Uchiha's personal opinion

"Lord Deguang, this is a great achievement that benefits the present and future generations!"

Uzumaki Ashina immediately began to use his silver tongue to try and persuade Uchiha Tokumitsu: "According to current research, the activity of natural energy may be related to changes in lunar celestial phenomena. If we could..."

"turn down!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu said expressionlessly.

"Yes, sir..."

Although Ashina Uzumaki was older than him, he didn't dare to act superior in front of Tokumitsu Uchiha.

"...Or, could research investment be phased in?"

Undeterred, Ashina probed again.

"Provide one million taels first!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu also gave a casual remark.

"That's okay..."

Ashina Uzumaki touched his nose, somewhat embarrassed.

One million taels is nothing compared to the budget in the report, but it was only because Uchiha Tokumitsu was being considerate of him.

"That's right!"

Just as Ashina was about to leave, Tokumitsu Uchiha called him back and took a scroll from his drawer, handing it to him.

"This is……"

Upon seeing the "Immortal" seal on the scroll, Ashina Uzumaki's heart began to race.

"Some insights into the study of immortal arts."

Uchiha Tokumitsu said, "If anyone in the Uzumaki clan can sense the existence of natural energy, please give them their names. They can then participate in training sessions with the clan's ninjas."

"I obey your command!"

Ashina immediately displayed his craftsmanship, bowing deeply despite his aching back.

This is a fundamental secret technique that determines the long-term prosperity of a ninja clan! Uchiha Tokumitsu just gave it to the Uzumaki clan so easily!

As if walking on cotton, Ashina Uzumaki left the governor's mansion with light and quick steps, feeling that the world was incredibly wonderful!

Indeed, choosing to bind his clan to the Uchiha clan was the wisest decision he made after becoming the clan leader!

"Kushina seems to be getting on in years..."

Ashina's mind began to stir.

However, he immediately thought of the existence of Uchiha Makoto, Uchiha Tokumitsu's fiancée.

"But then again... elders always have certain privileges!"

Although ninjas are generally monogamous, there is actually no legal marriage system in the ninja world. It is only due to economic pressure and to take care of their partner's feelings that ninjas usually only have one wife on the surface.

"Traditional ideas are unacceptable! The new era always needs innovation!"

Then Ashina Uzumaki immediately dispelled his concerns about the "feudal tradition" of monogamy and began to think about making Kushina the wife.

After all, Kushina Uzumaki was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki! She was bound to be one of the village's pillars of strength in the future, so it was only natural that she would become one of Uchiha Tokumitsu's partners!

I doubt Makoto Uchiha would have any objections, after all, she also comes from a prominent clan...

Ashina Uzumaki pondered as he walked.

The more I think about it, the more feasible it seems!

As for matters of etiquette and law, those are no big deal!

The Uzumaki clan is known among the ninja clans for its scholars. It's not difficult for scholars to find some reasons or historical evidence from old books to justify their actions!

"Ouch……"

By accident, Ashina Uzumaki bumped into a passerby.

"It's Orochimaru..."

However, Ashina Uzumaki was also a little confused. Although he had indeed been distracted, he shouldn't have been unable to sense that someone was in front of him.

"Greetings, Chief Ashina..."

Orochimaru, who had just come to his senses, said politely, "I'm sorry, I was distracted just now and didn't notice. Please forgive me."

These were originally the words that Ashina Uzumaki was going to say.

However, since Orochimaru had already spoken up, he decided to keep his words to himself.

The two weren't particularly close, so after exchanging a few pleasantries, they parted ways.

Ashina Uzumaki couldn't help but turn back and look at Orochimaru's figure again, then closed his eyes to sense it.

"...That's really strange!"

The bloody and gloomy aura emanating from Orochimaru had completely faded away! In fact, what I sensed was a tranquil and serene aura, as refreshing as nature itself.

Moreover, she seems to have become more approachable?

Ashina Uzumaki frowned as he watched Orochimaru's figure gradually disappear into the distance.

Judging by the direction... they should be heading to the Governor's Mansion.

Chapter 362 The Advantage Lies With Me

"Sage Technique: Fire Release - Phoenix Flower Claw Red!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu puffed out his cheeks, pulled a stack of shuriken from his ninja tool pouch with his left hand and threw them out. At the same time, he spewed out a Sage Art fireball that enveloped the shuriken, sending them flying in arcs through the air toward Orochimaru.

"Sage Art: Water Release - Water Wave!"

Orochimaru didn't dodge. He immediately formed hand seals and summoned a water curtain that spun and rose rapidly like a tornado. Then, in a massive, overwhelming manner, it crashed down on the seemingly tiny ball of fire.

Although the reason why Phoenix Flower Claw Crimson is classified as a B-rank Fire Release technique is mainly due to its high difficulty of control, and its power and coverage are far inferior to the A-rank Water Rush Wave, Orochimaru still did not have the idea of ​​conserving chakra at all, and resolutely chose to use a high-yield ninjutsu to engage in a head-on clash.

"BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!"

really!

Orochimaru was startled, and immediately leaped backward.

The overwhelming water surge was blasted apart by a few Sage Art fireballs, causing the spell's structure to collapse. The remaining Sage Art fireballs, undiminished in momentum, continued to hurtle towards Orochimaru in bizarre arcs.

Although the high temperature and the steam obscured his vision, Uchiha Tokumitsu still keenly sensed Orochimaru's movements.

However, if you think you can easily dodge this technique based on past experience...

Orochimaru miscalculated!

Uchiha Tokumitsu maintained the Tiger Seal with his right hand, while his left hand's fingers twitched slightly.

Immediately afterward, the Sage Art fireball, which was about to miss, changed its flight direction in mid-air and struck the direction Orochimaru was dodging.

"This……"

Orochimaru's eyelids twitched, and a bead of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"burst!"

Just as Orochimaru was about to complete the hand seals and cast the spell, Uchiha Tokumitsu silently recited a mantra, then lowered his hands and straightened his clothes.

For him, this practice session could be over.

"BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!"

The Sage Art fireball, which altered the flight trajectory, immediately exploded, the high-temperature flames carrying molten iron from the exploding shuriken as they hurtled towards Orochimaru; caught off guard, Orochimaru had no choice but to abandon his hand seals and continue using Body Flicker Technique to dodge to the rear, where he was not affected by the blast radius.

Then, three more Sage Art fireballs continued the pursuit, exploding in the three directions above, to the left, and to the right of Orochimaru.

The high-temperature flames and molten iron once again forced Orochimaru into a frantic state. Even his pristine white clothes were scorched with several holes, and the shimenawa rope around his waist was burned off by splashes of molten iron.

"It's just a mere B-rank ninjutsu..."

Orochimaru was greatly surprised.

It's important to know that after learning that the Nakagawa Hot Spring was created by Uchiha Tokumitsu using Sage Mode, Orochimaru became extremely cautious during this impromptu practice session, putting in extra effort.

But to my surprise, the result was still so disastrous...

"Orochimaru-kun, come and have a cup of tea..."

The attendant ninjas had already quickly set out a tea table and low stools, with plates of exquisite snacks laid out one by one. After the teapot was boiled with fire-style techniques, they quickly poured the steaming hot tea into cups and stepped aside to stand respectfully.

Orochimaru sighed softly, took out a piece of clothing from the sealing scroll, put it on, tidied his appearance a little, and then sat down to enjoy tea.

The air of a wealthy family...

This was Orochimaru's only thought about the scene at that moment.

He had dealt with the nobles and officials of the Land of Fire quite a bit on missions, but although those nobles emphasized the distinction between superiors and inferiors and the importance of etiquette, the kind of pomp and circumstance they displayed was not as natural as that of the Uchiha clan, a bloodline clan that lived on the edge of death.

As soon as Orochimaru finished his tea and put the cup down, the shark-faced attendant ninja immediately stepped forward to refill it. The whole process was seamless and natural.

"This is Kisame Hoshigaki from Kirigakure."

Uchiha Tokumitsu noticed Orochimaru glancing at the shark-faced servant ninja a few times, so he introduced him.

"I am Lord Deguang's sword-bearer, and my main duty is to safeguard the great sword Samehada."

Kisame Hoshigaki forced a smile onto his face.

However, against the backdrop of his fierce appearance, the smile looked more like a threat.

After Kirigakure's reforms, Hozuki Masahiko returned Samehada, the great sword originally given to him, to the shogunate, citing "difficulty in wielding the ninja sword." This was to show that he had no intention of possessing too much power, so as not to cause his lord unnecessary suspicion in the future.

However, for Uchiha Tokumitsu, the Samehada, a ninja sword from Kirigakure, was no longer of much use. In most of the battles he faced now, he couldn't even use the Uchiha clan's sacred weapon, the Flame Fan, let alone Samehada, which had lost its prestige.

Therefore, upon seeing that one of the ninjas sent from Kirigakure to serve as his attendants was named Kisame Hoshigaki, Uchiha Tokumitsu simply entrusted his greatsword Samehada to him for safekeeping.

In any case, as "hostages" sent by ninja villages under the jurisdiction of the shogunate, ninja servants could not escape the control of the shogunate for their entire lives, except for those who retired due to injury or were reassigned to other posts. So it was just a case of the meat rotting in the pot.

"The Shogunate is full of talented people..."

Although Kisame Hoshigaki's face doesn't easily reveal his age, Orochimaru was able to determine his approximate age based on his appearance and physical characteristics. In addition, the sheer amount of Kisame's chakra was almost greater than his own, demonstrating his extraordinary strength.

His initial arrogance vanished once more, and a rare hint of restraint appeared on Orochimaru's face.