Chapter 22 (Patreon)

Seeing Danzō fall silent, Orochimaru spoke again.

“As for cell transplantation, I already have a suitable candidate.”

His golden eyes narrowed slightly.

“His name is Shin.”

“His body can adapt to Hashirama’s cells. However, the observation period is not over yet.”

Orochimaru’s lips curved faintly.

“If you are willing to accept the risk, I can perform the transplant on you right now.”

Shimura Danzō took a slow breath.

“…Then I will wait.”

After saying that, he turned and left.

Orochimaru watched Danzō’s back disappear into the darkness, a trace of contempt appearing at the corner of his mouth.

He did not even have the courage to take risks.

And yet he still wanted to become Hokage?

How ridiculous.

As for Hashirama’s cells, Orochimaru had indeed made significant progress.

Shin was one of his experimental subjects.

His body was unusual. It did not reject foreign tissue the way an ordinary body would.

However, even Shin could only fuse with Hashirama’s cells.

He could not use Hashirama’s Wood Release.

Later, Danzō’s right arm would also come from Shin. Hashirama’s cells would be transplanted into that arm, using their power to suppress the Sharingan and allow Danzō to control eleven Sharingan at once.

However, those were events that would only happen after the night of the Uchiha Clan massacre.

Whether Yujiro’s appearance would cause a series of butterfly effects was still unknown.

For now, Yujiro had already entered Orochimaru’s field of vision.

Orochimaru returned to the laboratory and opened the file in his hand once more.

“What a shame…”

His voice was low and faint.

“You are neither an Uchiha nor the owner of a kekkei genkai.”

After that quiet murmur, the door of the laboratory slowly closed.

…

…

Kurenai Yūhi’s home.

A full table of food had already been prepared.

Just looking at it was enough to make one hungry.

Yujiro could not help swallowing.

Kurenai’s cooking was excellent.

There was no doubt about that.

“Thanks for the food.”

Everyone spoke at almost the same time as they looked at the feast in front of them.

Then the meal began.

To call it lively would be putting it mildly.

The only one who ate with the least restraint was Yujiro.

Itachi ate quietly.

After all, he had been raised with strict manners from a young age. He could not eat like Yujiro even if he wanted to.

Yūgao was a girl, so she naturally ate more politely.

Kakashi, on the other hand, was nearly on Yujiro’s level.

Dinner passed in a warm and pleasant atmosphere.

By the end, everyone was full.

“Kurenai-nee, making this many dishes by yourself must have been tiring,” Yūgao said softly.

“You don’t know how much Yujiro eats,” Kurenai said with a gentle smile.

“My cooking improved because of him.”

Everyone turned to look at Yujiro.

Yujiro answered casually, “What? Then train like me.”

The moment they heard that, everyone felt a chill.

True.

Without eating enough, no one would have the strength to survive that kind of insane training.

After the meal, Yūgao helped Kurenai clean up the leftovers.

“Thanks, Yūgao-chan~” Kurenai said with a smile.

If she had done it alone, who knew how long it would have taken?

“Mm.” Yūgao nodded obediently.

“Well…”

Kurenai tilted her head slightly and looked Yūgao up and down.

She was cute.

When she grew up, she would definitely become a beautiful girl.

Good.

This was good.

Her thick-headed little brother clearly could not be trusted with this kind of thing.

As his nee-san, she would have to help him a little.

Kurenai gently took Yūgao’s hand and said, “Yūgao, you said earlier that you wanted to train with Yujiro from now on, right?”

“Mm…” Yūgao nodded.

“In that case, why don’t you move in here starting tomorrow?” Kurenai smiled. “It’ll be easier that way, and you won’t have to come and go every day.”

“Pfft—cough, cough…”

Yūgao choked slightly, and her face turned red.

“That… wouldn’t be good…”

Her voice became very small.

“After all, Yujiro is also here…”

“Yūgao.”

Kurenai puffed out her cheeks and reached out to rub Yūgao’s head.

“If you move in, you’ll be sleeping in my room.”

She looked at the girl with amusement.

“What exactly were you imagining?”

“I…”

Yūgao lowered her head, her face so red it looked like steam might rise from it.

“Alright. Then it’s settled.”

Kurenai took Yūgao’s hand and walked out of the kitchen.

Of course this kind of thing had to be arranged early.

Besides, Yūgao also practiced swordsmanship.

Wasn’t that perfect?

Outside, Yujiro was sitting on the sofa, wiping his black blade.

Weapons were tools that protected one’s life, so naturally Yujiro took good care of them.

Of course, this black blade had been produced by the system. Its quality was naturally excellent.

“Where are the others?” Kurenai asked as she walked over.

“Itachi and Kakashi went home,” Yujiro replied.

“I see.”

Kurenai nodded.

“Yujiro, then take Yūgao home.”

“Ah?”

Yujiro froze.

“Why?”

Hearing that answer, Kurenai’s expression stiffened slightly.

This boy…

He really was hopeless.

Completely hopeless.

Her little brother was this dense?

Good thing she noticed early.

Otherwise, Yujiro might actually end up alone forever.

Do not worry.

Leave your future to your nee-san.

Kurenai silently made up her mind.

In her heart, Yūgao had already been chosen as her future sister-in-law.

Thinking that, Kurenai looked at Yūgao with an unusually warm gaze.

Yūgao felt a little uncomfortable under that stare, and her cheeks flushed again.

“Kurenai-nee…” she called softly.

“Ahem.”

Kurenai cleared her throat, then turned toward Yujiro.

“Yujiro. Take Yūgao home.”

“I don’t want to,” Yujiro muttered.

“Mm?”

In that instant, Yujiro felt a dangerous aura rise behind him.

His shoulders trembled slightly.

“…I’ll go.”