After reaching their agreement, Uchiha Gen summoned Shuryu, and together they rode the dragon high into the clouds.
On the way back to the autumn outing campsite, Gen transferred a few passengers from Kyouki to Shuryu's back, the group laughing and chatting as they soared over the treetops toward the village.
Since all the ingredients for dinner had been prepared that morning, the afternoon was dedicated purely to fun.
They spent the rest of the day swimming, diving, rafting, and even playing cards by the riverside, their laughter echoing through the forest. When they finally returned to Konoha after dinner, everyone was still reluctant to end the day.
....
Time flowed quietly. A year and a half slipped by in the blink of an eye.
The calendar turned from the autumn of Konoha Year 55 to the spring of Konoha Year 57.
Konoha remained peaceful during this entire period; in fact, the entire ninja world seemed unusually calm.
No great wars erupted. All the hidden villages, whether large or small, overt or covert, quietly focused on restoring and consolidating their strength.
It's worth mentioning that during this time, Hoshigaki Kisame and Biwa Jūzō both received invitations from the Akatsuki Organization and eventually joined its ranks.
As for Uchiha Gen, his mood had never been better. Two long-awaited milestones were about to arrive.
First, the soul energy required for evolving his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan was nearly complete. Within a week at most, he would begin the evolution.
Second, the research into his new immortal cultivation technique had reached a major breakthrough. The full method for the Refining Qi to Transform Spirit stage was complete, and the framework for the Transform Spirit to Refine Void stage was nearly finished.
The later stages, Refining Spirit to Return to Void and Refining Void to Join the Dao — still required further experimentation, refinement, and practical insight before they could be perfected.
Gen had named this grand cultivation method, designed entirely around his own body and chakra system, the"Origin Initial Sutra".
The name not only reflected its foundational purpose but also his lofty ambition, to one day stand at the summit of existence, transcendent like a Daoist deity, a supreme being of balance and creation.
Once the "Refining Qi to Transform Spirit" stage was fully stabilized, Gen planned to begin formal cultivation.
One bright morning, while Gen was reviewing documents in the Konoha Police Department, a knock came at his door.
"Chief, a shinobi named Yakushi Kabuto requests an audience. What are your orders?"
Yakushi Kabuto?
Gen's fingers paused mid-signature. Could it be that the plan had succeeded?
Without looking up, he said calmly, "Let him in. And bring him a cup of tea."
"Yes, Chief."
The subordinate hesitated a little, the order was unusual. Tea? The Chief must really value this young man.
Moments later, Kabuto entered the office, wearing his Konoha forehead protector, a Chūnin vest, and black fitting clothes. His trademark round glasses gleamed faintly in the morning light as he sat respectfully opposite Gen, both hands carefully holding the steaming cup of tea offered to him.
After taking a sip, Kabuto set the cup down and said seriously, "Lord Gen, I've completed the item you requested."
Gen leaned back slightly, smiling. "Excellent. How effective is it?"
Kabuto's eyes lit up. "The formula is complete, with three tiers of potency. The low-grade agent can delay facial aging by one year, the mid-grade by five years, and the high-grade by ten years.
"As for the super-grade agent that permanently halts physical aging... I failed to achieve stability. But it's only a matter of time. I've already devised a new method, and I'm confident it will work."
He adjusted his glasses, his tone brimming with self-assurance.
Heh… as expected of Kabuto. Gen thought, amused. I asked for a simple anti-aging compound, and he's already on his way to developing a "Youth-Preserving Pill."
"That's impressive," Gen said aloud. "But when that super-grade version is perfected, it must never reach the open market. Understood?"
Kabuto nodded immediately. "Understood."
Even if priced like gold, such a product could only sell once to each customer. Far better to sustain long-term demand — beauty, after all, was an endless business.
Women would crave it. Men, too, would be tempted by eternal youth.
"You've done well," Gen said. "You deserve a reward. Go find Council Elder Setsuna later and discuss the next steps. You'll handle manufacturing, and the Uchiha Clan will manage distribution."
"The profit split will be four-three-three — four parts for us, three for you, and three for Orochimaru-sensei."
Kabuto blinked, taken aback. "My lord, this is far too generous! How could I..."
Gen raised a hand. "You're worth it. Those shares will fund your future research and the orphanage. Don't you want those children to live better lives?"
Kabuto froze.
Gen's tone softened slightly. "And in due time, I'll see to it that your mentor — Nonō Yakushi — returns safely."
The words struck like thunder.
"From now on, focus on assisting Orochimaru-sensei and me. Use your talents to their fullest. That alone will be your greatest repayment."
Once he completed his Eternal Mangekyō, Gen intended to confront Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other village elders directly.
Whether that confrontation went smoothly or not, ensuring Nonō's safe return would be trivial. After all, in the face of overwhelming power, even the most stubborn leaders would choose compromise over ruin.
Kabuto's hands trembled. He rose suddenly, his eyes red with emotion, and bowed deeply.
"From this day forward, my life belongs to you and Lord Orochimaru!"
Gen chuckled, pleased. "Good. I'll be watching your progress. Now go, don't just stand there like a nervous maiden. Discuss production with Elder Setsuna. Oh, and prepare six—no, seven—high-grade agents for me."
"Yes, Lord Gen!" Kabuto bowed again before taking his leave.
Later that day, after finalizing details with Uchiha Setsuna, Kabuto returned to his lab and threw himself into his work.
Driven by gratitude and ambition, he labored through the night.
By dawn, when Gen arrived at the Police Department, Kabuto — dark circles under his eyes but a proud gleam behind his glasses — presented seven vials of high-grade rejuvenation agent.
Gen accepted them with a smile.
After completing his morning duties, he returned home for lunch and told Mikoto to invite the three familiar families for dinner that evening.
That afternoon, during office hours, Gen quietly activated the Flying Thunder God Technique, vanishing from his office and reappearing in Sunagakure, inside the Kazekage's residence.
There, he met Pakura, now the Fifth Kazekage of the Hidden Sand.
Yes... Pakura of the Scorch Release had become Kazekage.
After months of investigation, Sunagakure had finally located traces of the Akatsuki Organization and the missing Sasori. But their triumph quickly turned to grief when they discovered the Third Kazekage's corpse, turned into a human puppet.
With morale crushed, the village needed stability.
Through Gen's quiet influence, Pakura's solid reputation, and the support of Chiyo and the council, she ascended to the Kazekage's seat.
Over the past year and a half, Gen had visited Sunagakure twice each month, once to fulfill his personal promises to Pakura, and once to guide her in refining her ninjutsu.
He spared no generosity when it came to his own women, sharing insights into Fire Release, Wind Release, and even his deep understanding of Scorch Release.
Through relentless training and Gen's instruction, Pakura's power rose dramatically. She had now reached the Kage level, becoming not only the first Kazekage to master Wind Release at such a degree but also the first female Kage in the shinobi world.
And this time, since Gen had brought her such a valuable surprise, he felt she ought to offer him an equally memorable thank you… perhaps right there, in the Kazekage's office.