Immortality begins with the ninjas of Konoha.

Chapter 148 The Price of "Freedom"

In late November of Konoha Year 50, as temperatures dropped, the Konoha ninjas' fervent enthusiasm for missions finally eased.

After the snow covered the village, more and more Konoha ninjas chose to stay and live a peaceful life in the village. Without war, a new baby boom began to brew.

Inside the Hokage Building, Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Choza, and Yamanaka Inoichi all wore relaxed smiles after submitting their mission reports. The three had successfully completed the mission assigned by the Hokage.

Tsunade flipped through the evaluations of the Fire Country Daimyo in the mission notes, nodded in satisfaction, and then looked at Akimichi Choza with a smile, saying, "The mission was completed very well. You can stay in the village and rest for a while."

"Ding-zuo, you'll be a father in a few months. If needed, I can give you a long leave."

A rare look of embarrassment appeared on Akimichi Choza's round face, but thinking of his wife who was several months pregnant, he finally bowed and thanked him: "Thank you, Hokage-sama. I hope to stay in the village for the next few months."

"I will work hard during this time."

Nara Shikaku sighed helplessly when he saw his friend like this. The war had just ended, and his clan was urging him to get married. Before he could even enjoy his time as a couple, his family was already pressuring him to have a child.

One problem after another plagued him, and Nara Shikaku deeply envied the single young men in the village; that was the post-war life he had longed for...

"Inoichi, Shikaku, do we need to adjust the mission?"

"I saw the Fire Country Daimyo's evaluation of Asuma. What are your thoughts on the Twelve Guardians?"

Yamanaka Inoichi smiled wryly as he thought of the rebellious boy from the Sarutobi clan. After a moment's thought, he said truthfully, "Based on my observation, the daimyo is indeed wary of the village. Asuma's early selection as one of the Twelve Guardians should be a friendly sign."

"Although the Third Hokage did not like this move, Asuma himself did not resist it."

Because Konoha has reduced its reliance on funding from the Land of Fire, the Daimyo is somewhat worried that the stable relationship between the two sides may change, so he entrusted Asuma with important responsibilities early on.

Nara Shikaku could see through the Daimyo's thoughts. Unable to properly judge the naive Asuma, he could only offer a tactful reminder: "Hokage-sama, if the village's revenue can steadily increase, we will indeed need a liaison for both sides in the coming years."

.

"Asuma just hasn't realized this yet. Perhaps the Third Hokage could give him a heads-up."

Funding is very important. Ninjas do not engage in production and have historically relied heavily on government funding and mission assignments. However, Konoha is now taking a different approach and is beginning to focus its efforts on the medical field.

Medicines and herbs have extremely high profit margins, and the Daimyo is worried that Konoha will break free from its dependence on capital.

Once the Konoha ninjas become completely independent, the Land of Fire may face serious problems. Although that day is still far off, the daimyo and nobles who are enjoying the good life of the victorious nation have begun to take precautions.

Tsunade was naturally aware of these things. She had been in office for less than half a year, and the Daimyo would send her greetings every month, often assigning her tasks and money: "Alright, Sarutobi-sensei has been working at the Ninja Academy recently, I'll talk to him about this."

"If there's anything the tribe needs, please let me know. Thank you for your hard work."

The three bowed in thanks and left the room. Nara Shikaku looked at his friend, who was eager to go home, and sighed again, muttering to himself, "It's definitely a good thing that the village's income has increased, and the clan has also expanded its trade routes."

"But if things continue like this for a few years, the system established by the First Hokage might run into serious problems."

Akimichi Choza looked surprised, scratched his head, and remained silent. Yamanaka Inoichi then took over the conversation, calmly replying, "No system is immutable. If things really develop smoothly to that point, the profession of ninja might undergo a huge change."

"Shikaku, don't overthink it. After all, we hold the power."

"You should focus your energy on your family; we can't fall too far behind Ding-za—"

"What?! I haven't even had a proper chance to enjoy time as a couple yet, kids are such a hassle!"

After complaining again, Nara Shikaku gave a deadpan look. The Ino-Shika-Cho trio couldn't be separated, so he could only try to make babies to keep up with the schedule.

"Haha, at our age, it's time for us to take on more family responsibilities!"

"Shikaku, stop looking so unmotivated."

Unlike his two friends, Choza Akimichi didn't think about the future. He patted Shikaku on the shoulder, sighed, and then sped away.

