Chapter 108

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From Orochimaru, Yoichi received two versions of the Sage Curse Mark. One involves integrating one's own chakra into the Sage Curse Mark, allowing control over subordinates, just as Orochimaru demonstrated.

Those who are given the Sage Curse Mark cannot resist Orochimaru's control, a technique seemingly developed to cultivate subordinates, fitting Orochimaru's style.

The second type does not integrate one's own chakra into the Sage Curse Mark; it purely uses the technique to control the absorption of natural energy.

Ninjas with the curse mark can actively absorb natural energy through the Sage Curse Mark, thereby creating Sage chakra.

However, there are two prerequisites: one is the need for a 'raw material' to create the Sage Curse Mark, like Orochimaru using his student's chakra.

The second is a type of pill called Serpent Heart Pill, discovered by Orochimaru near the Dragon Cavern. Made from a certain herb, it allows one to quickly adapt to the final state of the Sage Curse Mark.

Otherwise, even with the Sage Curse Mark controlling the speed of natural energy absorption, the person receiving the Sage Curse Mark for the first time would die from the invasion of natural energy.

Before leaving, Orochimaru gave Yoichi twenty Serpent Heart Pills.

As for the 'raw material,' Yoichi had plans already. His ability to absorb natural energy was stronger than anyone from that clan. Using his chakra to create the Sage Curse Mark would surely result in a more potent effect than Orochimaru's upon entering the second state.

After obtaining the method, Yoichi planned to find an opportunity to practice it in the dream space.

That place is truly a treasure. Tonight, after entering the dream space, Yoichi intends to try creating Hashirama's cells. If possible, he would deploy eighty Shadow Clones to continuously experiment until the perfect sacrifice is created using Hashirama's cells.

Without training or consuming a lot of chakra, just experimenting, eighty Shadow Clones could totally manage, especially since chakra recovers quickly in the dream space.

Though eighty Shadow Clones would be a significant burden on Yoichi, it would be manageable in the dream space.

"Yoichi-san."

Yoichi was on his way back to the clan's area when he suddenly heard someone calling him.

Turning around, he saw a man with distinctive white hair and stopped to greet him, "Sakumo-senpai, are you just coming from the Hokage's building? Heading out on a mission?"

"Sort of. I was just about to look for you, Yoichi-san. How are you feeling now?"

Sakumo asked with a smile, then glanced around before saying, "Let's go for some red bean soup, Yoichi-san."

"I prefer spicy food, but red bean soup works too. Let's go, Sakumo-senpai."

Yoichi could tell Sakumo wanted to talk to him about something. Although not fond of red bean soup, he agreed to go.

It must be said, Sakumo is a man with few flaws, especially evident when on missions together. With him around, one can feel assured.

Moreover, he's very courteous. He visited Yoichi during his hospital stay, leaving precisely after ten minutes, showing concern without overstaying his welcome.

Following Sakumo to the dango shop, it was quiet in the morning. Sakumo let Yoichi sit first while he went to order.

He ordered two servings of four different types of dango and two red bean soups. From a distance, Yoichi could tell Shikaku had a sweet tooth.

However, the culinary world of the shinobi is quite limited. At least within Konoha, the options are mundane, with barbecue, izakayas, and sashimi considered top-notch. No wonder Ichiraku Ramen caused such a stir upon opening. 

It's not the Leaf ninjas' fault; they just haven't seen much of the world.

After placing the order, Sakumo glanced back at Yoichi and then turned to the owner, saying, "Make one of the red bean soups spicy!"

Hm? A Jōnin from Konoha?

Yoichi perked up at this, wondering if that was his order. Quite considerate of him.

But caring too much about others isn't always good! 

When the food arrived, Yoichi ignored the bowl of red bean soup sprinkled with a bit of chili. Even if he didn't like sweets much, the sweet bean dango was still better than spicy red bean soup.

