Following Uchiha Kairen's wedding, the younger members of the Uchiha Clan began entering the age of marriage and engagement one after another. Among Kairen's groomsmen, everyone except Uchiha Fugaku—who was already engaged—married one of the bridesmaids within the following month.
Of course, Uchiha Kairen, being the vindictive little rascal that he was, spared no effort in getting back at them. At each of his brothers' wedding banquets, he unleashed every creative form of persuasion known to mankind—countless rounds of sake, teasing games between bride and groom, and all sorts of mischief. The guests unanimously agreed: this guy was wasted as a groomsman—he was born to be a master of ceremonies.
His friends, however, swore vengeance.
"You've already had your fun getting married, haven't you? Then it's your turn to have kids! When you do, we'll make your life miserable, just you wait!"
Thus, a new grudge was born.
---
Meanwhile, the Uchiha retail business was booming. But Uchiha Kairen was not the kind to rest easy on success—he was already brewing a new plan.
Two weeks before Orochimaru and the Tsuchikage returned, he unveiled his next grand idea: the founding of the Royal Technical Academy and the Uchiha Research Institute.
The Royal Technical Academy
This institution was designed as a supplement to the Project Sunflower. It was jointly funded by the Uchiha Clan, the Daimyō, and the Royal Chamber of Commerce.
Daimyō: 20%
Uchiha Clan: 60%
Royal Chamber of Commerce: 20%
But there was one clause that left everyone baffled—20% of all profits would be directed to the Veterans' Support Fund.
Most investors were utterly confused.
"A school? Making a profit? How?"
Uchiha Kairen only sneered inwardly.
A bunch of country bumpkins. You don't understand a thing. You go spend your money, and I'll go build the future. Haven't you ever heard the phrase 'Technology is the primary productive force'?
The Academy had two campuses:
One in the Land of Fire
One in Konoha Village
The two campuses had different curricula.
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Land of Fire Campus:
Focused on civilian trades — beauty and hairstyling, fashion and image design, culinary arts, gardening, and music.
Konoha Campus:
Focused on advanced technology — computer science and electronic devices, biological sciences, mechanical engineering, and metallurgy.
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Graduation Requirements:
Land of Fire Campus:
Duration: 5 years.
In the last six months, students would receive internship opportunities provided by the Royal and Veterans' Chambers of Commerce.
Outstanding students would be directly hired; average students could return to take a final qualification exam.
After graduation, career choices were left to personal discretion.
Konoha Campus:
Duration: 9 years.
4 years of foundational studies in applied tools
3 years of specialized technical training
2 years of internship and elective research advancement
During the 2-year internship, students would work at the Uchiha Research Institute.
Those who performed exceptionally and demonstrated loyalty to the clan could sign semi-permanent contracts (around 20 years) to remain with the Institute.
Contracted researchers would gain access to parts of the clan's core technologies.
Upon graduation, all were required to sign confidentiality agreements; afterward, they could choose whether to stay or leave.
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The Uchiha Research Institute
The Institute focused primarily on two major divisions:
Biological Sciences
Mechanical Engineering
and also conducted applied research in Computer and Electronic Technologies.
It was fully funded and owned by the Uchiha Clan, with all technologies and intellectual property belonging solely to them.
To build the Institute, Uchiha Kairen leveraged his influence in the Police Force to find suitable talent.
The first person he personally went to recruit as the Dean of the Biological Sciences Division was none other than Hiruko.
Uchiha Kairen found him in the midst of scrounging up money for lab equipment. He explained his intentions clearly:
As long as Hiruko completed the Institute's assigned research and teaching tasks, the clan would fund his personal experiments.
Hiruko was so moved he nearly cried. No more scraping together cash for equipment, and he'd even be paid a salary! He agreed on the spot and begged Kairen to sign the contract immediately, afraid the offer would vanish if he blinked.
With the biological sciences division secured, Kairen turned his sights to metallurgy.
He sought out Kazekujin, a master craftsman from the Land of Craftsmen—a notoriously grumpy old man who initially refused outright.
So Kairen made a tempting offer:
"If you agree to become the Dean of the Forging Division, the Uchiha Research Institute will cover half the cost of all materials for your future projects."
He even brought out a collection of rare ores from the clan's private vaults.
The moment Kazekujin laid eyes on those minerals, his resistance melted. He packed up instantly—didn't even bother saying goodbye to his family—and moved into the Institute on the spot.
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For Mechanical Engineering, Kairen recruited a man named Akaisuki Jun — a quiet, unrecognized genius living in Konoha who had invented cranes and excavators entirely on his own.
When Kairen learned that such a miracle worker had gone unnoticed in his own village, he was ecstatic. The slogan echoing in his head was:
"When it comes to excavation, who's the best? In the shinobi world, Konoha's Royal Institute—accept no substitutes!"
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The Computers and Electronics Division was led by Yugo Sakō, a civilian recommended by Hiruko.
Hiruko often had him repair or build electronic components for his experiments. Yugo had loved tinkering with electronics since childhood; over time, he mastered the craft entirely on his own. His specialty—computers.
When he heard that this new academy was founded for the sake of civilian education, he agreed immediately.
Money didn't matter—what mattered was giving children like himself a platform, a chance to learn and grow during their golden years.
He and Kairen hit it off instantly.
He even suggested that students should live on campus.
This startled Kairen so much that he almost thought the man had transmigrated from his world. But the idea made sense—so they adjusted the school and research institute's location to the outskirts of the village and began planning student dormitories.
As for the principal of the Konoha campus, Kairen already had someone in mind—one perfect candidate.
He decided to wait until the man's return to discuss it in person.
---
That day finally came when Orochimaru returned to the village.
Kairen received word from a clan messenger at his door and headed straight to the Hokage Building.
He stood there, waiting, determined:
I'm not leaving until I dig Orochimaru out.
He waited all morning. Just as he began to consider asking Meimei to bring him a bowl of ramen, he finally saw him—Orochimaru, pale-skinned, long black hair, cold and elegant as ever.
But this time, Orochimaru was not in his usual composure. His anger was ebbing, replaced by sorrow.
Yes, sorrow.
His most beloved teacher had lost faith in him. Without even asking why, without hearing him out—he had denied Orochimaru completely.
He didn't understand… Was it power? Age? What had changed you, my sensei?
"Orochimaru-sama!"
Uchiha Kairen stepped forward, smiling warmly.
"I came specifically to find you. I'd like to discuss something with you."
Orochimaru blinked, momentarily surprised, then recognized him.
"Oh… it's you, Kairen-kun. What brings you to me?"
"Not the place to talk," Kairen replied cheerfully. "Let's discuss it over a meal. My treat — how about some grilled meat?"
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued.
An Uchiha, seeking him out? Intriguing. And truth be told, he hadn't eaten all morning after that confrontation with his teacher.
"Very well," he said. "I'll hear what you have to say."
The two walked off toward the restaurant district together.
Moments later, an ANBU operative slipped swiftly into the Hokage Building, knocking on the Third's office door.
"Hokage-sama," he reported, "Orochimaru-sama has left the building. He was approached by Uchiha Kairen, exchanged a few words, and the two are now heading toward the food district together."
This ANBU was the one Sarutobi Hiruzen had assigned to secretly monitor the young Uchiha prodigy — Uchiha Kairen.
Finding the situation unusual, he came to report immediately.
"Understood. Thank you. Go rest," said the Third Hokage gently.
After the operative left, Hiruzen sighed and shook his head.
This disciple of mine… there are times I simply cannot understand him. Orochimaru… what are you really thinking?