[Uchiha Clan Grounds]
[Orochimaru's Secret Chamber]
"Huff… Huff…", Kurama Yakumo was panting heavily, her whole body looking as if she'd just been pulled out of water.
Rengoku and Orochimaru together were carefully observing the person standing beside Kurama Yakumo.
This person looked very much like Yakumo, only her height and build were as if Yakumo had grown into an adult.
This was Ido, who had fully evolved under the nourishment of large amounts of the Water of Life.
Strictly speaking, it wasn't evolution. It was that Ido had absorbed Yakumo's energy to the fullest.
From now on, Ido would no longer draw energy from Yakumo, and so Yakumo's body naturally would no longer be weak.
Fully matured Ido could not only manifest her soul in physical form, but also now had her own consciousness.
Because she had been deliberately cultivated, this Ido was very dependent on Yakumo.
Yakumo could also control her as easily as using her own limbs.
"Now that your second soul has fully matured, congratulations, Yakumo. From now on, you can be a ninja."
Though Yakumo's body was soaked in sweat, she had already recovered quite a bit.
Hearing this, she couldn't contain her joy, "Thank you, Principal. Thank you, Orochimaru-sama."
Though she was still young, she wasn't stupid. She knew what Orochimaru had infused her with was extremely precious.
If not for Rengoku and Orochimaru, she would never have been able to be a ninja in this life.
Her gratitude toward the two of them overflowed in her words.
"Yakumo, you can try it now. How far can this Ido leave you? What special abilities does she have?", For Orochimaru's research, the phenomenon of an additional soul being born on a person's soul was of great significance.
He was also extremely gentle and patient with Yakumo.
Yakumo looked toward Ido, seeming to be communicating with her.
Ido's figure gradually grew faint, and then vanished before Orochimaru's eyes.
She then flew straight out of Orochimaru's laboratory.
She quickly circled around the Uchiha compound before returning to Yakumo's side.
After a spiritual exchange with Yakumo, Ido returned into Yakumo's body.
"Orochimaru-sama, Ido can now go as far as three kilometers away from me."
"Her abilities are about the same as before, but stronger."
"Just as the Principal predicted, Ido can now sense a person's soul strength more precisely."
Rengoku nodded slightly. Ido had already been able to possess and kill people before.
Naturally, in battles between souls, she would be able to perceive the opponent's soul strength.
Since that was the case, it was time to begin the next stage of the plan, just as all the three-tomoe clansmen had returned.
Yakumo hesitated for a moment, "Principal, at your house… there's a soul whose strength isn't normal."
Rengoku was intrigued, 'Is it Kaori, or is it Ryuri?'
———
[Uchiha Training Grounds]
Gathered here were all the clan members with three-tomoe Sharingan who had just been recalled.
Although they didn't know why the clan head had summoned them back, this was the twenty-year-old who already sat in the position of Konoha's Council Elder, the one who had punched the Two-Tails' jinchuriki Yugito, kicked the Eight-Tails' jinchuriki Killer B, and crippled one of the Fourth Raikage's arms, Uchiha Rengoku.
His prestige within the clan was at its peak.
Not to mention that he regularly guided the clansmen at the training grounds.
Now, the clan members all wished they could die for Uchiha Rengoku.
At his command, everyone who should return, had returned.
Now all were gathered here, waiting for Rengoku's speech.
When Rengoku arrived, seeing so many three-tomoe clansmen also gave him a sense of relief.
These were all his resources.
He wasn't alone, beside him stood Kurama Yakumo.
As the principal of the ninja academy, Rengoku liked to keep children by his side, and everyone was used to it.
But this time, following behind him also was Yakushi Kabuto.
"Clan head!"
"Clan head!"
Everyone was excited. Since Rengoku had summoned so many people, there must be something important.
Rengoku pressed down with his hand, and when everyone quieted, he spoke, "This time I've summoned you all to select some of you."
"There is a special mission, extremely dangerous, but also with extraordinary rewards."
Everyone looked at each other, confused. How great could the rewards be, to need so many people?
Rengoku formed a seal with one hand, and a soundproof barrier spread out.
Everyone's ears instantly fell silent; the sounds of birds and cicadas outside were gone.
There was a stir. None of them had known Rengoku was also skilled in barrier techniques.
Since a soundproof barrier was needed, the matter must be extremely important.
"The reward I mean is…"
"The Mangekyo Sharingan!"
The moment Rengoku said this, everyone burst into an uproar.
The divine power of the Uchiha, the ultimate lifelong pursuit of every clansman.
Especially after Rengoku had flattened the AB duo two and a half years ago.
Their yearning for the Mangekyo Sharingan had soared beyond the heavens.
Now that Rengoku had said this, everyone's breathing grew rough.
"Clan head, choose me!"
"Clan head, I'll go!"
"I'm not afraid of danger!"
"Me!"
"Silence."
Rengoku swept a gaze over them.
Everyone felt as if their chests had been struck with a heavy hammer and fell silent at once.
"I know you all want to go. So after people are chosen this time, I won't announce the list."
They were all Uchiha. They were all competitive and ambitious.
The conflicts that happened most often weren't over uneven pay, but over uneven mission distribution.
Hearing Rengoku say this, they all understood.
"This mission is extremely dangerous. I don't know how many will be chosen. But everyone here must write a will."
The clansmen all felt their hearts skip a beat.
"Once chosen, there's a great chance you'll die. No one knows whether you'll survive."
"This mission is top secret. You are not allowed to tell family or friends."
"So write your wills in full, make all arrangements properly."
Rengoku's cold eyes swept over them as he asked sternly, "Is that clear?"
"Clear!", the clansmen all answered seriously.
"Of course, if anyone doesn't want to take the risk, you can quit the selection now."
"Those who give up, step forward."
After he said this, not one of them moved.
As expected of battle maniacs. No matter how dangerous, they wouldn't give up this chance.
"Seems you're all ready."
Rengoku pulled out a booklet and held it in his hand. On it were all their names.
"Now line up and come up one by one."
Everyone quickly lined up, and then came forward one after another.
The first was Uchiha Jiyan. Yakumo stood on a little stool and placed her hand on Jiyan's head.
Jiyan felt a chill over his whole body, as if something swept through him.
After sensing for about ten seconds, Yakumo released her hand, and Rengoku wrote something in the booklet.
Beside them, Yakushi Kabuto had a set of blood-collection tools and began drawing blood.
And so each person came forward to be sensed by Yakumo, and had a tube of blood taken by Kabuto.
After several tens of minutes, everyone was processed.
"Alright," Rengoku clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.
"How many suitable people can be found, I don't know. When the mission begins is also secret."
"All of you, within three days, hand in your wills."
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