After Danzō left, Kabuto leaned closer to Orochimaru and whispered, "Orochimaru-sama, Danzō likely wants to use you to eliminate Sasuke Uchiha!"
"Of course I know."
Orochimaru gave a light scoff.
Danzō, the mastermind behind the Uchiha clan's massacre, saw any surviving Uchiha like Sasuke as a significant threat.
For now, while Sasuke was young, Danzō could suppress information using his authority as an Advisory Elder.
But once Sasuke grew up and uncovered the truth of the Uchiha massacre, Danzō's position would become precarious.
After all, Uchihas were notoriously defiant, and Sasuke was an Uchiha who had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan!
So, while Danzō appeared to be offering Orochimaru a favor, he was actually driven by fear of Sasuke's growing potential.
Orochimaru was well aware of this but didn't care. Danzō was right about one thing: he was indeed coveting Sasuke Uchiha!
Seeing Orochimaru's interest, Kabuto guessed his intentions and said, "I'll find out the details of the ninja academy's end-of-term exams!"
"Good."
Orochimaru nodded with satisfaction.
He then turned to the row of iron cages and asked, "Who survived?"
Kabuto, prepared, handed him a file.
Taking it, Orochimaru glanced through. "Sakon and Ukon, Kidōmaru, Tayuya, Jirōbō, Fūmaru, Guren…"
A smile crept onto his face.
Many of the test subjects were children he valued, and having six survive the Transformation Serum was a pleasant surprise.
Kabuto bowed and asked, "Orochimaru-sama, what should we do with them?"
"Since they endured the Transformation Serum, it'd be a waste to discard them!" Orochimaru paused, then continued, "The Curse Seal development is ready for testing. They're perfect subjects. Let them recover for a bit, then prepare to implant the Curse Seals!"
Though he claimed the Transformation Serum granted "Upper Rank Power," he knew even survivors gained less than a tenth of an Upper Rank demon's vitality.
Minor injuries could heal quickly, but fatal wounds were a gamble, as seen with the man Danzō killed, who didn't survive.
While this recovery ability was notable, it wasn't the full purpose of the serum.
True Upper Rank demons could be killed using methods now known to the shinobi world, so a tenth of their recovery wasn't groundbreaking.
Orochimaru's real goal was the robust physique gained from the serum, which greatly increased the success rate of accepting the Curse Seal, unlocking its full potential.
The Curse Seal, infused with natural energy and a lesser form of Sage Jutsu, was Orochimaru's hidden trump card.
Even Danzō, his covert partner, knew nothing of it.
In the Advisory Elder's office,
Koharu Utatane said to Shinji, "The village's leadership places great importance on this ninja academy end-of-term exam. I hope you understand!"
Shinji nodded. "I'll do my best."
"I don't care how you do it, but you must win!" Koharu paused, then added, "It'll greatly benefit your future in the village!"
"I understand."
Shinji replied casually.
His Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, nourished daily by the All Creation Power drawn from the Rinnegan, grew stronger each day.
The First Hokage cell transplant was nearing, so he had little focus for the academy exams.
Still, he had to placate Koharu for now.
If he eventually had to pursue the Ten-Tails, he needed to monitor the Five Great Shinobi Villages closely.
Infiltrating their upper echelons was the simplest way to stay informed.
Whether it was fishing in troubled waters, trailing Nagato or Obito, or directly targeting the Tailed Beasts, having intelligence would give him the edge!
Koharu seemed to recall something, frowning slightly. "Are you sure you don't want to change teammates?"
"Change teammates?"
Shinji was taken aback.
Koharu explained, "The exams are still in three-man squads. Your current teammates will only hold you back!"
As a top village leader, Koharu knew the academy students well.
Previous exams focused on individual prowess among prodigies, but now, the dynamics were shifting as second-tier students began to shine.
Naruto and Lee were emerging, while Shikamaru, Kiba, and Shino weren't to be underestimated.
This exam might shift from individual strength to true teamwork.
In a team-based exam, Shinji was at a disadvantage.
His competitors included Sasuke with Naruto as a teammate, Yakumo paired with Kimimaro, and Neji supported by Lee.
Shinji's teammates, Haku and Karin, were famously unremarkable at the academy. Only Haku stood out slightly in hand-seal ninjutsu.
Shinji smiled. "No need."
Koharu pressed, "Don't let pride cloud your judgment. Shinobi who can't keep up with their comrades only drag them down!"
Shinji barely restrained himself from mocking the village's preached "Will of Fire."
Seeing he wouldn't budge, Koharu continued, "Fine. You've never disappointed me before, and I hope you won't this time! Also, if possible, prioritize defeating Yakumo Kurama!"
At the training ground,
Kakashi said to Sasuke, "I can request to have this end-of-term exam canceled for you!"
"No need!"
Sasuke refused outright.
Kakashi paused, then asked, "Can you still see clearly with your Mangekyō Sharingan?"
Sasuke froze, his face darkening, but he quickly masked it. "What nonsense are you talking about? My Mangekyō Sharingan is perfectly clear! And I'll win this exam!"