A special thank you to all my patrons.
The List of My "Wandering Reader":
-Cain
-Goha21
-Splendid
-Varun Madhu
-Mp Gaming
-Austin Levy
-TylerD
-Orion Chung
-Patrick Darmon
-SATIONAS
-Gonzalo Sumalavia
-Sethos
You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - p@treon.com/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
-------------------------------------------------------------
The morning sunlight streamed through the window, falling upon Midorima's face as he slowly opened his eyes. His clothes were drenched in sweat.
He had spent the entire night attempting to activate the "Cursed Mark."
The pain brought on by voluntarily triggering the Curse Mark's power was not as intense as when Orochimaru forcibly activated it, but he could clearly feel the increase in chakra.
This additional chakra, however, came from the user's own body—essentially overdrawing their physical reserves.
This state of change was within Midorima's understanding.
After all, whether it was the Sound Five or Sasuke, they could all voluntarily trigger the Curse Mark's power and even release its second stage. In such a state, those bestowed with the Curse Mark possessed formidable combat abilities. Orochimaru wouldn't willingly weaken his own forces.
On the other hand, to maintain a punitive aspect, Orochimaru's forced activation of the Curse Mark inflicted severe damage on the subject.
This was Midorima's current understanding.
Now, Midorima was also contemplating the effects of the "Cursed Mark."
In an uncertain state, triggering the second stage was not a wise choice.
First, he couldn't be sure whether releasing the Curse Mark's power would truly increase the progress of the [Analysis Lab]. Second, the second stage posed even greater harm to the body.
After leaving his bedroom, Midorima took a shower to wash off the sweat and checked the data from the [Analysis Lab].
23%!
A 6% increase from the previous day.
This indirectly confirmed that his speculation was correct—actively triggering the "Cursed Mark" could indeed boost the progress of the [Analysis Lab].
At the same time, after deactivating the Curse Mark state, he could still distinctly sense an increase in chakra. Moreover, this additional chakra felt different from his own.
Based on his earlier conjecture, it might originate from Jugo's blood. But the specifics were still unclear.
Midorima clenched his fist and stared at his palm.
Compared to when he had left the village, his strength had improved dramatically—but it still wasn't enough.
He… still needed to grow stronger.
After stepping out of the bathroom and changing into fresh clothes, he opened his door only to see Danzō angrily summoning several "Root" operatives, ordering them to conduct a search.
From the descriptions in the manga, it was almost certain that "Root" members rarely retained the ability to think independently under Danzō's commands.
This was hardly surprising. Every "Root" member had to undergo a trial where they were forced to kill someone close to them. Even if they survived, the immense psychological trauma made it nearly impossible for them to face life normally afterward.
"By the way, have you obtained what I asked for?" Orochimaru asked Danzō.
"Do you think it's that easy?" Danzō glared at Orochimaru with his single eye. "Do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused me? Now the entire village has heightened its security. Transporting equipment in will be even harder than before."
"No rush. I have plenty of time," Orochimaru said, narrowing his eyes.
Danzō snorted coldly.
Of course Orochimaru had time—but Danzō was desperate to transplant the eyes onto his arm.
Yet, because of Orochimaru's recklessness, that plan had been ruined.
"You never told me Itachi Uchiha had the Mangekyō Sharingan," Orochimaru retorted.
Danzō sneered inwardly. How could he have known?
"Besides, weren't you the one who wanted to know what Itachi and Tsunade were plotting? I even 'sacrificed' myself for your sake. Aren't you satisfied?" Orochimaru pressed.
Danzō didn't want to argue further.
If not for the surgery, would he even tolerate Orochimaru?
"Anyway, in the coming days, you'd better be careful," Danzō said, his lone eye flicking toward Midorima. "Whether by luck or not, Hiruzen Sarutobi believes your appearance is related to the 'Chūnin Exams.' So until the exams are over, Konoha's security won't relax."
Chūnin Exams?
Hearing this, Midorima glanced at Orochimaru.
In the manga, Orochimaru had infiltrated Konoha during the Chūnin Exams—all for the sake of obtaining Sasuke as his new vessel.
At this point, the Chūnin Exams were still just a competition between Konoha and its allied villages, including the nearby Sunagakure (Sand Village).
Kirigakure (Mist Village) had just ended a brutal war with Konoha and wouldn't participate. Even if they could, the Mizukage was currently under Obito's control, making it unlikely they would send anyone.
Sure enough, Orochimaru's eyes narrowed—clearly, he was already planning to use the Chūnin Exams for his own purposes, likely without Danzō's knowledge.
Whether Danzō and Orochimaru were scheming against each other wasn't part of Midorima's plans.
The only reasons he remained with Orochimaru were twofold:
First, to find a way to remove the "Cursed Mark" on his neck.
Second, to locate the storage site of the Sharingan.
Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan was too crucial—Danzō would have hidden it extremely well, perhaps even implanted it already. But the other two Sharingan meant for Danzō's arm might still be stored somewhere.
Midorima had to obtain them before Orochimaru transplanted them onto Danzō. Otherwise, facing Danzō directly would introduce too many uncertainties.
With Konoha tightening security, Danzō explicitly forbade Orochimaru and Midorima from leaving, fearing they might be captured.
Orochimaru wasn't in a hurry. He spent his days studying scrolls and organizing jutsu.
Just two days later, Orochimaru approached Midorima, informing him that he would be away for about two weeks to handle something.
"During this time, don't even think about escaping. I've left traces of my chakra on you—no matter where you run, I'll find you. I trust you haven't forgotten the pain of the Curse Mark?"
Orochimaru formed a hand seal in front of Midorima, and agony erupted from the Curse Mark, spreading throughout his body like wild beasts tearing at his flesh.
This once again confirmed Midorima's suspicions—Orochimaru could indeed use the Curse Mark to harm him, and the pain was far worse than when he triggered it himself.
With Orochimaru gone to pursue his own schemes, Midorima, now left to his own devices, approached Danzō and requested a training room.
Perhaps because he still needed Orochimaru's assistance, Danzō reluctantly agreed despite his displeasure.
Over the next two weeks, Midorima focused on experimenting with the "Cursed Mark."
By the end of the first week, the [Analysis Lab]'s progress had reached 40%, and he had fully adapted to the first stage of the Curse Mark's power.
But no matter how many times he tried, he couldn't advance further.
At this point, Midorima knew—it was time to attempt the second stage.