Soon after one of Ryusei's clones handled preparations with Pakura in Fire Country, another moved quietly through the forests of northern Hot Water Country.
The terrain here was quiet, cold, and still, perfect for men like him and Orochimaru to meet.
Through his sensory field, Ryusei pinged that familiar dark chakra signature.
It answered almost immediately, coiling through the mist like a serpent waking from sleep.
Moments later, Orochimaru's clone emerged from the treeline, pale, calm, a faint smile cutting across his face, golden eyes gleaming with that same curiosity and amusement as always.
"Ryusei-kun."
"Orochimaru."
Nothing else needed to be said at first.
They let the silence settle between them.
Orochimaru's gaze lingered. "So then… what is it you wanted to discuss this time?"His tone was smooth, but a faint tension betrayed what he was hoping for.
Ryusei could read it easily.
The man wanted to hear one word — Sharingan.
He let the pause stretch. "You'll see it next."
Orochimaru's smile widened slightly. "I thought as much."
A short moment passed before he added, almost lazily, "You really do enjoy keeping people waiting, Ryusei-kun. I was beginning to think you'd forgotten our little arrangement."
Ryusei tilted his head. "If I had, you wouldn't be standing here."
That earned another quiet chuckle. "It seems you've been rather productive lately. Fugaku's front, the southern valleys… even the mist is whispering your name."
"Let them whisper," Ryusei said evenly.
"Indeed," Orochimaru murmured, eyes glinting faintly in the fog. "Now then, shall we talk about what you've brought me?"
Ryusei's mask dipped slightly, the faintest hint of a grin behind it. "You'll like this one."
He then reached into his cloak and drew that small, special Yang release sealing scroll.
He unrolled it halfway, pressed two fingers to the ink, and with a soft burst of smoke, a pair of Sharingan eyes appeared, perfectly preserved in a containment field.
"Two pairs," Ryusei said evenly. "One like this… and another of the same quality."
He resealed them swiftly, then unsealed the second pair to show Orochimaru the proof.
The crimson tomoe glimmered faintly in the dim light, spinning with a depth that seemed to pull the air around them inward.
Orochimaru's pupils tightened.
His smile froze into something sharper.
"You really are terrifying, Ryusei-kun. Even I underestimated how quickly you move," His grin then returned, sharp and almost hungry,
"These are… exceptional," he whispered. "Fully evolved three-tomoe, but the chakra density…" His eyes gleamed, fascination overtaking restraint. "They've brushed the threshold of the Mangekyō, haven't they? So close… and yet they stopped just before crossing it."
He crouched slightly to inspect them without touching, the corners of his mouth twitching.
"Two sets of this quality, Ryusei-kun. You could build a bloodline with these alone."
Ryusei's tone didn't change. "That's why I brought them to you. I assume you know their value."
Orochimaru looked up, his smile widening into that thin, serpent-like line. "Of course. So then, what is it you want for them?"
Ryusei's answer came without hesitation. "All of your material on shinobi biology, cell fusion, tissue grafting, and chakra compatibility studies. And I'll need help procuring the right equipment to conduct my own work. Plus…" His gaze flicked toward Orochimaru's eyes. "A portion of Hashirama's cells. A pure sample."
For a moment, even Orochimaru looked caught off guard. Then a slow, delighted chuckle escaped him. "Cells, grafts, compatibility… Hashirama. You really do think ahead, Ryusei-kun. I almost feel flattered. Great minds, it seems, follow the same paths."
Ryusei's slit-eyed expression didn't shift. "I'm not following anyone's path. I'm making mine. You just happen to be useful."
Orochimaru's grin widened, almost genuine. He stood, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeve. "Very well. For two pairs of eyes like these, it's more than worth it. I'll prepare what you asked for: my research notes, the equipment schematics, and the Hashirama tissue. Everything ready for inspection in three days."
"Good," Ryusei said simply, resealing both pairs and tucking the scroll away.
