Chapter 175: Orochimaru and Kabuto Meet, The Sea of Hatred and Heaven of Love Between Uchiha and Senju

"I've come to see the children..."

Facing Hizashi, Orochimaru unconsciously smiled, his expression very friendly.

In a sense, this person could be seen as an avatar of Sensei.

Furthermore, after Orochimaru persuaded Tenzo Hyuga to abandon the Caged Bird, he and the Hyuga Branch Family had already laid the groundwork for a natural, friendly relationship.

He and Hizashi also shared the bond of the Kekkei Genkai transplant and the Curse Mark. Building a good relationship with him would at least make Danzo a bit more wary when trying to cause trouble...

"Sensei asked me to do this..."

Orochimaru's heart stirred, and he added, "Sensei urged me that it's time to take on a new disciple. I thought about it, and if there's a suitable candidate, choosing a child from the orphanage would be wonderful."

"When Sensei took on disciples back then, it was Jiraiya and me, two civilian shinobi, plus Tsunade. This configuration is still very appropriate today."

"Hizashi, as you know, Konoha has quite a few external initiatives underway. Taking in an orphan into the Hokage's lineage can be considered my modest way of doing something for Sensei."

As the Hokage's disciple, and widely recognized in the village as the most likely candidate for the Fourth Hokage, taking a disciple was a matter of great significance for Orochimaru.

He had to determine the ratio of shinobi clan members to civilian shinobi based on the village's specific situation, and choose from which shinobi clans...

If he encountered a special situation, he could even follow Tobirama's example and use the title of "Hokage Guard Platoon" to gather a few more people by his side, expanding his circle of allies...

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi had no intention of interfering with who Orochimaru chose as a disciple.

Orochimaru himself had to consider things from the Hokage's perspective. This was a reflection of his comprehensive abilities and qualities.

Hizashi's slightly stiff smile instantly became lively upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's name.

In his view, given Orochimaru's status and lineage, almost no one in the village would refuse to be his disciple. There was no need to come here to dig for one.

So coming to the orphanage to take a disciple was, just as he said, to share the Hokage's burdens.

Hizashi was a Konoha Commissioner and Tenzo's son.

He naturally understood that the current Amegakure and the future Kirigakure both had a high probability of aligning and integrating with Konoha.

At this juncture, choosing an orphan not born in Konoha Hidden Village as a disciple was indeed very appropriate.

It would laterally demonstrate Konoha's inclusivity.

"Thank you for your hard work, Commissioner Orochimaru..."

"There are a few very good children here. They might exceed your expectations."

Hizashi pointed, highlighting a silver-haired boy: "This kid has incredibly strong learning abilities and a great talent for medical ninjutsu. Candidate Nonou is also full of praise for him, saying he has a great personality."

"His name is Kabuto Yakushi. His surname comes from Candidate Nonou, and his given name means 'helmet/protection'."

Kabuto is an ancient type of helmet.

The meaning behind Nonou giving him this name was to encourage Kabuto to become Konoha's future armor, protecting his comrades.

Orochimaru nodded slightly and asked quietly, "Thank you for the recommendation. Why are you here? Was it Sensei's idea, or...?"

"No, no..." Hizashi waved his hands repeatedly in denial, replying softly, "Ever since the village provided financial support, the orphanage has expanded massively. Candidate Nonou has taken in many war orphans. In terms of composition alone, it's a mixed bag."

"Although Candidate Nonou was once known as the Wandering Shrine Maiden and is a top-tier intelligence shinobi, relying solely on one person's experience to judge cannot guarantee that disguised spies won't slip in."

"I am here to screen for spies, and also to ensure the orphanage's funding is being put to practical use..."

Hizashi looked at the children in the orphanage and smiled slightly: "And to provide them with necessary village-loving education, to let these children who have suffered the ravages of war understand who truly brought them hope."

Orochimaru nodded in approval.

The current Konoha Orphanage, under the cultivation of Nonou Yakushi, an outstanding medical ninjutsu educator, already produced a batch of passably skilled medical shinobi.

