A smug smile curled on Orochimaru's lips. "This is my latest achievement. It has no consciousness, yet maintains full physical vitality—a pure, pristine soul vessel."
"With this, I no longer have any concerns about my future."
Hiruko studied the specimen closely, then glanced at the adjacent area containing over a dozen identical vats. "Orochimaru, have you already begun soul transfer experiments?"
"I've failed five times," Orochimaru admitted flatly.
He continued, "The first case was a synchronization error during the transfer. Senju Mori died because of a mistake in my initial calculations. The remaining cases involved the soul entering the White Zetsu body, only to detach itself shortly after, leading to total systemic failure."
"I haven't found a way to anchor the soul permanently. Records on soul-based secret arts are far too scarce. It might be a physical rejection issue with the White Zetsu tissue that I haven't solved yet."
Hiruko stared at the White Zetsu for a long time before suddenly asking, "Is it possible we don't understand 'death' well enough?"
Orochimaru froze. The statement sounded odd. What was there to understand about death? Once a person dies, isn't there nothing left? His entire pursuit was founded on escaping that void.
Hiruko pondered. "Orochimaru, do you know? I've seen records of the 'Shinigami' (Reaper) in ancient Uzumaki texts. Since souls and a God of Death exist, is it possible there are fundamental rules governing the post-mortem state?"
Orochimaru looked thoughtful. Hiruko's words made sense. Whether it was Dan Kato's Spirit Transformation Jutsu or the Yamanaka clan's mental arts, they all involved the soul leaving the body. But if the separation lasted too long, the link snapped, resulting in death.
But why can't the soul be housed in a new vessel long-term? What is the rule governing the tether between soul and flesh?
Hiruko knew Orochimaru was missing a key ingredient for a perfect Curse Mark—the data from Jugo. If the body is the vessel and the soul is the water, the Curse Mark is the lid. Hiruko considered Jugo's innate ability to absorb natural energy. If he could find the boy, his own power could reach a new level.
At this point in time, Jugo was likely just a toddler. Hiruko resolved to find him before Orochimaru did, to mimic his natural energy absorption without the risks Naruto faced.
Hiruko shifted his gaze back to the vat, noticing Orochimaru's eyes flickering with hidden thoughts.
"The more one knows," Orochimaru suddenly spoke, "the more one realizes the depths of their own ignorance."
Hiruko nodded. "The search for truth is endless. Exploring the unknown is the most wondrous part of life."
Orochimaru chuckled softly, then shifted the topic. "I heard you're getting married?"
"Once Konoha stabilizes, Tsunade and I will likely hold the ceremony," Hiruko confirmed.
"Congratulations. I'll make sure to bring that fellow Jiraiya with me," Orochimaru said with a rare, genuine nod.
Elsewhere, Yugito Nii was in a state of constant mental turmoil. Though the three of them could move relatively freely within the Leaf, they wore Hiruko's specialized collars. If they acted out, Hiruko would know instantly.
Aside from Yugito occasionally asking people questions to gather info, they were left to their own devices. They weren't treated like common prisoners because none of them were "common." Pity was, Hiruko hadn't visited them since that first day, leaving Yugito's "Honey Trap" plan with nowhere to go.
"I actually think this is fine," Mabui said weakly. They had expected dungeons and torture, but the Leaf was prosperous, and the locals were friendly, assuming they were Hiruko's women. The atmosphere was completely different from the Cloud.
Mabui felt that saving her father was unlikely and returning home alone was impossible. She began to accept her reality. The food was good, the entertainment was fascinating, and there were "movies" to watch. If Konoha gave her a chance to start over, she was willing to take it.
"Have you forgotten you are a ninja of the Cloud?!" Yugito barked. Her mind was fixed on revenge; only Hiruko's death could wash away her shame. She was even willing to give herself to him if it meant an opening, but she felt Samui was prettier and had a better chance of success.
The fact that Hiruko hadn't shown up made her feel... strangely slighted.
Of course, Hiruko was just busy soothing Tsunade's temper. In Yugito's mind, a man who saw Samui once should be obsessed.
"You two need to think of something," Yugito said as they walked.
Samui looked at her with a flat expression. "The more proactive you are, the less he will value you. I've had enough suitors in the village to know how a man's mind works. In a relationship, the one who initiates loses. That's a universal truth."
