After the study session ended, Mikoto Uchiha submitted a qualified meeting minutes and summary.
Haruki was quite satisfied with her progress.
Among his three current apprentices, except for Kushina Uzumaki, the other two would have been considered active members of the organization in his previous life.
With another two years of in - depth training, they could catch up with him.
Taking this opportunity, Haruki asked about Fugaku Uchiha.
"I've had some contact with him, but only on some preliminary concepts. It's obvious that he's eager to change the Uchiha clan."
Mikoto's answer reminded Haruki of Fugaku in the original story.
He was a leader who was both qualified and unqualified. He refused the clan's request to run for The Forth. He didn't retrieve Kakashi's Sharingan. When the Uchiha clan was relocated, he tried to soothe the clan members' discontent. Before the rebellion, since he couldn't stop it, he became the leader.
But he concealed the Mangekyo Sharingan, and because of his son, he gave up resistance, which led to the destruction of the Uchiha clan.
Well, Fugaku maintained the peace of Konoha and loved his wife and son, but he lacked courage and means, wavering between the Uchiha clan and Konoha.
"But he doesn't take what I say seriously."
Mikoto said, shaking her head gently, her face still heavy, "Deep down, he still holds the unique pride of the Uchiha clan. Unless one day my strength surpasses his, I won't be able to shatter his arrogance as the number - one genius of the Uchiha clan."
"I believe you'll surpass him soon."
"No," Mikoto said, shaking her head gently, her face still heavy, "Fugaku has higher talent than me. Surpassing him won't be easy."
Under normal circumstances, Mikoto really couldn't surpass Fugaku.
But with his interference, the result was unpredictable.
Haruki patted her on the shoulder and said, "Let's go. Minato and Kushina are waiting for you."
It was the day for them to set off.
The Metropolis in the Land of Fire was quite far from Konoha. Minato didn't have enough chakra to use the Flying Thunder God Technique for teleportation at the moment.
Haruki, under the pretext of experiencing life, asked the three of them to go there by running.
"Teacher, aren't you coming with us?"
Seeing Haruki standing still, Kushina couldn't help asking.
"I am, but I need to observe the practical situation of the Xia Organization members' study session. I'll catch up with you when you're halfway there."
Haruki waved his hand and said, "Be careful on the way."
Hearing his answer, Kushina waved back happily and pulled Mikoto away.
"Teacher, I'll go first."
Minato nodded slightly and quickly caught up with Mikoto and Kushina.
Haruki watched their backs, then casually formed hand seals. A Wood Clone appeared and disappeared in an instant.
He turned around and headed back to Konoha.
As he said, he had to check if the members had done as he instructed.
Yoshiyuki Oshima went straight to the fields to do farm work.
Tomomi Koki disguised himself as a reporter and roamed the streets of Konoha to collect news.
Shinji Hira was in a tricky situation. As a member of Root, he could only spare some time. By using the Transformation Jutsu, he managed to mingle with the newspaper - sellers in the orphanage.
Tsunade pulled Hyuga Kaoru and became a sculptor for A Happy Union of Gold and Jade
She is a top-notch [Medical Ninja], and her control of [Chakra] is no less than that of any [Hyuga clan] ninja with the [Byakugan].
Hiashi Hyuga has also reached the state of [A Happy Union of Gold and Jade]. He doesn't work as a sculptor, but as a doorman and bodyguard.
After Haruki scanned the area, he was quite satisfied with the result.
Maybe he's just fulfilling his [duties] for a day or two, but in the long run, they're bound to gain something.
As for himself, he also had work to do. He became a [white mouse] in [Orochimaru]'s [Laboratory].
"Your [genes] seem to have been further enhanced."
Orochimaru looked at the [genes] extracted from Haruki and couldn't help but show a look of surprise.
Logically speaking, such a change shouldn't have happened.
"I've learned [Sage Mode]."
Haruki roughly understood the reason—it was the [Sage Body].
Of course, he couldn't say that because he couldn't explain its source, but [Sage Mode] could be learned.
"[Sage Mode]?"
Orochimaru was slightly stunned, and his expression changed. "Don't you have no talent for learning [Sage Mode]?"
Both his and Haruki's [summoned beasts] are from the Three Great Holy Lands, so they're also eligible to learn [Sage Mode], but they've both tried and have no talent for it.
"Who knows? Maybe it's because of the engagement," Haruki shrugged and said.
"..."
Orochimaru was immediately speechless. What does this have to do with the engagement? Don't single people deserve to learn it?
"Let me show you."
Haruki took a deep breath and injected [Natural Energy] into his body. Black stripes appeared at the corners of his eyes, and small black circles appeared on his forehead.
"Is it really [Sage Mode]?"
Orochimaru stared at the changes in Haruki's body and couldn't help but lick his lips. This aroused his desire to conduct research.
He was quite covetous of [Sage Art].
"Do you want to conduct research?"
Feeling his gaze, Haruki smiled and asked.
"What? Are you willing to let me conduct research?"
There was a hint of surprise in Orochimaru's eyes. "You're not acting normal today. If there's something, just say it straight."
"The [Sage Transformation Cursed Seal]."
Haruki mentioned the [Cursed Seal] that Orochimaru had made by transplanting Jugo's [Sage Transformation] ability in the original story.
He always thought that although this [Cursed Seal] had side effects, it was extremely useful for some ninjas with limited talent.
It could be used as a trump card when facing death.
After all, who cares about side effects when they're about to die.
According to Kabuto Yakushi and Jugo, the transformation of the [Cursed Seal] is also a form of [Sage Mode].
But it was definitely not perfect, and his [Sage Mode] had almost no defects. Maybe he could create something.
Anyway, it wouldn't hurt to give it a try.
"If you agree, I'll let you conduct research on my [Sage Mode] for free."
Haruki looked at Orochimaru, who was deep in thought, and said, "What do you think?"
"Sure."
Orochimaru didn't think for long. The main reason was that there were too few ninjas who knew [Sage Mode], and it was impossible for him to conduct research on them.
"However, the prerequisite is to complete the [Wood Release] [Experiment]."
Haruki turned his gaze to a male clone on the test bench. At this moment, it was covered with various branches.
Obviously, there was rejection.
Thanks to Haruki, Orochimaru had created the clone in advance.
The clones have no souls or minds. Using them for experiments isn't as crazy as Orochimaru's previous experiments on infants.
"Your genes and cells, although not as powerful as Hashirama Senju's, are still difficult for ordinary people to bear."
Orochimaru showed no emotional reaction to the failure. "Moreover, after you learned Sage Mode, it seems your cells are starting to resemble Hashirama Senju's."
Haruki twitched the corner of his mouth. He didn't expect that he had interfered with the experiment.
"However, it doesn't matter. As long as we find the balance point, we can succeed."
Orochimaru glanced at him and said, "Besides, Tsunade has a stronger constitution than ordinary Ninjas. You don't need to worry too much."
Haruki nodded. "What else do you need me to do?"
"You?"
Orochimaru took out ten syringes. "Draw ten tubes of your own genetic fluid."
"..."
Haruki looked at the expressionless Orochimaru and always felt that this guy was doing it on purpose.