Chapter 153

With Orochimaru's help, Danzo's newly implanted Sharingan was now wrapped under a layer of bandages. How Danzo would explain his new eye to Hiruzen was none of Orochimaru's concern.

In reality, Orochimaru had other methods of granting the Sharingan to non-Uchiha individuals. One was through genetic fusion, while the other was genetic modification. However, genetic modification could only be applied to infants, and genetic fusion didn't produce visible effects immediately. Therefore, for Danzo, Orochimaru had opted for the more straightforward method: cell transplantation.

Reflecting on his work, Orochimaru couldn't help but note the irony. He used to despise Danzo for his ruthless ambition, his willingness to sacrifice others to achieve his goals, and the countless tragedies he'd caused. Many lives had been ruined because of him. But after working with Danzo more closely, Orochimaru found a strange pity for the man.

Danzo wanted power but lacked the means to achieve it fully. He longed to become Hokage, to unify the ninja world, and to gain strength by any means necessary. In pursuit of this dream, he grafted the First Hokage's cells, implanted Sharingan, and transformed himself into a vessel brimming with forbidden jutsu. He altered his body to the point where he was neither fully human nor a proper shinobi.

And after all his efforts, he was ultimately killed by a teenage Uchiha Sasuke. It was almost tragic in a way. For all his ambition and scheming, Danzo's end had been as pitiful as his life.

Of course, sympathy was one thing, Orochimaru had no intention of sharing his most precious secret with Danzo. The gene fusion fluid was Orochimaru's most valuable creation, on par with his cloning technology. This fluid allowed genes from different bloodlines to merge seamlessly, granting ordinary people access to powerful bloodline abilities.

The gene fusion fluid could combine multiple bloodlines into a single formula or simply enhance one specific trait. However, it had a limitation: it had to be prepared with the target genes in mind beforehand. Once created, new genes couldn't be added to an existing batch. Nevertheless, the gene fusion fluid was invaluable. It could grant even those without a special bloodline the chance to wield extraordinary abilities.

Would Orochimaru ever consider giving something so valuable to Danzo? Absolutely not.

Orochimaru currently had two batches of finished gene fusion fluid. One was infused with the Senju clan's sage body, and the other with the Uchiha clan's Sharingan. The fusion process was similar to his biological evolution fluid, with only one application allowed per year to avoid diminishing effects. But for Orochimaru, who already possessed both Senju and Uchiha bloodline traits, this limitation wasn't a problem.

As Danzo left the lab, his right eye now covered with a bandage, Orochimaru stretched and allowed himself a small moment of relief.

"If you want Uchiha genes, relying on Danzo isn't going to cut it," Orochimaru muttered to himself. "The war's been raging for this long, and all he managed to bring back were three measly Sharingan? Pathetic."

Orochimaru almost felt sorry for Danzo. Good thing he'd been proactive and given Uchiha Akihara a mental stimulant potion for his daughter. Otherwise, if he had to wait for Danzo to gather enough Uchiha genes to support his own ambitions of unlocking the Mangekyo, he'd be waiting until the Uchiha clan massacre twenty years into the future. Orochimaru didn't have that kind of time.

After tidying up the lab, Orochimaru slipped his hands into his pockets and headed back home. As he opened the door, a soft figure practically fell into his arms.

The warmth and softness pressed against him instantly lifted his mood.

"Nawaki's asleep?" he asked softly.

"Mmm-hmm," Tsunade murmured, smiling up at him.

"Then I'll take a quick shower first."

"No need," she whispered, looping her arms around his neck. "Just stay like this."

In that moment, all the rumors of Tsunade's supposed bad habits and fiery temper faded away. She was soft, gentle, and full of warmth, a side few got to see. Orochimaru had only one thought as he held her.

So soft…

---

Meanwhile, across the village in the Uchiha compound, a sudden exclamation broke the evening quiet.

"Ah! My eyes!"

The sound of shattering glass followed, and a young girl's pained voice echoed in the room.

"What's wrong, Mikoto?" Uchiha Akihara rushed to his daughter's side, heart pounding. Mikoto was clutching her eyes, her face twisted in pain. As proud as the Uchiha could be, they still fiercely protected their children.

Akihara and the clan had trusted that Orochimaru's intentions were genuine. Though he was aligned with Sarutobi's faction, Orochimaru had no known grievances with the Uchiha, especially not with Mikoto. Even if the potion didn't work, they hadn't considered the possibility of harm. Orochimaru had no reason to poison them or cause injury, they believed.

But now…

"Dad… my eyes… they hurt!" Mikoto's voice trembled as she knelt on the floor, hands covering her eyes.

"Damn it!" Akihara clenched his fists. "How could this happen? Orochimaru has no reason to harm you!"

He struggled to reconcile what was happening with what he knew of Orochimaru. Why would Orochimaru do this? What motive could he possibly have?

At that moment, a woman in a house robe rushed into the room, eyes wide with panic as she took in the broken glass and Mikoto's distress.

"Akihara, what's going on here?" she asked, voice trembling.

Akihara was at a loss for words. How could he explain that he'd given his daughter an unknown potion from Orochimaru?

"It's all my fault," he whispered, guilt tightening in his chest. "I shouldn't have… Damn it, Orochimaru, why would you harm my daughter?"

"Orochimaru?" his wife echoed, bewildered.

"I'm going to find him," Akihara declared, grabbing his ninja tool pouch and preparing to storm out.

No father could endure watching their child suffer. Even if Orochimaru was Sarutobi's prized disciple and one of the legendary Sannin, Akihara was ready to demand answers.

"Wait, Akihara!" his wife called, her voice halting him in his tracks. "Look at Mikoto's eyes…"

"Huh?" Akihara turned back, tossing his pouch aside as he knelt in front of his daughter. "Mikoto, look at me… Are you blind? Can you see?"

As Mikoto slowly lowered her hands, Akihara's breath caught.

Her previously dark eyes had transformed, now shining a brilliant red with the distinctive tomoe pattern of the Sharingan.

"This… This is incredible," he whispered, stunned.