Despite her resistance to Yugito's plan, Samui knew they were captives. If they could climb onto Hiruko's lap, it meant survival.
Sell our bodies? For prisoners of war, was "purity" really more important than living? They knew the fate of female ninjas who fell into enemy hands. If they could manipulate him, great. If not, being his woman was better than a shallow grave.
In the Hokage Building, Shikaku Nara was assisting Minato with administrative drudgery. The normally lazy Shikaku had been turned into the village's busiest bee by Minato's absolute trust and the crushing workload.
Minato wasn't like his future son, who tried to do everything himself. He delegated power and absorbed advice, focusing only on the "big picture." This allowed him to train his Rasengan or even video-call his wife while Shikaku handled the lobby.
"Minato, any word from Jiraiya?" Hiruko asked, entering the office. "Nagato and Konan... they're his former students. He knows they're alive. His presence in the Rain is a safety net."
Jiraiya was a power ceiling in this era. Even without full intel, he could survive an encounter with Nagato. Plus, his Toad Oil countered Konan's paper. Using the teacher-student bond was the best bet for an Akatsuki recruitment.
Hiruko paused. "Currently, I want to handle Danzo."
Danzo was slippery. Direct revenge was hard. "What's your plan?" Minato asked.
Hiruko smirked. "Danzo's Root has grown to a point where everyone notices. Funding that many people on a standard village budget is impossible. He's using Root to embezzle funds and run shadow businesses."
Mikoto Uchiha, standing nearby, was shocked. Embezzlement on such a scale under Minato's nose? Danzo was bold.
"Lady Mikoto," Hiruko turned to her, "if the Uchiha are willing to help, I will lead this operation."
In the Warring States, the Uchiha were kings. In the village, they were being stepped on by minor clans like the Shimura. This was a chance for the Police Force to strike at crime and "spies."
"I understand, Lord Hiruko," Mikoto said. She had been too low-profile lately. The Uchiha needed to remember their pride.
"Thank you, Lady Mikoto," Hiruko smiled.
As she walked out, Hiruko watched her swaying silhouette. Fugaku is a ruthless man, using his wife as bait. But then again, I do have a weakness for beauties.
Mikoto, sensing his gaze, flushed and made a graceful exit.
Hiruko dispatched his subordinates to join an Uchiha squad led by Tekka Uchiha. They headed for the Shimura family's large warehouses. Three caravans were there: one for the Shimura, one for medical black-market goods, and one for Hiruko's tech supplies.
Tekka led twenty Uchiha, all with Three-Tomo-e Sharingan. As they approached the warehouse, the Shimura caravan was unloading crates.
"You Uchiha! What are you doing here?" a manager shouted.
Tekka cut him off. "Stop what you're doing! This is a Shimura caravan, isn't it?"
"We suspect you of conspiring with the Hidden Stone to sell contraband. Start talking!" Tekka said coldly.
"Impossible! The Shimura are law-abiding!" the manager roared. "You Uchiha have some nerve—"
A flash of cold light. A Lightning Blade sliced through the air. A bloody arm hit the ground.
The manager shrieked in agony. Before he could continue, Tekka swung again, severing the man's tongue. "If you can't speak civilly, don't speak at all."
"Bring everyone out! Anyone identified as an Iwa spy is to be executed on the spot!"
The Shimura ninjas turned pale. Tekka, bolstered by Hiruko's latest stamina pills, was now touching the threshold of Kage-level. He was an absolute terror to these rank-and-file shinobi.
"Tekka, is this okay?" a teammate whispered.
"It's fine! Hiruko-senpai said no mercy for Iwa collaborators. The Shimura family will swallow this loss today whether they like it or not!" Tekka pulled out a scroll. "This is intel Lord Hiruko gathered from Iwa. It lists the Shimura outposts and transport routes. Even Danzo won't be able to talk his way out of this."
"Seize the cargo! Bring everyone to the Police Station for interrogation. Kill any who run!"
The cargo was worth at least 300 million Ryo—enough to make Danzo bleed. Hiruko intended to dismantle every Shimura outpost outside the village. If anyone asked, "rogue ninjas" did it.
The sight of twenty Uchiha and ten crates of seized high-tech goods moving through the village drew massive attention.
"Senpai, I've never seen us move this big inside the village," a young ninja whispered.
It wasn't just Uchiha; even the Hyuga and other small clans had sent "observers" to help.
Suddenly, a shing sound echoed.
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