Uchiha's personal opinion

Thinking of this, Uchiha Tokumitsu quickly picked up a pen and paper, wrote down a few addresses, and summoned a servant ninja who whispered some instructions to him.

Sakumo Hatake was a little confused, but he didn't ask any more questions.

“Lord Deguang…”

Just as the attendant ninja pushed open the door to leave, Orochimaru walked in at the same time: "Sakumo-kun is here too."

"It's been a long time, Mr. Orochimaru."

Uchiha Tokumitsu nodded slightly and pointed to the sofa next to him, but did not get up to greet him.

He felt that Orochimaru's visit in broad daylight was definitely not a good thing.

Sakumo Hatake was also a little puzzled, because he rarely saw Orochimaru going out during the day, especially in a sensitive department like the police department.

"It's been a long time. It seems that Deguang-kun is also getting good news soon."

Orochimaru also keenly noticed the ring on the middle finger of Uchiha Tokumitsu's left hand.

"If Mr. Orochimaru is available, an invitation will be sent to your laboratory."

Uchiha Tokumitsu said thoughtfully.

Orochimaru's face twitched; he was finding it hard to keep a straight face.

After their sarcastic exchange, Orochimaru sat down and, without saying much, took out a scroll and handed it to Uchiha Tokumitsu.

Uchiha Tokumitsu casually tore open the book and began to read.

Although Orochimaru's research report differed slightly from the one written by the Uzumaki researchers who had been trained by Uchiha Tokumitsu, and was more characteristic of the ninja world, Uchiha Tokumitsu still understood it.

"not simple……"

Uchiha Tokumitsu clicked his tongue in amazement, expressing his admiration for Orochimaru's research level: "To produce such high-quality results with such a small amount of money is truly worthwhile!"

Compared to the Uzumaki researchers under Uchiha Tokumitsu, the difference in quality is obvious.

Especially in terms of cost-effectiveness control, the Vortex Research Institute has made a complete mess of it.

Orochimaru smiled smugly, his face beaming with pleasure.

He also knew that Uchiha Tokumitsu had drawn members of the Uzumaki clan to set up a secret laboratory, and that the experimental equipment he needed to purchase had been intercepted by the wealthy Uchiha clan at high prices on several occasions, causing his experimental progress to be delayed considerably.

But his deep-seated pride made him look down on other researchers in the ninja world. Even the research institute built by the Uchiha clan with money was regarded by him as a wasteful plaything for rich kids.

"I think... Orochimaru-san probably has other intentions this time, right?"

After gaining a general understanding of the research report, Uchiha Tokumitsu put away the scroll and said to Orochimaru, "It can't be as simple as just continuing to solicit sponsorships, can it?"

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed instantly, his vertical pupils revealing a fierce glint.

Sakumo Hatake's expression also changed slightly.

The atmosphere in the office instantly froze.

Sakumo Hatake's gaze darted back and forth between Tokumitsu Uchiha and Orochimaru, his left hand hanging naturally at the inside of the sofa, his fingers lightly tapping the hilt of the sword at his waist.

"Don't be nervous. We don't need to openly attack a highly decorated Jonin in a place like this, do we?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu chuckled and said, "Mr. Orochimaru, what exactly is the purpose of your visit?"

"...The collaboration between the laboratories has come to an end."

Orochimaru slowly said, "...As for those boys who served as experimental assistants, I have already sent them back to the Uchiha clan's territory."

"Terminate the cooperation? What a pity..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu sighed dramatically, "Given Orochimaru's research capabilities and the Uchiha clan's wealth, to so hastily terminate cooperation is a huge loss for Konoha!"

After saying that, Uchiha Tokumitsu casually tossed the scroll to Hatake Sakumo.

After a slight hesitation, Hatake Sakumo immediately opened and began to read it.

Orochimaru's nostrils twitched slightly, gaining a new understanding of the closeness of their alliance.

"...I already know."

Orochimaru made no attempt to hide anything, stating bluntly, "Senpai Sarutobi plans to directly invest in my laboratory, so cooperating with the Uchiha clan again would be inappropriate."

Is that so?

Uchiha Tokumitsu was also somewhat surprised.

Unexpectedly, Orochimaru had such a sincere side, leaving the witty Uchiha Tokumitsu speechless.

"That's such a pity... I was originally thinking of sponsoring Orochimaru-san to explore the secrets of immortality together~"

Uchiha Tokumitsu sighed somewhat, "But since it's the Hokage's order, the Uchiha clan can't directly resist, can they?"

Sakumo Hatake, who was reading the contents of the scroll, couldn't help but chuckle.

Orochimaru's face twitched slightly.

The so-called inability to directly confront them...does that mean they're already planning to sabotage them behind the scenes?

