Chapter 141: Time's Almost Up

Will of Fire?

Since Shisui last formed the ANBU selection team, the Will of Fire has become the justification for Shisui's covert manipulation.

This time is the same; after all, the test is sealed, and no one knows what happens inside.

Shisui doesn't care, and Yan Shifan is even less likely to pay attention.

So Tie Huo doesn't know how to explain it; he can't just tell the other side that what he spews is the Will of Fire, so he simply avoids Congyun's gaze.

But An Zhai of the Saddle Horse, experienced as he is, immediately shouted, "What a blind question. The Uchiha are the founding clan of Muye Cun; our Saddle Horse clan has been friendly with the Uchiha for generations—how could we not know the Will of Fire? The Will of Fire has long been infused into every clan member's bloodline; how could Lord Shisui be unaware? Do we still need a test?! You impostor, step aside!"

You impostor, step aside!

Sss—Tie Huo was startled; he realized he had still underestimated this Saddle Horse clan leader, he is still sharp despite his age.

Congyun of the Saddle Horse flinched at the scolding, said little, grabbed his clothes, and left together with Yunhai of the Saddle Horse.

Seeing that only the two of them remained in the room, An Zhai stood up and said, "Hey, Congyun, you fool, now that you're in the Police Department, please have Lord Tie Huo look after you well."

An Zhai knew Tie Huo's temperament, so he didn't bribe him with anything.

"Rest assured, Lord Shisui has high hopes for Congyun."

"Thank you, Lord Shisui!"

An Zhai felt a surge of excitement; Shisui thought it was fine as long as they were there—backed by the Uchiha, the Saddle Horse clan could finally revive!

After a few more light chats, Tie Huo left, and that afternoon the news that Congyun of the Saddle Horse had become a squad leader spread throughout Muye Cun.

All ninja clans were surprised.

"What on earth are the Uchiha up to? They've been defending the Police Department to the death; this time they recruited people, and they even opened up the squad leader position. Is this still the Uchiha?"

The Pig, Deer, and Butterfly families met in secret, puzzled by this.

Some were suspicious, some were shocked, and some were intrigued.

"The Saddle Horse can do it; why can't we? If we align with the Uchiha first, their nature won't mistreat us. Shall we give it a try?"

There were not only many who thought so, but more than one clan.

Within Muye Cun, countless families had weakened after the three Ninja World Wars; even the bloodline-heritage Saddle Horse clan and the high‑ranking‑protected Shimura clan had declined, let alone the other families.

The squad leader position attracted attention, but some remained clear‑headed.

"A few assistants have already hinted that the Muye Cun leadership disallows it; even if we join the Uchiha, we might be targeted. Let's wait a bit longer."

They were willing to wait; Yan Shifan was not.

On the fourth day, Yan Shifan pushed again, updating the notice: those who join the Police Department can receive a B‑rank ninja technique matching their own chakra attribute.

When the notice was issued, Muye Cun trembled.

All the ninja clans instantly grew restless; they aren't short of B‑rank techniques, but how could the Uchiha so easily disseminate them?

Some families that built their reputation on secret arts were even more frantic; the Uchiha might still possess their secret techniques, and if those leaked, how could they survive in Muye Cun?

Before they could discuss how to persuade the Uchiha to retract the notice, just half an hour later the Police Department tore it down and posted a new one.

It plainly stated that the previous document was inaccurate, causing villagers to misunderstand, and was therefore amended.

The revised content indicated that those who join the Police Department may choose one B‑rank technique, but it must not be passed on; the purpose of teaching the technique is solely to strengthen Police Department members so they can better protect the villagers.

Moreover, only fifteen specific techniques are taught.

There are five elemental attributes, three techniques per attribute; after cross‑checking, each clan found that these techniques are either common among B‑rank skills or completely unknown to them, and in any case have nothing to do with their families.

After this back‑and‑forth, the ninja clans breathed a sigh of relief, and the earlier grievances vanished.

Meanwhile, ordinary ninja learned of this and became even more eager to join the Police Department.

In just two days, the number of applicants more than doubled, approaching two thousand, yet ninja were still few; to Yan Shifan, these people were all minnows.

On the sixth day, Yan Shifan, upon hearing the news, immediately summoned the third squad leader, Uchiha Ming.

"Elder!"

"Send someone to tell those ninja that Muye Cun belongs to everyone; protecting Muye Cun requires everyone's effort..."

"Yes!"

Uchiha Ming complied, then immediately gathered the third squad and dispatched messages toward Muye Cun's interior and core areas.

