After finishing the meal in high spirits, Uchiha Ren quickly left with satisfaction.
He slipped away right after eating.
The look on Uzumaki Mito's face when she saw the bill had been terrifying.
That night, Ren did not visit Tobirama Senju's laboratory.
He had a "surprise" to prepare.
And surprises required secrecy.
He needed to fully confirm whether Senju Momoka had restarted the Hashirama cell experiments before revealing anything.
No room for mistakes.
Back home, Ren relaxed completely.
After injecting Hashirama cells, his physical condition had improved dramatically.
By the next morning, he was in perfect shape again.
At the Hokage office, he summoned Uchiha Tomita.
He needed the ANBU to quietly investigate the Senju Clan.
Funding movements.
Material purchases.
Personnel assignments.
Even possible disappearances.
With Konoha's growing population, tracking missing individuals would not be easy.
"Hokage-sama, has the Senju Clan shown any suspicious behavior?"
Tomita asked carefully.
Investigating them was no small matter.
Ren shook his head slightly.
"Nothing confirmed yet. But there are things you should know."
After a brief pause, Ren decided to reveal the truth.
Tobirama's existence.
The Hashirama cell research.
Tomita froze.
"The Second Hokage… is being held in the Uchiha compound?"
"Held?" Ren raised an eyebrow. "Watch your words. That is the Will of Fire. Even in death, he continues to serve Konoha."
"Understood."
Tomita quickly corrected himself, sweat forming on his forehead.
The man who had once suppressed the Uchiha now working for them after death.
The thought was… satisfying.
"And the Hashirama cells."
"You've… obtained the First Hokage's power?"
"Of course."
Ren raised his hand.
A small tree sprouted instantly.
Wood Release.
Tomita's breathing tightened.
He had witnessed Hashirama Senju's power before.
To see even a fraction of it here was overwhelming.
Then realization struck him.
If Ren could do it…
Could he as well?
"Can I…"
"Yes."
Ren answered immediately.
This power was meant to be shared among the Uchiha's core members.
Tomita's excitement was impossible to hide.
"Focus on the task first," Ren said calmly. "Tobirama is already dissatisfied. We need a proper reason to make this power public and allow the Senju to benefit as well."
Tomita nodded.
Some things could never be exposed.
Ren continued,
"Momoka may already be conducting these experiments in secret."
That was enough.
Tomita understood immediately.
Gather evidence.
Seize the laboratory.
Shift the responsibility.
Protect the Hokage's image.
"I understand."
"Then get to work."
Tomita left at once.
Later that day, Ren personally visited the Senju compound.
He wanted confirmation.
Inside a hidden underground laboratory, Momoka was furious.
"Why hasn't the cell instability been solved?"
"We've spent months and countless resources. What have you achieved?"
No one dared respond.
They had tried everything.
Nothing worked.
The cells were too aggressive.
This was not something humans were meant to control.
After exhausting test subjects, even members of the Senju Clan had been used.
The results were the same.
Failure.
Some were already partially transformed.
Barely alive.
In the end, Momoka made his decision.
He injected the cells into himself.
A month later, the result was clear.
One arm had begun to change.
His condition continued to worsen.
"How long do I have?"
His voice was weak.
"Half a year at most… if things don't deteriorate further."
Silence filled the room.
Then a voice came from outside.
"Hokage-sama has arrived."
Momoka stiffened.
He had no choice but to go out.
Ren greeted him warmly.
"I heard you were unwell, so I came to visit."
Before Momoka could react, Ren stepped forward and examined him.
Especially the bandaged arm.
"I'm fine," Momoka said quickly, stepping back.
But it was too late.
At the edge of the bandage, Ren saw it.
Pale, unnatural skin.
That was enough.
Confirmation.
He kept his expression calm.
No need to expose anything yet.
This had to be handled quietly.
After all, he himself was involved in similar forbidden matters.
Leaving room for others meant leaving room for himself.
Ren smiled.
"Take care of yourself. Recover well. And don't forget your duties."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
Momoka just wanted him gone.
He had little time left.
Too much to prepare.
Ren left the compound, his mood excellent.
Everything was falling into place.
If Tobirama learned about this…
That would be interesting.
Another reason to keep him working harder.
Saving Momoka.
Covering up the scandal.
This leverage would last a long time.
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