While Hiruzen and the others were busy plotting their next move, Orochimaru strode openly into the Konoha Military Police headquarters—with Uchiha Itachi at his side.
Inside the Chief's office, Orochimaru pulled Itachi forward with a faintly smug smile.
"Everyone, the Seventh Formula I tailored specifically for Itachi's constitution has proven quite effective. His Bloodline Disorder has been successfully suppressed—for now."
Fugaku's brows knitted together.
"Suppressed… not cured?"
His tone carried unmistakable dissatisfaction. Temporary relief was not what he wanted. He wanted perfection.
Orochimaru chuckled softly.
"Fugaku-kun, don't misunderstand. From a biological standpoint, Itachi's condition isn't truly a 'disease.'"
"It's more accurate to say his body cannot supply sufficient nourishment for the power of his bloodline."
"In simpler terms—his bloodline is too strong. His body is the limiting factor."
"So there was never really a 'cure' to begin with."
He continued, eyes glinting faintly.
"The Seventh Formula, developed using Hashirama cells, greatly enhances his physical constitution and supplies the nutrients his bloodline requires."
"However… I've heard from Jin-kun that beyond the standard three-tomoe Sharingan, the Uchiha possess the Mangekyō Sharingan."
"I'm not yet certain whether Itachi's enhanced body can fully sustain the strain of the Mangekyō's chakra consumption."
"That's why I used the term 'temporarily suppressed.'"
Fugaku's expression eased somewhat. He turned to his son.
"Itachi. How do you feel?"
"Better than ever before."
Itachi's reply was simple.
He raised his hand slowly.
"The increase in raw strength isn't dramatic. But I feel… steadier. Grounded."
He searched briefly for the right word.
"Confident."
As he spoke, a small emerald sprout emerged from his palm.
"…Wood Release?!"
Fugaku, Setsuna, and Yashi all shot to their feet in disbelief.
Orochimaru nodded calmly.
"It is Wood Release—though only the most rudimentary application. Merely sprouting saplings."
"It is far inferior to that boy Tenzo's level. Compared to the First Hokage's Wood Release, it's trivial."
He paused, then looked at Itachi.
"Raise your arm."
Without hesitation, Itachi rolled up his sleeve.
A thin blade of wind-nature chakra formed at Orochimaru's fingertip. He sliced lightly across Itachi's forearm, leaving a shallow cut.
Fugaku's hands clenched reflexively.
But he forced himself to remain still.
Before their eyes, the wound began healing—visibly.
Not instantaneous regeneration, but undeniable. Flesh knitting itself back together.
Within moments, the cut was gone.
Orochimaru brushed away the remaining blood, revealing unblemished skin.
"You've all heard of the First Hokage's ability to heal without hand seals."
"Itachi now possesses a version of that ability."
"Unlike his weakened Wood Release, however, his regenerative capacity is quite substantial."
"Perhaps not equal to Hashirama-sama—but at least one-fifth."
"With this, his survivability improves significantly."
The others were still processing the miracle.
Jin, however, smiled faintly.
"Excellent. That means we can begin Phase Two."
"Phase Two?" Setsuna asked.
Jin explained calmly:
"For those of us who have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan—myself, Shisui, Captain Fugaku—we will develop personalized fusion formulas."
"To offset the ocular strain caused by Mangekyō usage."
"You've seen Obito's case. He's a successful Hashirama-cell integration subject."
"In him, Hashirama cells perfectly compensate for Mangekyō chakra depletion."
"In effect, he achieves a state comparable to the Eternal Mangekyō—through a different path."
"For the Uchiha… this is a tremendous advancement."
Fugaku and the others nodded solemnly. They had witnessed Obito's power firsthand.
Orochimaru tilted his head slightly.
"Speaking of Obito-kun… where is he? A living reference subject would accelerate Phase Two significantly."
Jin waved dismissively.
"He's handling something important. He won't be back soon."
Orochimaru's eyes flickered.
"Important?"
"May I know what it is?"
"Of course."
Jin didn't hesitate.
He opened a drawer and handed Orochimaru a thick document.
"This will require your cooperation as well."
Orochimaru accepted it, brows rising as he read the bold title.
On the Research and Development of Thermal Weapons
"…Thermal weapons?"
He flipped to the first page.
Gunpowder
A combustible compound composed of sulfur, saltpeter, and charcoal. Ignites through spark or flame, producing violent combustion…
Orochimaru's interest sharpened.
Further pages detailed conceptual schematics:
Desert Eagle pistol
AK-47 automatic rifle
Sniper rifle
Mortar
Rocket launcher
He closed the file slowly.
"Jin-kun… this is fascinating."
"I will… study it when time permits."
Jin shook his head.
"Not 'when time permits.'"
"I want results as soon as possible."
"These concepts must be made reality."
"And not just prototypes—mass production."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly.
Jin leaned back in his chair.
"Don't underestimate what you're holding."
"It may render the very existence of shinobi… obsolete."
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