Naruto: Pay-to-Win Ninja System

When Shimoku returned home, a steaming hot breakfast had already been prepared on the table.

Admittedly, as a housemaid, this witch Nonou was quite competent.

"Slurp... chew..."

Shimoku devoured his breakfast like a hungry wolf while mumbling, "Has Kurenai Yuhi woken up yet?"

"Not yet..."

"She's quite delicate indeed!"

"At any rate, even after she wakes up, don't rush to untie her. Keep her chakra sealed."

"The ninjas from Konoha usually have strong willpower. Let's starve her for a few days first; after we break her will, then I'll perform my jutsu on her!"

"Just give her some water so she won't die of thirst in the meantime."

Shimoku ordered coldly.

He never showed mercy toward ninjas from Konoha.

If it weren't for Kurenai Yuhi being somewhat useful, Shimoku wouldn't have bothered saving her at all.

Let's be real—he'd seen enough "morality training videos" in his past life to be immune to superficial temptations like beauty.

"As you command!" Nonou replied obediently.

"Oh right. What about those orphans we brought back last time?"

"They're doing great. They've already been settled into the newly built Orphanage. Kabuto is guiding them..."

"That's good."

"If the Orphanage is in need, feel free to reach out to my attendants. I've told them to provide full support for the Orphanage's needs."

"Also, you don't need to stay here all day long."

"Leave two shadow clones behind when I'm away. Your main body could visit the Orphanage more often and help counsel those children."

"Those kids are very important. Eventually, they'll gradually interact, live, and grow alongside our Uchiha Clan members..."

Shimoku explained carefully.

If he wanted to establish a prosperous hidden village, relying solely on the several hundred Uchihas wasn't enough.

They would eventually need to gradually accept many more people.

However, having suffered discrimination and isolation within Konoha for so long, the Uchiha Clan itself tended to be somewhat xenophobic.

Therefore, only by getting the clan members to first accept these orphans,

could they build a foundation to slowly welcome even more outsiders.

"I understand now. Thank you, Lord Shimoku!" Nonou said joyfully, quickly bowing in gratitude.

Truthfully, she genuinely wanted to go see the children at the Orphanage too.

Previously, she'd simply been too afraid that she hadn't properly served their Young Master, fearing that Shimoku might take out his anger upon the Orphanage...

...

After finishing breakfast, he rested briefly for a moment.

Then Shimoku set off again.

For now, it made sense that developing the village had become his top priority.

As everyone knew, developing a village and expanding the influence of the Homura Hidden Village involved multiple aspects:

Militarily, economically, culturally, politically—and beyond.

Except for military strength, most other fields lacked shortcuts and required substantial time and accumulation.

So today, as he stepped outside—

he planned to seek out a 'shortcut' to rapidly boost the village's overall combat strength!

Not long after, Shimoku arrived at the neighboring Otogakure.

He was here to have a chat with his beloved Lady Serpent.

...

Before entering Orochimaru's underground facility, Shimoku deliberately concealed the aura of his Sage Body.

After all, for now, it wasn't quite appropriate to reveal to Orochimaru that he had obtained the Sage Body.

Otherwise, he could already picture it happening.

How strong would be the attraction of a fresh Sage Body toward Orochimaru!

Given Orochimaru's obsessive nature,

he'd probably sneak into his bed while he slept and give him a little cut.

Then take some "live sample" back for research!

"Orochimaru, are you home?"

"Oh! It's Lord Shimoku! Welcome!"

Inside the dissection room, filled with the stench of blood, Orochimaru

was wearing gloves, squinting happily as he walked out to greet him.

"You're doing experiments again?"

"Just playing around. It's already over, no problem."

"And Lord Shimoku? What brings you here? Judging from your appearance, you must've profited greatly from this war you've stirred up?"

Orochimaru smiled knowingly as he asked.

After all, the sealed scroll from Kabuto earlier was transmitted back to Konoha Danzo through his intelligence network.

Therefore, Orochimaru had already guessed.

Shimoku was indeed the hidden hand provoking the great war between Konoha and Iwagakure!

Stirring up storms in the shadows, pulling the threads of fate with divine might...

