Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou

The Senju Clan

"This power is truly fascinating..."

In the dimly lit laboratory, Uchiha Shirou lay on a hospital bed, his eyes fixed on Orochimaru, who chuckled hoarsely with an intoxicated expression. On the other side of the room, Tsunade tossed a report onto the table with a sharp snort.

"Orochimaru, this power is in the same category as the Sage Techniques of the Three Great Sage Regions and the Senjutsu. You should know the consequences of its backlash," Tsunade said coldly.

Since Tsunade and Orochimaru had joined forces to study Shirou's second Kekkei Genkai, their research had progressed at a breakneck pace. In no time, they had even developed a method to apply cursed seals.

Orochimaru, however, seemed unfazed by Tsunade's warning. Instead, he smiled faintly, his face pale and sickly.

"So, the Fire Temple also possesses such power. As expected of the Senju," Orochimaru remarked.

While Orochimaru's talent in research far surpassed Tsunade's, he lacked her insights. After all, Tsunade stood on the shoulders of the giants of the Senju Clan. For instance, when Shirou awakened this power, Tsunade quickly deduced its connection to Sage Techniques with minimal research.

Orochimaru, on the other hand, had to explore the nature of this power from scratch, highlighting the gap in their perspectives and understanding. Even so, his relentless thirst for knowledge allowed him to grow at an incredible pace.

"Um, Lord Orochimaru, Sister Tsunade, may I get up now?"

Lying on the bed, Shirou glanced at the two researchers, who were engrossed in studying his Kekkei Genkai and spoke with a helpless expression. It was as if the two had forgotten about him entirely.

Hearing his voice, Tsunade turned her head and shot him a sharp glare.

"Shirou, even you—the host of this power—haven't fully adapted to it! You should understand the dangers of the cursed seal, and yet you apply it to others!"

Tsunade's voice was filled with anger. She knew the cursed seal technique Orochimaru had developed, and now, to her dismay, Shirou had teamed up with him.

Although they hadn't hidden anything from her, the power they were tinkering with was dangerous, capable of spiraling into uncontrollable destruction—a risk Tsunade deeply feared.

"Sister Tsunade!"

Facing her anger, Shirou shook his head resolutely.

"Ninjas constantly face crises. This power, though dangerous, can save lives at critical moments!"

Save lives.

Tsunade was momentarily stunned by his response. But what he said next left her even more speechless.

"Besides, Sister Tsunade, the cursed seal potion you developed—though more stable—has significantly weaker power. More importantly, it's too costly and single-use."

His calm tone made Orochimaru smile faintly.

"Kukuku, what power isn't dangerous? Even basic overuse of chakra can lead to death. In this respect, Shirou-kun's perspective is the most accurate."

If Orochimaru's achievement was the creation of the cursed seal technique to transmit this power, Tsunade's contribution was the development of a cursed seal potion.

The potion was extraordinarily precious, requiring adjustments based on the user's cellular compatibility before it could be formulated. It granted temporary access to this power but was single-use—a luxury item.

In contrast, Orochimaru's cursed seal was simpler: if the recipient survived the process, they would permanently gain the power, albeit with a high mortality rate.

When Shirou applied the cursed seal to Mikoto, he had combined both methods—first adapting her body to the power and testing for potential backlash. Luckily, Mikoto's natural compatibility with the cursed seal derived from him was remarkably high, almost as if it were innate.

"Hmph!"

Though Tsunade remained displeased, she understood that more power on the battlefield could mean higher survival rates. Danger? Compared to survival, staying alive was the ultimate priority.

"Kukuku, Shirou-kun, your power is truly enviable," Orochimaru said, his gaze lingering on Shirou with greedy admiration.

Such an expression would terrify most people, but Shirou, familiar with Orochimaru's eccentricities, understood it as his unique way of expressing respect. Envy, greed—it was all laid bare, without pretense. That was Orochimaru.

Moreover, since Orochimaru hadn't yet developed his Immortality Jutsu, Shirou wasn't overly concerned about him. After all, Orochimaru himself had also gained access to the cursed seal's power.

"Thank you for your guidance during this time, Lord Orochimaru," Shirou said as he got out of bed and bowed respectfully. Orochimaru had not only studied his Kekkei Genkai but also taught him techniques during this period.

Tsunade snorted, but her gaze turned serious. This power was formidable.

Even the future three Legendary Sannin struggled to master the Sage Techniques of the Great Sage Regions. More importantly, they lacked the time to do so. Through their research, they had developed a weakened form of Sage Techniques, but it still depended heavily on the user.

"Hey, Orochimaru, you got quite the deal this time. Don't think you can brush it off with just a bit of guidance on training," Tsunade interjected, her protective stance evident.

Orochimaru chuckled hoarsely in response.

"Tsunade, this is between Shirou-kun and me."

In a rare moment of levity, Orochimaru made a joke. But his laughter stopped abruptly as he tilted his head back. What happened next was chilling.

Orochimaru's pale throat squirmed unnaturally before a dark-colored snake slowly emerged from his mouth. The snake opened its jaws and began to regurgitate something.

Though Shirou had seen this before, it still amazed him every time. This time, however, his eyes widened in shock. The snake didn't regurgitate a scroll but a straight sword.

Even Tsunade, rarely surprised, looked astonished.

"Hehe, the Kusanagi Sword," Orochimaru rasped.

"Rumored to be forged from the world's hardest material, comparable to chakra metal. I noticed Shirou-kun has been practicing lightning-style chakra transformation, likely in preparation for the upcoming Land of Rain battlefield."

As the sticky Kusanagi Sword fell from the snake's mouth and into Orochimaru's hands, the snake slithered back into his throat. Orochimaru smiled faintly.

Catching the legendary weapon, Shirou's face lit up with excitement. As for the sticky residue? That was nothing.

"Thank you, Lord Orochimaru," Shirou said, holding the blade with gratitude. Orochimaru's generosity, though rare, was always significant when someone proved valuable.

Meanwhile, Tsunade twitched at the sight of the sticky sword, exasperated by Shirou's lack of concern.

For now, Shirou was still far from refined. But with so many resources at his disposal, that wouldn't last long.