Soon, except for the Sarutobi Clan, Shimura, Zhuan Qin, Mizuto, and Hyuga families, all other families received invitations from the Uchiha.

The Pig, Deer, and Butterfly families reconvened, and Nara Zhuque felt a massive headache; he sensed this might be the Uchiha's final goodwill gesture.

"What a hassle, why does the Uchiha cause trouble at this moment? Can't they just quickly select the Fifth Hokage?"

After speaking, Nara Zhuque scratched his scalp and sighed; he also knew these events were all about the Fifth Hokage's position.

"What should we do now? The conditions the Uchiha offered are good; should we agree?"

The Police Department isn't the Root; entering it won't subject their clan members to physical torment.

"We can't agree, but we also can't outright refuse; let's stall a bit and then find a polite excuse to decline."

Nara Zhuque didn't think the Uchiha or Danzo could become Hokage; he didn't want to pick sides lightly, yet he also didn't want to offend the Uchiha outright.

"We'll follow your lead."

The two families, not good at deliberation, always heed the Nara clan in such decisions.

Meanwhile, many mid‑size families such as Moonlight, Sunset, Oil Girl, Inuzuka, and Mori Noyi also found themselves tangled in indecision.

The Mitarai clan was the most decisive, immediately agreeing and stating that their finest ninja already serve in the Police Department, hoping the Uchiha will accept them.

Later, Zhuan Qin, Mizuto, and the Sarutobi clans also learned of the Uchiha's move; after Xiao Chun of Zhuan Qin and Yan Shang of Mizuto discussed, fearing some ninja might be stirred, they again sent the ANBU to issue a covert warning.

Those with ideas instantly calmed down, and each clan expressed understanding.

Yet that very night, after a day's hesitation, the Oil Girl clan still accepted the Uchiha's invitation.

They even selected a seventeen‑year‑old special Jonin from their clan and sent him to the Police Department.

That person was Junma of the Oil Girl, nephew of Longma of the Oil Girl.

Thus, by noon on the seventh day, after Yan Shifan received the empty list, he couldn't help but sneer and sigh, "You don't appreciate the honor!"

After he tidied his clothes, he went to the Police Department and discussed with Shisui: "No need to wait any longer; we'll test in batches, and once we have enough members, we'll start the operation."

Shisui also saw that those families were very hesitant about joining the Police Department; if they waited any longer, the families would not agree, so he nodded, then called a few people and ordered: "Begin testing the applicants who were notified in the previous groups, speed up the process, recruit some from the clan's guard unit, and aim to finish within three days."

"Yes!"

Field Country, a remote Village.

"Stop! Who are you!"

Six children, twelve or thirteen years old, suddenly sprang from all sides, surrounding Shisui's Shadow Clone Jutsu and Shi Liu Ye and three others, their eyes fierce, weapons in hand, advancing step by step toward the five of them.

Three guards immediately drew their weapons to deal with them, but Shisui raised his hand and stopped them.

Shisui said calmly, "Take us to see Orochimaru."

"Bastard, how dare you address Lord Orochimaru by name—die!" Shisui looked at the tiny one, daring to offend the Orochimaru they revered; this made the six children furious, and they immediately charged with weapons.

Shisui was surprised; Orochimaru had been here only a few months, yet he already had so many loyal subordinates. If he hadn't noticed that several of them were not under a genjutsu, he would have thought Orochimaru had transplanted the Copy Wheel Eye.

"Stop!"

The three guards, seeing this, were about to act, but another boy emerged from the shadows in the distance, scolding the six, then swiftly moved to stand before Shisui.

The six's expressions changed, and they stopped immediately.

"Lord Orochimaru, please let the few of you in."

The boy lowered his posture, but when mentioning Orochimaru, his eyes still filled with awe.

Shisui glanced at the few, reading much from their expressions, and said, "Lead the way."

"Yes."

After speaking, the boy turned to the other six children, his expression immediately turning somewhat fierce, "These few are Lord Orochimaru's guests; disrespecting them is disrespecting Lord Orochimaru!"

The six turned pale and replied at once, "Yes."

Guided by the boy, Shisui and the other four entered Orochimaru's laboratory.

Along the way, Shisui also saw many children, ranging from six or seven years old up to sixteen or seventeen, totaling twenty to thirty in all.

Shisui's expression changed; he immediately recalled the things Orochimaru had done in the Village, but since this was Field Country, he remained silent.

"Shisui, long time no see~"

A door opened, and Orochimaru, wearing a white lab coat, turned back with a grim smile, then walked toward Shisui.

His gaze at Shisui and Shi Liu Ye was especially excited.