His own grand ambition that he'd always dreamed of—yet another child barely ten years old had accomplished it first?

Truly, what a lamentable sight!

"Can the Uchiha clan really be favored by the Sages? The chosen ones of this era?"

"Why do they keep producing these extraordinary prodigies time and again!"

Orochimaru narrowed his snake-like eyes, sighing inwardly.

Of course, in ordinary people's eyes, he himself—one of the Sannin who'd plunged into forbidden research—was also considered a prodigy!

"Just minor profit. Not worth mentioning."

"By the way, this is one of the promised rewards. Take it."

Shimoku flipped his right hand, throwing a glass tube toward Orochimaru.

Inside the glass tube was preserved

a perfectly intact pair of 'Three Tomoe Sharingan' eyes!

This was also one of the conditions when Shimoku and Orochimaru previously cooperated.

Otherwise, given Orochimaru's personality,

how could he possibly assist Shimoku without any compensation?

As for this pair of 'Three Tomoe Sharingan', they were taken directly from Fugaku Uchiha.

As the Great Clan Leader, to ensure the bloodline limit of their clan—the Sharingan—wouldn't be lost,

throughout the years, the eyes of many fallen Uchiha ninja on battlefields or missions were reclaimed into the Great Clan Leader's possession.

Although most of those reclaimed Sharingan eyes were eventually destroyed, a few excellent ones were still kept for preservation.

They served as potential trump cards saved by the clan in preparation for the next war.

And not only the Uchiha clan; all dojutsu clans throughout the Ninja World had similar measures...

Therefore, it was perfectly normal that Fugaku possessed a small collection of sealed Sharingan eyes.

Of course, throughout these years,

Konoha's Root division occasionally reported incidents: certain Uchiha ninja who had died mysteriously during missions, with no remains left behind...

Undoubtedly, those bodies had been embezzled by Root.

Yet under pressure from Konoha's higher-ups, Fugaku could do nothing but swallow his anger and endure.

Now at last, the entire Uchiha clan had defected.

Holding onto these sealed Sharingan eyes would serve no further purpose for Fugaku, only deepen suspicions.

That's why he entrusted them all to Shimoku.

Orochimaru took the glass tube, peering at the preserved Sharingan eyes inside, a burning desire rising in his heart.

While this "Three Tomoe Sharingan" paled next to the Mangekyō Sharingan—the one he truly coveted—it was still extremely valuable research material for his current needs.

Never thought this punk Shimoku would hand it over so easily.

Could it be he secretly did something to his own clansmen?

He's got guts—that's for sure!

But regardless of how he got them—none of Orochimaru's business anyway.

In any case, this kid Shimoku was someone you could deal with!

"Shimoku-kun, you're truly admirable indeed."

"Don't call me that—it makes me sick!"

Shimoku snorted contemptuously.

Shimoku found Orochimaru's overly familiar tone genuinely unsettling.

"But then, when will Lord Shimoku allow me to study your Mangekyo as well?"

"Whenever you want. But you'll have to come get it yourself."

Shimoku smiled casually, replying with a smirk.

Of course, if Orochimaru actually dared to make a move...

he'd promise to peel off Lady Serpent's clothes layer by layer—

Ah... wait—scratch that.

Rather, peel off Uncle Snake's skin—one layer at a time!

Orochimaru: "Just messing around—don't take it the wrong way."

"By the way, Lord Shimoku came here suddenly—what business brings you honor?"

"Surely not just to bring me test materials?"

Orochimaru tucked the glass tube away and shifted into a more focused demeanor.

Based on his understanding of this brat, he definitely had important business today.

"Not anything big—just a small favor I need from you."

"What kind of small favor?"

"Use [Impure World Reincarnation] to resurrect two people for me."

Orochimaru was startled, wondering again when he'd been exposed.

After all, stealing and learning this kinjutsu was supposed to be a secret known to nobody.

Still, Orochimaru quickly calmed down.

Actually, this had become somewhat commonplace now.

It seemed like there wasn't a single secret this brat didn't know...

Orochimaru: "Which two people?"

Shimoku: "Two former rogue ninja from Kumogakure—Kinkaku and Ginkaku!"

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