"
As Orochimaru spoke, he picked up a test tube and drank the golden liquid inside.
As if he had taken some kind of super tonic, Orochimaru's pale face immediately turned rosy.
According to Meikyō's perception, Orochimaru's Chakra level showed a slight increase—
For a Kage Level powerhouse who has reached middle age, it is almost inconceivable that their Chakra reserves could increase further at this age.
"This medicine can repair almost any injury, including those hidden injuries that are difficult to notice. It also restores Chakra levels, increases Chakra limits, and enhances energy. It even has a restorative effect on special Chakra like ocular power. At the same time, it can subtly improve physical fitness. When combined with training, it can accelerate the process of strengthening. Furthermore, after each dose, the speed of Chakra recovery will also increase."
At this point, Orochimaru pointed to himself.
"To test the effects of this potion, I used two doses on an Orochi in Ryūchi Cave, which was then cultivated into another Orochi whose strength was no less than that of Manda. I also took the potion myself twice before I was able to determine its effects."