For a Konoha where the "Sovereign Sage Pill" and "Medical Chakra Scroll" projects were booming, these medical shinobi who could quickly take up posts were clearly in urgent demand.

But urgent demand aside, for Konoha's core industrial technology, the foremost priority was ensuring the loyalty of those who came into contact with it.

Nonou screened them once, Hizashi screened them again, and Danzo, along with the Yamanaka and Uchiha clans, would perform a final verification.

Three trials and three checks, preventing spy infiltration from every angle.

And as for other talented orphanage shinobi, after joining Konoha as supplementary forces...

Innately lacking any factional imprints, growing up fed and clothed by the Hokage, they would become the most solid bricks in the village's mid-level forces, loyally supporting all of the Hokage's decisions.

"Take your time choosing. I have to get back to work."

Hizashi and Orochimaru nodded to each other, and Hizashi turned to leave.

"Kabuto?" Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, assessing the silver-haired child.

He found Nonou and asked her to call Kabuto out.

"Young man, do you want to join Konoha?"

Orochimaru said with a smile: "Nonou told me you have diligent perseverance and a talent for medical ninjutsu. Care to show me a thing or two?"

Nonou's eyes lit up.

She thought something had happened in the village.

First Hizashi, then Orochimaru. It felt like Danzo was about to run over too.

It was quite intimidating!

But it turned out he wanted to take a disciple?

"Kabuto, this is Lord Hokage's most recognized disciple, an authority in the fields of scientific research and medicine, and the most respected among the Konoha Commissioners: Mr. Orochimaru."

Nonou introduced him seriously.

Clearly, the principle that 'flattery will get you everywhere' also applied to Orochimaru.

"Not at all, not at all."

Orochimaru let out a refined, wealthy laugh, saying very reservedly: "It's true that I enjoy Sensei's unmerited favor, but in the fields of scientific research and medicine, I am merely a student. I can hardly be called an authority."

"I can only say I have a few modest insights."

Upon hearing the title of the Hokage's disciple, Kabuto's eyes instantly gleamed, filled with excitement.

Before being taken in by the orphanage, he lived a life without enough clothes to cover his body or food to fill his stomach.

Barely relying on the special constitution of a shinobi, despite his young age, he managed to survive by scavenging.

But after coming to the orphanage, although the conditions here couldn't compare to Konoha's Ninja Academy, it was still considered comfortable.

Thick, warm clothing was never in short supply, and hot, filling meals were provided every time.

Director Nonou, along with several teachers from Konoha's Ninja Academy who came to volunteer, always taught the children ninjutsu with pleasant expressions, little by little watering their identification with and yearning for Konoha.

It was no exaggeration to say that in this orphanage, the most burning dream in every child's heart was to become a dignified Konoha shinobi.

Kabuto was no exception.

He had long regarded the gentle Nonou as his birth mother. Since the Director was a Konoha Candidate Commissioner, Kabuto naturally wanted to follow in her footsteps wholeheartedly.

Furthermore, after Hiruzen Sarutobi's special funding and support policies were implemented, life at the orphanage became even more stable and comfortable.

Nonou sincerely recounted the Hokage's deeds and kindness to the children every day.

Over time, the concentration of loyalty to Konoha and the Hokage in the children's hearts almost rivaled that of Root!

Kabuto took a deep breath, looking nervously at Orochimaru, fluorescent green medical chakra accumulating in his hands.

Mystical Palm Jutsu!

Kabuto focused entirely on manipulating the jutsu, demonstrating his astonishing chakra control capabilities.

Although he was just a young child, the skill he displayed was in no way inferior to the industrial shinobi who had trained under Tsunade for years.

This is talent.

Talent is unreasonable. Sometimes, just a little bit of resources can water a result far exceeding that of ordinary people.

"Interesting." A strange glint flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.

He originally hadn't held much expectation.

After all, compared to Konoha, the source of students from the orphanage was definitely more than a tier lower.

Orochimaru hadn't even found many eye-catching candidates within the village itself.

Yet there was a hidden gem here?

"Commissioner Orochimaru, this child loves to learn in his daily life. Not only is his chakra control excellent, but he is also very interested in reading various ancient texts."

