All the mist of uncertainty and insecurity that hung over Konoha was swept away by the midday sun. The streets were crowded, and the entire village had gathered before the Hokage tower.
Atop the balcony, a woman with a firm posture and imposing gaze observed the crowd. Her blonde hair fell loose over a white cloak with the kanji for "Fire" stamped on its back.
Senju Tsunade. The Fifth Hokage.
Rumors spread everywhere — that Jiraiya and Naruto had faced Orochimaru and forced him to retreat, bringing Tsunade back to the village. Some said she had healed even wounds considered fatal, and that now Konoha's command would regain stability.
'How beautiful.'
Li Shang watched from afar, leaning against one of the plaza's columns. Tsunade's face exuded power and confidence, something rare to see among the leaders he had known in this world.
The ceremony was short. Konoha was still undergoing repairs, and Tsunade was not one to waste time with formalities.
When the crowd dispersed, she returned to the tower. Minutes later, a messenger summoned a small group.
"Neji Hyuuga, Shikamaru Nara, and Shino Aburame. You were the genin approved in the chūnin exam."
Li Shang raised his eyebrows, surprised.
'So the result doesn't depend on victory or defeat... but on performance and evaluation. Makes sense.'
Tsunade looked at each of them briefly before concluding.
"You are dismissed. Neji, wait for a moment."
Shikamaru and Shino exchanged silent glances and left the room.
Li Shang approached the desk, maintaining a respectful tone.
"Hokage-sama needs something?"
Tsunade observed him in silence for a few seconds, then flipped through a report on the desk.
"Three months ago, Hiashi Hyuuga gravely injured you, didn't he?"
The question caught him by surprise.
"Yes."
She stood up, approaching him. Her presence was strong, yet calm. Tsunade studied the boy carefully, trying to understand what lay behind that cold, controlled gaze.
'His aura is different. It's not a child's... it seems like a veteran's.'
"Relax," she said. "I want to confirm if you have fully recovered."
Her palm began to emit a faint green glow. She placed her fingers on Li Shang's head, releasing medical chakra in a steady flow.
The touch was warm, enveloping. A comforting sensation coursed through his body.
'What calm energy. This... is medical chakra? Fascinating.'
He closed his eyes for an instant, allowing himself to relax. There was no fear. His soul was firm, and he doubted anyone in that world had enough spiritual strength to violate his mind.
When he opened his eyes, he noticed her gaze upon him — a gaze that mixed curiosity and slight confusion.
"Is there a problem, Hokage-sama?"
Tsunade quickly withdrew her hand, a slight blush rising to her face.
"Actually, no."
She turned, walking back to the desk.
"Hiashi sought me out personally. He asked me to make an assessment and... requested that any mission assigned to you first pass through the clan's approval."
Li Shang remained silent for a few seconds.
'So that's it...'
He discreetly clenched his fists.
"I don't know why, Hokage-sama."
Tsunade leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms.
"Hiashi said it's a precaution. But, to be honest, the way the Hyuuga clan treats you seems... unusual."
She observed him once more, trying to find a reaction.
Li Shang maintained a calm tone.
"The clan has been overly generous lately."
Inside, the discomfort was real.
'Servants, ready meals, excessive comfort... all of this irritates me. It's not help, it's surveillance.'
In recent days, any attempt to train within the Hyuuga compound was interrupted by someone from the clan. There was always a servant nearby, observing. Even the training grounds seemed like gilded cages.
'I can't take a step without feeling eyes on me. That's why... the forest is the only place where I can still breathe.'
Tsunade still watched him, but noticed the fatigue hidden beneath his neutral expression.
"I understand. I will keep your situation under review, Neji. If anything changes, let me know directly."
Li Shang bowed slightly.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
As he left the room, his thoughts mingled between curiosity and irritation.
'Does Hiashi want to protect me... or control me?'
The answer didn't matter. Deep down, he knew that no chain would be enough to hold him for long.
"Aaaaaaaaah!"
The scream echoed through the stone walls, reverberating until it was lost in the sound of machines hissing in sync. The cave smelled of blood, metal, and chemicals. The flasks connected by tubes vibrated with each convulsive movement in the center of the room.
"Damn... Jiraiya..."
Orochimaru's body writhed on the cold table. His skin, pale as wax, began to crack in dark veins.
Beside him, Kabuto Yakushi watched attentively, adjusting instruments, checking pulses, and controlling the flow of medicinal chakra. His expression was calm, but his gaze betrayed concern.
"Lord Orochimaru, what shall we do?"
The sannin slowly opened his yellow eyes, breathing with effort.
The hatred in his voice was still the same, even weakened.
"We will send the Sound Four to retrieve Sasuke. The ritual needs to be prepared as soon as possible."
Kabuto nodded, wiping his hands and turning to leave, but his steps hesitated.
"What about the Hyuuga?"
Orochimaru looked up. The name was enough to ignite something in his mind.
"Explain."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses, maintaining an analytical tone.
"Our spies report strange movements within the Hyuuga clan. There have been changes after the new Hokage's ascension. It seems the patriarch issued an order — young Neji can only leave the village with direct clan approval. And, furthermore, Danzou has shown interest in him."
Orochimaru remained silent for a moment. The constant sound of the machines filled the space between words.
"So... they discovered the seal?"
"No, apparently not."
The answer made the sannin smile. A thin, almost imperceptible smile, but laden with malice.
"Hehehe..." A low laugh escaped his lips. "So the power of the mark adapted perfectly to his body. Just as I imagined."
Orochimaru's fingers tapped lightly on the table, the irregular rhythm echoing like a sick heart.
"That explains why the patriarch is restless. They have no idea what they possess."
Kabuto watched in silence.
"Should we act on this?"
Orochimaru moved his gaze to him, his eyes snaking with a perverse gleam.
"If you can bring him, bring him. But..." — his voice became lower, like a poisonous whisper — "do not compromise the main mission."
Kabuto bowed slightly.
"Understood, Lord Orochimaru."
The sannin closed his eyes again, sinking his body into the table, exhausted. The hiss of the devices once again dominated the environment.
'Sasuke Uchiha... Neji Hyuuga...'
The smile returned, wider, his ambition crawling towards Konoha.