Chapter 200: The Secret of Wood Release, Hidden Blades in Soft Words
"Be careful of Terumi Mei?"
Hearing Jiraiya's words, Uchiha Ci was momentarily stunned.
He could understand why Chiyo might target him. After all, he had killed her younger brother, Ebizō.
However, with Ebizō dead and Chiyo being one of the few remaining powerhouses of Sunagakure, she needed to hold the front lines. So how could she possibly appear in the Land of Hot Water at a time like this?
But the other piece of information from Jiraiya was even stranger—
Be careful of Terumi Mei?
Just a month ago, Terumi Mei had been his teammate, fighting alongside him. The two of them, along with Hidan and Shinnō, had formed a team to eliminate the leader of the Jashin cult in the Land of Hot Water. It had been a significant accomplishment.
Although Terumi Mei possessed the rare dual Bloodline Limits of the ninja world, during their days of joint action, her strength hadn't stood out in Uchiha Ci's eyes.
This wasn't just because of her youth—
Her two Bloodline Limits, Lava Release and Boil Release, while powerful, lacked dominance in conventional combat. They fell short of the expectations carried by the title of "genius."
With his current strength, if they clashed, it would be Terumi Mei who needed to be careful, not him.
"I know it may be hard for you to understand, but underestimating those two women could be a fatal mistake."
Jiraiya shook his head and took out a scroll from the pouch tied at his waist.
"The situation in the Land of Hot Water is far more complicated than you think. Read this on the way."
He handed the scroll to Ci and paused, as if sensing something. Lifting his head, he glanced toward the door.
Thud, thud, thud!
A rhythmic knocking sounded from outside the hospital room.
The person knocking had no intention of waiting for permission. It seemed they were knocking merely to announce their presence.
The door swung open.
A man, entirely concealed in a black cloak, wearing ostentatious sunglasses and bearing a purple tattoo on the right side of his face, appeared at the doorway.
It was none other than Aburame Ryoma, Ci's superior, whom he hadn't seen for long.
Ryoma glanced at Ci, lying in the hospital bed, and raised an eyebrow slightly before speaking in an indifferent tone:
"You seem to be recovering well. That's good."
"Come with me—"
"The Third Hokage wants to see you."
---
Meanwhile, Elsewhere
In Orochimaru's vast laboratory, built at great expense, a bandaged old man leaned on a cane. His head and right eye were wrapped in layers of cloth, and he stood silently behind Orochimaru, watching coldly as the latter dissected a captured Sunagakure spy.
This man was the one who had provided the experimental subject.
After a long time, seeing Orochimaru still engrossed in his work and unwilling to acknowledge him, Shimura Danzo's brow furrowed as he spoke in a frosty tone:
"Orochimaru, how long do you plan to waste time on these futile experiments?"
"Seven years ago, it was already proven that implanting Wood Release into human bodies is infeasible."
"Stop this experiment immediately and focus on researching ways to control the Sharingan. Then, claim military achievements on the battlefield to become the Fourth Hokage. Afterward, you can do whatever you want!"
"You need to remember who has supported you all along!"
Hearing this, Orochimaru slowly removed his bloodstained gloves, not even bothering to turn around. His hoarse voice carried a mocking tone.
"Oh? In such a hurry, Danzo-sama? Have you already implanted Wood Release? Are the powers of the Uchiha making you uneasy?"
"Judging by the look of things, the Sharingan in your right eye seems to be struggling to suppress the Wood Release power."
"So, you've come to me for help. Heh heh heh."
Danzo's expression didn't change, but his eyes revealed a hint of fear and puzzlement. How could Orochimaru possibly know about this?
The decision to implant Wood Release had been made after his meeting with Uchiha Ci.
That day, Danzo had originally intended to forcibly take the tailed beast inside Ci. But the moment he laid eyes on the boy, he immediately abandoned the idea.
Through the constant vision of his right Sharingan under the bandage, he could see an extraordinarily powerful force hidden within the boy's eyes.
This wasn't ordinary chakra or the typical power of the Sharingan.
It was a dark, eerie energy.
Combined with the immense potential of being a Jinchūriki, the boy exuded a presence that immediately triggered Danzo's survival instincts. His forehead even broke out in a cold sweat.
Uncertain of what it was, Danzo didn't act rashly.
Seeing the boy's eagerness for battle, practically itching to clash with him, Danzo opted for diplomacy instead. He had even gifted Ci a Four Symbols Seal.
Playing the part of a kind old man to appease a menacing young Uchiha nearly made Danzo vomit his guts out afterward.
In the aftermath, he hastily called upon his Root experts to upgrade himself.
Now, faced with Orochimaru's piercing insight, Danzo suppressed his unease and replied coldly:
"Orochimaru, I don't understand what you're talking about."
"Don't understand?" Orochimaru chuckled darkly.
"Then leave. I don't have what you need."
"You can delay the Wood Release assimilation by swapping out your Sharingan," he added lightly.
"But how many Sharingan can you obtain? That depends on the Uchiha clan's attitude, doesn't it?"
"As for whether I'm wasting my efforts," Orochimaru's smile grew colder,
"That depends on your sincerity, Danzo-sama."
Danzo's expression finally shifted slightly. Orochimaru's veiled extortion only confirmed his suspicions—Orochimaru definitely knew something.
Suppressing his anger, Danzo glared at Orochimaru and snapped:
"What have you done? How do you know all this?"
Orochimaru turned, tossing his gloves into the trash, his serpentine gaze fixed on the elder known as the "Darkness of Shinobi."
"Danzo-sama, I think you misunderstand something."
"But that's fine. Allow me to clarify—"
"You're the one begging me now."
Danzo nearly lost his composure, his expression twisting in frustration.
"You—"
At that moment, Orochimaru's gaze turned icy cold. His golden snake-like eyes bore into Danzo as he spoke chillingly:
"Hand over the child named Ka to me."
"Or prepare to die."
Danzo remained silent for a long time.
At this point, Orochimaru held the critical technology, the kind that Danzo's Root specialists couldn't resolve quickly.
Additionally, with Uchiha clan relations improving, obtaining Sharingan eyes had become increasingly difficult.
Finally, suppressing his fury, Danzo gritted his teeth and growled:
"Fine. But you'd better deliver a perfect result!"
"Or else, Orochimaru, you know the consequences!"
With that, he slammed the door and stormed out in anger.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru's face twisted into an enigmatic smile.
He formed a hand seal, summoning a small white snake. Placing a prepared scroll into its mouth, he let it slither stealthily toward the Hokage's office.