50

He?

Orochimaru's pupils shrank sharply as he suddenly noticed this address. He was immediately attracted by this "he." Even the "Myōboku-san" in the second half of the sentence, "Great Toad Immortal," was such big news that he couldn't care about it.

"Are you sure it's Him?" Orochimaru looked at Nara Shintaku in shock.

"Of course."

Nara Shintaku nodded and smiled. "Would I lie about something like this?"

Hiss...

Orochimaru took a breath of air. Indeed, Nara Shintaku had no reason to lie to him about such a thing. So, the legendary Sage of Six Paths is really a living god!?

"Interesting, very interesting..."

Orochimaru licked his tongue, smiled excitedly, and said in a low voice, "I am becoming more and more interested in the secrets of the ninja world."

"Well, I was still hesitating."

"But the information you revealed has made me determined."

Orochimaru looked at Nara Shintaku.

"What determination?" Nara Shintaku asked.

"To study the Uchiha clan's Sharingan!" Orochimaru said in a deep voice.

Nara Shintaku narrowed his eyes slightly, a bit surprised. Is Orochimaru still obsessed with the power of the Uchiha clan?

"I was originally planning to give up because the potential of the curse seal exceeds that of the Sharingan. However, the soul scalpel I forged allows me to perform surgery directly on the soul, energy, and body, cutting, suturing, and modifying any part at will."

"The abandoned plan has been picked up by me again."

"Plus the information you revealed: Uchiha is a descendant of the Sage of Six Paths... Hehe, I want to study the Sharingan even more."

Orochimaru laughed, paused, and said, "This can be regarded as the fulfillment of my long-cherished wish!"

I see.

Nara Shintaku nodded and asked, "What are you going to do?"

"Root!" Orochimaru said in a low voice. "The Root has secretly stored many Uchiha corpses in a secret base outside. Those are enough for me to use."

This surprised Nara Shintaku. He actually wanted to target Root?

"I thought you were going to kill Uchiha," Nara Shintaku laughed.

"Hehe, it's not that serious yet." Orochimaru waved his hand and said, "Besides, I plan to cut ties with Danzo. The teacher's attitude has changed. I have a chance to become Hokage."

"This was my dream when I was young."

Orochimaru showed a nostalgic smile on his face. Obviously, he still had the dream of becoming Hokage.

"Is that so?"

Nara Shintaku couldn't deny it. In his opinion, the position of Hokage was meaningless. But he would not interfere with Orochimaru's actions.

"When do we set off?" Nara Shintaku asked, glancing ahead.

A system panel that only he could see appeared.

---

[Current template: Mayuri Kurotsuchi!]

[Development progress: 34%!]

[Developed technologies: Blood armor technique (dynamic blood armor and static blood armor), flying sickle kick technique, exclusive sage mode, Yin-Yang escape: Ghost Way, soul activation: ascension technique, soul weapon forging technique]

---

The Soul Weapon Forging Technique was just announced to be taught publicly. It has not been officially spread yet. At the same time, the seven types of escape techniques have also been developed.

Before reaching 40% of the progress and obtaining the stage reward, Nara Shintaku had a lot of time.

"About two weeks later," Orochimaru estimated the time and said. "After the Soul Weapon Forging Technique is publicly taught, those ninjas will visit me, and I will need some time to send them away."

"Okay." Nara Shintaku nodded. Two weeks—he would just treat it as a two-week vacation.

After the two finished discussing their plans, they left separately.

---

Three days later, Nara Shintaku received a message from Orochimaru and came to a public training ground. He was surprised to see a "strange" person.

"?" Nara Shintaku asked a question, and a bad feeling emerged in his heart.

"Hahaha, let me introduce her to you." Orochimaru smiled as if he were watching a play, pointed at Yuhi Kurenai, and said, "This is my new disciple, Yuhi Kurenai from the Yuhi family, and she will be your junior sister from now on."

"Mr. Shintaku, please give me your guidance." Yuhi Kurenai bowed politely.

"Well, I'll give you some advice."

Nara Shintaku twitched his lips and nodded perfunctorily. He looked at the girl in front of him. With her black hair, ruby-like eyes, and cute, well-behaved face, she didn't look like a ninja at all, but rather like a lady from a noble family. Her quiet and virtuous temperament was particularly eye-catching.

"Kurenai, wait a minute; I'll talk to your senior brother." Orochimaru smiled and waved, walking out of the arena.

"Yes." Yuhi Kurenai answered obediently. Nara Shintaku sighed inwardly and walked out of the field helplessly.

The two masters and apprentices exchanged whispers.

"Shintaki, they are coming for you."

"...Orochimaru, what benefits did you receive?"

"Alas, they have asked the Third Hokage for help, so I can't refuse."

"...Please stop smiling when you say this."

"Haha, that's it anyway. I still have things to do, so I'll leave the guiding of your practice to you."

"Seriously!"

Nara Shintaku had no interest in taking care of children. What's more, the other party's purpose was not pure. Learning from a master was secondary; getting him, Nara Shintaku, was the main goal!

"Just give some guidance. This kid is very good at illusions, but her physical and ninjutsu skills are only at a passing level."

"In the future, it would be great if she could become a Jonin."

"She's destined not to be one of us."

Orochimaru shook his head, glancing at the blank-looking Yuhi Kurenai in the field. A trace of pity flashed in his eyes.

"Accepting her as a student is nothing more than an exchange of interests."

Nara Shintaku didn't say anything, but also looked at Yuhi Kurenai. He knew the plot and recognized that Orochimaru's judgment was correct. Yuhi Kurenai was of the same generation as Asuma and Kakashi, but she lagged behind for several years before being promoted to a formal Jonin.

Her talent was indeed lacking.

However...

"I won't help you for free." Nara Shintaku stared at Orochimaru.

"Oh? What do you mean?" Orochimaru raised his eyebrows in curiosity.

"I want 70% of the profits!"

"...That kind of benefit is of no value to you. Yuhi Shinku promised to help me win over the Anbu."

"Then you owe me one!"

"...OK!!"

The two reached a deal and returned to the training ground.