Chapter 107

After the study session, Uchiha Mikoto submitted a qualified meeting summary and report. Haruki was very pleased with her progress.

Among his three current disciples, apart from Uzumaki Kushina, she could be considered an active member of the organization in her past life.

With two more years of advanced training, she would catch up to him.

Taking this opportunity, Haruki inquired about Uchiha Fugaku's situation.

"We've had some contact, but it was just a preliminary exchange of ideas. It's clear he is willing to change the Uchiha." Mikoto's response reminded Haruki of Fugaku in the original story. He was both a qualified and unqualified leader—rejecting the clan's request to run for the Fourth Hokage, not reclaiming Kakashi's Sharingan, appeasing the clan during relocation, and becoming the leader of the rebellion due to his inability to prevent it.

However, Fugaku hid his Mangekyou Sharingan, and his son's surrender led to the Uchiha clan's downfall. In short, Fugaku had a commitment to Konoha's peace and love for his family but lacked the resolve and means, wavering between the Uchiha and Konoha.

"But he is indifferent to some of the things I say," Mikoto continued, frowning. "He still retains the unique pride of the Uchiha. Unless my strength surpasses his, I won't break his pride as the Uchiha's top genius."

"I believe you'll surpass him soon."

"No," Mikoto shook her head lightly, her face heavy. "Fugaku's talent is higher than mine. Surpassing him is not simple."

Normally, Mikoto indeed couldn't surpass Fugaku. But with Haruki's involvement, the outcome was unpredictable. Haruki patted her shoulder and said, "Let's go, Minato and Kushina are waiting for you."

Today was their departure day. The Fire Nation's metropolis was far from Konoha, and Minato didn't have enough chakra to use Flying Thunder God for the transfer. Haruki used the excuse of experiencing life to have the three of them run.

"Teacher, aren't you coming with us?" Kushina asked when she saw Haruki standing still.

"I am, but I need to observe the Natsu organization's study session practices first. I'll catch up with you halfway," Haruki waved. "Be careful on the road."

Hearing his answer, Kushina happily waved back, dragging Mikoto along.

"Teacher, I'm off," Minato nodded slightly and caught up with the two sisters.

Watching their backs, Haruki made a quick seal, and a wood clone appeared and disappeared. He turned back to Konoha, intending to check if the members followed his instructions.

Ōshima Yoshiyuki went to the fields to farm. Omoki became a reporter, collecting news in Konoha's streets. Hira Shinsi, as a Root member, used the Transformation Jutsu to join the orphanage's newspaper sellers. Tsunade and Hyuga Hiashi became sculptors for Golden Jade Union, leveraging her top-notch medical ninja chakra control.

Hyuga Hiashi joined Golden Jade Union too, not as a sculptor, but as a doorman and bodyguard. Haruki was pleased with the results. While initially done to complete his task, long-term, they would gain much. Haruki himself had work too, becoming a test subject in Orochimaru's lab.

"Your genes seem enhanced," Orochimaru observed the genes extracted from Haruki with some surprise. It was illogical for such changes to occur.

"I learned Sage Mode," Haruki attributed it to the Sage Body, though he couldn't explain its origin and thus credited Sage Mode.

"Sage Mode?" Orochimaru's expression changed. "You didn't have the talent for it before."

Both Haruki and Orochimaru's summoning beasts were from the Three Great Sage Regions, allowing them to learn Sage Mode, though neither had the talent.

"Who knows? Maybe it's because of the engagement," Haruki shrugged.

"..."

Orochimaru was speechless. What did engagement have to do with it? Were singles not allowed to learn it?

"Let me show you." Haruki took a deep breath, natural energy flowing into him. Black lines appeared at his eyes' corners, and a black circle formed on his forehead.

"It's truly Sage Mode," Orochimaru's interest was piqued, craving to study it.

"Do you want to research it?" Haruki sensed his gaze and smiled.

"Would you let me?" Orochimaru's eyes revealed curiosity. "You're acting strange today. Just say what you want."

"Sage Transformation Curse Mark," Haruki mentioned Orochimaru's creation from Jugo's Sage Transformation ability in the original story. Despite its side effects, it was useful for some ninjas as a last resort before death, regardless of aftereffects.

According to Yakushi Kabuto and Jugo, the Curse Mark was a form of Sage Mode. Though imperfect, Haruki's nearly flawless Sage Mode might work.

"If you agree, I'll let you study Sage Mode for free," Haruki proposed.

"Deal," Orochimaru agreed without much thought. There were few Sage Mode users, and none would let him study them.

"But first, we need to complete the Wood Release experiment," Haruki said, looking at a male clone on the test bench, covered in branches—a sign of rejection. Due to Haruki, Orochimaru made clones early, which lacked souls and thoughts, unlike Orochimaru's later use of babies.

"Your genes and cells, though not as domineering as Hashirama's, are still hard for ordinary people to bear," Orochimaru remarked. "Your learning Sage Mode seems to be aligning with Hashirama's cells."

Haruki smirked at his interference. "But it's manageable with the right balance,"

Orochimaru said. "And Tsunade's physique is stronger than most ninjas, so don't worry."

"Anything else I need to do?" Haruki asked.

"You?" Orochimaru handed him ten syringes. "Extract ten tubes of your gene fluid."

"..."

Haruki looked at Orochimaru with an expressionless face and always felt that this guy did it on purpose.