The Star City at night had shed its daytime bustle. Only the underground Military Research Zone remained brightly lit, permeated by a cold, focused atmosphere.
The air was a mix of disinfectant, some peculiar medicinal liquid, and a faint scent of blood. From behind the heavy metal doors lining the corridors, occasional, indescribable subtle sounds could be heard.
Menma moved silently through the pristine corridors, the hem of his dark happi coat swaying gently.
He finally stopped before a heavy alloy door marked [Biological Gene Research]. A scanner by the door swept over his iris, and with a faint hiss of pressurized air, the door slid open to both sides.
The scene inside opened up abruptly.
It was an extremely spacious laboratory, filled with various precision instruments and cultivation tanks. The most eye-catching was a massive observation room in the center, enclosed by reinforced glass.
Currently, a violent slaughter was unfolding inside the observation room.
A boy with short orange hair had crimson eyes, his skin an unnatural gray-black. Parts of his body had even developed ferocious keratinization. Violent Chakra mixed with a chaotic form of Natural Energy surged from his body.
He roared, tearing apart several other figures in identical prisoner uniforms within the observation room with terrifying strength and speed completely mismatched to his physique.
Blood and dismembered limbs splattered across the glass walls, a gruesome sight.
The researchers in the lab seemed accustomed to this, calmly recording data.
Orochimaru, currently using a female body, stood outside the observation room. His pale skin and golden, vertical pupils shimmered with excitement and greed, his long black hair tied simply behind his back.
He extended his tongue, licking his lips as if admiring a masterpiece.
"Such beautiful destructive power-" His hoarse, uniquely magnetic voice echoed in the laboratory.
However, the orange-haired boy's rampage seemed unstoppable. He began frantically crashing against the reinforced glass, emitting a grating, dull thud.
Fine cracks began to appear on the glass.
"That's enough." Orochimaru frowned slightly and waved his hand.
A researcher nearby immediately pressed a button on the control panel.
Nozzles on the ceiling of the observation room instantly released a large amount of white sedative gas. After inhaling the gas, the boy's berserk aura rapidly subsided, the crimson faded from his eyes, and the physical mutations slowly receded. He finally collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Only then did Orochimaru seem to notice Menma's arrival. He turned, his golden serpentine eyes falling on Menma, a hint of a boastful smile on his face. "Shura-sama, visiting so late, what a rare guest. It seems you're also interested in my new... 'specimen'?"
He gestured with his head towards the unconscious boy in the observation room, "Prime material obtained from the Land of Water. A very peculiar Kekkei Genkai… or perhaps, a certain talent? He can autonomously absorb Natural Energy, entering a state similar to, but much more violent and unstable [Sage Mode]."
"Quite interesting, isn't it? I'm researching how to stabilize this power, to create a Cursed Seal more easily tolerated by ordinary people."
Menma's gaze swept over the chaotic scene in the observation room.
He shook his head, his voice emerging from behind the white three-eyed fox mask, flat and unemotional, "The power is indeed unique, but too chaotic and violent, difficult to control. A Cursed Seal based on this research might boost power in the short term, but it ultimately has limits and inevitably comes with significant backlash and risks."
The smile on Orochimaru's face stiffened slightly.
He knew well how sharp the judgment of this Shura before him was. Since the other party directly negated the potential of this research path, it almost meant that the immense effort he had invested might indeed only yield a clearly flawed, secondary product.
This stirred a strong sense of unwillingness and the need for reassessment within him.
'If Shura didn't favor it, it meant the upper limit of Jugo's Sage Mode might truly not be high.'
But he quickly masked it, letting out a light laugh, "Hehe… your insights are always so incisive. So, your visit today probably isn't just to evaluate my new toy?"
He turned and led Menma deeper into the laboratory, "This way, please."
The two passed through several corridors, arriving at another, more private laboratory. This one contained more equipment related to cell research and genetics. The air carried the scent of formaldehyde and special culture fluids.
"For you to grace us with a sudden visit, is there something urgent, Shura-sama? Could it be that Minato-kun and Kushina aren't keeping you 'busy' enough?" Orochimaru's words held a double meaning, a playful smile at the corner of his mouth.
After seeing the reanimated Minato and Kushina, he was even more convinced that Shura had a deep connection to the Fourth Hokage and his wife, perhaps even being some existence from the future.
Menma ignored his teasing and stated his purpose directly: "I need cell samples of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama. The most active, best-preserved kind."
A flicker of genuine surprise passed through Orochimaru's golden serpentine eyes, "Oh? The cells of the First and Second Hokage?"