Nonou's heart stirred, and she said warmly.

She wasn't lying about this. One of the main ways they built the children's identification with Konoha was by telling them the stories of Konoha's various prominent figures.

Among them, Kabuto was clearly exceptionally interested in Orochimaru.

"Commissioner Orochimaru, could you give me your autograph?"

Kabuto looked at Nonou, took a deep breath, gathered his courage, and said: "I have admired you for a long time!"

Kabuto took out a card bearing a hand-drawn picture of Orochimaru.

It was a bit distorted, but it was still recognizable as Orochimaru.

This was very popular in the orphanage. Many children would draw their favorite Konoha shinobi and keep them as collectibles.

"Hehe." Orochimaru took it and examined it closely.

Both the wear and tear of the paper and the degree of crumpling proved this wasn't made on the spot, but had been sitting in Kabuto's pocket for quite some time.

He thought of the Team Hiruzen group photo that Hiruzen Sarutobi treasured.

His heart couldn't help but soften.

"As for an autograph, there's no need."

Orochimaru put the card into his own pocket, looked at Kabuto's slightly disappointed little face, rubbed his head, and smiled: "Are you willing to come with me? Be my disciple."

Kabuto's depressed mood instantly vanished, his little heart pounding wildly.

He looked up, staring intently at Orochimaru, his gaze freezing!

Lord Orochimaru wanted to take him as a disciple?

Although Kabuto was young, poor children mature early. He could vaguely understand what this meant.

"I am willing! I am willing!"

Kabuto agreed without hesitation, suppressing the wild joy in his heart, and looked at Director Nonou: "Director, I'm going to be taken as a disciple by Lord Orochimaru!"

"Remember to call him Teacher Orochimaru from now on." Nonou smiled very happily: "Commissioner Orochimaru, I entrust Kabuto to your care. If this child is disobedient in any way, please be strict with his education!"

"However, he is a very trouble-free child; that probably won't happen."

"Kabuto, you must learn as many skills as you can from Commissioner Orochimaru. Do your best to do whatever you can for your teacher, and become a powerful shinobi who protects the village in the future!"

Nonou said earnestly.

"Rest assured, Director! I will definitely give it my all to work for Teacher Orochimaru."

Kabuto clenched his small fists: "I'll become very, very strong, to protect the village and protect Lord Hokage!"

Orochimaru couldn't help but laugh.

Protect his Sensei?

The intention was good; he could feel the burning hearts of the children.

But thinking of the scene where Sensei hoisted Hanzo up and slammed him into the ground, Orochimaru found it a bit hard to keep a straight face.

Currently, it seemed Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't need much protection; he was the one protecting the village.

"Speaking of Sensei, since you are my disciple, I should take you to meet him."

"Technically, you should call Sensei... that is, the Third Hokage... Grandmaster," Orochimaru said with a smile.

It was only in this moment that Kabuto belatedly realized a fact.

Orochimaru was the Hokage's disciple, and he was Orochimaru's disciple...

Meaning, he also had a bond with Lord Hokage?

Kabuto felt dizzy, his little face involuntarily flushing red.

As a war orphan, he never imagined that one day he would have such an opportunity.

He hadn't even dreamed such a thing could happen.

Nonou rubbed Kabuto's head, feeling immensely joyful.

For a child from the Konoha Orphanage to enter the Hokage's lineage held immense significance.

Previously, the orphanage was just a marginal institution where Konoha took in war orphans. Even with the Hokage's funding and support, it never had enough recognition within Konoha's system.

But now, a grand-disciple of the Hokage, a disciple of Orochimaru, had emerged from the orphanage.

This essentially branded the entire orphanage system with the Hokage's mark, granting it official endorsement from Konoha's highest tier.

Kabuto was like a lamp, illuminating a visible, tangible path for all the children in the orphanage.

Their previous dream of "becoming a Konoha shinobi" now had a benchmark.

Kabuto's experience would tell them that even war orphans from an orphanage, as long as they were loyal to Konoha and strove for progress, could be recognized by the village and favored by the Will of Fire.

And for the orphanage, having a Kabuto meant that the village's policy support and implementation would be even smoother in the future.

