The equipment had been moved.
Now, the only task left was to reshape the cave into a proper research base. Once that was done, the experiments could truly begin.
Gen had no intention of scattering his focus across other projects. This one theory alone, if it bore fruit, would justify every ounce of money and effort he had poured into it.
When his soul returned to his body, the house had already been cleaned spotless. He retrieved the borrowed souls from the animated cleaning tools, then headed to the kitchen to cook.
After his daily routine consists of eating, bathing, training, relaxing then sleeping.
It was simple, but he liked it that way.
…
The next morning, just before noon, the doorbell rang.
Fresh from training and a shower, Gen put on clean clothes and went downstairs. At the gate stood Uchiha Itachi, bowing politely, a bright smile on his young face.
"Brother Gen, grandfather invites you to lunch."
Gen opened the door, smiling warmly as he ruffled the boy's hair.
"Itachi, long time no see. How are you?"
"I'm good. I've already started on the ninja academy curriculum."
"That's excellent. How about Shisui? I hear he's joined the Anbu?"
Itachi's smile dimmed slightly, replaced with a serious look. "Yes. Brother Shisui has been very busy lately, so he doesn't have much time to practice with me."
"That can't be helped," Gen replied with a soft chuckle. "Shisui is the bridge between the Uchiha and Konoha. Through him, old grudges can be laid to rest, and our clan can step forward into a new era. You must understand that."
"I do. This is an important step toward making the Uchiha great again."
Gen nodded approvingly. "That's the right mindset. Well said."
Hearing the praise, Itachi beamed.
The two walked together, chatting as they greeted passing clansmen.
Soon, they reached a freshly renovated house on the east side of the compound.
"Gen is here, come in."
Standing at the entrance was Uchiha Mikoto. Her soft black hair draped gracefully over her shoulders, her loose blue dress hinting at her pregnancy. Her smile was as warm as sunlight.
"You shouldn't be working so hard while expecting," Gen said gently.
Mikoto shook her head with a serene laugh. "Don't worry, light activity is good for the baby."
They exchanged pleasantries before heading inside.
In the living room awaited an elder in a black kimono with the Uchiha crest. His half-white hair and beard framed a sharp, hawk-like gaze set into a thin, weathered face.
"Greetings, Elder Setsuna," Gen said, bowing slightly, neither arrogant nor servile.
Mikoto smiled as she made the introduction.
"Father, this is Uchiha Gen, one of the Uchiha Twins. His efforts were key in helping you return to us."
"Lady Mikoto gives me too much credit," Gen replied calmly. "It was the clan head's determination that truly made it possible."
Setsuna's stern face softened, a rare smile tugging at his lips. He was pleased. Reckless pride was the flaw of many Uchiha but this young man showed humility and restraint.
"Well said. Still, your contribution is known. Great favors require no words of thanks, but we remember."
He clapped Gen on the shoulder and guided him to sit. "Come, have tea with this old man."
"Mikoto, bring out the meal soon."
"Yes, Father."
The atmosphere was warm, filled with small talk and Setsuna's stories of the past. No weighty matters, no sensitive politics—just family.
At noon, the meal was served.
According to tradition, there was little conversation at the table, so they ate in companionable silence.
Afterward, they enjoyed tea together before Gen politely took his leave.
…
The following morning, Gen used his position as Deputy Captain of the Police Force to leave the village unnoticed. He returned to the hidden cave.
With another round of careful preparation, he subdued the two Uchiha stationed there and began transforming the cavern.
By blending his steadily advancing earth-style ninjutsu with the power of the Soul-Soul Fruit, the renovation was completed within a day. It wasn't as refined as Orochimaru's laboratories, but it was enough.
The twins, Uchiha Yuichi and Uchiha Mori, were placed in separate chambers east and west of the complex, each with its own set of equipment.
Once the groundwork was laid, Gen sat cross-legged in the lounge.
With a seal, half of his soul emerged from his crown and shot into the sky like a streak of blue light, cutting through snow and wind until it reached Shiroishi Town.
Soul Perception.
Every life in the town, from stray dogs to passing travelers, lit up in his awareness. Gen split his soul into four and sent them streaking toward four different targets.
…
In the east, a wandering ninja had just returned to his hotel room with food and drink when a stream of light pierced his forehead. His consciousness was dragged into an inner space, where he found himself face to face with a stranger.
"Who are you?" he asked.
Gen didn't bother to answer but lunged.
The man's soul screamed before shattering into nothingness, his consciousness erased.
Gen didn't consume the soul. That would be cruel. erasing even the chance of rebirth. There was no grudge here. It was simply bad luck that the man's soul had been weaker than his own.
At least the Pure Land still awaited him.
Similar scenes played out in the other three corners of Shiroishi Town.
Not long after, four cloaked figures emerged separately and converged on the northern outskirts, before heading toward Konoha together.
By then, Gen had already returned to the village.
The new hosts couldn't be thrown into experimentation immediately, they needed to be weakened by hunger first. But with everything now in place…
The stage was set.
Soon, he would know whether the Sharingan could take its next step forward.