He pondered for a moment, "If you're thinking of using them for the Impure World Reincarnation, I'm afraid I must disappoint you. I have already completed their reanimation."
This time, it was Menma's turn to be slightly taken aback. He truly hadn't expected Orochimaru to act so quickly.
But upon second thought, given Orochimaru's obsession with forbidden technique and his research capabilities, it was entirely reasonable that after improving and mastering the Impure World Reincarnation, his first action would be to reanimate these two legendary Hokages to extract their knowledge and forbidden techniques.
Especially the Second Hokage, Tobirama, the original developer of the Impure World Reincarnation. With him under control, Orochimaru could undoubtedly obtain a wealth of precious information about this technique and others.
Beneath the mask, a slight curve touched Menma's lips.
'This might actually be better.'
He let out a soft laugh and said, "Is that so? That's fine too."
"Orochimaru, soon, the Konoha's leadership will launch a purge against the Uchiha Clan, just like how Kirigakure handled the Yuki Clan and Kaguya Clan back in the day. A 'Night of the Massacre' targeting the Uchiha."
Orochimaru's pupils contracted sharply. For the first time, an expression of disbelief appeared on his face, "Massacre… the Uchiha? Sarutobi-sensei... he would actually make such a decision?"
"For the so-called stability of the village, has it really come to such unscrupulous measures? How increasingly ugly." While he held no fondness for the Konoha's leadership, the complete eradication of the Uchiha Clan still exceeded his expectations.
The Uchiha Clan was one of Konoha's founding clans, with deep foundations and formidable strength. Exterminating such a great clan would cause unimaginable turmoil.
The image of his teacher, always stubbornly preaching the [Will of Fire], flashed through his mind, stirring complex emotions.
"When the time comes, I will set up a 'theater'," Menma continued in that calm yet authoritative tone, "I will invite some special guests to witness with their own eyes how Konoha Village, with its own hands, butchers one of its founding clans."
"I see..." Orochimaru, being highly intelligent, immediately understood Menma's intention. That look of interest and malicious amusement returned to his face, his voice becoming slick again, "Having the First and Second Hokage witness with their own eyes how the village they built treats the Uchiha Clan... Hahahaha!"
His shock was quickly replaced by a spectator's excitement, verging on manic.
"Marvelous! Absolutely marvelous! This play will be utterly spectacular!" Orochimaru couldn't help but chuckle softly, his laughter growing louder, echoing through the quiet laboratory, filled with pleasure and anticipation.
'To have the First and Second Hokage, the founders of Konoha Village, witness how their village slaughtered the descendants of another founder?'
'Could there be a more ironic, more anticipated scene?'
Orochimaru stopped laughing, his golden vertical pupils shimmering with dangerous excitement, "Don't worry, I will definitely bring the First and Second Hokage to 'attend' this spectacle on time. Their expressions are bound to be utterly fascinating."
He paused, then added, "However, given that old fossil Danzo's nature, he absolutely will not let the Uchiha's Sharingan slip away. Those eyes are the treasure he covets most."
Menma responded indifferently, "Naturally. He will get nothing."
"Excellent." Orochimaru nodded with satisfaction.
With the matter settled, Menma prepared to leave.
But Orochimaru called out to him again, "Wait a moment, there's one more small matter."
"Speak." Menma slightly turned his head, looking at Orochimaru.
"With the addition of Hiruko, the consumption rate of White Zetsu materials for some of our joint research projects has increased significantly. Hiruko just exchanged three portions of White Zetsu materials from me recently. He seems somewhat afraid of you, not daring to apply for resources directly from you."
Orochimaru's tone carried a hint of schadenfreude, "And my own stock is about to run out."
Menma remembered. He had previously promised Orochimaru one White Zetsu per year, advising him not to be too wasteful.
Now, with the addition of Hiruko, who was equally enthusiastic about forbidden technique and human experimentation, it was logical that the consumption rate had doubled.
Of the four White Zetsu he originally possessed, only half of one remained.
'White Zetsu... It seems the plan needs to be moved up.' Menma thought, 'After the Uchiha matter is concluded, it's time to go to Amegakure. On one hand, to search for clues about Jigen and Amado… on the other hand, that's the Akatsuki's base. The production of White Zetsu should be substantial there.'
'Obito and Black Zetsu have been pulling strings from the shadows for so long. It's time to cause them some 'trouble' and collect some 'interest'.'
"I understand." Menma nodded, "New White Zetsu materials will be delivered in due course."