Orochimaru rubbed Kabuto's head, suddenly feeling a sense of connection.

His own background was actually somewhat similar to Kabuto's; both were orphans whose relatives died in war.

In terms of material conditions, he back then probably wasn't even as well off as the current Kabuto.

"The talent I displayed back then was perhaps a bit better than Kabuto's, but it wasn't considered exceptionally outstanding."

"At that time, I could even be described as a bit dull." Orochimaru recalled his childhood self, his mouth twitching, but also containing a trace of a sincere smile.

A bit shameful, but also precious memories worth ruminating over repeatedly.

"Why did Sensei decide to take me as a disciple back then?"

"Perhaps this is just fate."

Orochimaru took Kabuto's small hand and led him towards the orphanage gates: "Let's go. No need to pack your meager belongings; I'll buy you new ones when we get to the village."

Kabuto felt Orochimaru's slightly cold palm, turned his head, and waved reluctantly to Nonou: "I'm leaving with Master, Director..."

Nonou's eyes curved into crescents: "Go on, go on! Come back and visit the orphanage when you have time, and chat with the other children."

Kabuto nodded forcefully. Taking one last look at Nonou and the orphanage, he turned his head forward.

This place was great. If he stayed here for the rest of his life, Kabuto would be willing...

But going to Konoha clearly meant a much broader future.

Moreover, Kabuto understood that Director Nonou hoped everyone in the orphanage could enter Konoha.

Lord Hokage provided them shelter from the wind and rain, so they naturally had to become capable individuals to repay him.

"I will come back in the future." Kabuto thought quietly to himself: "I will work hard to become the next Director!"

Holding Kabuto's hand, Orochimaru squinted slightly against the midday sun.

The former Hiruzen Sarutobi had also held his hand like this, leading him into a new life.

"Inheritance, huh?"

Orochimaru sighed internally: "The Will of Fire truly does exist."

...

Konoha.

Uchiha Clan Compound.

Tobirama sat cross-legged, frowning, holding a pen and scribbling on a piece of white paper.

As a top-tier researcher in the shinobi world, Tobirama possessed a precise set of operational logic.

Making mistakes wasn't terrifying to him.

What was terrifying was making a mistake and not correcting it.

Just like failing in an experiment and not looking for the confounding variables, blindly continuing to push forward would only waste a massive amount of resources.

Currently, Tobirama was analyzing what exactly went wrong in his interaction with Uzumaki Shio.

Inside him, Izuna facepalmed, unable to help but sigh: "Seisui truly is that bastard's descendant..."

He had temporarily chosen to implement a 'sacred separation'!

It was the first time Izuna had ever seen a man get slapped by a woman, and the very first thing he did upon returning home was pull out a stack of drafting paper to logically review the incident continuously.

Are we conducting an experiment here?

'Loss of Interest,' 'Chain Risks,' 'Core Blind Spots in Self-Cognition,' 'Subsequent Aftermath Management'...

These were the major sections Tobirama had listed on the paper.

"Uzumaki Shio has the potential to become a lesser substitute for Mito. My mistake, while it stimulated her potential, also ruined our relationship."

"The chain risk is that little Tsuna, Orochimaru, and Hiruko might misunderstand me as having flawed emotional intelligence. I need to find a way to clear up their misunderstanding to avoid affecting daily research cooperation."

Tobirama thought to himself.

After pondering for a moment, he spoke to Izuna: "I understand where my problem lies."

"Tell me, let's hear it." Izuna kept a straight face. If it weren't for Seisui's special identity, he really wouldn't want to talk much with a dense kid who quantified emotions.

Love cannot be divorced from material reality and rationality, but if every aspect is rigidly defined, what's the point?

It's not even as satisfying as going out and hacking at Tobirama Senju.

"First point, I brought Kusagakure's mindset into Konoha."

"In Kusagakure, survival and safety are the primary needs. Emotions are disregarded and must be extremely suppressed. Exchange of benefits comes first."

"But Konoha is different. The daily survival and safety of shinobi here have already been fundamentally guaranteed, so they will pursue other aspects to satisfy themselves, such as emotions, such as their own ninja way."

