The domineering Uchiha drove the Third Hokage mad!

Chapter 52 Orochimaru's Deal

Morning mist enveloped Konoha Village, the air thick with dampness and sorrow.

Uchiha Mitsunori stood beside the newly dug grave, watching as small coffins were slowly lowered into the ground.

These are children found in the Root Base. Their thin bodies are covered with needle marks and stitches, and some have even been modified beyond recognition.

"The 137th."

Uchiha Mitsunori counted in a low voice, his nails digging deeply into his palms.

Just then, a small figure ran out from the crowd, short black hair fluttering in the morning breeze.

Five-year-old Uchiha Itachi, dressed in formal black clothes, ran straight toward Orochimaru.

Itachi Uchiha's voice was childish, yet unusually calm: "Lord Orochimaru, why...why aren't you...mourning with everyone?"

Orochimaru looked down at the child, who barely reached his waist, a half-smile playing on his lips: "Lamenting the dead is meaningless! They only have value when they can be used!"

Itachi Uchiha blinked his large, dark eyes; this answer was clearly beyond his expectations.

"Then... what is the meaning of life?" Itachi's voice carried the persistence unique to children.

Orochimaru's golden eyes stared directly at Itachi Uchiha: "It's meaningless. Once a person dies, everything slowly disappears; only living forever has meaning!"

Having said that, his wide sleeves fluttered in the wind as he turned and left alone.

Uchiha Itachi stood frozen in place, his small figure appearing exceptionally lonely.

Uchiha Mitsunori stepped forward and gently placed his hand on Uchiha Itachi's head.

"Because life is short, we need to do meaningful things in the limited time we have. A person's birth is like a blank sheet of paper. Whether you fill this paper with messy stains or a beautiful painting depends on your choices and perseverance."

Uchiha Itachi raised his head, two completely different ideas battling within him.

Uchiha Mitsumine smiled and then chased after Orochimaru in the direction he had left.

After passing through several groves of trees, Orochimaru deliberately made his footsteps heavy, and then walked to a secluded area.

"Did you need something from me?"

Uchiha Mitsunori's aura was calm: "All the data about your human experiments inside the Root base has been secretly preserved by us."

Orochimaru's pupils contracted to narrow slits, a hint of killing intent flashing in his eyes: "You're threatening me?"

Uchiha Mitsunori took out a sealed scroll from his robes: "No, it's a deal. I know a lot of information, such as your laboratory in the Land of the Sea, and your pursuit of eternal life. This scroll contains information: as long as one possesses the secret treasure, Earth Grudge Fear, one can live forever by constantly replacing one's heart. The current user of this treasure is 75 years old. He has implanted five hearts in himself; only by destroying all five hearts can one truly kill him."

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru's breathing noticeably quickened for a moment: "What do you want?"

Uchiha Mitsunori smiled confidently: "Complete research data on the Heaven and Earth Curse Seal, including all failure cases and optimization processes."

The sound suddenly fell silent, as if the air between the two had frozen.

Orochimaru suddenly laughed, but his voice was hoarse: "Interesting. When did your Uchiha clan become interested in my research?"

Uchiha Mitsunori did not answer the question directly: "Orochimaru-kun, your talent is astonishing, and naturally it deserves our Uchiha attention."

Orochimaru stretched out his pale hand: "Throw the scroll over here, I want to inspect it first!"

Uchiha Mitsumine tossed the sealing scroll to Orochimaru, who caught it safely.

After quickly glancing at the contents of the scroll, he spat out a wet scroll and tossed it over.

"It was a pleasure doing business with you." With the transaction complete, Orochimaru turned to leave.

Uchiha Mitsunori hurriedly called out, "Wait, Orochimaru-kun, I know you're determined to leave Konoha, and we Uchiha won't stop you, but I want your modified Edo Tensei."

Orochimaru glanced back, seemingly weighing the pros and cons: "Although my improved Impure World Reincarnation isn't perfect yet, the price you offered isn't enough!"

Uchiha Mitsunori pondered for a moment. In the original story, Orochimaru's funding for human experiments seemed to come from Danzo Shimura's Root organization. Now that Danzo Shimura had been killed, Orochimaru's future experiments would certainly lack funding.

"I know Orochimaru-kun enjoys scientific research. We, the Uchiha, can provide funding and will not interfere with the process. We only ask that you share your research results."

Orochimaru considered it for a moment, then summoned another scroll and threw it over.

"Remember your promise. If you fail to keep it... hehehe... I'll charge interest!"

After reaching their destination, the two went their separate ways!

Inside the Uchiha shrine, the core members of the clan had already gathered.

Fugaku Uchiha was sitting in a chair and said in a deep voice, "Mitsubone, you're late."

Uchiha Mitsunori bowed slightly, his long black hair slipping down his shoulders: "Clan leader, I just went to see Orochimaru to try and persuade him to stay, but he insisted on leaving Konoha."

"snort!"

The hawkish elder, the Eighth Hokage Uchiha, was very displeased and slammed his hand on the table: "We've already kept it a secret that he participated in Root's human experiments, but we didn't expect him to still leave!"

Immediately, many Uchiha clan members began to discuss it.

Fugaku Uchiha slightly raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet: "We underestimated him. A strongman like him wouldn't leave his weaknesses in the hands of others!"