Chapter 146

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"Well! Orochimaru-senpai is truly a genius! Sealing part of your soul into someone else as a backup for your resurrection is a brilliant idea! And this curse seal, what a stroke of genius!"

Toshiro recalled how Orochimaru had implanted a curse seal on Anko. He was keen to find an opportunity to examine it closely.

In the privacy of his home, Toshiro unrolled the scroll left by Orochimaru and meticulously studied the two ninjutsu he had acquired. The technique of the cursed seal, in particular, was renowned. Toshiro was especially eager to learn the resurrection methods it detailed. The level of chakra application knowledge required for this technique was eye-opening, even for Toshiro, who found himself learning a great deal.

The insights into soul division opened new doors for him, providing much inspiration. As for the art of reincarnation, this version has not yet reached its later refinement. The Edo-tensei had significant flaws, but Orochimaru had noted several improvement plans. Before he could implement them, the scroll had ended up in Toshiro's hands.

"Hahaha!"

Toshiro suddenly burst into devilish laughter, echoing weirdly in his empty secret room.

"Calm down… It's just two ninjutsus. Don't get too excited," he reminded himself, realizing he needed to control his mood swings. Despite months of careful meditation, the side effects were still evident.

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In the Hokage's office.

"I'm extremely sorry, for the mission's failure to capture Orochimaru." Kakashi knelt on one knee, reporting the mission's outcome to the Sandaime Hokage with a solemn expression.

"…Wait a minute. You mean Uchiha Toshiro was also part of the team hunting Orochimaru?" The Sandaime Hokage's brows furrowed upon hearing that Toshiro had been involved.

How did these two end up together?

"Didn't you send him there for support?" Kakashi asked, surprised by the Hokage's reaction.

"Continue your report!" The Sandaime waved his hand, silently fuming at Toshiro's audacity to act in his name without permission.

"Yes!" Kakashi resumed his recounting of the mission, choosing his words more cautiously.

"Kakashi, the responsibility for this mission's failure does not lie with you but with my lack of foresight. Even with the Sharingan, it is too early for you to face an enemy like Orochimaru!" The Sandaime Hokage offered a kind smile, not blaming Kakashi for the failure.

"By the way, how is the new 'Tenzo' who joined your team? How proficient is he with Wood Release Ninjutsu?"

After reassuring Kakashi, the Sandaime ignored the piles of documents on his desk and didn't press further about Orochimaru. Instead, he inquired about the new wood-style user acquired from Danzo.

"Tenzo's performance…" Kakashi began, recounting Yamato's abilities and contributions, impressed by the Hokage's focus on the young ninja's progress.

The next morning, at the Hokage's office building, Toshiro followed an ANBU member to the Sandaime Hokage's office. Upon entering, he saw the Sandaime, who appeared increasingly aged, sitting behind his desk.

Toshiro greeted him with a smile. "Sandaime-sama, you're getting older. Perhaps it's time to let the younger generation take over some responsibilities. If you continue like this, your body might not be able to handle it."

The Sandaime Hokage responded with a neutral expression, "Thank you for your concern, Toshiro. My old bones can still manage."

The Sandaime then began to scrutinize Toshiro, his gaze intense.

"What is it, Sandaime-sama? It's been a while, but surely you still recognize me?" Toshiro stood confidently, allowing the Hokage to examine him.

"Have you noticed something, Sandaime-sama?"

Though his face remained impassive, the Sandaime Hokage was inwardly shocked. During their brief encounter at Hokage Rock, he hadn't had the chance to observe Toshiro closely. Now, however, he could sense a significant increase in Toshiro's chakra.

'His chakra density and quality have grown tremendously!' he thought, realizing the young Uchiha's rapid and impressive growth. This starkly contrasted with the slower progress of the other talented shinobi, like Kakashi and Sakumo. Apart from Jiraiya and Kushina, who had their own limitations, no one could match Toshiro's potential.

He lamented the loss of the Yondaime, feeling increasingly that he could no longer suppress the Uchiha clan's rising power.

"I don't know, why have you summoned me today, Sandaime-sama?" Toshiro asked, breaking the Hokage's reverie.

"I received news that you went to hunt down Orochimaru last night. I'm curious about the outcome," the Sandaime Hokage said. "While it's appropriate for the security forces to pursue traitorous ninjas, as Hokage, I need to know the details."

Seeing the growing strength of the Uchiha clan, the Sandaime Hokage couldn't help but wish Toshiro was just an ordinary Konoha ninja instead of an Uchiha. It would make things much simpler.

"Chasing Orochimaru, huh?" Toshiro found the Hokage's subtle inquiry amusing. The village indeed lacked a powerful Shinobi now, but that wasn't his concern.

"Actually, it's nothing much. Didn't you assign me to work under Orochimaru for a period of time? During that period, Orochimaru-senpai owed me quite a bit in money. With him about to desert, I thought it was time to collect my debt.

"I rushed over overnight to settle the debt! After all, with Orochimaru about to defect, this was my last chance to find him," Toshiro explained, fabricating an excuse to satisfy the Sandaime's curiosity.

"He owes you money?" The Sandaime looked at Toshiro with skepticism. He didn't believe the story, but with no concrete evidence of Toshiro's involvement in Orochimaru's human experiments, he had no grounds to challenge him.

"By the way, the ANBU who escorted me here seems... interesting," Toshiro continued, shifting the topic. "It feels like he has quite the secret. If my instincts are right, he possesses the First Hokage's Wood Release."

"The Sandaime Hokage is full of surprises, hiding a Wood Release user like that!"

Toshiro wondered if this 'Yamato' was meant to threaten or demonstrate power to him. However, even with his abilities, Yamato posed no significant threat.

"I didn't expect your senses to be so sharp," the Sandaime Hokage remarked, astonished. He hadn't intended to threaten Toshiro; Yamato was simply on duty and available for the task.

Toshiro's familiarity with White Zetsu's cells had inadvertently led him to recognize Yamato's Wood Release.

"It seems I misunderstood you, Sandaime-sama," Toshiro acknowledged, realizing his mistake but dismissing it as unimportant.

"I didn't expect Toshiro to have such a deep understanding of Wood Release," the Sandaime noted. He regretted not being more cautious, as Wood-release's secret was inadvertently exposed.

"There's nothing surprising about it. Just as the Senju are knowledgeable about us Uchiha, we are equally informed about the Senju," Toshiro replied, glancing at the portraits of the First and Second Hokage in the office.

Toshiro wasn't lying. Since acquiring White Zetsu cells, he has studied Senju information and received substantial insights. The Uchiha had developed their own views on the Senju, similar to how Senju Tobirama had his own unique perspective on the Uchiha.

"As the saying goes, your enemy knows you best," Toshiro added.

"Is that so?" The Sandaime Hokage maintained his composure, despite his strategy being revealed prematurely. With his experience, he saw no point in dwelling on the matter. He had other reasons for summoning Toshiro, besides Orochimaru.

Though unsettled by recent events, he continued the conversation, aiming to address the broader issues at hand.

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