The Difficult Problem

Kannabi Bridge, underground base.

"Lord Madara, do you remember the plan I mentioned long ago about founding an organization?"

Around noon, Shin'yu and Madara sat in the stone chamber drinking tea together, chatting while Uchiha Hikari washed the dishes.

"I remember. Have you started putting it into action?" Madara nodded.

Several years had passed. Madara was now past fifty, and time had left unmistakable wrinkles on his face. His frame was no longer as robust as before, though thankfully, his back remained straight. The occasional sharp glint in his eyes still proved that he had once stood at the pinnacle of the ninja world.

Shin'yu still had his eyes wrapped in black cloth. Lowering his head to sip his tea, he sensed that Lord Madara, who had once been so tall that he could only look up at him, now somehow seemed rather slight.

"Yeah. I recently took in a subordinate. He knows Earth Grudge Fear, the secret technique once possessed by the Hidden Waterfall Village. He's an immortal ninja with five hearts."

"Earth Grudge Fear..." Madara pondered for a moment before smiling faintly. "A Ninjutsu that steals the hearts of others to sustain one's own life? A minor path, but as a means of clinging to life, it is sufficient."

"Yeah, that was why I chose him in the first place. He can live a long time." Shin'yu seemed to recall something. "Interestingly enough, this guy once tried to assassinate Hashirama Senju."

"Mm. At least he isn't a coward." Madara nodded.

"Lord Madara, do you have any requirements for the organization's members?" Shin'yu asked tentatively.

"You can decide such matters yourself. I trust you have good judgment." Madara rested his head on his hands, his gaze carrying a hint of satisfaction. "You've already grown into a child who can stand on his own."

He gazed at Shin'yu, at the tall, slender figure before him. For an instant, that figure seemed to overlap with someone else's, becoming indistinguishable.

"Come to think of it, Izuna was this old back then too..." A faint warmth lingered in Madara's eyes.

Just then, Uchiha Hikari pushed open the door, instantly breaking the peculiar atmosphere.

She sat down beside Shin'yu without a word, picked up a teacup, and took small sips.

"What is it? What were you talking about just now?" she asked belatedly.

Shin'yu shook his head. "Nothing. We were discussing founding an organization and recruiting subordinates. I'll tell you the details later."

"Mm." She nodded. Her neck was long and fair, like that of a proud swan.

Six years had added a touch of mature charm to her. Her skin was translucent like jade, her brows and eyes picturesque, carrying an innate coolness. Her delicate oval face had become even softer, while her Water-Cutting Eyes were clear and bright.

Most striking of all was the pale purple Rhombus mark that had appeared on her fair forehead.

Before Shin'yu had raided the execution grounds in the Hidden Leaf Village to save Uchiha Kagami, he had also taken the opportunity to browse Tobirama's laboratory and secret chamber, collecting three spoils of war. One of them was the "Yin Seal," which he had given Hikari as a gift.

This Secret Technique allowed its user to naturally gather Chakra in daily life for storage. Those proficient in its use could even enhance their physical functions through low-output releases and minute adjustments of the Chakra within the Yin Seal, allowing them to remain in peak condition and preserve their youthful appearance.

It was a Sealing Technique whose primary purpose was storing Chakra. It was neither here nor there for Uchiha Hikari, but its youth-preserving effect delighted her immensely.

After all, what girl did not like having a face that remained young forever?

Compared to the other two gains, this "Yin Seal" was merely an extra.

One was Tobirama's long-standing experimental records on Hashirama fusion.

The other consisted of two bottles of solution: half a bottle of refrigerated Golden Gene Liquid and a sealed jar of Kimaera Reagent.

After awakening the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, Shin'yu carefully studied Tobirama's experimental records and locked himself away for several months to research the experimental equipment and related knowledge.

In the end, following the experimental procedures, he extracted genetic fluid from Hikari's blood cells and, with the aid of the Kimaera Reagent, attempted to fuse it with Hashirama's Gene Liquid. Yet the result was deeply disappointing.

The fusion did not succeed. Although this was the culmination of Tobirama's countless efforts, every step had been perfectly replicated, and there had already been the successful precedent of Uchiha Kagami, Shin'yu's experiment still failed.

There was no violent reaction. Instead, it was eerily quiet. The two solutions remained distinctly separate, like water and oil, refusing to merge.

Shin'yu agonized over this for a long while. Old Madara, unwilling to admit defeat, joined the discussion. After the two analyzed it at length, they ultimately concluded that it was likely an individual difference.

Hikari's genes differed from Kagami's, which had led to this outcome.

To achieve a perfect ratio, they would still need to gradually alter the mixture proportions little by little. It would be a long process, and it had to be entrusted to a professional to be reliable.

It was precisely because of this that Shin'yu set his sights on Orochimaru.

Orochimaru was still young at the time, at an age when his values had yet to fully take shape. His extraordinary talent for research had not yet emerged either, but Shin'yu was in no hurry. An exceptional seed only needed a little encouragement to take root, sprout, and grow strong. With a little guidance at the critical moment, it would grow into a towering tree in the direction you required.

Everything Shin'yu had done so far was for Uchiha Hikari—for the light in her eyes to endure forever. Fortunately, life had been relatively peaceful these past few years, and she had no need to use her eye techniques at all, so the burden on her body had not worsened.

According to Shin'yu's plans, Hashirama cells could not only resist the damage the Mangekyo Sharingan inflicted upon the body, but also grant Yang Release Chakra—the embodiment of vigorous vitality—which could even effectively slow aging.

There was proof of this. In the Original Timeline, compared to the aged and muddleheaded Sarutobi Hiruzen, Danzo, who had transplanted Hashirama cells, still looked like a middle-aged man.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Shin'yu wanted to invite Madara outside for some fresh air, but Old Madara waved him off. He lay comfortably on his side on the bed, looking entirely like a retiree enjoying his leisure.

With no other choice, Shin'yu and Hikari rose to take their leave, departing the Clan Territory.

They had something to do.

Not exactly major, but not insignificant either.

When the two found Kakuzu, the man was indeed hunting. Carrying the corpse of some unknown ninja, he was trudging miserably toward the Exchange Station to collect the bounty.

"This is..." Kakuzu studied Hikari behind Shin'yu, his face beneath the mask filled with caution.

"My name is Uchiha Hikari." Hikari parted her crimson lips, her voice as cool as ever.

Compared to the utter disregard he had shown when first meeting Shin'yu, Kakuzu was much more polite now. "My name is Kakuzu. I am currently Lord Shin'yu's subordinate."

"Hey, how many times have I told you? Drop the two 'Lord's at the end. I don't like things being so formal."

"Yes, Lord Shin'yu."

Shin'yu tilted his head, sensing the corpse Kakuzu had slung over his shoulder, and teased, "Kakuzu, you really do love every line of work you take on."

"In this world, no relationship lasts forever. Only cold, hard money will never betray you," Kakuzu said gravely.

"Enough. At your age, you still haven't achieved financial freedom."

Shin'yu waved a hand. "Go collect the bounty. Once you're done, come with us."

"A mission?"

"Yeah. It's a mission you'll definitely like." Shin'yu smiled mysteriously.