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Drip… drip…
The sound of water echoed in layered waves through the arched space, mingling with mournful wind whistling from somewhere unseen. The air was thick with dampness and mold, laced with the stale stench of rust.
A pitch-black cat crouched in the shadows, idly toying with several half-dead white snakes using its paws.
Once a snake stopped moving, the cat would release it—only for the serpent to squirm again, trapped once more under soft paw pads, as if the feline took cruel pleasure in the game.
But soon, as if sensing something, the cat lifted its head.
It was then that its appearance could be clearly seen.
This all-black cat had one eye black, and the other pure white.
Normal people would assume it was just a one-eyed animal—but no one knew that the white eye was none other than the Byakugan, a coveted treasure desired by the other four great ninja villages.
Take for example Ao, an elite jōnin of Kirigakure, who earned the title "White Eye Killer" and even appeared on Konoha's Most Wanted List simply because he possessed one Byakugan.
No one would ever imagine that someone would go so far as to transplant such a precious organ into a cat.
And yet… someone had done exactly that.
The black cat lowered its head, gripping the dead snake in its teeth before vanishing into a blur, leaping up into the labyrinth of pipes above, landing silently as if stepping on clouds.
Crouching in a corner of the drainage pipe, its white pupil dilated slightly while its black eye narrowed to a thin line, fixated on the calm surface of the murky water below.
The polluted water, deep enough to reach the knees, shimmered with an oily sheen, reflecting the rust-covered tangle of pipes overhead.
Plop… plop…
Moments later, ripples disturbed the still surface. Three swift shadows darted across the water, their distorted figures dancing within the wavering reflections.
Sarutobi Hiruzen and two Anbu had gone through quite a struggle. They had encountered numerous traps and decoys set by Orochimaru along the way before finally finding a clear path through the maze-like underground tunnels.
This kind of damp, dark environment suited only rats and snakes—and it seemed Orochimaru's habits were indeed growing more serpentine.
…
Suddenly, Sarutobi halted, staring at a rust-covered door ahead. His expression turned grim as he raised a hand, signaling the two Anbu forward.
BOOM!!
With a heavy thud, the iron door burst open, releasing a wave of nauseating stench—rotting flesh mixed with antiseptic and blood, carried by a cold gust of wind.
Yellowish light spilled into the room, but what lay inside made Sarutobi's pupils contract.
The lab walls were splattered with dark red bloodstains, forming grotesque abstract patterns. Overhead bulbs flickered weakly from the impact of breaking in.
The floor was coated in layers of blackish-brown residue, like evidence of sins that refused to fade despite repeated cleanings.
Sarutobi could clearly hear the sharp intakes of breath from the two Anbu beside him. Their eyes locked onto several tall cylindrical glass tanks standing in the center of the lab.
Inside the faintly glowing green liquid were curled human silhouettes, their skin translucent and waxy from long-term immersion. Exposed muscles were stitched together with worm-like sutures.
Visible within the opened chests, hearts still beat rhythmically. Snake-like organs coiled within abdominal cavities, and tangled wires extended outward like jellyfish tentacles.
There were many such test subjects—each marked with numbers like "32," "42," and "65."
Metal shelves lined the walls, filled with jars containing biological organs at various stages of development, twitching unnaturally in the preservation fluid.
"This…" trembled the Anbu behind their masks.
Honestly, the sight was shocking enough, but Sarutobi had already braced himself mentally.
After all, Orochimaru's earliest experiments on human bodies had been conducted under his own tacit approval—and that of the entire Konoha leadership—when testing Hashirama's cell transplants.
Although those test subjects had 'volunteered', hoping to cultivate a new user of Wood Release techniques, it proved that Sarutobi was not some soft-hearted old man.
The world was never purely black or white—it was a refined shade of gray.
Even now, seeing this horror show didn't erase the lingering feelings of guilt and reluctance he held toward his former student.
Until he saw the two overlapping shadows deep within the lab…
Because Orochimaru had his back to the entrance, Sarutobi first noticed the young face on the operating table—the boy's neck sliced open.