"There was a misalignment in our thoughts, which is why Uzumaki Shio felt I didn't respect her."

Izuna was dumbfounded hearing this.

Wait, this kid...

He was originally planning to scold "Seisui" for being thick-headed again, but he actually managed to analyze something out of it?

And it actually made sense.

"I used to think that as long as shinobi suppressed their emotions and strict rules were established, all problems would disappear. I wasn't looking at the problem dynamically."

"The village is developing, and people are developing too. Therefore, they need more things; this is normal." Tobirama sighed and said.

Izuna put away his intention to mock "Seisui" and nodded seriously.

He wasn't just praising the kid; he truly seemed to have Kage-level thinking!

Being able to analyze the crux of the issue from a macro perspective...

There were still some things Tobirama didn't say to Izuna, but he knew them clearly in his heart.

His misunderstanding with Uzumaki Shio was, to a large extent, caused by his long tenure as Hokage and the de facto head of the Senju clan.

Holding a high position for a long time had formed a fixed inertia in Tobirama's thinking.

Everyone's actions should revolve around the policies formulated by the Hokage.

Everyone's emotions should also yield to greater interests, and they shouldn't complain.

In a sense, Tobirama was also a Warring States boomer, just like Isshin and Tenzo.

The "de-gendered tool" mindset of old-school Warring States shinobi couldn't possibly comprehend a young girl's romantic feelings; it was entirely the approach of a feudal patriarch.

Tobirama was a top-tier researcher, politician, and tactician in the shinobi world.

His brain contained a rational logic model of "goals, conditions, variables, results." Everything in the world could be dismantled, calculated, and optimized like this.

But a young girl's heart is precisely illogical, doesn't weigh pros and cons, and relies entirely on emotion. It couldn't be plugged into his model for calculation at all. Naturally, the old Tobirama couldn't empathize.

"Is this what they call emotion?"

"An existence beyond rationality, the source of the Uchiha clan's growing strength." Tobirama closed his eyes, substituting himself into Uzumaki Shio to feel her experience.

He was an Uchiha now.

Learning to accept and feel emotions was also necessary training for him.

Pure rationality was detrimental to the Sharingan.

"I can't just use Izuna's Mangekyou for the rest of my life. Although the wear and tear from 'Yata no Kagami' is small, it's not an eternal visual jutsu after all."

"I need a pair of my own Mangekyou, with my own visual jutsu."

Thinking of this, Tobirama also felt a bit of a headache.

He could use secret techniques to stimulate his soul and forcefully awaken the three tomoe, but what about the Mangekyou?

Self-hypnosis wouldn't work.

"Izuna, aren't you a Warring States shinobi?"

"Why do you understand love?" Tobirama found a blind spot.

Both being Warring States shinobi, and both being high-ranking clan administrators, how come this guy understood?

Izuna chuckled dryly: "Let me ask you, what is love?"

Tobirama frowned.

Izuna said softly, as if talking to himself: "It's not about so-called carnal desires, nor is it about fleeting romance. The essence of love is an exclusive, ultimate bond of deep mutual understanding..."

"Many shinobi have their own strange quirks. Take Tobirama Senju, for example. I believe his research into forbidden jutsu and conducting experiments is also partly his way of releasing stress."

"Love is actually a kind of pressure relief valve. After two people establish a bond, they trust each other implicitly, sharing life and death. It allows them to find a place to freely vent the psychological pressure that is difficult to resolve internally..."

Izuna said faintly.

"If we go a step further, then it's formidable."

"Two people sharing the same ideals and hobbies, their souls resonating with each other, willing to brave all hardships and obstacles side by side for the same ideal."

"I, too, have always been painstakingly pursuing such a love."

"But unfortunately, I've had so many women. There are many who trust me, and many whom I trust, but not a single one has reached this realm."

Tobirama nodded thoughtfully.

If there truly was a woman who understood scientific research, shared many common topics with him, was relatively good-looking, had strong abilities, and a good personality...

Would he have stayed single back then?

The root cause was still that the blind dates Mito and Hashirama found for him were terrible!

