"Above is the general situation. The Kirigakure front requires reinforcements. As for Uchiha Shisui, before Kirigakure's movements completely clarify, recalling him to the village will prove quite difficult."
After returning to the village, Shuji explained circumstances to Tsunade.
That intelligence stemming from his god's-eye perspective could only serve as reference during his own reasoning. During formal reports, strict adherence to eyewitness accounts and actually occurring events for analysis remained necessary.
Tsunade propped one elbow on the desktop, palm supporting her cheek while her other hand unconsciously twirled a pen between fingers.
Originally her mood had been fairly good. Shuji returned. Shisui's side had no incidents. Danzo was temporarily confined. The Uchiha clan responded actively to academy position work.
Now, after completely hearing the matter's course, her good mood vanished entirely.
"Every time you go out, when returning, you always bring me some bad news."
"I will inform the old man, having him mobilize personnel for reinforcements."
"This way, having Shisui cooperate with Fugaku must be delayed again."
The Senju princess felt somewhat gloomy. "This shinobi world truly never quiets down."
Shuji held a different opinion. Regarding the Uchiha's reaction, he had heard some things after returning to the village. "Having Shisui return was merely a second preparation for Fugaku's insufficient initiative. Current circumstances allow forcibly having Fugaku do it."
Tsunade waved her hand. "You go speak with Fugaku."
Shuji nodded. Immediately after, he retrieved a scroll from his ninja tool pouch, placing it on Tsunade's office desk.
"This requires Lady Tsunade to arrange handling."
"What is this? The mission report was just completed. You wrote extra?"
Tsunade puzzledly picked up the scroll, untying the binding and spreading it open.
However, when her gaze fell upon those densely packed data, diagrams, and annotations, her expression instantly darkened.
"On the road returning to the village, Orochimaru sought me out." Shuji calmly explained. "After brief engagement, he handed this to me, claiming it was a 'small gift expressing sincerity.'"
Shuji possessed self-awareness. He perhaps still counted as capable in combat, with foundation regarding ninjutsu, but when involving biological cell technology and such, he held absolutely no technical capability.
Cooperate with Orochimaru? Even disregarding his experimental style, such cooperation where Orochimaru provided technology while he provided his body for research?
The problem was, did any trust foundation exist between him and Orochimaru? Discussing cooperation under such circumstances, how much Shuji himself could gain remained unclear, but the definite profiteer would be Orochimaru.
Therefore, after inspecting that aside from saliva, nothing like curse seals remained, Shuji made his decision.
Handing this scroll to Tsunade, having her or village experts judge its value might instead yield more useful information.
Tsunade scanned those data line by line. After considerable time, she finally took a deep breath, rolling the scroll back up.
"This is partial data from the first large-scale Wood Release cell transplantation experiment."
Shuji immediately recalled what Senju Momoka once said—the initial volunteers were all "us."
So the data above all came from those Senju clan people...
He then realized something else. Since this was early village-conducted public experiments, this data should theoretically all have village archives.
Meaning what Orochimaru gave Shuji was something he could find by searching?
"Useless?"
Tsunade shook her head. "No, considerable details within are not recorded in village archives or recorded vaguely."
"Plus some speculations and annotations Orochimaru himself subsequently added."
She looked toward Shuji. "What did he tell you?"
"He expressed desire to cooperate with me, jointly researching Hashirama's cells." Shuji answered truthfully.
With Shuji's current strength, no need existed to conceal these matters. Even facing the Third Hokage, he could speak honestly, much less with Tsunade.
Hearing this, Tsunade felt somewhat fortunate inwardly.
Fortunately, the person possessing this power was the current Shuji. If encountering Orochimaru and obtaining this scroll was another young clan member holding deep feelings toward the Senju, if they showed any curiosity about this data and investigated.
Then knowing internal circumstances, for instance, this was experimental data collected from numerous compatriots under village support, they would probably immediately waver and ultimately be bewitched by Orochimaru.
"Research regarding Grandfather's cells already began during Grandfather Tobirama's time."
This point did not surprise Shuji. Otherwise, given Senju Hashirama's capabilities, obtaining cells during his lifetime held difficulty. After his death, digging up his corpse to collect cells would prove even more problematic.
After all, Tsunade still existed.
Of course, most importantly, given Hashirama cells' activity, once losing Senju Hashirama himself's restraints, after his death, could anything truly callable a corpse remain?
"If you truly need knowledge in this area to better control your power, I can open those sealed materials to you."
"Those things may provide some different perspectives and inspiration for you."
After being rescued by Uchiha Obito, Kakuzu first looked toward Zetsu.
"Kirigakure will settle the final payment, right?"
White Zetsu's half-face displayed a strange smile. "Of course. Mizukage-sama proves quite generous."
As long as final payment settled, as for so-called betrayal, Kakuzu actually did not care that much. Having experienced long years, he had long recognized this shinobi world's essence. Only money proved eternally real.
However, next, Kakuzu felt he had words to say to the bounty exchange people.
Did you investigate? Someone posts ten million ryō and you just post it? Did you do preliminary work? Verified the employer's background? Such unreliable employers not blacklisted?
Having lost three hearts, Kakuzu felt somewhat empty. He should dig up something to fill the void.
"Kakuzu, where are you going?" Black Zetsu asked.
"Kirigakure's commission already concluded. I have other matters."
"Kirigakure will subsequently still..."
Kakuzu interrupted his following words. "Then wait for the leader's orders before notifying me. However, next time, if still opponents at this level, previously agreed compensation proves far from sufficient!"
Then he looked toward that reserve member calling himself "Tobi," saying, "Once you formally join the organization, if partnering with me, I can allow you one... three mistakes."
Obito assumed a foolish happy appearance. "Ah, Kakuzu-senpai is truly so friend... wait, Kakuzu-senpai, allowing me three mistakes means what?"
"What punishment exists for too many mistakes?"
Kakuzu did not answer but instead asked, "On various nations' black market bounty lists, how much are you worth?"
"Eh? I don't seem to have bounties..."
Kakuzu disappointedly turned his head, leaving on his own accord.
"Hey! Kakuzu-senpai, you still haven't..."
"Never mind. You won't have punishment."
Kakuzu answered without looking back.
After Kakuzu departed, Obito dropped his exaggerated posture, resuming Uchiha Madara's tone.
"Kirigakure people have already degraded to unusability. Relying on them will never achieve progress."
Zetsu suggested, "Continue hiring wandering shinobi or rogue ninja."
"Cannot continuously use organization members, displaying excessive power will cause Akatsuki to be noticed prematurely."
"As for hiring..." Obito looked thoughtful. "That also proves a method. Anyway, Kirigakure shinobi already proved their incompetence."
"Perhaps directly issuing employment commissions under the Mizukage's identity could attract truly capable desperate criminals."
He contemplated briefly. "However, Elder Genshi previously mentioned the Land of Water's daimyo seems quite critical regarding Kirigakure's funding flows... Perhaps later still must consider the daimyo's side... First have Kirigakure raise funds."
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild