Chapter 123: Funeral, Orochimaru's Deal
Three days later, the once-lively Konoha suddenly underwent a major shift.
Today was an important day. Led personally by the Third Hokage, countless ninja and villagers headed to the Konoha Cemetery to pay respects to the ninja who had died in the war.
In an instant, the entire village was filled with mourning songs. The originally red and festive streets were now draped in oppressive black. Even the sky seemed infected by the atmosphere—overcast and gloomy, with occasional drizzles drifting down.
Early Morning, Senju Compound
Because this memorial service was not only for those who died in the recent war but also a collective tribute to all Konoha ninja since the village's founding, virtually every ninja would attend.
As the current head of the Senju clan, Tsunade had to represent the Senju family at the ceremony. So the girls had risen early, changed into all-black clothing, and were preparing to head to the cemetery.
Of course, Ling Yu was not included.
"Ling Yu! Hurry up already! What are you dawdling for? This lady has been waiting forever!"
Standing at the entrance of the Senju compound, Kushina grew impatient. She puffed out her cheeks and shouted inside.
"Zzz…"
Even little Konan beside her was about to fall asleep, leaning against Mikoto's chest with her eyes closed.
"Mmm… I haven't finished breakfast yet. Why don't you all go ahead? I'll head over after I eat. Anyway, I can just teleport there with Space Power."
Sitting at the dining table, Ling Yu was wolfing down his breakfast like someone who hadn't eaten in days.
Hearing Kushina's complaint, Ling Yu could have gone directly, but his stomach was too hungry—he didn't want to attend on an empty stomach. Besides, he still hadn't changed his clothes.
The reason he was moving so slowly was mainly because he had stayed up too late and couldn't get out of bed this morning.
A few days earlier, after obtaining Uchiha Madara's lifetime insights on the Sharingan, Ling Yu realized he still hadn't fully unlocked the potential of his own Sharingan.
After all, Uchiha Madara had lived for so long and progressed step by step from a single-tomoe Sharingan all the way to the ultimate Rinnegan. His understanding of the Sharingan was undoubtedly profound.
But Ling Yu wasn't from the Uchiha clan. He had started with the Rinnegan and only later copied Mikoto's Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
He had essentially skipped the gradual growth process and gone straight to the top, so he hadn't fully explored the true power his Sharingan could achieve.
That was why he had spent the past few days frantically studying Sharingan knowledge day and night. The more he learned, the faster his Sharingan developed. Gradually, he became obsessed with unlocking it, even cutting back on eating and sleeping.
"Kushina, since Ling Yu is still hungry, let him finish eating first. Trust him—he won't be late."
Hearing Ling Yu's explanation, Kushina didn't believe him and was about to storm inside to drag him out. But Mikoto stopped her first, gently holding her collar and smiling as she explained.
Mikoto knew about Ling Yu staying up late, so she had deliberately let him sleep in this morning. She just hadn't expected that even after they finished getting ready, he had only just gotten up.
"Fine then. We'll head over first—the ceremony is about to start. Ling Yu, hurry up. Don't be late."
Tsunade shook her head. Seeing the time was almost up, as the representative of the Senju clan she couldn't afford to be late. After giving Ling Yu one last reminder, she led Kushina and the others away.
This ceremony would also be her last official duty for Konoha. Once it ended, she planned to leave with Ling Yu and the others to travel and relax. But before departing, Tsunade still had to properly settle the remaining Senju clan members.
She didn't want to return years later only to find the Senju clan had fallen into chaos without leadership.
"Mmm… got it."
After responding, Ling Yu lowered his head and continued wolfing down his food.
.........…
By the time Ling Yu finished breakfast, the memorial ceremony hadn't started yet. He breathed a sigh of relief and used Space Power to instantly arrive at the entrance of the Konoha Cemetery.
"Ling Yu, good morning."
Just as Ling Yu was about to step inside, a cold, sinister voice came from behind him.
"Orochimaru? Why are you only arriving now? I thought you'd already gone in."
Ling Yu turned around and saw none other than one of the Sannin—Orochimaru—walking toward him with a faint smile.
As the disciple of the Third Hokage, Orochimaru should have been following Hiruzen Sarutobi from the very beginning at an event like this. Arriving this late made Ling Yu a little puzzled.
"Heh, I've just taken over Lord Danzō's research department. There was too much to handle—I only managed to get away now. It's not too late to arrive at this time."
Orochimaru came up beside Ling Yu and explained with a smile.
After Danzō's death, Root had been left without a leader. Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't find the culprit right away, so he temporarily assigned Koharu Utatane to oversee Root.
Worried that Koharu wouldn't be able to control Root fully, Hiruzen also sent his trusted disciple—Orochimaru—to assist her. This was also partly to give Orochimaru experience in handling affairs.
Orochimaru had immediately agreed. And because he had previously worked with Danzō, he took over Root's research division—the part he was most interested in.
"Oh. In that case, I'll head in first."
Ling Yu didn't suspect anything. He turned to leave.
"Wait a moment, Ling Yu. Can I ask you for one thing?"
At that moment, Orochimaru suddenly stopped him.
"If you have something to say, say it quickly. I'm in a hurry."
Turning back, Ling Yu's face showed impatience. He had already seen Kushina waving at him from over there—he was eager to join them and didn't want to waste time.
"Then I'll make it short. Would it be possible for you to give me a single drop of your blood? I suspect your physique has already surpassed that of the First Hokage, so I'd like to study your blood a little."
"Of course, I'll trade you something for it. All of Lord Danzō's previous research results—plus all future research findings from your blood—will be given to you as well. How about it?"
Having taken over Danzō's research department, Orochimaru already knew how powerful Hashirama Senju's cells were. So he now set his sights on Ling Yu.
Hashirama's chakra was hundreds or even thousands of times stronger than an ordinary person's. Then what about Ling Yu—who possessed both Hashirama's Wood Release and the Uchiha clan's Sharingan? Would his cells be even more powerful than Hashirama's?
If he could uncover the reason behind Ling Yu's strength, could he himself obtain such power? Could he even take the Rinnegan?
Thinking of this, a ravenous, almost predatory glint flashed in Orochimaru's eyes as he looked at Ling Yu.
"Sorry, but my blood is absolutely not for you. And I'm not interested in Danzō's research results either."
Without the slightest hesitation, Ling Yu flatly refused Orochimaru's request. Who knew what disgusting experiments Orochimaru might conduct if he got his blood.
"Very well. Since you're unwilling, I won't force the matter. But if you ever change your mind in the future—or if there's anything you'd like to research—feel free to come find me anytime."
Even after being rejected, Orochimaru showed no disappointment. Instead, he took several documents from inside his clothes and handed them to Ling Yu. He spoke with what seemed like genuine sincerity:
"Oh, and to show my sincerity, I'll give you Lord Danzō's research materials first. I truly hope we can conduct research together in the future."
"Fine. Then I won't hold back."
Though he felt a little suspicious, Ling Yu accepted the documents anyway—free was free. He stored Orochimaru's files directly into his system inventory, then turned without looking back and headed toward Kushina.
"Orochimaru must have already come into contact with Hashirama Senju's cell experiments… Looks like he's still walking down that path. Well… maybe later I can find him to research other things."
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