Normally, in a situation like this, each of you would be eagerly talking about your own clan. Yet now, at such a critical moment, all of you are silent. Isn't that strange?
If even a single ninja from the Hyūga Clan were present, this would never have happened.
Orochimaru calmly observed the surrounding terrain, his golden eyes narrowing. In his view, the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan was not particularly suitable for reconnaissance under these circumstances. If they had possessed the Hyūga Clan's Byakugan, the enemy's ambush would have already been exposed.
Jiraiya and Tsunade stood nearby, unusually quiet. Neither of them dared to speak lightly. It had been a long time since Jiraiya had seen Orochimaru truly angry, and the familiar chill crawling up his spine reminded him just how terrifying his former teammate could be when provoked.
With a low sigh, Jiraiya took out a soldier pill that reeked faintly of alcohol. He tossed it into his mouth, chewed it thoroughly, and felt his depleted chakra slowly recover.
"Orochimaru," Jiraiya said carefully, "the most important thing right now is to regroup with our comrades."
Tsunade stepped closer as well, lowering her voice so only Orochimaru could hear. "We can't afford internal friction at a time like this."
"Mm."
Orochimaru nodded. He crouched down and pressed one pale hand against the ground, sensing the chakra signatures of their allies through subtle vibrations. After a brief moment, he straightened.
"Follow me," he said coldly. "They're being pursued by Iwagakure."
Without further explanation, Orochimaru led the Konoha ninja forward. Their movements were swift and coordinated, flanking through the dense terrain in an attempt to counterattack Iwagakure from the sides.
Unfortunately, the enemy was not careless. Iwagakure's sensory-type ninja detected them in time, foiling Konoha's ambush. Even so, their sudden appearance eased the pressure on the Konoha forces who had been fleeing moments earlier, allowing them to turn defense into offense.
Far away, the daimyō of the Land of Grass observed the conflict with unease. Faced with a clash between two great ninja villages, he chose silence. Neither he nor Kusagakure could afford to offend Konoha or Iwagakure. All they could do was pray that the fighting would not devastate their land.
In fact, he secretly hoped the war would spread elsewhere—anywhere else. The Land of Rain, the Land of Waterfalls—any place, as long as it was not the Land of Grass.
Had Hanzō of the Salamander, the leader of the Rain Country, known of these thoughts, he might have marched his forces straight into Grass Country in fury.
---
Chapter 184: The Senju and Uchiha—A Shared Origin
A flame-red carriage streaked through the sky before descending onto a lonely island. As it landed, Uchiha Madara stepped out with composed dignity. At his side stood a strange figure cloaked entirely in black, its body split into contrasting hues of white and dark.
More than a month had passed since Madara's last visit to the laboratory base. He had come to inspect the progress of the research—and to share a discovery of his own.
"Mr. Deng, you're here."
The researchers at the laboratory base greeted Madara respectfully. They did not question the identity of his companion. Lady Si had long instructed them never to ask unnecessary questions, regardless of whom Madara brought with him.
The being beside Madara was none other than Zetsu. Born from Madara's Rinnegan through Yin–Yang Release, Zetsu had guided Madara toward the secrets hidden within the Gedo Statue, including the existence of White Zetsu. Now, he finally appeared openly at Madara's side.
"Zetsu," Madara said evenly, "do not act on your own without my permission."
Though Madara trusted the being he had created, he was wary of unnecessary complications. Angering Si would only invite trouble.
"Yes," Zetsu replied lifelessly, his tone betraying his recent creation.
The laboratory doors slid open, and Si emerged. Dark circles hung beneath her eyes, evidence of countless sleepless nights.
"Old Deng, you're here," she said, glancing at Madara and then at Zetsu.
Madara frowned slightly. "Are you all right? At this rate, you'll collapse before producing any results."
"I'm fine," Si replied briskly. "I'll die after you do."
She turned her attention back to the culture tanks containing fragments of the Gedo Statue and Hashirama cells.
"Hashirama's cells possess terrifying vitality," she continued. "Used properly, they can extend life. Used improperly, they consume the host. Ordinary people simply cannot withstand them."
Her brows knit together as she approached Madara. "Come with me. There's something I want to show you."
Madara followed her to an unexpected sight: a dense forest growing within the laboratory base.
"A forest?" Madara asked. "Here?"
"Every tree here was once a living test subject," Si explained calmly. "The Hashirama cells devoured their nutrients, grew uncontrollably, and eventually transformed them into trees."
Madara's blood ran cold. "Then why am I fine?"
Si hesitated. "Old Deng… there's something you may find difficult to accept."
"What is it?"
"There is a striking similarity between your genetic information and Hashirama Senju's."
Madara frowned. "That only means we're both human, doesn't it?"
Kuro Zetsu stiffened inwardly. This was dangerous territory.
"No," Si said bluntly. "It means you share a common ancestor."
"That's impossible!" Madara snapped. "The Uchiha and Senju have been mortal enemies for generations!"
"And yet," Si replied, "the data says otherwise."
She turned toward the forest. "Have you ever wondered why only the hatred between Uchiha and Senju endured for generations? Why it never truly faded?"
"Hatred needs no reason," Madara retorted.
"Believe it or not," Si said, "your compatibility with Hashirama's flesh exists precisely because you share the same origin. Anyone else would have perished."
"Enough!" Madara cut her off. "The Senju Clan is already gone."
Even as he spoke, unease gnawed at his heart.
This woman is dangerous, Kuro Zetsu thought grimly.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)