You cannot control these eyes.

Is it difficult to reach the Pure Land? For ordinary ninjas, it probably is. But the Lamp God felt that the time for him to personally intervene had not yet come.

During this period, he had also noticed that Orochimaru’s previous research had focused on the “Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique”; the Edo Tensei, which would later become so prominent, had not yet entered Orochimaru’s field of vision. At this stage, Orochimaru had no need to destroy the Leaf Village, nor was he lacking in combat power.

The Lamp God always had a clear sense of his role: to share knowledge and offer ideas. If anyone thought to treat him as a naive benefactor or a magical helper, they were sorely mistaken. Simply not becoming an evil god was, for him, a strategy of “sustainable development.”

Edo Tensei summons souls to the ninja world; logically, the reverse should not be so difficult. As to the specifics, that would be up to Orochimaru. The Lamp God certainly wouldn’t attempt it himself—if he could do it all, what would he need Orochimaru for?

After the Lamp God had clearly expressed his attitude, silence fell over the fortress. The evening breeze swept by as Orochimaru closed his eyes, a sharp light flickering in the slits.

All this talk of evil gods and reliance was just an excuse; he didn’t believe the Lamp God was absolutely opposed to wish-making. The Lamp God’s behavior when he first awoke, forcibly granting a wish, had been suspicious. Orochimaru surmised that had been a test of the wish-granting process.

He could only conclude that until the Lamp God had fully understood the cost of granting wishes and the returns from fulfilling such requests, he would not attempt it again lightly.

Orochimaru felt no regret; his display of longing had only been a probe, a way to test the Lamp God’s boundaries. He was a pragmatist—if there was an easier path, he would take it. If not, he wouldn’t complain about a harder one.

Still, the Lamp God’s suggestion was interesting. Edo Tensei—he’d heard of it; it was a forbidden technique developed by the Second Hokage. The old man should have some records on it, but there was no rush for now.

Orochimaru raised his head and looked at the Lamp God, his eyes probing. “Lamp God, I’ve heard you mention the Soul Society before. Could it be that you’ve been to a world similar to the Pure Land?”

“One could say that,” the Lamp God nodded. “But don’t expect much help from me. In the Soul Society, my host was not outstanding, so I didn’t acquire many abilities.”

Ōmaeda Nishichiyo, though revered as a ‘former god’ and holding a status equal to Ōtsutsuki Ichiraku, was, in the Lamp God’s simple view…a good person, and his sister was even more remarkable.

After learning about the host’s situation in the Soul Society, Orochimaru was a bit surprised. “That’s odd. With your nature, I’d have thought you’d choose hosts with greater potential.”

“There’s nothing strange about it. The host of that world wasn’t my choice, and the very first wasn’t even human. Of the three worlds, only the host in the last barely qualified as a protagonist. But if I’d had a choice, I’d have preferred his sister.”

The Lamp God smiled. “If anything, you are the first host I’ve ever chosen.”

“That truly is a pity…” Orochimaru felt some regret. Planting trees for others to enjoy the shade—he never expected to be the one doing the planting.

But the thought quickly passed. It was precisely because the Lamp God needed someone to plant trees that he’d sought him out, and so the arrangement was mutually beneficial.

…

Time flew by as the Leaf ninja forces rested and recuperated at the fortress; in the blink of an eye, three days had passed. Thanks to the presence of top-tier medical ninja like Orochimaru, though some of the wounded still needed further care, none of those brought back had died.

With the Cloud forces completely retreating to the Land of Lightning and publicly announcing their defeat, the Leaf ninja completed the handover of the outpost and had no reason to linger.

Yet before returning to the village, there was one urgent matter that had to be resolved.

—The issue of Shisui’s eyes.

A Mangekyō Sharingan, even blinded, was still a Mangekyō Sharingan. Once back in the village, such a valuable treasure would inevitably provoke disputes and wrangling, with some people openly or covertly invoking the village and the greater good to interfere with personal will.

So the matter had to be settled quickly, before further complications arose.

After coordination and communication, Fugaku Uchiha obtained the clan’s consent and found a new pair of Sharingan for Shisui. The source was transparent: they belonged to a Uchiha jōnin who had died in the recent battle.

This Uchiha had no living parents or siblings, few relatives, and certainly no childhood sweetheart or fiancée—making him an easy candidate for collective representation. Fugaku chose him specifically to avoid future disputes and trouble.

Although the Uchiha were united, in a culture that revered the dead and honored the remains, one could never predict what trouble might arise if someone chose to stir things up. As the clan head, Fugaku had always acted cautiously, and he would not make a mistake on such a matter.

The medical ward was packed.

Orochimaru stood at the operating table, Shisui lying on the bed before him, with a crowd gathered behind, eager to watch.

An eye transplant was a minor operation; any medical ninja with a bit of talent could master it with some training. For Orochimaru, it was effortless.

But Fugaku had specifically asked Orochimaru to perform the surgery, not for the risk involved, but to have witnesses present.

“Hehehe…”

Orochimaru let out a sinister laugh, but his long fingers were steady and swift; the surgery took less than two minutes.

Shisui received his new Sharingan and lay on the bed, both eyes bandaged as he rested.

Orochimaru gave some instructions, then picked up the small nutrient chamber containing the Mangekyō Sharingan.

As if drawn by magic, everyone’s gaze focused on it, eyes gleaming with a peculiar light.

A bloodline limit required mastery of two chakra natures and their fusion—something not every member of a bloodline clan could achieve. But a bloodline organ was much simpler; transplantation was not difficult in the ninja world.

Having witnessed or heard of Shisui’s prowess on the battlefield, even knowing this pair of Mangekyō Sharingan was close to blindness, many could not help but covet them.

“Orochimaru, what do you plan to do with these Mangekyō?” Koharu Utatane couldn’t help but ask when she saw him put them away.

Orochimaru ignored her, instead turning to the Uchiha.

“The council elders do not approve of physical enhancement surgery, but Shisui’s contributions in this war are clear to all. It was I who ordered him to confront the two Jinchūriki. Now that he is blind, I will not simply abandon him.”

“I will find another way to help these Sharingan regain their sight. Do you have any objections?”