"Since the laboratory was set up directly by the Hokage, the police department has no reason to obstruct it. Orochimaru, please rest assured on this point..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu glanced at Hatake Sakumo, this amusing fellow, and said leisurely, "However, after all, the police department is Konoha's last line of defense, bearing the responsibility of protecting the villagers. Therefore, please ensure that the newly built laboratory is located far away from residential areas and traffic routes, and strictly implement laboratory safety measures to prevent any leakage of hazardous materials, so as not to have an adverse impact on the physical and mental health of the villagers of Konoha..."

As Uchiha Tokumitsu rattled off a string of official and platitudes, Orochimaru's brow furrowed deeper and deeper.

However, judging from the literal meaning, although Uchiha Tokumitsu's words contained a warning tone, there was no obvious intention to retaliate.

Why does it sound so strange...?

Orochimaru didn't respond, while Uchiha Tokumitsu continued his long-winded speech.

Hatake Sakumo, who was flipping through the scrolls, automatically ignored Uchiha Tokumitsu's nonsense. In his eyes, it was just a strange quirk of Uchiha Tokumitsu that didn't need to be taken seriously.

However, the contents recorded on the scroll did indeed amaze him, an elite Jonin.

Although Sakumo Hatake was also a master of chakra application, he couldn't describe in such clear and concise words the techniques for applying chakra in different environments and with different ninjutsu.

In short, Orochimaru almost single-handedly created a standard dictionary for chakra application.

While it may not be suitable for everyone, it can definitely help the vast majority of people avoid many detours.

This is especially true for ninjas at the Chunin level.

"...Sakumo-kun, what do you think?"

After finally finishing his nonsense, Uchiha Tokumitsu took a sip of water and turned to look at Hatake Sakumo.

"I think it's excellent and should be supported."

Hatake Sakumo didn't even raise his head.

"Hmm~"

Uchiha Tokumitsu nodded, then turned to Orochimaru, whose face remained stiff: "Alright, that's all the requirements from the police department. Please, Orochimaru, be mindful of confidentiality when setting up the laboratory, and don't let the police department notice anything amiss."

In Orochimaru's mind, besides that long, tedious rant, only two words remained—

Immortality!

These two words seemed to possess a unique charm, causing Orochimaru, who was originally focused on exploring the mysteries of ninjutsu, to waver somewhat.

"If we could achieve immortality, wouldn't we be able to better explore and discover the secrets of all the ninjutsu in the world?"

Orochimaru's vertical pupils gleamed with an inexplicable light.

"Then let's leave it at that!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu's words interrupted Orochimaru's thoughts, "I'm very satisfied with Orochimaru's 'homework.' Although I feel a little sorry that Orochimaru chose to end the cooperation, since it has already been decided, although I also feel very sorry, I can only accept it with regret..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu gestured for the door to open.

Orochimaru stopped worrying about it, nodded slightly in acknowledgment, and then got up and left.

After Orochimaru left, Uchiha Tokumitsu stared blankly at the office door, lost in thought.

"Immortality..."

As Hatake Sakumo read the scroll, he said to Uchiha Tokumitsu, "Do you think Orochimaru will take the bait?"

"What are you talking about? I'm not fishing."

Uchiha Tokumitsu chuckled and flatly denied it: "I just casually mentioned the research direction of the Uzumaki Research Institute to Orochimaru."

"Maybe..."

Sakumo Hatake simply chimed in, "That being said, this research report is indeed quite good..."

"It's a pity, our Hokage has already realized it. Regardless of whether Orochimaru acted of his own volition, our cooperation with him has to end here..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu said quietly.

"The last remaining ties of interest with the Hokage faction have thus been severed..."

"So what are you planning to do?"

Sakumo Hatake didn't believe for a second that Tokumitsu Uchiha would be so easy to talk to. "But let's make it clear first, don't let things get too out of hand and escalate to the brink of civil war, or I won't be able to handle the situation."

"I plan to expand the business volume of the Namakawa Stock Exchange..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu stroked his chin, "And then the shogunate also plans to issue some gold yuan notes..."

"what?!"

Sakumo Hatake was somewhat taken aback.

This has nothing to do with the laboratory used to deal with the Hokage's faction, does it?

Uchiha Tokumitsu didn't explain, but continued to ramble on and on with Hatake Sakumo.

……

After leaving the police department, Orochimaru walked slowly down Konoha Avenue.

Although the sun was shining brightly and the bustling commercial street was lively, Orochimaru felt, for some reason, that he was somewhat out of place in the familiar scene before him.

"Everyone is avoiding me..."

With a quick glance, Orochimaru realized what was happening.

Orochimaru, walking in the middle of the road, was like a watershed, separating the endless stream of people, and no one dared to come within five meters of him.

Even the ninjas from the police department just stood quietly on the rooftop with their katanas, showing no intention of coming over to restore order.