Although it will be more than half a year before he can see his child, Akimichi Choza has already devoted all his energy to his family. The future of ninjas is still too far away for him.

Nara Shikaku turned to look at the Shadow Rock behind the Hokage Building. The giant head of the Fourth Hokage had appeared. Thinking about what had happened in the past six months, he sighed inexplicably, "What will the future hold?"

In the afternoon, snowflakes began to fall again. Tsunade stood by the window, gazing at the village. The fire cloud robe, a symbol of the Hokage, appeared on her shoulder. She couldn't help but turn to her disciple and say, "I feel like there are more and more troubles. Since the second half of the year, merchants have been constantly gathering in the village."

"A ninja village that possesses power and can also engage in production—no wonder it's seen as a huge threat."

Furukawa Osamu simply smiled and did not engage in any specific discussion about the matter. He glanced at Tsunade's profile and said softly, "Only by reducing our reliance on funding can you gain more say, teacher."

"In a way, the ninjas gained freedom. It's a pity that the teacher didn't have much ambition, otherwise the country could have developed better under his control."

"There are geniuses among ordinary people, just like those medical facilities; we get a quick response when we make a request."

"Technology is also a power, especially when combined with chakra, it might be able to change the world."

Tsunade was too lazy to think about it carefully. She looked up at the disciple who was helping her adjust her coat, and had to suppress the strange feeling in her body. When she took the Hokage hat, she secretly let out a long breath.

"Let's go, teacher. We still need to inspect the Barrier Class. The New Year is almost here, and the Hokage needs to work even harder!"

Tsunade, who was trying to slack off, was grabbed by the shoulder by her disciple and immediately glared at him, complaining, "Don't think I don't know that the guys in the barrier class are all slacking off. This kind of department just goes through the motions to appease me!"

"There are also improved techniques, teacher, you don't need to be so strict. Everyone just wants to show their attitude in front of the Hokage..."

The Fourth Hokage consolidated power in less than six months, and most departments in the village underwent personnel changes, except for Root, which retained its old structure.

Danzo knew that this was Orochimaru's "achievement," but he still felt a sense of "humiliation" when he thought that the Anbu had taken over most of the work of Root.

In the dimly lit room deep within the Root organization, Danzo frowned as he looked at Orochimaru in front of him. The other man seemed like a completely different person.

"You're not mistaken, I've broken free from that curse mark."

Orochimaru, whose face grew increasingly pale, stared at Danzo as he made his statement. He knew that the strange creature inside Danzo's body could transmit information, so he came here immediately to show off after his health improved.

The White Zetsu hidden within Danzo's body sensed something was wrong. Contrary to his expectations, Orochimaru made no move: "This cost me a considerable amount, but for freedom, it was all worth it!"

"Perhaps we can make a deal. I need information about the Mangekyou Sharingan."

Danzo suddenly opened his eyes, looked at Orochimaru, and his face showed anger!

"Orochimaru, do you intend to betray the village's interests?"

"The Mangekyou Sharingan, such a dangerous power, should not exist!"

Orochimaru ignored Danzo and kept staring at his body. After a while, a somewhat comical voice suddenly appeared: "Break free from control, and you are qualified to let me deliver a message."

After responding once, White Zetsu fell silent. He had been instructed by Madara to do this, and he was simply following orders without thinking.

The sudden sound silenced the two people in the room. Danzo stared intently at Orochimaru, and seeing the smirk on the latter's lips, angrily warned, "Do you know what you're doing?"

"In the ninja world, only Madara Uchiha possesses the Mangekyou Sharingan. If it's him, you should understand his hatred for the village."

"Orochimaru, are you trying to overthrow the village by making a deal with someone like this?"

Orochimaru wore a playful smile, not answering the question, but suggesting in a deep, hoarse voice, "I've regained my freedom. Since you're so concerned about the village, why don't I end your life?"

"The roots no longer have any reason to exist. Your existence will only reveal information about the village."

"As the one who bears the darkness of the village, I should kill you now, Danzo. What do you think?"

Danzo suddenly fell silent. He had managed to hold on until now; how could he so easily give up on his life?

The Second Hokage's will was fading, and Danzo felt he still had an unfinished mission...

Seeing Danzo's reaction, Orochimaru laughed maniacally. The old man was just as cowardly as Orochimaru had predicted: "Don't give me those ridiculous reasons. You must have already reached some kind of agreement with that guy!"

"If Sarutobi-sensei knew that his old friend would betray the village's interests, he might kill you with his own hands."