Leaving Orochimaru's underground laboratory, filled with cold technology and eerie life energy, Menma returned to his home in the Star City's administrative district.
The atmosphere here was completely different, brimming with warm, domestic vibes.
The living room lights were soft and warm. A popular TV drama was playing.
Kushina sat cross-legged on the soft sofa, clutching tightly in her arms a palm-sized, dark-red Kokyu, which wore an expression of utter despair as it struggled.
Kushina watched the TV with great interest. Beside her, Hikari sat upright, her expression slightly awkward and carrying a hint of barely perceptible stiffness.
A soft, plush bunny doll had also been stuffed into her arms by Kushina, creating a strange contrast with her cool demeanor.
She seemed unaccustomed to this purely relaxed family atmosphere, yet deep within her always somewhat melancholic black eyes, there flowed a faint, yearning warmth.
Minato sat in a single armchair nearby. A small table in front of him was piled with documents.
He was rapidly reviewing them with a pen, his brows occasionally furrowing slightly, clearly deep in thought.
Although he had been 'dragged back to work' by his son through the Impure World Reincarnation, being able to reunite with his family and contribute to this new nation left him with little complaint. Instead, he felt a sense of fulfillment.
Though he still occasionally sighed helplessly: "Really... I can't even rest in peace… To be pulled back by my son to work... There are even more documents than when I was Hokage..."
This was the scene that greeted Menma when he pushed open the front door and entered.
"I'm home."
Hearing his voice, Kokyu, as if seeing a savior, chirped and struggled free from Kushina's embrace. It scrambled up onto Menma's shoulder in a few moves, nuzzling his cheek affectionately and casting a pitiful, accusatory look at Kushina's 'tyranny'.
"Menma's back!" Kushina waved happily, "Come quick, this drama is so interesting!"
Hikari, seeing Menma, relaxed almost imperceptibly. She subtly moved the bunny doll in her arms to the side, a faint blush flashing across her face.
Minato also looked up from the documents, giving his son a gentle smile, "Back already? Finished your business?"
"Mm." Menma nodded, walking over to the sofa and sitting down. Kokyu took the opportunity to sprawl on his head, yawning.
He looked at his parents and Hikari, his tone becoming slightly more serious, "The plan needs to be moved up. The 'Night of the Massacre' in Konoha could begin at any moment. Once the specific time is confirmed, I will take you there immediately."
The smile instantly vanished from Kushina's face, replaced by a deep anger and heartache, "Danzo! The Third! How dare they!"
Her hands on her knees clenched tightly into fists.
Minato also put down his pen, his gray eyes filled with gravity and a touch of sorrow.
He knew well that the Uchiha Clan's problems were deeply rooted and hard to resolve, but reaching the point of complete extermination still weighed heavily on him.
Menma continued, looking at Hikari and issuing orders, "Hikari, effective immediately, secretly assemble three elite squads. Minimum requirement: Special Jonin-level. They must be trustworthy, highly skilled, and proficient in infiltration, protection, and rapid assault."
"Once Konoha begins its operation, my shadow clones will use the Flying Thunder God Technique to transport you to Konoha Village."
Hikari immediately straightened up, the bunny doll in her lap falling to the floor unnoticed. Her expression returned to the cool focus of the Star Ninja Commander, "Specific missions?"
"First Squad: Primary mission is to receive and escort surviving Uchiha Clan's members to safety. The Uchiha Clan's compound situation is complex, requiring precise intelligence and swift action."
"Second Squad: Also responsible for infiltration and extraction. Target: The Hyuga Clan's branch family. With the internal chaos in Konoha Village at that time, it will be the best opportunity to take them away."
"Third Squad: Heaviest mission. Responsible for creating diversions on the periphery, disrupting and tying down the elite forces of the Konoha's Anbu and Root. If necessary… be prepared to engage other Konoha's Ninja Clans to buy time for the first two squads' retreat."
Menma's voice was calm and clear, "This will be a high-risk operation deep behind enemy lines. I want you to personally select the members and conduct targeted drills. Ensure there are no mistakes."
"Understood!" Hikari nodded firmly, cold flames igniting in her black eyes, "I will submit the personnel selection and tactical plans to you as soon as possible. I guarantee the mission's completion."
She understood deeply the importance and danger of this mission. It was not only a test of the Star Nation's military strength but also crucial to Menma's plan and the future of the Land of Stars.
And she would absolutely not let Menma down.
Outside the window, the night of the Star City remained tranquil and peaceful.
The script was written. The actors and audience were taking their places. A grand play was about to begin!