"So this is Shi Liu Ye, huh, lick~"

Orochimaru circled Shi Liu Ye once, then pressed his body against him, eagerly extending his tongue to lick, but Shi Liu Ye dodged.

Shi Liu Ye's face darkened; he hadn't expected Shisui to have a connection with the defector Orochimaru, and that this guy was even more perverse than rumors suggested.

The other three also wore looks of dread; they knew why Orochimaru had defected, after all, when the important things in the laboratory were moved, the Police Department had cleaned up the scene.

The four all turned to Shisui; Shisui coughed and said, "You stay outside and guard."

The three heard this and immediately stepped back, and the boy also left on Orochimaru's signal.

"Shi Liu Ye's condition is still deteriorating; we should examine him quickly."

"Shisui, you're even more impatient than I am, alright~"

Orochimaru shifted his gaze away from the two's eyes, then again drew Shi Liu Ye's blood for analysis.

Ten minutes later, Orochimaru looked at the results in his hand with a very serious expression.

"How is it?"

"It is indeed worsening; at this rate, he probably won't live beyond two years."

Shisui felt a sudden shock in his heart, suppressing his astonishment and grief, and asked, "In two years, can you find a solution?"

Orochimaru shook his head and replied softly, "Who knows? After all, humans have always been fragile beings."

Shisui furrowed his brows, then silently left, arriving outside the laboratory where three were guarding at the door.

"Chief, sir."

Shisui took out a letter and handed it to the three, saying, "Kong Shou is arriving at Hot Country soon; you go deliver this letter to her. Be careful of the assistants; if you are discovered, eliminate them directly."

"Yes!"

The three accepted the task and left quickly; Shisui waited at the door for a moment before returning.

When he entered, he saw inside the laboratory Shi Liu Ye operating the Kaleidoscope, allowing Orochimaru to connect various instruments and tubes for examination.

Orochimaru stared intently at a display screen, brow furrowed, deep in thought.

"What is this?" Shisui, who had never seen such things before, asked instinctively.

"This is a device for examining chakra; see, a powerful chakra is eroding from Shi Liu Ye's brain into his eyes and body. Because this chakra is too strong, Shi Liu Ye's body cannot bear it, so it keeps deteriorating."

Orochimaru did not conceal anything, pointing to the silhouettes and shadowed area on the screen as he explained.

"Chakra?"

"Exactly. This kind of chakra should be the Yin Release chakra mentioned in the Second Generation's research."

Shisui was taken aback; knowing little about Yin Release chakra, after a moment's hesitation he asked, "If we block or weaken this chakra, can the eroded parts recover?"

Orochimaru shook his head and said directly, "Even without this chakra, Shi Liu Ye's constitution probably couldn't recover on its own, but if a medical ninja like Kong Shou assists, it should be fine."

Shisui exhaled in relief; since recovery was possible, they still had time to seek other methods. Yet, seeing Shi Liu Ye tormented by illness, he shared his thoughts with the two, then took out a bottle.

Three sacred jewels are important to the Uchiha; they have been preserved through generations, and Shisui brought a pair on this trip.

"Transplant new eyes?"

Shi Liu Ye hadn't spoken yet, but Orochimaru's eyes lit up, and he excitedly licked his lips.

"Perhaps we can try; swapping eyes is just a minor surgery for me, it can be done in half an hour."

Shi Liu Ye hesitated a bit; after all, the Kaleidoscope is the Uchiha's coveted dream, and once one experiences its power, one is reluctant to give it up unless absolutely necessary, and the two also said there was still time.

Sensing Shiliuye's thoughts, Orochimaru felt regret; he even wanted to replace his own eyes with these and try.

Seeing Shiliuye unwilling, Shisui did not force him, and only helped Orochimaru with other examinations from the side, taking a moment in between to write a letter to Sima Yi, explaining Shiliuye's condition.

That night, after conducting a more thorough examination on Shiliuye, Orochimaru proposed a method.

"Transplant first‑generation cells?"

Shisui immediately thought of the Root ninja armor that had been seized by the Third.

"After transplanting first‑generation cells, the recovery ability would be greatly enhanced; if the transplant succeeds, perhaps the eyes need not be replaced for healing."

"What if it fails?"

"Of course, you'd die~"

"So is the success rate high?"

Upon hearing the question, Orochimaru couldn't help but smile, then extended two fingers, thought for a moment, and withdrew one.

"One percent?!"

Shisui felt a chill in his heart; the success rate was too low, and he was about to refuse.

But Orochimaru laughed and said, "One."

Shisui: "."

(End of chapter)