Gone was the mocking smile from earlier. Terror had replaced it. Tears slid silently down the child's youthful face.
As if spotting Sarutobi, the boy raised a trembling hand and opened his mouth, though no sound came out.
But Sarutobi clearly understood what he wanted to say.
"Grandpa Third…"
At that moment, Orochimaru—who had heard the noise—turned around too.
Bright, cold light reflected off his pale face, intensifying the bloody, monstrous expression twisting his features.
Blood still gushed from the decapitated corpse beneath his feet, turning the lab into a hellish crimson landscape—an image of brutal savagery.
This sight struck Sarutobi harder than all the failed experiments combined.
Most importantly—he recognized the child. He remembered him vividly.
As the honorary principal of the Konoha Ninja Academy, Sarutobi often visited schools to give speeches, cultivating his image as a kind elder and spreading the village's "Will of Fire."
Once, he had visited Hyūga Unkawa's class. During his speech about the Will of Fire, he noticed how deeply the boy's face radiated admiration.
Later, as usual, the teacher asked the students to write down their thoughts after the lecture.
Sarutobi hadn't intended to read them—until he recalled that innocent, admiring face and impulsively flipped through the pile until he found the dusty paper.
Then he froze.
> "My family is like a large tree with deep roots and lush branches."
> "The Third Grandpa is the trunk."
> "Sometimes mediating, sometimes nourishing."
> "Father is the branch."
> "Sometimes protecting me from the cold, sometimes shielding me from storms."
> "Though they are aging and full of holes, they still plant their roots deep into the earth, supporting and sheltering the whole family and its fruits."
> "We are the fruits."
> "Our birth brought joy to our family; we suckled on sweet nutrients, and others sheltered us from storms."
> "But we forgot who gave us nourishment, who shielded us from storms."
> "I was too arrogant."
> "Perhaps when I fall, get eaten, and am thrown to the ground…"
> "As a seed, taking root and sprouting—I will understand."
Sarutobi had grown tired of the exaggerated flattery from adults and the blind adoration from children.
But this piece, free of flowery language, perfectly embodied the Will of Fire, subtly touching on the tension between clans and the village, expressed through honest, sincere words.
Especially the last three lines—they struck Sarutobi right in the heart, warming his weary body.
Yes. All these clans taught their children to protect clan interests, never teaching them to see themselves as part of Konoha itself. And those children only saw the protective "branches," completely ignoring the "trunk" that supported the entire tree and bore all the fruit.
Undoubtedly, this was a good child—a rare soul capable of rising above clan limitations and inheriting the true Will of Fire!
If anyone dared tell Sarutobi that Hyūga Unkawa was a bad kid, Sarutobi would've summoned Enma on the spot and smashed their brains out.
Yet here he was, watching this good child slowly collapse on the operating table.
All complex emotions toward Orochimaru vanished in an instant. Veins swelled on his aged face.
"Orochimaru!" Sarutobi glared furiously at his former student. "What are you doing?!"
"What have you done?!"
Seeing Sarutobi truly enraged, Orochimaru felt a chill run through him.
He hadn't expected such fury. From his understanding of his increasingly indecisive mentor, even if the human experiments were exposed, Sarutobi likely wouldn't actually attack him—he'd probably still have time to escape from Konoha.
But why now…?
Before Orochimaru could consider Unsen's role, a furious Sarutobi began forming seals.
亥－戌－酉－申－未!
(Boar–Dog–Bird–Monkey–Ram!)
"Summoning Technique!"
POOF!
A thick cloud of smoke erupted, revealing a muscular ape wearing a fur coat and bearing a Konoha forehead protector.
"Hiruzen, in trouble?"
Enma instinctively asked—but upon seeing Orochimaru, he paused in shock.
"Enma!"
Sarutobi barked, cutting him short.
With another puff of smoke, Enma transformed into a thick staff.
Going straight for Enma?!
Orochimaru's face darkened instantly. No time to wonder why the old man was so angry, nor why his white snakes hadn't warned him—
If he hesitated any longer, he might really die here!
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!!"
