"Djinn, your mind really is sharp—sharper than most."
Orochimaru said it flatly, but even he had to admit: there was truth in the Djinn's speculation.
Besides Kakashi's case, the physical data Orochimaru had gathered on the Uchiha clan showed a clear pattern—after awakening the Sharingan, their physical fitness declined to varying degrees.
For illusion-type Uchiha especially, the stronger their ocular power, the greater the toll on their bodies. Their fighting style was fast, precise, and brutal—designed to end battles quickly, because they couldn't endure drawn-out combat.
It was clear: he needed to accelerate his Sharingan transplant experiments. Orochimaru was eager to see how this bloodline limit would behave once removed from its original host and cultivated under optimal conditions.
Across from him, the Djinn only grinned wider at Orochimaru's praise, taking pride in his insight.
"If I'm right," the Djinn said with a chuckle, "you won't need to worry about them rejecting the First Hokage's cells. The Uchiha are strong. If anything, they should be begging you for help."
That thought lit a spark in Orochimaru's eyes. He paused mid-step, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. From time to time, flickers of cunning gleamed in his gaze.
To be honest, the war itself no longer interested him. What excited him now was the thought of acquiring more Uchiha test subjects.
After a brief silence, Orochimaru spoke again.
"Djinn… I want this war to end soon. Do you have any suggestions?"
As he spoke, Orochimaru explained his secret arrangement with the Third Hokage.
It wasn't enough to simply defeat Kumogakure. Weakening the Uchiha clan was just as important—maybe even more so. That was part of the mission too.
"That old man really is heartless," the Djinn said, stroking his chin. "To make you carry out such a dirty task…"
He paused, then grinned. "But I have a solution. Drive back the Cloud, and cripple the Uchiha in one move."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, waiting.
"What loss could be heavier," the Djinn said slowly, "than the loss of a Mangekyō Sharingan? Take the Uchiha clan's taboo eyes as sacrifice, and the Third will be more than satisfied."
He added, almost offhandedly, "Besides, that Mangekyō can double as a weapon against the Cloud."
Orochimaru frowned slightly. He didn't like the idea. He wanted Shisui's Sharingan for himself, not to waste its potential on a single battle.
The Djinn noticed his hesitation and smirked.
"If you want the prize, you have to take the risk." He lifted his chin, feigning arrogance. "Besides, if your experiments with the First Hokage's cells succeed, you might even help him recover. Consider it: the perfect test subject delivered to your door."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed. The idea was… tempting.
Just then, a Konoha shinobi entered the chamber.
"Lord Orochimaru, Shisui and Kakashi's team has returned. They're waiting outside."
Snapped out of his thoughts, Orochimaru nodded. "Send them in."
Moments later, Shisui and Kakashi stepped into the control room. Both wore tense, ashamed expressions. In their minds, they'd failed—failed the mission, failed Orochimaru's expectations. Kakashi looked especially grim.
Orochimaru's gaze swept over them.
"Report," he said.
The two exchanged a glance before Kakashi stepped forward and began explaining. He focused on the team's ambush by the Two-Tails Jinchūriki—and the mysterious enemy who followed.
After hearing Orochimaru's words, Djinn fell silent, focusing intently on the information Kakashi had provided.
Though Djinn had described Obito Uchiha's identity and abilities, his perspective was different from that of the ninjas. His account could only serve as supplementary reference, not a primary source. Djinn had also warned Orochimaru multiple times that relying too heavily on him could be dangerous.
After a moment, Orochimaru spoke slowly, "Go and rest."
Seeing the lingering shame on their faces, Orochimaru added, "Although your mission failed, on the other hand, you also delayed the Two-Tails Jinchūriki and the mysterious enemy. The merits and demerits balance out. Now go and rest, for more battles will come soon."
Shisui and Kakashi bowed and exited the room.
As the two left, Orochimaru couldn't help but sneer.
To him, their emotions were unnecessary. While the success of the two armies was crucial, it would be a failure of leadership to place all hope on two individuals. Even though they hadn't secured the stronghold, Orochimaru's pride wouldn't allow him to blame them for it.
Once Shisui and Kakashi were gone, Orochimaru and Djinn continued their conversation. By four in the morning, the barrier arrangements were completed.
Orochimaru didn't hesitate—he immediately headed to the temporary medical room.
The Konoha Ninja Army had brought along a medical team for their large-scale mission, and the Third Hokage had sent the best doctors Konoha had to offer, intending to impress and clear any potential doubts about their commitment.
However, the Uchiha clan had become accustomed to Orochimaru's high-efficiency treatments. They weren't impressed by the medical team's methods.
When Orochimaru entered the medical room, the seriously injured Uchiha members immediately moved to the front of the line, eager for his clinical expertise.
In truth, if Orochimaru hadn't been preoccupied with the fortress's defensive barriers, he would have preferred to treat the Uchiha injuries as soon as possible.
After several tail beast simulation battles, the Uchiha had grown accustomed to Orochimaru's treatment methods. What started as basic wound care had evolved into full-body procedures, involving deep exploration into their internal organs.
This, of course, allowed Orochimaru to collect even more valuable data.
"Tsk tsk tsk…"
From behind Orochimaru, Djinn marveled at the unusual scene of "doctor-patient rapport."
He had only been away for a short time, and Orochimaru had already become so involved—this method was certainly... unconventional.
However, Djinn couldn't deny that Orochimaru's actions were proving very beneficial. The data collected was invaluable for further experimentation.
The Djinn, deep in thought, contemplated the new ability he had conceived. It was clear that helping Orochimaru would no longer come without a cost.
He needed to find a way to balance the scales, or there would be losses on his side too.
---
On the other side of the room, Orochimaru finished his treatment. The Uchiha who had been seriously injured were now only mildly wounded, and their condition wouldn't hinder their participation in the coming battle.
Afterward, he returned to the control room to rest.
The next thing he knew, dusk had fallen. Fully recovered, Orochimaru summoned the ninja captains, instructing Shisui and Kakashi to recount the enemies they had faced.
The mention of the mysterious, powerful enemy dampened the mood. The excitement from the previous night's victory had faded, and a heavy atmosphere filled the room.
Without wasting any time, Orochimaru cut straight to the point.
"I want to defeat Kumogakure. Do you have any suggestions?"
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