""

Seeing Orochimaru laughing incessantly, Danzo narrowed his eyes again. He had completely calmed down: "I didn't expect that a genius like you would also begin to crave the power of the Uchiha clan."

"Uchiha? You don't understand anything."

Orochimaru did not explain in detail, but the appearance of the Mangekyou Sharingan and Rinnegan indicates that the Sage of Six Paths once existed, and those stories in the comic books are no longer just people's imagination.

After gaining a basic grasp of Sage Chakra, Orochimaru believed he possessed eternal life, even though the Reanimation Jutsu still needed improvement.

Now that the opportunity to pursue the truth was right in front of him, Orochimaru naturally wouldn't miss it. The Sage of Six Paths, the origin of power—thinking about these things made him somewhat restless.

Unable to comprehend the fanaticism on Orochimaru's face, Danzo frowned, but finally explained his "deal" in a low voice: "That guy needs the Sharingan, which aligns with my goal."

"The Uchiha clan, possessed by evil, is ultimately a threat to the village. I will inherit the will of the Second Hokage and end all karma in this era."

Orochimaru, upon hearing Danzo's explanation that they were colluding with outsiders to harm the village's ninja clans, flashed a mocking look in his eyes: "A boring excuse. Root ninjas will receive some missions."

"I hope you can seize this opportunity and not hide anything from me about the Uchiha clan."

Orochimaru knew that this body couldn't last much longer and he couldn't pursue the Sage's Eyes for the time being, so he decided that having the power of the Sharingan was a good alternative.

For the sake of truth, he needed a body with sufficient potential. Orochimaru reviewed the detailed information collected by the Root ninjas, combining it with the memories in his mind, and initially identified a few targets: "The next generation genius, Uchiha Shisui?"

On a small island near Kirigakure, Obito Uchiha returned to the dark, enormous stone cave.

After quickly tidying up Madara Uchiha's grave, Obito slipped onto the stone chair. The chattering White Zetsu immediately stopped their discussion and began reporting one after another: "Lord Madara, Orochimaru has broken free from the cursed seal!"

"This guy seems to be like Danzo, wanting to seize the power of the Uchiha clan."

"Orochimaru seems to want to make a deal; he's very interested in the Mangekyou Sharingan."

"Lord Madara, should we continue to control him?"

The White Zetsu, who was possessing Obito, then removed its "mask," completely detaching from its body, and appeared before its companions, loudly complaining, "Damn it! You guys must have felt the urge to poop on them! This mission was supposed to be mine..."

Obito's eyes twitched, and intricate patterns immediately appeared in his crimson eyes. Seeing this, all the White Zetsu lowered their heads and remained silent: "I need Orochimaru's method to break free of the cursed seal. The Mangekyou Sharingan? Even if he knows the conditions for awakening it, those clansmen are not qualified to possess this power."

"Don't let me find out you're discussing this with Black Zetsu. No one can hide anything from my eyes!"

Upon hearing Obito's warning, the White Zetsu responded with laughter, perhaps because they enjoyed watching the drama unfold. One of the White Zetsu even offered a suggestion: "Did Lord Madara also notice that something was wrong with that guy? He's just like us, yet he's turned his body black."

"The guy in black must be a traitor. Even without him, we can still help Lord Madara complete the Eye of the Moon Plan."

"It seems the Uchiha clan of Konoha has been corrupted by drugs. Orochimaru, that idiot, ended up with nothing..."

Obito ignored these mentally challenged creatures; only by completely breaking free from these limitations could he personally take control of the "New World."

The thought of living happily with Rin and Kakashi in a few years filled Obito with thoughts: "I can't let Rin go to that idiot Kakashi in the New World!"

"Kakashi can teach my and Rin's child."

Obito imagined such a wonderful scene and even forgot his purpose in coming to the Land of Water. Compared to the hellish reality, the world of his dream was more attractive to him.

When Black Zetsu appeared in the cave, Obito gradually came to his senses: "Lord Madara, it's time to go back. Nagato and Konan are still waiting for you."

Obito nodded without saying a word. The space in front of him distorted, and he quickly disappeared along with the vortex.

The White Zetsu didn't mention what had happened before, and started their daily nonsense again, which the Black Zetsu didn't care about.

Arriving at Madara Uchiha's grave, Black Zetsu appeared to be paying his respects, but a part of his body transformed into a flowing liquid, continuously absorbing the "Creator's" body: "Obito Uchiha, don't even think about ruining my plans..."

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