chapter 101 part 2
Not to mention the information related to the Eye of the Moon Plan.
"It's time to make a decision."
These words echoed in Madara's mind.
...
After Tsukasa Kaede returned to Hidden Leaf Village, he immediately went back to his residence to carefully assess the condition of the Hashirama clone.
"As expected, unstable genes, insufficient to perfectly control all the cells. The only advantage is the lack of self-awareness."
Tsukasa Kaede quickly understood the clone's situation and knew what to do next.
Corpse Release: Zombification Jutsu!
Tsukasa Kaede began implanting his power into the Hashirama clone, but without a full-scale invasion; he only implanted an extremely sparse amount of virus. For Tsukasa Kaede, this was already sufficient.
"Next, we'll see who makes the first move... Orochimaru, or Madara?"
Tsukasa Kaede closely monitored the Hashirama clone's bodily changes. After confirming it was generally stable, he sealed it away.
To ensure the genetic stability of the Hashirama clone, he would have to periodically return to the Mountain Graveyard in the future, using the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to nurture it, until he eventually consumed the clone.
Time flowed slowly.
Tsukasa Kaede silently observed the world through the Zombies scattered across the Shinobi World, especially focusing on the changes in Hidden Rain Village.
Nagato ultimately chose to return to Hidden Rain Village. Along with Yahiko and Konan, he slowly explored his own path, pursuing that distant, unattainable peace.
And soon, they gained some renown, attracting Rogue Ninja who couldn't find a way to live but still held certain ideals and beliefs.
Tsukasa Kaede speculated that Hanzo was also watching Nagato but dared not act rashly. As the Demigod aged, he would only become more cautious; it would be incredibly difficult to make him take risks.
Especially having witnessed the battle between True Several Thousand Hands and the Nine-Tails firsthand, that fight had completely traumatized Hanzo, causing him to hide in the Hidden Rain Village's main base year-round, never leaving.
But this balance was fragile. Nagato would inevitably grow stronger until Hanzo was forced to confront him, and Danzo would certainly not give up. Once he obtained the power he desired, he would make his move.
Dong, dong, dong! A knock sounded at the door.
"Ryoma, I didn't expect you to be the one to seek me out. Why didn't Danzo come himself?"
Tsukasa Kaede said this, but his face showed no surprise.
Ryoma stared at Tsukasa Kaede for a long moment before speaking, "You haven't left your residence for a while. The casualties among the Senju Clan are increasing, with over ten deaths already. This matter will eventually be impossible to hide from Tsunade. Lord Danzo sent me to ascertain your thoughts."
"How much time has passed for Lord Danzo to be so impatient... Very well, as it happens, I have a good idea that Orochimaru needs to put into practice."
Tsukasa Kaede stood up, completely ignoring Ryoma, and headed straight for the laboratory.
Ryoma quickly scanned Tsukasa Kaede's residence with his eyes, found no clues, and then calmly retreated.
From an angle Ryoma couldn't perceive, a deep sense of anticipation appeared on Tsukasa Kaede's face. "Will Orochimaru and Danzo be the first to make a move against me? Those two are tricky; unless they find my weakness, what could it be?"
Upon entering the laboratory, everything was as usual.
"What, Tsukasa-kun, you look disappointed? Is it because you haven't obtained a satisfactory corpse? My apologies, but the primary experimental subjects have gradually become members of the Senju Clan. Even I find it difficult to monopolize their corpses."
Only when Orochimaru saw Tsukasa Kaede arrive did he reluctantly tear some of his attention away from the ongoing experiment.
"Scattered Wood Release corpses are no longer important," Tsukasa Kaede said. "Orochimaru, you should have some Sharingan stored away, right? Give me a pair of Three-Tomoe Sharingan; I have a use for them."
"Oh? A change of pace? But Three-Tomoe Sharingan are exceptionally precious. Why should I give them to you? I barely have enough time to research them myself..."
"I want to cultivate a powerful body, ideally one that possesses both the powers of the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan. You understand what I mean, right?"
*Snap!* Orochimaru's hand trembled, and his scalpel slipped, inflicting a harsh blow on the Senju Clan member on the operating table, causing a large gush of blood.
Yet neither Orochimaru nor Tsukasa Kaede wasted any time on the person who was clearly destined to die.
Orochimaru licked his lips. "Tsukasa-kun, I find things have become rather interesting. You and Danzo actually have the same demands. Why is that? Could it be that you two are secretly cooperating?"
"No," Tsukasa Kaede said. "I simply yearn for a powerful body and am curious about the hidden secrets of this world. The Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan are the keys to breaking the mold."
Orochimaru chuckled, "With your power, there's no need for you to covet the Kekkei Genkai of these two clans, is there? What exactly went wrong? What kind of difficulties did you encounter to make such a move?"