Stepping into the changing room, Senmei Asahi spoke to a cold, expressionless ninja standing in the corner.
"I'll leave the rest to you."
"Yes." the ninja replied with no hesitation. A puff of smoke filled the room as he performed Transformation Jutsu, his body immediately shifting into the exact likeness of Senmei Asahi.
Asahi himself also clasped his hands and whispered, Transformation Jutsu, altering his features into the other ninja's appearance.
This shinobi was no ordinary ally—he was from the Root division. Shimura Danzo had dispatched him personally. The boy who would in future known as Yamato, the only surviving child from Orochimaru's horrific experiments, and Danzo was determined to secure him at all costs. To that end, he had sent one of his most capable operatives, an elite Root ninja proficient not only in assassination but also in medical ninjutsu.
Originally, this Root operative was meant to follow Senmei Asahi as a silent shadow, posing as his assistant and secretly spiriting Yamato out of Konoha Hospital when the opportunity presented itself.
But Asahi had his own plans that demanded his personal attention. He needed to leave the hospital without arousing suspicion. Thus, he ordered the Root agent to transform into his likeness and carry on the mission in his stead.
When the exchange was done, the false "Senmei Asahi" made his way toward the intensive care unit, blending into the hospital's flow of shinobi and medics, while the real Asahi walked openly out of the building, his borrowed face granting him the freedom to act without raising alarm.
Outside, he rendezvoused with Uchiha Chizuru. The Uchiha clan, through their control of the Konoha Military Police Force, had long enjoyed a degree of autonomy. For them, moving discreetly beyond the village walls was hardly a difficult task.
"How is it, Chizuru-senpai?" Asahi asked, a faint smile tugging at his lips as the two slipped into the forest's shadow. "Are you feeling a bit excited right now?"
Chizuru's eyes narrowed slightly, a glint of sharpness flickering within them. "There's nothing to be excited about. You've been planning this for so long, precisely for this moment. Now, we're only going to claim the fruits that rightfully belong to you. You should be the one trembling with excitement."
Asahi chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Then let's go."
"Alright." Chizuru replied, though his gaze sharpened as he added, "But you're not at Konoha Hospital right now. Will there be any problems? Don't drag me into your mess."
Asahi waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry. I've been working in that hospital for so long—do you really think I can't handle such a small matter? My substitute is already in place. Everything is under control."
He spoke with ease, though both of them knew there was an element of risk. Root operatives could never be fully trusted. Their loyalty was to Danzo alone. Yet Asahi also understood the balance of power—Danzo would not dare act against him until he delivered the results of his research. Until then, his life had value.
…
Meanwhile, deep in a hidden underground laboratory on the outskirts of Konoha, a different drama was unfolding.
"So… I've finally been discovered."
Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed as he felt the sudden severing of his summoned snake at the entrance. A sinister smile tugged at his pale lips. The time had come.
He had already prepared everything. Scrolls of notes, jars of samples, and countless tomes of forbidden knowledge had been secured or destroyed. Standing in the center of the dim chamber, his back to the entrance, Orochimaru quietly awaited the arrival of his former master.
*Boom!*
The reinforced door burst open in a thunderous crash. Dust filled the air as the Third Hokage stepped inside, clad in his combat uniform beneath the Hokage's robe. At his side was Enma, the Monkey King, and several elite Anbu. Their killing intent swept across the room like a tidal wave.
"Orochimaru…" Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice was heavy, his eyes sharp and filled with sorrow.
"Sarutobi-sensei." Orochimaru drawled, his pupils narrowing. His tone was mocking, yet beneath it flickered an emotion that could not be easily named.
"Orochimaru, what is the meaning of this?" The Third Hokage's aura swelled, pressing down like an immovable mountain. His killing intent bore directly onto his former disciple.
"Haven't you already guessed, sensei?" Orochimaru's voice was cold, almost detached.
Hiruzen's hands clenched. "Do you know what you've done? They are only children, and you used them for your twisted experiments! What was it all for?!"
"To see things that move is interesting… to see things that stop is dull," Orochimaru whispered, his tone distant, almost melancholic. His pale fingers drifted through the air as though tracing the shape of a dream. "Humans are fragile, easily destroyed. I want to learn all the world's ninjutsu, to grasp the true nature of existence itself…"
His eyes widened, his voice rising into a twisted cry. "And for that, I must live forever!"
The madness in his words reverberated through the chamber.
"Orochimaru… you have fallen into complete darkness." Hiruzen's voice trembled with grief. The hope he had once placed in his disciple had withered away before his very eyes.
Enma snarled, glaring at Orochimaru. "Hiruzen, don't hesitate! If you don't stop him here, he will bring disaster to Konoha!"
But the Third Hokage's gaze softened. "In those years of war… you were a prodigy unlike any other. I thought you might inherit my will, my hopes for the future of this village. I entrusted you with everything, Orochimaru…"
He shook his head bitterly. "Yet, in the end…"
Orochimaru's lips twitched. "Don't you think it's a little late for such words now, sensei?"
Enma's hands blurred into hand signs. "Hiruzen! Do it now!"
But Hiruzen hesitated. His hands trembled, and his chest tightened. The memories of his beloved student, the promise of what could have been, chained his resolve.
Orochimaru's smirk widened. Exploiting the moment of weakness, he spun and smashed through the wall, fleeing into the tunnels.
None of the shinobi present noticed the single tear that slipped from his golden eye as he disappeared into the shadows.
Enma's form sagged with disappointment. "Hiruzen, you will regret this hesitation…"
The Third Hokage's shoulders drooped, his voice a whisper of exhaustion. "Issue the order… Orochimaru is hereby designated an S-rank missing-nin."
The proclamation struck the Anbu like thunder. Within hours, news spread across the village—Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin, had betrayed Konoha.
…
Jiraiya sat in stunned silence, his face pale and stricken. When the words reached his ears, disbelief hollowed out his chest.
Namikaze Minato, though burdened by the same sorrow, straightened as Hokage and spoke firmly. "Issue the order. Pursue Orochimaru immediately."
"Damn it!" Jiraiya roared, his grief transforming into fury. He stormed out of the Hokage's office without another word.
…
Far from the village walls, hidden in the cover of trees, Uchiha Chizuru's eyes flickered. "He's out."
"Don't lose sight of him." Asahi ordered calmly.
Her brow furrowed. "Strange. He doesn't look injured. Could it be… the Third let him go?"
"It seems so." Asahi said, lips curling into a smile. "But don't worry. Jiraiya will force him into battle. That's when our chance will come. We just need to remain unseen."
In truth, Orochimaru had few places to turn. The Akatsuki were still under the leadership of Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, chasing their ideals of peace and justice. Uchiha Obito, concealed behind his mask, might already be weaving his schemes to reach out to them. For Orochimaru, newly branded a traitor, the only refuge lay in the secret bases he had prepared for this very moment.
But before he could vanish into the darkness, kunai rained down at his feet, their steel tips biting deep into the earth.
"Orochimaru!!!"
Jiraiya's voice tore through the forest, his face twisted with anguish and fury. "Why? Why did you betray Konoha?!"
"Hmph. Still the same idiot, Jiraiya." Orochimaru sneered, his body flickering as he took flight.
"Stop, Orochimaru!" Jiraiya roared, giving chase.
The two sped through the forest, predator and prey, yet both burdened by bonds that neither could fully sever. Knowing he could not shake Jiraiya by fleeing alone, Orochimaru turned sharply, luring him into the dense woods.
There, beneath the shadow of towering trees, the battle began.
*****
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