While Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others were busy making their plans, Orochimaru arrived openly at the Konoha Military Police Force Headquarters, bringing Uchiha Itachi with him.
"Everyone, the No. 7 serum I specially formulated according to Itachi's physique has produced excellent results. His Bloodline Disease (Kekkei Illness) has been temporarily suppressed."
Inside the Chief's Office of the Konoha Military Police, Orochimaru pulled Itachi forward and confidently introduced the results of his recent research to Uchiha Ren and the others.
Fugaku Uchiha frowned slightly.
"Only suppressed? Not cured?"
Orochimaru's wording clearly dissatisfied him. What Fugaku wanted was a complete cure for Itachi—not a temporary solution.
Orochimaru smiled and explained.
"Fugaku-kun, please don't misunderstand. From a fundamental perspective, Itachi's so-called Bloodline Disease isn't truly an illness."
"It's simply that his body cannot provide enough nutrients to support the power of his bloodline."
"To put it simply—Itachi's bloodline power is too strong, while his physical body is the limiting factor preventing that power from fully manifesting."
"So the idea of 'curing' this condition doesn't really exist."
"The No. 7 serum, developed using Hashirama Cells, greatly enhances Itachi's physique and supplies sufficient vitality for his bloodline."
"However," Orochimaru continued, glancing at Ren, "I've heard from Ren-kun that the Uchiha clan possesses a stage beyond the three-tomoe Sharingan, known as the Mangekyō Sharingan."
"At present, I'm not certain whether Itachi's enhanced body can handle the chakra and ocular strain required by the Mangekyō Sharingan."
"That's why I used the phrase 'temporarily suppressed.'"
Fugaku's expression improved noticeably.
He turned to Itachi.
"Itachi, how do you feel now?"
"Better than ever before," Itachi replied simply.
He raised his hand and opened his palm.
"The increase in raw strength isn't particularly large… but I feel like I have far more confidence than before. And also…"
Itachi thought for a long moment but couldn't find the right word to describe the sensation.
"Confidence" was the closest he could come.
At that moment, however—
A green sprout suddenly grew from the center of Itachi's palm.
"W–Wood Release?!"
Fugaku, Uchiha Setsuna, and Uchiha Ya all shot to their feet, their eyes wide with disbelief.
"Indeed, it's Wood Release (Mokuton)," Orochimaru confirmed calmly.
"But for now it's only the most basic application. He can barely grow a few saplings—nothing compared to Yamato (Tenzo), and certainly insignificant next to the First Hokage's Wood Release."
"Additionally…"
Orochimaru turned to Itachi.
"Itachi, raise your arm."
Without hesitation, Itachi rolled up his sleeve and extended his arm.
Orochimaru flicked his finger.
A thin blade of Wind Release chakra formed at his fingertip and sliced across Itachi's arm, leaving a shallow wound.
Fugaku instinctively clenched his fists, but reason suppressed the impulse to intervene.
Then, before their eyes—
The wound on Itachi's arm began healing at a visible speed.
It wasn't instantaneous regeneration, but the flesh was clearly knitting together before their very eyes.
Since the injury wasn't severe to begin with, the wound closed completely after only a few breaths.
Orochimaru casually wiped away the remaining blood, revealing smooth, unblemished skin beneath.
He smiled.
"I'm sure everyone here has heard of the First Hokage's signless regeneration."
"Itachi has now acquired a similar ability."
"And unlike his weakened Wood Release, his regenerative ability is quite remarkable."
"Even if it cannot match the First Hokage's, it has at least reached one-fifth of his regenerative capability."
"With this ability, Itachi's survival rate in future battles will be greatly improved."
Fugaku, Setsuna, and Ya were still immersed in shock when Uchiha Ren spoke with a satisfied smile.
"The results are good."
"It looks like we can begin Phase Two of the experiment."
"Phase Two?" Setsuna asked, puzzled. "What Phase Two?"
Ren explained calmly.
"The second phase involves creating custom fusion serums for those of us who possess the Mangekyō Sharingan—myself, Shisui, and Captain Fugaku."
"The purpose is to compensate for the massive dōjutsu strain and chakra consumption caused by the Mangekyō."
"You've all seen Obito Uchiha 's situation."
"He is also a successful fusion subject for Hashirama Cells. Within his body, the Hashirama Cells perfectly replenish the ocular power consumed by his Mangekyō Sharingan."
"In essence, it allows him to reach a state similar to the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan—but through a different path."
"For the Uchiha clan, this would represent an enormous advancement."
Fugaku and the others nodded.
They had already witnessed Obito's power firsthand, so none of them objected to Ren's proposal.
At that moment, Orochimaru spoke again.
"Ren-kun, now that you mention it… where is Obito?"
"If I could study a successful case like him more closely, the second phase of experiments would proceed much more smoothly."
Ren waved his hand.
"Obito has gone to handle a very important task. He likely won't return anytime soon."
Orochimaru's eyes flickered.
"An important task? May I know what it is?"
"Of course."
Ren answered without hesitation.
At the same time, he opened his desk drawer and handed Orochimaru a document.
"Actually, this matter will also require your cooperation."
Orochimaru looked slightly surprised as he accepted the document.
Across the top of the file was written a bold title:
"On the Research and Development of Firearms."
"Firearms?"
Curious, Orochimaru opened the document.
The first page described a particular substance in detail:
Gunpowder — a compound composed of sulfur, saltpeter, and charcoal, capable of violent combustion when ignited by sparks or flames…
A hint of excitement flashed across Orochimaru's eyes.
He flipped through a few more pages and found conceptual descriptions of various weapons:
Desert Eagle pistol
AK-47 automatic rifle
Sniper rifles
Mortars
Rocket launchers
Orochimaru did not read deeply for the moment.
He closed the file and looked at Ren.
"Ren-kun, this document is quite interesting. I'll take some time to study it carefully."
Orochimaru's primary research focus was biotechnology, not weapons development. It was only because Ren's proposal was so novel that he decided it might be worth examining.
But Ren shook his head.
"Not when you have time."
"You need to produce results as soon as possible."
"Not only must those weapon concepts be realized, they must also be capable of mass production."
Ren's gaze sharpened.
"Don't underestimate what you're holding."
"It may very well make the age of shinobi a thing of the past."
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