Shimura Danzo pulled out a document and handed it to Orochimaru.
The contents were nearly identical to the one he had given Hiruko, except this version had one crucial omission—the information about Senju Nawaki.
After all, he was well aware that Nawaki was Orochimaru's disciple.
Orochimaru accepted the document with curiosity. Under the dim light, he could clearly make out the title:
"Wood Style Revitalization Plan."
Seeing this, Orochimaru's expression shifted—much like Hiruko's had before.
"This is…?" Orochimaru looked up at Danzo.
"Take a look first, then we'll talk," Danzo replied.
Orochimaru didn't press further and instead opened the document, scanning its contents.
A few minutes later, he closed it, his expression now composed.
"You're showing me this because you want my help, correct?" Orochimaru asked seriously.
Danzo nodded slightly. "Yes. Konoha needs this power now. Think about it—if Konoha regains Wood Style, we can restore the village's dominance to what it was during the First Hokage's time. Do you think any other ninja village would dare challenge the Land of Fire then?"
Is Wood Style really that powerful?
Orochimaru found himself skeptical. After all, he had never personally witnessed the full extent of its power.
Danzo's words sounded noble, but Orochimaru could see right through him.
He spoke of doing it for Konoha, but in the end, it was nothing more than a power grab.
Besides, Orochimaru was already working with Uchiha Chiba on a research project focused on immortality. Compared to that, Wood Style seemed trivial.
And another thing—while reading the document, Orochimaru had noticed that the plan involved experimenting on members of the Senju clan.
His disciple and close friend, Tsunade, was a Senju. If he agreed to Danzo's plan, how would he ever face her?
As for the rest of the Senju clan… that wasn't his concern.
At most, he would simply warn Tsunade and tell her to be cautious.
With these thoughts in mind, Orochimaru turned to Danzo and spoke firmly, "I'll pretend I never saw this plan. You'd better find someone else to help you."
Danzo narrowed his eyes. He refused?
"Orochimaru, have you really thought this through? Are you sure you want to reject me?" Danzo's voice turned hoarse. "I'll give you one last chance to reconsider."
"No, I have no interest in Wood Style," Orochimaru replied, shaking his head. "Let's just pretend we never met tonight, and that I never read your plan."
Wood Style? So what if it's strong? It still won't let you live forever.
With that, Orochimaru turned and walked away.
Danzo clenched his fists in anger but knew there was nothing he could do. Orochimaru wasn't like Hiruko—he was Hiruzen Sarutobi's direct disciple.
"Orochimaru, rejecting me today will be the greatest mistake of your life," Danzo muttered. "When I bring Wood Style back and show the world its power, you will regret this."
The Next Day
Nearly half a month had passed since Chiba's last mission, making this the most relaxing period he had experienced in a while.
After enjoying his time off, he decided to visit the Hokage's office to see if there were any missions that suited his interests.
However, just as he was about to leave the Uchiha compound, he overheard a heated argument.
Curious, he quickened his pace toward the commotion.
When he arrived, he found Uchiha Tsuchino engaged in a discussion with a man sporting an unusual hairstyle.
At first glance, Chiba felt as though he had seen this man somewhere before.
"Brother Tsuchino, what's going on?" Chiba asked as he approached them.
Hearing his voice, Uchiha Tsuchino turned and greeted him, "Oh! Chiba, it's you."
"It's nothing serious. This guy claims to be a descendant of the Uchiha who lived outside the village and now wants to return to the clan," Tsuchino explained. "But I have no way of knowing if he's telling the truth, so I told him to wait here while I report it to the clan elders."
Chiba turned his gaze toward the unfamiliar man. "You say you're from the Uchiha clan—do you have any proof?"
Uchiha Madara silently observed Uchiha Chiba.
Although they were meeting for the first time, Madara could see the same arrogance in Chiba's eyes that once burned in his own.
"Would this be proof enough?" Madara asked before activating the Sharingan.
Though he had lost his original eyes—having entrusted them to Uzumaki Nagato—he had long since taken several Sharingan from the clan as backups before leaving Konoha.
Seeing the fully-formed three-tomoe Sharingan in the stranger's eyes, Chiba nodded.
So, he really is a member of our clan.
After all, without Uchiha blood, even someone who transplanted Sharingan wouldn't be able to activate or deactivate them at will.
For example, Kakashi—his Sharingan, gifted by Obito, remained permanently active because he lacked the Uchiha genes to control it.
"It seems you really are an Uchiha," Chiba admitted. "What's your name?"
"Name?" Uchiha Madara paused for a moment. It had been a long time since anyone had asked him that.
"Call me Izumi."
Uchiha Izumi?
Chiba was slightly taken aback. Isn't that the name of Uchiha Mikoto's rumored lover?
Plus, the name sounded somewhat feminine. Why would a grown man use a name like that?
Madara had simply come up with it on the spot. When Chiba asked for his name, his first instinct was to say Izuna, after his younger brother.
However, if he gave the exact same name, it might raise suspicions.
So, he altered it slightly—choosing Izumi, a variation of Izuna.
"What's wrong with my name?" Madara asked.
"Nothing, I just feel like I've heard it somewhere before," Chiba replied.
Then, he turned to Tsuchino. "Brother Tsuchino, I'll take Izumi to the clan leader myself."
"Really? That'd be a huge help. Thanks, Chiba!" Tsuchino said gratefully.
Chiba waved him off. "We're all part of the same clan—we should help each other out."
He then turned to Madara. "Let's go, Izumi. If you want to rejoin the Uchiha clan, the elders need to verify your identity with Konoha first."
With that, Madara followed Chiba toward the heart of the Uchiha compound, stepping further into the village he had once abandoned.