Orochimaru watched him for another moment, his golden eyes narrowing. "You know, Ryusei-kun… I almost regret that we're on the same side for now. It makes things far less exciting."
Ryusei glanced back over his shoulder. "Don't worry. I'm sure we'll find ways to keep each other entertained."
Orochimaru's laughter followed him as both clones began to fade, leaving only the echo of their words and the faint scent of smoke in the cold air.
Soon, when the meeting time came, both sides kept their word. Orochimaru was already waiting in that misty clearing, his expression sharp with anticipation.
Ryusei's clone appeared right on time. Neither wasted words.
They completed the exchange in silence at first, the pair of three-tomoe Sharingan for the stacks of sealed scrolls Orochimaru prepared.
Inside were detailed notes, along with several specialized pieces of equipment. There was even a small, reinforced capsule that contained a preserved portion of Hashirama's cells.
Ryusei resealed everything back with quiet satisfaction, then finally looked up. "You always deliver. Now," he said, tone shifting faintly, "there's something else."
Orochimaru's eyes flicked to him, curious again. "Something else?"
"I'll be approaching Fugaku Uchiha personally next," Ryusei said simply. "If there's anything you'd want passed to him, a message, a hint, I could deliver it personally."
That earned a slight tilt of the head. "You plan to approach Fugaku?" Orochimaru asked, his smile widening. "For what purpose, I wonder?"
Ryusei's expression didn't change. "To bring him into the fold. I think the Uchiha could be useful allies for both of us."
Orochimaru's grin froze for a moment. "I've considered that before. But they're politically toxic right now, especially with the council. Aligning with them would offend Danzo, and he still happens to be my primary supporter in the Hokage succession. Without his shadow covering my steps, Hiruzen would never let me move freely."
"I know," Ryusei replied smoothly. "Which is exactly why you need to move quietly. You don't need open allies, Orochimaru; you need more hidden ones. The Uchiha are cornered and desperate. They'd see you as a lifeline. Their dependence makes them controllable. And for a man in your position, control is worth more than loyalty."
Orochimaru's chuckle was low. "True enough. But still, the Uchiha are a volatile weapon. And how can they compare to the village leadership in strength?"
"Not if their leader is who I think he is. He is not only one of the most reasonable ones out of them all, but..." Ryusei said. "I've been watching, secretly sensing some of his moves on the battlefield. I speculated that he's already awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan."
That stopped Orochimaru cold. His grin faded for once, replaced by open interest. "You're certain of this?"
Ryusei nodded. "Not absolute, but close enough. I'll confirm it when we meet."
Orochimaru's silence stretched, golden eyes narrowing slightly. "A clan head with Mangekyo… if that's true, then the Uchiha are sitting on a weapon more dangerous than anyone suspects."
"Exactly," Ryusei said. "That's why I'm telling you, use Danzo to get the Hokage seat, but keep the Uchiha as your counterweight. Also, if Minato finishes perfecting that Flying Raijin soon, and from what keeps coming from the Iwa front, it won't take him long, perhaps not even a few months, most of the Hokage faction will fully start leaning toward him then. You'll need your own insurance when the tide shifts."
Orochimaru's grin returned, faint but darker this time. "You make it sound like I'll be forced to seize the position rather than be given it."
Ryusei's tone was calm, steady. "If it comes to that, yes. Better to take it with your own hand than wait for Hiruzen's blessing."
Orochimaru studied him for a long moment, the amusement fading into something closer to intrigue. "And what makes you so confident?"
"You will have me, Fugaku, Tsunade..." Ryusei said simply.
That earned an outright blink. "Tsunade? You?" Orochimaru gave a dry, half-skeptical laugh.
"You think you can convince her to get involved again? In political fights for power? She barely speaks of Konoha anymore, let alone involves herself in its governance."
Ryusei smiled faintly. "She will, once she learns what I'm about to show her."
Orochimaru leaned forward slightly. "And what could possibly sway her after all these years?"
Ryusei's reply came quiet, deliberate. "One name."