Tobirama's feelings were also a bit complicated because of Izuna's words.

This bastard actually guessed that his way of relieving stress was experiments?

"Your words sound like you're smuggling in your own biases, finding an excuse for your own promiscuity..."

"But it's not incomprehensible. The Uchiha's nature is the pursuit of extremes." Tobirama nodded thoughtfully.

Izuna's eyes lit up: "Well said, Seisui!"

In the past, even his older brother Madara Uchiha didn't understand why he sought out so many women.

Wasn't it simply because he hadn't found the one who understood him best!

"Your definition of love..."

"Why do I always feel like there's something strange about it?"

Tobirama frowned: "According to your logic, true love is between people with the same ninja way. Then, do the former Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju count?"

Tobirama wasn't just nitpicking.

When he searched his database based on Izuna's words, the best match truly was those two people.

Whenever he thought of Madara and Hashirama, Tobirama, as the younger brother, couldn't hold back.

He would never forget.

Back when Madara Uchiha was defeated, the moment he merely suggested killing Madara then and there, Hashirama's eyes were filled with murderous intent...

Tobirama had no doubt that if he had actually made a move, Hashirama absolutely wouldn't have held back against him.

He might have even severely injured him!

And during the past wars between the Senju and Uchiha, the way Hashirama and Madara fought each other while simultaneously worrying about each other had always left Tobirama utterly bewildered.

It was too strange!

"This..." Confronted with this difficult-to-answer question, Izuna also felt a bit overwhelmed.

He had once suggested Madara use Hashirama's feelings to set a trap and ambush the Senju.

But the ferocity in Madara's eyes at that time was something Izuna had never seen in his entire life.

Izuna thought for a long time before saying with difficulty: "You must understand, love is essentially a type of bond. Big Brother and Hashirama had long surpassed the narrow concept of love; it is insufficient to describe the feelings between them."

"If you want to find feelings like Big Brother and Hashirama's, I advise you not to try."

"Big Brother is the person with the most abundant emotions I have ever seen. But precisely because of this, being passionate means being suspicious. He constantly doubted whether the person he trusted most would fall out of step with him."

"As for why he and Hashirama turned against each other, I don't know the specific reasons, but I can guess the general framework."

Izuna's gaze became profound: "When you trust someone deeply, you want to receive the same trust in return. This trust often magnifies inner sensitivity, especially for the Uchiha clan."

"It's true that there was trust between Hashirama and Big Brother. But they were exploring an untrodden path; ideological clashes were inevitable."

"But to Big Brother, these clashes would be interpreted as a change in trust. When what he gave and what he received were perceived by Big Brother as mismatched, an intense hatred was consequently born."

In this moment, Izuna seemed to transform into a poet: "Feelings higher than the sky can often turn into hatred deeper than the sea..."

"I call it the 'Sea of Hatred and Heaven of Love'!"

Tobirama stared at Izuna, dumbfounded.

He had always believed that emotions were meaningless, things that needed to be suppressed.

But with Izuna, emotions seemed to have been summarized into a discipline, complete with a comprehensive theoretical system.

And Izuna, looking at "Seisui," was also awed by his rational ability to categorize and summarize everything.

It was practically Senju Newton meeting Uchiha Shakespeare.

"Impressive."

For the first time, Tobirama straightforwardly praised Izuna.

"You're also very impressive."

Izuna sighed: "Your outward appearance is like mine, but your inner core is actually more like Tobirama Senju."

"The matters between him and me have nothing to do with you. You are innocent, Seisui."

"I don't want to criticize him in front of you, a junior."

"You must avoid our problems. I wasn't rational enough, so I made erroneous decisions. And he was overly rational, lacking human touch, which led to a lot of meaningless friction and internal attrition."

"In short, do not go to extremes. Just like Hiruzen Sarutobi says, treat shinobi as living, breathing people. Fully consider the evolving needs of the collective, and strive to achieve the greatest consensus."

Izuna said with utmost seriousness: "You must always keep your emotions stable!"

Tobirama's mouth twitched.

Was he being educated by Izuna to learn Hiruzen's Will of Fire?

