Cloud Village.
Cloud Lightning Gorge.
Uchiha Yuzuru and Uchiha Shisui walked side by side into Orochimaru's experimental base.
The bright white lights illuminated everything clearly, yet they always gave off a chilling sensation.
Just like Orochimaru himself.
Yuzuru thought to himself.
Although Orochimaru had remained loyal ever since defecting to his side, and had completed every task assigned to him quite well, Yuzuru could still sense it from Orochimaru's tone—
In Orochimaru's eyes, the two of them were still equals.
In other words, this was merely a mutually beneficial partnership.
Once cracks appeared in their relationship, or Orochimaru developed new ideas, their cooperation could very well come to an end.
That was not something Yuzuru wanted to see.
That was why, after Shisui awakened the Kotoamatsukami Dōjutsu, Yuzuru immediately decided to use it on Orochimaru.
Given Orochimaru's personality, this was the safest option.
As the thought crossed his mind, the two arrived at the operating room where Orochimaru was.
Upon seeing Yuzuru, Orochimaru set down the scalpel in his hand and said, "Yuzuru-kun, you came at the perfect time. I have something to discuss with you."
Yuzuru waved his hand, signaling Yakushi Kabuto and the others to wait outside, before asking, "What is it?"
"I need more ninja with Kekkei Genkai for my research."
"My current target is Konoha. We'll discuss this matter later."
Seeing the refusal, Orochimaru licked his lips and spoke in his hoarse, characteristic voice. "Yuzuru-kun, I've always done my best to satisfy your requests. Naturally, you should satisfy mine as well."
"This was agreed upon when we began cooperating. Don't go back on your word."
"With your strength, capturing a few ninja with Kekkei Genkai shouldn't be difficult, right?"
Yuzuru glanced at Orochimaru and raised a hand to stroke his chin.
Just as he expected—this guy had absolutely no awareness of being someone's subordinate.
If he already dared to speak like this now, who knew how arrogant he would become once he obtained some powerful life-saving method?
Although Yuzuru was confident he could completely suppress Orochimaru in terms of strength, he had no interest in wasting effort on such matters.
It was better to use Kotoamatsukami directly and settle it once and for all.
With that thought, Yuzuru smiled. "Orochimaru, before we continue this discussion, there's something I want to tell you."
"What is it?"
"I've already mastered a method that allows Uchiha clan members to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan."
"Perhaps in the future, I might even give you a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan to study."
Orochimaru's eyes lit up, and he asked excitedly, "Really?"
Yuzuru pulled Shisui over in front of Orochimaru and said softly, "Shisui, show Orochimaru your eyes."
"Yes, Clan Head Yuzuru."
Shisui responded expressionlessly, then activated his Mangekyō Sharingan.
Orochimaru stared obsessively at Shisui's eyes, his long tongue sliding across his face.
The next second, a terrifying surge of Dōjutsu Power overflowed.
Orochimaru froze for a moment before praising, "As expected of the Mangekyō Sharingan."
Seeing Shisui nod toward him, Yuzuru spoke again. "Orochimaru, I can't provide you with Kekkei Genkai ninja right now."
Orochimaru chuckled lightly. "Yuzuru-kun, everything shall be as you will."
Seeing Orochimaru's obedient demeanor, Yuzuru nodded in satisfaction.
With this, there was no longer any need to worry about Orochimaru secretly stirring up trouble.
After sending Shisui away as well, Yuzuru questioned Orochimaru in detail about many matters.
Only after learning all of Orochimaru's secrets and trump cards did he leave the operating room, fully satisfied.
This way, he could rest assured and allow Kushina and the others to undergo Orochimaru's procedures.
"Lord Yuzuru!"
Just as he stepped out of the room, a pale boy rushed straight toward him.
"And you are?"
"Shin!" the boy said excitedly. "Lord Yuzuru, you're the ninja I admire the most!"
Yuzuru raised an eyebrow. "What do you want?"
"I wish to ask you to grant me the Uchiha surname."
Shin knelt on the ground, bowing deeply in reverence.
Seeing this, memories surfaced in Yuzuru's mind.
In the original story, Shin was an obsessive admirer of Uchiha Itachi and called himself Uchiha Shin.
He used his own body as a template to clone countless individuals possessing Mangekyō Sharingan.
A rather talented individual.
After a moment of thought, Yuzuru spoke slowly. "Work hard for now. I'll consider it."
Hearing this, Shin kowtowed excitedly. "Understood, Lord Yuzuru!"
————
————
One week later.
Dusk.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host. Clan population has increased by over 10,000. Bloodline evolution attempts +1!]
[Current Clan population: 40,000!]
Hearing the system notification in his mind, Yuzuru smiled.
After several years, the clan's population had finally reached another milestone.
Returning to his room, Yuzuru focused his attention on the system panel.
Without hesitation, he murmured, "Evolve the Senju clan bloodline."
[Ding! Senju bloodline evolution progress: 100%! You have gained one opportunity to draw a clan entry!]
Ignoring the system for the moment, Yuzuru immersed all his focus into sensing his own body.
The instant the Senju bloodline evolution completed, his body underwent a tremendous transformation.
Chakra, mental strength, vitality…
All of his already terrifying attributes experienced a comprehensive leap once more.
His mind became crystal clear, his life force exuberant.
Just as the completion of the Uzumaki bloodline evolution had awakened the Uzumaki Sage Body, the ultimate manifestation of the fully evolved Senju bloodline was the Senju Sage Body.
The fusion of the two Sage Bodies gave Yuzuru the feeling that he could obliterate anything with a single punch.
Most importantly, he could sense a subtle change beginning within his Mangekyō Sharingan.
A power within his body continuously flowed toward his eyes, slowly merging with them.
Although the process was slow, the sensation was undeniably real.
"This is a sign of further evolution."
Realizing that his eyes had reached the threshold of evolving into the Rinnegan, Yuzuru couldn't help but throw his head back and laugh. "Hahahahaha…"
In his excitement, his aura unintentionally burst forth.
Boom!
In an instant, the surrounding walls were covered in spiderweb-like cracks under the overwhelming shockwave.