"Sakumo-senpai, did you want to talk about something?"

"It's about the village. Yoichi-san, you were in the hospital the past few days, so we didn't call you over to discuss."

Sakumo spoke straightforwardly, "The Cloud Village wants to start a war with the Leaf."

"Sakumo-senpai, have you been assigned a mission to lead a ninja squad against the Cloud Village?"

Yoichi asked, surprised by the rapid retaliation from the Third Raikage; he had barely been discharged for a few days before the Cloud's retaliation arrived, likely decided right after the Raikage recovered from his injuries.

"Right before I left the Hokage's building, I had accepted the mission. It's going to be tough, but I'll do my best to stop the Cloud."

After saying this, Sakumo looked at Yoichi and continued, "Yoichi-san, I hope you can join me on this mission. Your strength and command are reassuring qualities in a teammate."

"..."

Yoichi didn't immediately respond, considering this could be an opportunity.

He had been waiting for a war to make a name for himself, to become a hero of the Leaf and lay the groundwork for his bid for Hokage. Once he became the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Yoichi planned to reform his village.

Now the opportunity had come, but Uchiha Yoichi still needed to discuss it with his clan.

"Sakumo-senpai, I personally would like to join you on the mission and can bring more clan members. However, how many I can bring needs to be discussed with my clan."

"When do we leave?"

"In three days. The ninja squad, logistics, and medical ninjas will be ready. Yoichi-san, I need your answer by tomorrow so I can inform the Third Hokage."

"If Yoichi-san's clan members could join, that would make this mission even more secure."

The Uchiha clan has many ninjas who haven't taken the Jōnin exams. Generally, after completing over a hundred B-rank missions, with a two-tomoe Sharingan, and reaching peak chakra levels, anyone with sense would have Jōnin-level strength.

Even more so, there are special Jōnin among them.

But they often struggle to apply for Jōnin exams. If not for the Uchiha clan's unity, even if the exams were challenging, with clan support, there would be at least five times as many Uchiha Jōnin as there are now.

"Then, tomorrow."

Yoichi said, "I'll visit Sakumo-senpai tomorrow morning. Regardless of the clan's decision, I'm likely going anyway."

He considered giving some clan members the Sage Curse Mark before the war. With the Sage Curse Mark, even Chunin clan members could have Jōnin-level strength for five minutes.

Sakumo didn't hide the fact that they were going to war from Yoichi, knowing he would definitely join the fight. Informing him in advance was not an issue.

After chatting for a while, Yoichi bid farewell to Sakumo.

...

Upon returning to the clan area, he visited Kenji's house to inform Elder Kenji about going to war.

Elder Kenji didn't ask many questions; after hearing Yoichi's plans, he called Seijin and Yokawa.

He was old and couldn't remember all the clan members' names. Asking them about capable clan members was a better choice.

Once everyone arrived, Yoichi shared his plans again.

The Leaf was sending three ninja squads, so Yoichi wanted to bring fifty clan members, ensuring sufficient numbers and his ability to look after them.

"Fifty is manageable, but we can't move the Jōnin, Yoichi-san."

Uchiha Seijin said, "All Jōnin have been ordered not to leave the village without cause. We'll have to look among the Chunin and Genin. But if too many Chunin leave, the clan leader will definitely inquire and obstruct."

"Then form them into Chunin squads for me. Twelve Chunin, thirty-six Genin. I have a curse mark technique that can enhance their strength, giving clan members with Chunin strength the power of Jōnin for five minutes once the curse mark is activated."

Yoichi briefly explained the Sage Curse Mark, even intriguing Yokawa.

"I'll personally apply the Sage Curse Mark. Here are some Serpent Heart Pills to ensure the safety of those receiving it. It might be painful, though."

"Pain is nothing. If they can't handle it, the pain from training injuries is just as bad. There's no such thing as gaining strength while lying down. If the younger members can't endure the pain, I'm willing to take their place."

