Chapter 156.2 : S-Rank Mission!!

Right now, Orochimaru was solely focused on perfecting the Hōgyoku, incorporating his own modifications into it.

He even wanted to use Kagetsu's research to create another Hōgyoku for himself.

For this, he needed an experienced assistant who could keep up with his pace and intellect. Right now, there was no other candidate except Tsunade-hime.

As long as Tsunade was willing to help, her expertise could even provide inspiration for Orochimaru through association.

"What kind of bargaining chip would it take to make Lady Tsunade overcome her psychological barriers and hemophobia to help us?" Kagetsu didn't want to take the responsibility.

"I have preserved the cellular tissues of Nawaki and Dan Kato," Orochimaru said, unconcerned with Kagetsu's attempt to avoid responsibility. 

In many cases, especially in front of Kagetsu and Anko, he was actually quite reasonable—one could even say he was a rather responsible teacher.

"If she agrees, I can use their cellular tissues to clone their bodies and, with the Edo Tensei, summon their souls from the Pure Land.

With the progress we've made in soul research, shouldn't we be able to intercept their souls and prevent them from returning to the Pure Land in the future?"

Orochimaru calmly laid out his plan.

"Using the future resurrection of those two as an exchange for Tsunade's help—do you think she would refuse this offer?"

"It's hard to say." After hearing Orochimaru's plan, and realizing it was almost exactly what he had guessed, Kagetsu was still uncertain whether they could convince Tsunade.

In fact, if it were just about resurrecting two people, Nagato's Rinnegan would be one way to do it. 

However, he had not yet fully mastered the power of the Rinnegan, let alone the ultimate Dojutsu that could bring the dead back to life.

Since Nagato couldn't control it, the idea of transplanting the Rinnegan to another Uzumaki clan member, or anyone else capable of withstanding its power, to use the Rinnegan and bring people back to life, could also be ruled out.

"We can give it a try! There are still so many secrets in the ninja world for us to explore. Tsunade shouldn't keep sinking like this. If I weren't tied up..."

Orochimaru wanted Jiraiya to take over his position, to deal with and hold off Onoki, and to command the battlefield. But he would never do that, and neither would the Third Hokage and the Council allow it.

They were afraid that if Orochimaru freed up his hands, he might go back to the village and cause chaos with the Uchiha clan, making things difficult for them.

One Uchiha was troublesome enough for them, but they could suppress and manage it, but adding Orochimaru into the mix would make things harder to control.

No one wanted to face a group of red-eyed people led by a leader. 

Especially since, with the support of the Technology Development Department, many Uchiha clan members had successfully awakened their Sharingan, and the number of Uchiha with the three-tomoe Sharingan was steadily increasing.

This was despite Shimura Danzo's desperate suppression of them, with the approval of the Third Hokage and the Council.

"If necessary, I can go and talk to Tsunade."

In the end, Orochimaru added a caveat. After all, Kagetsu had the black cavity, so if needed, he could be quickly transported to Tsunade.

...

Konoha Village.

Orochimaru's team, consisting of Kagetsu and two others, returned to the village, dusty and tired. 

They immediately headed for the Hokage Tower's office to hand over their mission, following the usual procedure.

It had been months since the Third Hokage was last seen. When he was seen again, the signs of aging were even more apparent. 

However, when he saw the three of them, his attention focused, and he gave them a warm smile.

"Lord Third!" Kagetsu stepped forward, placing the mission scroll and the intelligence from the front lines on the Third Hokage's desk.

"Kagetsu, was it you who brought Shisui back?" The Third Hokage said, his eyes naturally drifting to the bandaged Shisui behind Kagetsu.

"Can I see your eyes, Shisui?"

After receiving a confirming response from Kagetsu, the Third Hokage stood up from his chair, walked around the desk, and stood in front of Shisui.

Kagetsu and Anko stepped aside, watching as Shisui removed the bandages from his eyes, revealing his focusless eyes.

"There was a traitor within the village's Anbu who leaked your information. The village originally intended to summon you back to ask about your eyes to confirm the problem with Uchiha Madara. I didn't expect things would turn out like this," the Third Hokage said softly, patting Shisui's shoulder with a tone filled with guilt.

"It's okay, Lord Hokage!" Shisui quickly shook his head. He still held no ill feelings toward the Third Hokage.

"The leader of the Root, Danzo Shimura, who caused all of this, has been imprisoned. Root is now under the management of the two advisors for cleanup and supervision. In any case, the village will give you and the Uchiha clan an explanation," the Third Hokage added.

The Third Hokage could sense Shisui's sincerity, and as he sighed in relief, he knew this matter was far from over.

At the very least, the Uchiha clan was still waiting for an answer. 

Even though Shisui had no objections, at this critical moment in the war, as Hokage, he knew he had to offer both Shisui and the Uchiha clan a compensation that would be recognized and accepted by all the ninja clans in the village.

After all, it was a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan!

A pair of eyes that could rival the First Hokage's Wood Style!

If these eyes were used on the battlefield, it would at least improve the dire and harsh situation the village was facing!

After all, a powerful ninja can influence the outcome of a small-scale battle.

"Orochimaru should have communicated with you, right? Does he have any opinions?" After calming Shisui, the Third Hokage's gaze fell once again on Kagetsu.

Although the village was tightly sealed, the Third Hokage didn't believe that Orochimaru wasn't aware of the events happening inside. He was just testing Kagetsu.

"Orochimaru-sensei gave me a new mission. He wants me to bring back Tsunade-san." Kagetsu pulled out a new small scroll and handed it to the Third Hokage with both hands.

"Orochimaru-sensei believes that Konoha needs Tsunade-san right now. It also gives her a chance to check Shisui's eyes and see if there's a possibility of restoring his sight."

The Third Hokage took the scroll from Kagetsu, opened it with a specific hand sign, and carefully read it. After finishing, he looked at Kagetsu with a complex expression.

"I approve this S-rank mission! If you can bring Tsunade back, your achievements will be enough to promote you to Jonin.

Also, Jiraiya will go with you. I'll write you a letter, and you can speak with him directly."

Saying this, the Third Hokage immediately wrote a letter and handed it to Kagetsu.

After everything was done, the Third Hokage felt a sense of relief. He had initially expected Orochimaru to make some troublesome demands to calm the situation caused by the Root, but it wasn't as difficult as he had imagined.

In fact, the Third Hokage couldn't help but feel a sense of inexplicable comfort, thinking that perhaps Orochimaru had finally started to see things from the Hokage's perspective.

****

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