He couldn't keep thinking like this.
Dwelling on something this terrifying at night—
He'd probably end up having nightmares.
Back when Uchiha Ren had first arrived in this world—
A world where death was commonplace—
He had started with nothing.
Parents gone.
Six or seven years old, already sent on missions.
Within months—
He was killed for the first time.
The warmth of blood splashing across his face.
The dying gaze of someone—
Fading into emptiness.
That hatred.
That despair.
Even now—
He couldn't forget it.
Compared to that—
Things now were far better.
…So be it.
Since he was here—
He would deal with it.
The system's sudden mission had completely killed his mood.
After parting ways with Chiyo—
Ren returned straight to the Uchiha compound.
"—Tobirama! Your beloved Third Hokage is back!"
The moment he arrived, he headed straight for the underground laboratory.
If Madara really had come to Konoha—
He needed to prepare.
Strengthen himself.
At the very least—
Have a chance to run.
Strategically retreat.
"Ho—Hokage-sama… cough…"
As soon as he entered—
Orochimaru greeted him.
Looking half-dead.
Pale skin.
Dark circles so heavy they were almost frightening.
And yet—
His eyes burned with excitement.
A true mad scientist.
The kind who could forget food and sleep entirely.
Ren felt… deeply satisfied.
This kind of subordinate—
Perfect.
Though—
If Orochimaru worked himself to death before reaching his peak—
That would be a waste.
"Orochimaru… have you been skipping meals again?"
"How many all-nighters this time?"
Ren nagged like a worried parent.
"Please rest assured, Hokage-sama."
"Second Hokage-sama has prepared a nutrient solution for me."
"It replaces food entirely."
"Eating is inefficient."
"One injection is enough."
"And I do sleep."
"Four hours a day."
"I've calculated it precisely."
"That's sufficient for neural recovery."
"Anything more would be a waste of time."
"I should dedicate that time to research."
Orochimaru looked faintly proud.
This time—
He was fully prepared.
Last time—
Because of poor habits—
He'd been forcibly sent home to rest.
Even barred from the lab during the New Year.
It had been unbearable.
Agonizing.
Like being trapped.
And worse—
He'd had to deal with Jiraiya.
Constant questions.
Pointless chatter.
Tsunade this, Tsunade that—
Completely incomprehensible.
Women?
Boring.
Research—
Everything was.
"…Impressive."
Ren stared at him.
Then slowly raised a finger and shook it.
A pure, innocent smile on his face.
"Alright, forget it."
"You've got your own rhythm."
"Go play in the corner."
"I need to talk to Tobirama."
"…Understood."
Orochimaru obediently stepped aside.
Leaving them space.
"Tobirama… did you miss me?"
Ren patted Senju Tobirama's shoulder.
Tobirama looked up.
Then spat on the ground.
His lips moved slightly.
"Get lost."
Ren read it perfectly.
…Sigh.
After all this time—
Has their relationship really grown this distant?
He'd only—
Worked Tobirama like a beast.
And made a movie poking fun at him.
That was normal between them, wasn't it?
"Tobirama, I feel like you're starting to disrespect me again…"
"You wouldn't want—"
"Stop."
"Just say what you came for, Hokage-sama."
Tobirama cut him off instantly.
He knew better than to let Ren continue.
Arguing head-on with this shameless man—
Never ended well.
"That's more like it."
Ren nodded in satisfaction.
Then—
Pulled out two items.
An electric tricycle.
And three boxes of Amoxicillin.
"A gift."
"You've been working hard."
"Mass-produce these. As fast as possible."
Tobirama examined the tricycle.
Simple.
Functional.
Efficient.
After fiddling with it briefly—
His eyes sharpened.
"…Interesting."
"This could help with the railway project."
Then he picked up the medicine.
"…And this?"
"A special drug."
"It kills bacteria."
"Highly effective against infections and inflammation."
"Tobirama—you know what this means."
Tobirama's expression turned serious.
He did.
On the battlefield—
Infections killed countless shinobi.
Even more civilians.
Medical ninja were scarce.
Techniques monopolized.
Training limited.
Many—
Simply died.
If this drug could be mass-produced—
It would change everything.
"Where did you get this?"
Ren smiled.
Said nothing.
"…Fine."
"I'll handle it."
Tobirama didn't press further.
Whatever its origin—
If it benefited Konoha—
That was enough.
"Anything else?"
"If not, leave."
"You're in the way."
Still holding a grudge over that movie.
"Of course there's more."
Ren's expression turned serious.
"What's the progress on Hashirama Cells?"
"The prisoners in Konoha's dungeons are dying one after another."
"You should have results by now."
Tobirama stood.
I walked to a wall.
Activated a mechanism.
A hidden chamber opened.
Inside—
A large container.
Senju Hashirama's body floated within a green solution.
The core of the entire lab.
Around it—
Other tanks.
Failed experiments.
Twisted bodies.
Half-wood.
Half-human.
Dead.
But—
Useful.
Their deaths—
Contributed to something greater.
"The latest solution…"
Tobirama held up a vial.
Light green.
Glowing faintly.
"My most valuable achievement so far."
Ren's eyes lit up.
"…Can it be used?"
"It can."
"But there's a risk."
"Ordinary shinobi still have a high fatality rate."
"The prisoners you sent—most died."
"For Uchiha, compatibility should be higher."
"But dosage still needs adjustment."
Tobirama continued explaining—
Mechanisms.
Future directions.
Ren listened patiently.
…Progress.
At least there was progress.
"Now I need Uchiha subjects."
"Without your clan's data, this cannot be completed."
Ren paused.
Then spoke slowly.
"I need guarantees."
"Tobirama… it's not that I don't trust you."
"But your bias against the Uchiha—"
"…What did you say?"
Tobirama's face darkened instantly.
"I am the Second Hokage!"
"When have I ever harmed comrades?!"
Yes—
He had isolated Uchiha Madara.
Created the Police Force.
Developed techniques targeting the Uchiha.
But aside from that—
What had he done wrong?
"…Alright, alright."
"I trust you."
"I'm just being cautious."
"I'm the clan head, after all."
"Can't help worrying."
Ren waved it off.
Tobirama snorted.
Then—
His tone turned serious.
"One more thing."
"Hashirama Cells are dangerous."
"Extremely dangerous."
"Even now, I don't fully understand them."
"…Honestly, I sometimes wonder if my brother is even human."
He let out a quiet breath.
"The gap between people… is absurd."
"Even with Uchiha compatibility—"
"I can only minimize risk."
"If casualties occur—"
"You must accept it."
"This is a necessary sacrifice."
Ren nodded.
"…I understand."
If it came to that—
He would honor them.
Take care of their families.
Ensure they were not forgotten.
"Write me the list."
"I'll arrange the personnel."
Tobirama's eyes gleamed.
Finally—
The experiment could advance.
"…Ren."
Tobirama paused.
"…You said there was something important?"
Ren took a breath.
His expression hardened.
"There is."
"Something… that concerns Konoha."
"…and possibly the entire shinobi world."
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read chapters ahead on Patreon → patreon.com/c/MythArcstudios