Naruto: Saving the Universe by Stealing Attributes

"Mirai-kun, it's been a while."

As Uchiha Mirai appeared suddenly, Orochimaru licked his pale face with his unnaturally long tongue.

Watching this unsettling display up close, Mirai couldn't help but frown.

As expected...

Without the gloss of anime filters, Orochimaru was nothing short of a grotesque creep.

Still, something about Orochimaru's aura was different from before.

Activating his Byakugan for a closer look, Mirai's expression darkened.

This guy was currently inhabiting a woman's body!

"Mirai-kun, your eyes?" Orochimaru tilted his head, stepping closer with curiosity.

"It's the power of the Byakugan," Mirai replied nonchalantly, turning his gaze elsewhere. "I acquired the Byakugan's kekkei genkai during a fight with Hyūga Hiashi."

Orochimaru's face lit up with undisguised envy.

"Mirai-kun, your abilities are truly terrifying. To think you could even copy a kekkei genkai like the Byakugan... Unlike me, who has to rack my brain conducting endless experiments just to gain a sliver of power..."

Noticing the fervent and jealous gleam in Orochimaru's eyes, Mirai felt thankful he had used Kotoamatsukami to control him the moment he obtained it. Otherwise, there was no telling how much trouble this lunatic would cause him.

Eager to shift the conversation, Mirai asked, "Orochimaru, is this your base?"

"Damp, dark, and gloomy... Is this really a conducive environment for your research?"

Orochimaru chuckled lightly. "Mirai-kun, have you forgotten? I'm a missing-nin now. Just having a quiet place to work is a luxury. The environment isn't exactly something I can afford to nitpick about."

Mirai raised an eyebrow. "I haven't sent the ANBU to harass you."

Orochimaru sighed. "It's not you—it's Jiraiya. That idiot is annoyingly persistent when it comes to gathering intelligence. If I don't keep moving, he'll find me sooner or later."

"Want me to kill Jiraiya for you?" Mirai offered casually.

Orochimaru froze for a moment before shaking his head. "That won't be necessary. He's a fool, not worth the trouble."

The conversation shifted to business as Orochimaru's demeanor turned serious. "Mirai-kun, I called you here to finalize the details for the Chūnin Exams plan. How exactly do you want to make Hiruzen fall from grace?"

"The third stage of the individual battles will be held in Konoha's main arena," Mirai explained. "Most of the participating shinobi, along with dignitaries, nobles, and wealthy merchants from various nations, will attend.

"Your task is simple: during the third-stage battles, attack Hiruzen Sarutobi and publicly expose his actions, one by one. That's all."

"We'll call it the Konoha Crush Plan."

"An excellent name." Orochimaru's eyes glimmered with excitement. "Leave it to me, Mirai-kun. But since the old man is still the official Hokage, you won't just stand by idly while I attack him, right?"

Mirai smirked faintly. "You only need to arrange a few people to erect a barrier, isolating you and Hiruzen inside. If you lack manpower, I can provide some assistance."

Orochimaru shook his head with a grin. "No need. Despite being a missing-nin, I still have loyal subordinates. Speaking of which, I've recently discovered a few promising children."

He led Mirai into the depths of the cave, revealing a massive underground coliseum.

The area was lined with rooms carved into the rocky walls, and the floor was littered with corpses in various states of decay. Some were skeletal remains, while others emitted the pungent stench of rotting flesh. The dark, damp atmosphere gave the place an infernal quality.

"Children, come out," Orochimaru called.

From several of the rooms emerged somber-faced children.

Mirai scanned them and immediately recognized some familiar faces: the three-year-old Kimimaro, Kidōmaru, Tayuya, and Jirōbō...

The oldest was Guren, who couldn't have been older than ten.

"These are my new children," Orochimaru said with pride. "Each of them possesses exceptional talent. I've given them hope and a reason to live."

He gestured for Kimimaro to step forward. The boy, with two crimson dots on his forehead and silvery hair, approached obediently and bowed.

"Orochimaru-sama."

Orochimaru nodded approvingly. "Kimimaro is the sole surviving prodigy of the Kaguya clan from Kirigakure. He was labeled a killing machine by those lunatics...

"After the Kaguya clan was wiped out by Yagura, Kimimaro became the last wielder of the Shikotsumyaku kekkei genkai, apart from you, Mirai-kun."

Orochimaru sighed regretfully. "So much valuable research material wasted—what a pity."

He continued, "Kirigakure has been in turmoil ever since their defeat in the Third Shinobi World War. The bloodline clans grew increasingly dissatisfied with Yagura's rule, and now, after the annihilation of the Kaguya clan, the village is on the brink of collapse."

"The shinobi world is always like this," Mirai said flatly. "Even in times of fleeting peace, the killing never truly stops."

"I will change that."

Those simple words carried an inexplicable weight.

Kimimaro glanced curiously at Mirai. Could this person be related to him somehow?

"Kimimaro, this is Uchiha Mirai, the one I serve," Orochimaru introduced.

Kimimaro's jaw dropped in shock. He had assumed Mirai was just another one of Orochimaru's subordinates. To think Orochimaru himself was loyal to this man... What kind of person was he?

Mirai's gaze shifted to Kimimaro, and an idea suddenly came to him.

"Orochimaru, do you know of a child who can naturally absorb senjutsu chakra?"

Orochimaru's eyes widened briefly before he smiled. "As expected of you, Mirai-kun. Not many know of such a rare talent."

"I recently received intelligence about a boy named Jūgo. His body can automatically absorb nature energy, causing transformations that grant him immense strength."

"If not for the Chūnin Exams, I would've already sought him out. His ability could greatly enhance my children's potential."

"Tell me where he is," Mirai said with a faint smile. "Let's pay him a visit together."

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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