WOOOSH!!
A powerful gust shot from Orochimaru's mouth, carrying razor-sharp wind blades. The roaring pressure sent ripples through the air.
Glass containers shattered instantly, flying debris obscuring the vision of the two Anbu.
Even now, Orochimaru still tried to grab Unkawa before escaping.
But Sarutobi didn't even look. With a swing of the staff, he slammed it toward Orochimaru.
PUFF!
Already drained of chakra from the organ transplant surgery, Orochimaru was hit mid-air as he reached for Unkawa. A violent cough sent blood mixed with internal organ fragments spewing from his mouth.
"Damn it! Damn it!!"
Glaring down at the furious Sarutobi, Orochimaru realized he couldn't take Unkawa with him.
Accepting this bitterly, he forced himself to stay calm.
"Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole!"
Using the momentum from the strike, he formed seals mid-air, his feet striking the ceiling. Solid stone liquefied beneath him, and his body vanished into the earth like a fish diving underwater.
"Third Hokage!"
The two Anbu stepped forward, looking up at Sarutobi's cold, determined expression.
Sarutobi exhaled, his anger easing slightly. He turned to the unconscious Unsen.
"Take this child for immediate treatment. Save his life at all costs."
"Yes!"
Without hesitation, the Anbu scooped up Unsen and vanished in a blur.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru tunneled upward through the earth, his chest throbbing, face pale beyond belief.
Even in his prime, he couldn't defeat Sarutobi. Now, with nearly depleted chakra, escape was his only option.
Unkawa would have to remain in Konoha—for now. As long as the boy stayed alive, the secrets would remain safe.
Yet a sense of unbearable humiliation gripped him.
How had everything suddenly spiraled out of control?
That damned brat again!
Could all of this truly have been orchestrated by that child?
Had he plotted for three years—not just against Orochimaru, but even manipulating the old man? Was today's outcome all part of his plan?
He was only fifteen! Could he really be some kind of monster?!
Thoughts racing, Orochimaru broke through the surface—only to face a figure waiting above.
An Anbu mask. A short blade strapped to the back. Silver hair.
Kakashi Hatake.
"Chidori!"
Without a word, Kakashi charged, lightning crackling in his palm.
Orochimaru almost laughed in frustration.
Did these brats really think they could stop him?!
As killing intent rose in Orochimaru's heart, a subtle sound reached his ears.
Sssshhh...
"What is this…?"
He looked down and saw a black cat dart away, pausing briefly to glance back at him.
That feline face wore an unmistakable expression of mockery.
Most importantly…
"Byakugan?!"
Noticing the white eye, Orochimaru's narrow pupils constricted sharply.
Before he could react—
BOOM!!
Multiple explosive tags detonated, shattering the quiet night. The entire lab collapsed under the force of the blast.
The ground cracked like a landslide, sending chunks of flesh flying like rain!
In the opposite direction, two Anbu leaping between trees instinctively stopped.
"Was that the Third…?" They followed the sound, chilled to the bone.
They didn't notice the faintest hint of a smile on Unkawa's lips as he rested in their arms.
"So… you held back a little?" he mused inwardly. "I hope Orochimaru enjoys my final gift."
He didn't expect Sarutobi's rage to kill Orochimaru for real. Emotional attachment could never outweigh decades of master-apprentice bond.
Once Sarutobi cooled down, he might even regret hitting too hard.
But it didn't matter.
Unkawa only needed to clear his name. Whether Orochimaru lived or died was irrelevant.
Besides, a pawn as useful as Orochimaru wasn't easy to replace.
Dying before being fully used… would be a shame.
Thinking thus, Unkawa glanced at the sky.
It was already 5 AM. Dawn painted the horizon.
Every sunset is also a sunrise. When the sun sinks behind the mountains, casting its final glow, it rises anew on the other side, blazing with morning light.
"The next step… is the Tenseigan," Unkawa whispered, smiling faintly.
Heh. Hyūga Clan… Caged Bird Seal.
Appear weak when strong. Appear strong when weak.
From today onward… the offense and defense have switched places.
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