Chapter 42: Uchiha Itachi’s Secret and Orochimaru’s Confidence

After making up his mind to properly deal with Yuugao Uzuki later, Shishou turned to Orochimaru and said:

"Orochimaru-sama, above the Three Tomoe Sharingan, there exists another form called the Mangekyo Sharingan."

"And each Mangekyo Sharingan possesses extremely powerful abilities."

Orochimaru's eyes lit up with a peculiar gleam, excitedly repeating the words 'Mangekyo Sharingan' over and over.

He was determined to obtain a pair of Mangekyo Sharingan!

Then, he would use those eyes to avenge his previous defeats.

Orochimaru made up his mind.

However, he suddenly paused.

He remembered that Itachi Uchiha had already annihilated the Uchiha clan...

Annihilated...

Wiped out...

Gone...

Just when he had discovered Itachi Uchiha's secret and thought of a way to defeat him,

he realized that Itachi had already blocked that path.

It would have been better not to know at all.

Seeing Orochimaru, who had been extremely excited just a moment ago, suddenly become deflated, Shishou couldn't help but laugh.

He knew exactly why Orochimaru was feeling down.

The information that Itachi had spared Sasuke was kept secret by Konoha, and no one outside knew about it, including Orochimaru.

This was also why Orochimaru only turned his attention to Sasuke during the Chunin Exams.

"Orochimaru-sama, there's no need to be discouraged."

"Even without the Sharingan, there is another way to defeat Itachi Uchiha."

Orochimaru's eyes lit up again, and he asked eagerly:

"What method?"

Seeing that Orochimaru had taken the bait, Shishou revealed his ultimate purpose:

"Hashirama cells!"

"Hashirama cells?"

Orochimaru questioned, puzzled.

He had previously conducted research on Hashirama cells with Danzo, but all the experiments had ended in failure.

This led Orochimaru to abandon his research on Hashirama cells.

"Yes, someone has successfully transplanted Hashirama cells and gained immense power."

"Furthermore..."

Shishou was referring to Uchiha Madara.

As for Yamato?

Sorry, but Yamato didn't even come close to being considered powerful.

Someone successfully transplanted Hashirama cells?

Orochimaru's eyes instantly gleamed with curiosity, his gaze fixed on Shishou, eagerly awaiting his next words.

Orochimaru's thirst for knowledge truly earned him the title of the scientist of the ninja world.

"Furthermore, your experiments with Danzo were actually successful."

"It's just that Danzo deceived you."

Orochimaru was taken aback, and then his killing intent surged once more.

But this time, it wasn't directed at Shishou or Yuugao.

Damn you, Danzo, playing tricks on me.

Orochimaru gritted his teeth, vowing to kill Danzo to vent his anger.

Then, Orochimaru looked at Shishou:

"Speak, what is your request?"

Shishou had shared so many secrets, so he couldn't be without demands.

Shishou didn't hide his intentions and directly stated his request and suggestion:

"I want the perfect method for transplanting Hashirama cells."

"The successful specimen you created back then couldn't achieve the same level as the First Hokage. I suggest you change your approach."

"Only then will you have the chance to possess power akin to the First Hokage."

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, once again scrutinizing Shishou.

He hadn't expected Shishou to know so many secrets.

This made Orochimaru unsure of how to deal with Shishou for a moment.

Although Orochimaru wanted to capture Shishou, the latter's methods and confidence indicated that he wasn't someone who could be easily dealt with.

"Orochimaru-sama, I've said all I need to."

"If you want to know the secret of evolving the Sharingan into the Mangekyo Sharingan."

"Then hurry up and give me the complete method for transplanting Hashirama cells."

Hearing that Shishou had a method to evolve the Sharingan into the Mangekyo Sharingan, Orochimaru chuckled and said:

"It's a deal then."

After exchanging contact information,

Shishou took Yuugao Uzuki's hand and prepared to leave.

Before leaving, he looked at Orochimaru and said:

"Itachi Uchiha is coming here soon."

"He has many trump cards. If I were you, I would choose not to confront him directly. Avoid his genjutsu and use large summoning beasts to kite him, watching from a distance."

"After several encounters, once you fully understand all his cards."

"Strike with a killing blow."

After saying that, Shishou left with Yuugao Uzuki, and once they were out of Orochimaru's sight, they used the Flying Thunder God technique to leave the area.

"Hehehe, many trump cards, huh?"

"Since I now know the source of your strength, I won't be as helpless as before."

Originally planning to abandon the base and leave, Orochimaru stayed put upon hearing that Itachi Uchiha was coming, patiently waiting for him.

Before long,

Itachi Uchiha, accompanied by Jūzō Biwa, arrived at Orochimaru's laboratory and saw Orochimaru waiting for them.

Summoning Jutsu!

Without wasting any words, Orochimaru immediately followed Shishou's advice and summoned large beasts.

With a puff of smoke, two large snakes, each three meters thick and several dozen meters long, appeared in front of Itachi Uchiha and Orochimaru.

Itachi, with his painted purple nails and wearing the Suzaku ring, hadn't expected Orochimaru to attack directly.

He quickly retreated, unable to use genjutsu on Orochimaru from such a distance.

The large snakes summoned by Orochimaru opened their huge mouths, lunging at Itachi Uchiha and Jūzō Biwa.

Orochimaru didn't remain idle either, executing Shishou's plan to the fullest.

Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes!

Opening his mouth, countless venomous snakes poured out, rushing towards Itachi Uchiha and Jūzō Biwa.

...

On the other side, Shishou, along with Mikoto Uchiha and others, was watching the battle between Orochimaru and Itachi Uchiha from a mountaintop.

A battle between Kage-level shinobi was not something easily witnessed.

It was a chance for the girls to establish the correct outlook on life, values, and the world.

Among them, Mikoto Uchiha was the most excited, her Sharingan becoming increasingly scarlet. Several times she wanted to rush down and avenge her clan against Itachi, but Shishou stopped her each time.

With her current strength, going down would be certain death.

Eventually, a tired Shishou had to tie her up securely and bind her to a wooden stake.

Next was Izumi Uchiha, who felt very conflicted seeing her former crush, now her enemy.

After thinking for a moment, Izumi quietly knelt beside Shishou, carefully watching the battlefield below.

The most excited one was Yuugao Uzuki.

Not only had she heard many ninja world secrets today, but she also got to witness a great battle.

An S-rank rogue ninja who annihilated the Uchiha clan versus the legendary Sannin, Orochimaru.

Just thinking about it made her very excited.

If Shishou hadn't instructed her to stay by Mikoto's side, she would have rushed to the front to watch.

Uzumaki Eri was not interested in the battle; she just knelt on the mat, serving Shishou food.

As for Karin, Shishou didn't bring her along.

After all, using Flying Thunder God to bring four people was already very taxing, and Karin, being only seven years old, wasn't suitable for witnessing such things.

Eating the banana handed to him by Eri, Shishou began seriously watching the battle at the foot of the mountain.