A mass of black shadow fled frantically through the earth.
Black Zetsu pushed itself to its absolute limit, escaping from the laboratory, out of the Uchiha compound, and then beyond Konoha entirely.
Only after traveling dozens of miles did it finally stop.
The dark substance seeped up from underground, slowly forming a humanoid shape.
It stared back toward Konoha, breathing heavily.
That had been far too close.
For nearly a thousand years, it had never encountered such danger.
Its existence was unknown.
Its concealment is flawless.
It had evaded even Hagoromo Otsutsuki.
And yet—
It had nearly been trapped.
Still…
The risk had paid off.
Its gaze sharpened.
Uchiha Madara had a successor.
The Third Hokage of Konoha was secretly researching Hashirama Cells—and had already made progress.
Combined with the fact that Uchiha Ren possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan, the conclusion was obvious.
He was aiming for the Rinnegan.
Black Zetsu narrowed its eyes.
Ren must have read the Uchiha stone tablet.
But would he follow the Moon's Eye Plan?
That… remained to be seen.
Back in the laboratory.
Uchiha Tomita felt the surge of power within his body.
The sensation was intoxicating.
His strength had taken another leap.
For the Uchiha, the Sharingan defined their limits.
And the gap between three tomoe and Mangekyo was insurmountable for most.
But now—
His body felt revitalized.
Stronger.
Younger.
"Stop standing there grinning like an idiot."
Tobirama Senju interrupted coldly.
"Get on the table. I need your data."
Tomita immediately complied.
Ren, watching from the side, couldn't help but tease:
"The Uchiha still have reasons to smile."
"The Senju? You'll need Uchiha help for that."
Tobirama's expression darkened instantly.
Silence followed.
They quickly moved on to the main issue.
"I'll raid Momoka's lab tomorrow," Ren said.
"But we need to control the fallout."
Tobirama replied immediately,
"Get Mito involved."
"She can suppress the situation."
Ren nodded.
Good idea.
The next day.
Hokage Office.
Ren sat behind his desk, processing documents.
The door slammed open.
A head of striking red hair appeared.
Uzumaki Mito walked in without ceremony and sat down.
"What do you want, Ren?"
Ren didn't look up.
"You should call me Hokage-sama."
Mito frowned.
Then she noticed his expression.
Serious.
Something was wrong.
Ren handed her a file.
She opened it.
Her face drained of color.
Hashirama cell experiments.
Human testing.
Her son.
Her hands trembled slightly.
"Lady Mito," Ren said calmly, "how should this be handled?"
She looked up.
"...Hokage-sama."
The title came out sincerely this time.
"My son… made a mistake…"
"A mistake?" Ren cut in.
"This was deliberate."
"Two generations of the Senju Clan… digging up the First Hokage and conducting human experiments."
Mito fell silent.
Ren leaned forward slightly.
"I don't want excuses."
"I want a solution."
Mito steadied herself.
"You called me here privately… so you don't intend to make this public."
"There's room to negotiate."
Ren smiled.
"Correct."
"I only need a few signatures."
He slid a document across the table.
Mito read it.
Her expression hardened.
Industry.
Shares.
Secret techniques.
Marriage ties.
This wasn't negotiation.
This was annexation.
"I won't accept this."
"This is extortion."
Ren remained calm.
"That's fine."
"Then Momoka…"
"Public disgrace."
"Imprisonment."
"And he won't live much longer anyway."
He paused.
Then added lightly:
"Of course… if all of Konoha's resources are mobilized…"
"His life might still be saved."
Silence filled the room.
Then—
"Lady Mito…"
Ren's voice softened.
"You don't want your son to be in trouble, do you?"
Mito's hands tightened.
Her voice trembled.
"…Can you save him?"
Ren met her gaze.
"I will do everything possible."
"And if we fail—"
"No punishment."
"No exposure."
"The experiment will disappear."
Mito closed her eyes.
After a long silence—
She picked up the pen.
"…I'll sign."
"But whether this agreement holds… I cannot guarantee."
Ren smiled faintly.
"That won't be your concern."
She signed.
Ren took the document.
"Wise decision."
"The Senju Clan will thank you."
Mito said nothing.
Her lips moved slightly.
Ren caught it.
A curse.
He ignored it.
There were more important things to do.
Now—
It was time to clean up Momoka's mess.
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