"Something light is fine too."
Jiraiya indicated that he was definitely freeloading this meal.
"Tsk..."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, making a displeased sound. She had made it so obvious, yet Jiraiya hadn't noticed at all!
"I'm definitely going to be a third wheel!"
Jiraiya winked, conveying his meaning.
"Indeed, I should have just punched that perverted white-haired guy earlier!"
Tsunade understood Jiraiya's meaning, and her fists clenched.
Back home, Orochimaru successively received the memories and fatigue from her Shadow Clones. The Shadow Clone at the Island Laboratory Base had not yet been dispelled because Uchiha Madara was currently inspecting Orochimaru's research results.
Island Laboratory Base
"Orochimaru, when can the Hashirama cells be used on me?"
Uchiha Madara walked through Orochimaru's Laboratory, looking at the Hashirama cells, Gedo Statue flesh, and White Zetsu Cells being cultured in the tanks.
"Old man, impatience is useless. Or are you saying you don't trust my abilities and want to do it yourself?"
Orochimaru, who was busy, paused her movements and looked at Uchiha Madara with sharp eyes, extremely displeased at being disturbed during her research.
Uchiha Madara looked at the angry Orochimaru and felt a hint of pressure.
"Orochimaru, I believe in your scientific research abilities, but I cannot wait too long."
Uchiha Madara could feel his body weakening at an accelerating rate; he would soon grow old and die.
"Don't your eyes have some kind of Outer Path — Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique? If you die, it's no big deal. Just find a vessel and perform that jutsu to revive you."
Orochimaru said carelessly.
After all, it wasn't her who was going to die, but Uchiha Madara.
Besides, can research results be rushed?
"That's a last resort, a last resort."
Uchiha Madara would not easily transplant his eyes onto others. Who could say what would happen after his death? What if the chosen vessel didn't revive him? Wouldn't those eyes then benefit that person?
These eyes were Izuna's eyes; how could he let someone else possess them?
"Don't worry, I will research a method to extend your life before you die."
Orochimaru continued her research, exuding an aura of "Don't talk to me, don't disturb me, stay away from me."
Seeing this, Uchiha Madara did not stay long.
Not long after Uchiha Madara left, Black Zetsu secretly arrived at the Laboratory.
"Orochimaru, do you really intend to extend Madara's life?"
"I will fulfill what I promised."
"You truly are a person who keeps your promises, but Madara being alive will affect our plan."
Black Zetsu said, implying something. Uchiha Madara was once a very important existence to him.
Now, however, Uchiha Madara was no longer needed; his death would be more beneficial to him and Orochimaru.
Orochimaru's lips curved into an arc, and she sneered, "The old man has no impact on our plan to rescue the Rabbit Goddess. Once the Rabbit Goddess leaves that cage, he will know the truth, and he will also know how unrealistic the Six Paths Sage... Otsutsuki Hagoromo's Infinite Tsukuyomi delusion is."
That's right, in Black Zetsu's words, Infinite Tsukuyomi became the Six Paths Sage's terrible conspiracy. If Orochimaru hadn't known the truth, she might have been fooled; he truly had a mouth that could deceive people.
"Orochimaru, I'm going back. I can't be away for too long; Madara will notice."
Black Zetsu merged into the ground and left.
"Things are getting more and more interesting."
Orochimaru looked at the spot where Black Zetsu disappeared, then vanished into a puff of smoke.
In the kitchen, Orochimaru reached for an apron; the pink one she usually wore was gone, leaving only a cream-colored one. Receiving the memories from her Shadow Clone at the Island Laboratory Base, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.
She hadn't expected Black Zetsu to actually harbor murderous intent towards Uchiha Madara.
With the Gedo Statue now summoned from the moon, it meant Uchiha Madara's usefulness was over, and her extending Uchiha Madara's life was seen as a threat by Black Zetsu.
Speaking of which, there must still be quite a few descendants of Hamura alive on the moon, right?
The disappearance of the Gedo Statue must have caused quite a stir.
"I'll help."
Uchiha Hikari, wearing a pink apron, walked into the kitchen, her expression clearly saying, 'You're not getting rid of me.'
"Alright, but don't cause me any trouble, okay?"
Orochimaru poked Uchiha Hikari's forehead, then picked up the cream-colored apron and put it on.
"Orochimaru, this is for you."
Just as Orochimaru picked up a chopstick to use as a hair ornament, a beautiful crystal hairpin was presented to her.
"Hikari..."
Orochimaru looked at the crystal hairpin in surprise, then at Uchiha Hikari's big, expectant black eyes. She took the crystal hairpin, looked at the flowers inside, and used it to tie up her hair.
"How is it? Does it look good?"
"Mm!"
Uchiha Hikari nodded vigorously, her delicate and lovely face slightly flushed.
"Then, let's make dinner!"
Orochimaru's hand rested on Uchiha Hikari's head, stroking it.
"Hikari, is something on your mind?"
Orochimaru noticed Uchiha Hikari occasionally spacing out while washing ingredients, as if remembering something.
"Orochimaru, today I met someone from the Uchiha Clan on the street..."
Uchiha Hikari said, washing tomatoes, recounting what happened on the street today.
"Orochimaru... I..."
Uchiha Hikari's face showed a hint of worry.
"Don't worry, no one can force you."
Orochimaru pinched Uchiha Hikari's cheek, knowing what she was worried about, and reassured her, "No matter what happens, I'm here."
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