Yokawa said, ready to volunteer if not for the preparation for the battlefield. He was eager to be the first to sign up.

Elder Kenji also explained a bit about Sage Mode. As rivals to the Senju clan, the Uchiha clan was certainly familiar with the First Hokage's power that stabilized the chaotic world.

Though it's a lower-quality version, enhancing ninjutsu several times over is too good an opportunity to pass up.

"Leave the selection to you then. I'll bestow the Sage Curse Mark tomorrow. They should wake up in about three hours and have two days to familiarize themselves with their new power."

Yoichi told them, "We depart in three days. I'll do my best to bring all our clan members back."

"No need to push yourself, Yoichi-san. Once on the battlefield, one must be prepared for it. Without that resolve, one doesn't deserve to be a ninja."

Elder Kenji advised. As a leader, Yoichi had done enough; striving for perfection isn't necessary, as perfect people don't exist.

After finalizing the details, Yoichi left Elder Kenji's house.

Back at home alone, with nothing else to do besides training, Yoichi turned on the ninja game.

Although the game's concept was his idea, the details were filled in by his subordinates. This ninja game, similar to card games, ultimately emphasizes purchasing related merchandise.

After playing for a while and noticing the sky darkening, Yoichi had dinner. Then, through a soul contract with Gates, he inquired about any wars at Kikyo Castle.

After receiving the information, Yoichi summoned a small summoning snake. This time, the snake brought him a note, which also had writing on it.

'When do you plan to come and train in Sage Art?'

Yoichi crumpled the note and threw it away, then asked the snake, "Is this from Ichikishimahime?"

The snake nodded. In the Ryūchi Cave, only four snakes could write; the others, even if willing, lacked the ability.

"Please guard me."

After saying this, Yoichi took a sleeping pill and soon fell asleep.

——————————————

"Like last time, I'll practice applying the Sage Curse Mark myself. As for the Impure World Curse Mark, I'll leave it to Mina. Let's bring Mina here."

After speaking, Yoichi's surroundings changed, and he suddenly found himself in different clothes, holding a whip, with Mina kneeling before him, pitifully. The wall beside them was lined with various 'torture devices.'

"What the heck!?"

Yoichi immediately threw the whip aside, wondering how his dream space turned into this place. The next moment, he realized this might be the other person's dream.

The so-called summoning of a real person's consciousness isn't about bringing their consciousness into one's own dream space but rather entering the other person's dream directly.

Last time, in Mikoto's dream, it was probably because she wasn't asleep yet. But once Yoichi had the idea, Mikoto quickly fell asleep.

"Lord Yoichi, I was wrong. Please punish me."

Mina, seeing Yoichi discard the whip, thought he was going to use other 'torture devices' to punish her, so she spoke out loudly.

"Get up!"

Yoichi, with a face full of disbelief, smacked Mina's cheeks twice, then lifted her up.

"The punishment will definitely be given. You're tasked with helping me refine the control curse mark of this forbidden technique, making its control stronger and reducing the user's energy consumption. Make this control curse mark perfect. I'll provide the materials."

"Eh??"

Mina looked confused. What kind of punishment was this?

Yoichi waved his hand, creating fifty Impure World bodies in the dream space, and showed the forbidden jutsu scroll to Mina, then told her,

"Study well. If you don't finish, I'll never use those torture devices to punish you again!"

While saying this, Yoichi's mouth twitched twice. It was the first time he realized Mina had such peculiar tastes.

"I will definitely complete it."

After speaking, Mina turned to study the forbidden technique, muttering, "This shouldn't be happening. Why am I having this dream? Well, it's just a dream. I'll definitely figure it out."

Seeing Mina start studying the seals, Yoichi breathed a sigh of relief and went on to study the Sage Curse Mark.

Leaving the 'torture room,' he finally saw the familiar dream space outside. The place he was in before was Mina's dream.

(End of Chapter)