"Is this... Sage Mode? Sage Mode without a second transformation?"
Uchiha Yoichi asked in surprise when he saw the purple markings appearing on Orochimaru's body. In his perception, Orochimaru's Chakra suddenly changed, becoming much stronger.
"No need for that. Natural Energy, Physical Energy, and Spiritual Energy are blended in a 1:1:1 ratio, and this Sage Curse Seal can last for ten minutes. Next, you just need to learn the two Immortal Techniques from Ryuchi Cave."
Orochimaru said with a smile and then took out a scroll, handing it to Uchiha Yoichi.
"This is the training method for the Sage Curse Seal, different from the one I gave you before. This requires you to have some control over Natural Energy. If you use it to train subordinates, it's best not to use this; it's too troublesome."
Orochimaru advised, only intending to train disciples, and even then, only a few disciples would he use this method. He was considering letting Anko try it since the Chunin Exams were approaching.
"Thanks, Orochimaru. This arrived just in time."
Uchiha Yoichi smiled as he accepted the scroll, planning to give it to Uchiha Mikota and Uzumaki Minami. The Sage Curse Seal could enhance their powers for ten minutes, so even though they rarely fought, improving their strength was no problem.
As for other Uchiha clan members, they could still use the previous Sage Curse Seal. It was convenient, and they didn't care much about appearances.
"This time, coming to find you, I have other matters I want to discuss with you, Mr. Yoichi. Are you interested in the power of Wood Release?"
After Orochimaru finished speaking, he noticed the interest in Uchiha Yoichi's eyes and continued with a smile.
"I can now acquire the body cells of the First Generation Hokage and research the source of Wood Release's power. If Mr. Yoichi is interested in Wood Release, you can exchange it with me for your Sharingan. I'm quite interested in the Uchiha Race's power source..."
"Forget it, Orochimaru. I'm really interested, but my research on Hashirama Cells is way ahead of yours."
Uchiha Yoichi replied with a smile. He had experimented nearly a thousand times with Hashirama Cells in Dream Space with Uzumaki Minami and discovered three fusion plans. Now, if there were Hashirama Cells, he could directly create three Wood Release Ninjas.
"This exchange method is completely unequal. Let me propose a different plan: you give me Hashirama Cells, and I offer you a viable method for Hashirama Cell fusion... in this way, you still gain, as the Hashirama Cells were likely given to you by Danzo or the Third Generation Hokage, right?"
Uchiha Yoichi suspected it was Danzo, but Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't impossible either. After all, he had witnessed the power of Mangekyo and might want to research Wood Release's power to balance it.
"It was indeed Danzo who gave me the Hashirama Cells. But Mr. Yoichi, if you don't have Hashirama Cells, how did you obtain a method for their fusion?"
Orochimaru squinted his eyes curiously. With this method, there must be Hashirama Cells, or at least a way to obtain them, making it unnecessary to 'give away' a fusion method for nothing.
This puzzled him!
"It's inconvenient to tell you, but what I can guarantee is that the fusion method is absolutely reliable. You just need to prepare an experimental body to witness the power of Wood Release again."
Uchiha Yoichi said with confidence, making Orochimaru somewhat convinced. This kind of experiment couldn't be faked, and he would definitely need to see successful tests before supplying hashirama cells to Uchiha Yoichi in large numbers.
"It's hard for me to get Hashirama Cells from the Third Generation Hokage and Danzo, but you can. Get the Hashirama Cells, I'll give you the fusion method, which you can also use to deal with Danzo, even trick a lot of money out of him. After all, experiments require high expenses..."
Uchiha Yoichi told Orochimaru, aiming for a win-win situation. Although this might let Danzo obtain a Wood Release experimental body, such a method-made Wood Release Bloodline could at most build houses.
Achieving Senju Hashirama's kind of Wood Release was impossible. With Uchiha Yoichi, it might be possible, but for ordinary ninjas, building a house was the limit.
After contemplating for a while, Orochimaru quickly decided, saying: "Mr. Yoichi, you're right. I'll go to Danzo to ask for Hashirama Cells once I return."
"Let Danzo provide the experimental body. After you get the Hashirama Cells, remember to notify me."
Uchiha Yoichi told Orochimaru, appearing to be at a disadvantage, but he was offering the lowest performing method among the three proposed by Uzumaki Minami to utilize Hashirama Cells' power.
Moreover, opportunities to acquire Hashirama Cells were scarce, and they couldn't wait until Hatake Sakumo became the Fourth Generation Hokage.
Orochimaru continued to ask: "Mr. Yoichi, if I want to study the Sharingan, what price must I pay?"
"The price... Orochimaru, you should have many close contacts, right?"
Uchiha Yoichi thought for a moment before asking. Orochimaru hadn't studied immortality techniques yet and was just a bit reclusive, but he still had personal influence and charm, with a group of supporters since he was Lord Hokage's student.
"Not many close contacts, but I do have some. Why ask?"
"Lord Hokage is fifty years old. If there's a selection for the Fourth Generation Hokage, I hope you can use your connections to support Hatake Sakumo."
"Hatake Sakumo?"
Upon hearing Uchiha Yoichi's words, Orochimaru immediately understood his plan.