And being told not to go to extremes...

He really treats me like an Uchiha!

But thinking about it, wasn't absolute rationality just another kind of extreme?

It was true that he knew how to be the head of the Senju and Hokage.

But how to be a Konoha youth shinobi was a subject Tobirama still needed to learn.

There was overlap between the two, but they were not universally interchangeable.

"I understand." Tobirama sighed deeply.

The fact that Izuna didn't take the opportunity to belittle 'Tobirama' made him feel a bit strange.

Perhaps it was time for the past hatred to pass.

Otherwise, wouldn't his own magnanimity be inferior to this bastard's?

"Let's put Shio's matter aside for now; it'll be easy to explain later."

"If all else fails..." Izuna pondered: "Just blame it on your bloodline. Say that because you usually read too many of Tobirama's texts for scientific research, your thoughts got a bit marinated in them, so you couldn't adjust your mindset for a moment."

"It's the truth, after all!"

"Mito should understand. She also knows what Tobirama used to be like; exactly the same as you."

Tobirama's mouth twitched.

Great!

Uchiha Seisui makes a mistake, and Senju Tobirama takes the blame?

"As for Tomie..." Izuna rubbed his temples.

This was no longer a matter of explaining.

Various objective conditions had already been established. It was as if Izuna had time-traveled back to the Warring States Period, and upon looking down, found a Flying Thunder God kunai already embedded in his chest.

What was the use of knowing?

"Mm."

"You stall for now, too. My suggestion is, when the time comes, bring up your bloodline first. Then clarify the misunderstanding and your relationship with Uzumaki Shio, emphasizing your firm stance on not wanting a relationship."

"If you try to cover it up, given the Uchiha's nature, she'll just fill in the blanks herself, and the situation will become uncontrollable."

A flash of inspiration struck Izuna.

To be honest, he had always disdained the practice of setting up clan members.

But Tomie had already become personally involved. It would be a pity not to guide her a bit!

"You can clearly state your criteria for a partner. Tell her you only want to find someone who understands scientific research, and until the shinobi world is at peace and the village prospers, you don't want to establish a relationship with anyone."

Izuna coughed lightly.

Awakening the Mangekyou is a very difficult thing. Therefore, when Warring States veterans orchestrated setups, they usually only ended up with a madman whose combat power wasn't that great but whose mind was broken.

But Tomie was different; her talent was certified by her Kekkei Genkai illness.

The probability of her awakening the Mangekyou was very high.

Furthermore, Izuna knew that Mangekyou visual jutsu are born from the reflection of the heart.

If "Seisui" pointed out his criteria for a partner was "scientific research," then there might be a chance it would catalyze a very special pair of Mangekyou Sharingan.

Its destructive power might not be great, but it would have immense strategic value.

However, this was just an idle move on Izuna's part; he had no idea if it would succeed.

But it was better than nothing.

Izuna knew what "Seisui" was currently researching.

The project of weakening the vitality of Hashirama's cells and making them safe was simply too difficult. They had tried all sorts of methods, with almost nothing applicable.

Rational attempts had already reached their limits. So if they used the "mystical" power of the Mangekyou to guide them, they might just achieve a major breakthrough!

Although Izuna was a living corpse, he still worried about Konoha's development.

He made a decision that went against his past principles!

Slightly manipulating a clan member's eye awakening.

"That's the only way."

Tobirama rubbed his cheek; the slap mark still hadn't swelled down.

When he went home today, Obito and Shisui were furious upon seeing it, threatening that no matter who did it, they would avenge their older brother!

But when they learned it was Uzumaki Shio who hit him, the two of them went dead silent.

Forget it, forget it!

At the same time.

Uzumaki Shio, filled with anger and grievance, found Mito.

The moment she saw Mito, she immediately bowed deeply to the ground: "Lady Mito!"

"Please help me undergo the strictest training! I want power!"

Mito and the Nine-Tails, one human and one fox, exchanged a look, seeing the confusion in each other's eyes.

Wait.

Who did this?

That was way too fast!

☆☆☆

-> 20 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!

-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn

(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)

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