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"Over the years, I've been willing to donate all my research findings to the village free of charge. Additionally, I can help the Uchiha clan build several machines capable of mental stimulation. However, the Uchiha will need to provide the materials themselves. I can guarantee that the machines I create will only have a mental stimulation effect and won't harm a person's brain. Such devices would be perfect for the Uchiha."
"I can also—"
Kazuki raised his hand, cutting Orochimaru off.
"To be honest, none of your conditions interest me much. Because the secret I've discovered is enough to overturn the entire shinobi world."
Enough to overturn the entire shinobi world?
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, his curiosity growing uncontrollably. He desperately wanted to dig out this secret.
"Let's just say I'm giving you a chance. Sasuke has already been delivered to you. Train him well. Once he grows stronger, you'll naturally discover the secret I'm talking about. I can tell you this clearly—Sasuke has the potential to become the second Madara Uchiha within the clan."
By nurturing Sasuke, I'll uncover your secret?
How intriguing.
Orochimaru admitted he was tempted. Though raising a disciple would consume time and energy, those were things he had in abundance.
He couldn't stir up trouble, and fleeing the village risked capture, so he had no choice but to remain in Konoha. If there was one thing Orochimaru could guarantee, it was that he had plenty of time and energy to spare.
Seeing that Orochimaru had agreed, Kazuki stood up and walked toward the exit.
"Don't get any other ideas. If you're interested in Uchiha bloodlines, you can cultivate a body for yourself when the opportunity arises."
"Can I use your cells for cultivation?"
"..."
Kazuki stopped in his tracks, his three-tomoe Sharingan glaring coldly at Orochimaru.
Go ahead and try—if you have a death wish.
"Just kidding, don't take it seriously."
Orochimaru grinned.
"Then I'll use Obito's cells. But if his Sharingan gets damaged—"
"Just don't break it. It still has its uses. Also, you're only permitted to cultivate a body with Uchiha bloodline traits—not to conduct forbidden experiments. Know your limits. Oh, and make Sasuke's training more intense. A darker approach is fine. This kid needs some stimulation. Compared to his talent, his growth has been too slow."
"I understand. However, I'll need some prisoners."
Orochimaru smiled gleefully. Kazuki had just handed him a delightful surprise.
Sasuke needs a dark and stimulating upbringing?
That was right up his alley.
"Fine. Use my authority to requisition them—but only death-row inmates, and not too many. These prisoners are solely for Sasuke's training, not for experiments. Understood?"
"Understood!!"
Orochimaru could barely contain his excitement, itching to rush to the prison and select his test subjects immediately.
"Well then, Sasuke, I look forward to working with you."
"???"
Working with me?
Sasuke was confused. Kazuki reached out and ruffled his hair.
"From now on, Orochimaru will be your teacher. I'll inform the academy. You only need to show up for exams. Every day, you'll come here for Orochimaru's training. If you want to grow stronger, prepare yourself mentally."
Sasuke was the type who thrived under pressure and hardship—the more he was pushed, the faster he improved.
Kazuki felt it was necessary to give him a firm push to accelerate his growth. Once he matured, Naruto—provoked by his progress—would also enter a rapid growth phase.
Kazuki had no intention of letting Sasuke waste any more time at the academy.
Orochimaru… is going to be my teacher?
Even as he left the research facility and returned to the Uchiha district, Sasuke's mind was still in a daze.
By the time he got home, Itachi took one look at his bruised and battered little brother and immediately understood what had happened.
"Got into a fight with Naruto over Sakura?"
"Yeah. That idiot Naruto… and Sakura!!"
The mere thought of those two made Sasuke grit his teeth.
One was a lunatic who constantly picked fights with him, and the other was a hopeless fangirl who only cared about dragging him out to eat.
"Brother, you're not working today?"
Sasuke remembered Itachi was usually busy, so seeing him at home felt unusual.
At this, Itachi's smile stiffened briefly before he smoothed it over, adjusting Sasuke's collar.
"I had some matters to deal with, so I came back. But it's all settled now."
Sasuke didn't notice the faint trace of resignation in Itachi's eyes and instead asked curiously,
"Brother, is Orochimaru… evil?"
"?"
Where did that come from?
Leading Sasuke inside and taking his backpack, Itachi pondered before answering.
"Well… from what I've heard, ever since the elder brought him back to the village, he's kept a low profile. He hasn't engaged in any forbidden research and has lived quietly these past few years. He might have changed. Why do you ask?"
Sasuke puffed out his cheeks.
"Because the elder took me to see him today and made him my teacher. He said I don't have to attend the academy anymore—just show up for exams. The rest of the time, I'll be training under Orochimaru."
Hearing this, Itachi's eyelid twitched, his emotions fluctuating more intensely than when he himself had been treated as a bargaining chip for the clan's political marriage.
After quickly analyzing the situation, Itachi forced a smile.
"The elder must have his reasons. Just focus on learning from Orochimaru. Trust in the elder's judgment. Now go wash up and apply some medicine. Mom will be home soon—you don't want her seeing you like this, do you?"
"I'll go right now!!"
Sasuke bolted upstairs.
Watching his younger brother disappear around the corner, Itachi's doting expression faded.
He decided to seek out Kazuki personally for answers—even if it risked angering him or earning punishment.
Because Orochimaru was far too dangerous.
Resolved, Itachi immediately left home and headed straight for the Hokage's office.
Before he could reach it, however, Kazuki was intercepted by Shisui.
"Lord Advisor, here's the current status of the tutoring program. More and more parents are enrolling their children, and we've long exceeded capacity. We can't properly accommodate so many students anymore."
Compared to a few years ago, Shisui had fully transformed into a qualified instructor. To better connect with the children, he had even swapped his jonin flak jacket and Uchiha combat attire for plain clothes and a pair of glasses.
An Uchiha wearing glasses…
Kazuki had to admit, Shisui was something else.
Wait—now that he thought about it, didn't Sasuke's daughter in Boruto also wear glasses?
Kazuki had always wondered—did Uchiha even need glasses?
"Shisui, the tutoring program is just that—a supplementary class. It can never replace the academy. If the number of students is overwhelming, stop accepting new enrollments."