Drip... Drip... The sound of dripping water echoed in layers within the arched space, mixed with the sound of whining wind from an unknown source. The damp, musty smell, wrapped in the scent of old rust, assailed the senses.
A pure black cat lay prone in the shadows, its paws toying with several half-dead white snakes.
Once a white snake stopped moving, the black cat would release its paw. The snake's body would then struggle and writhe, only to be firmly held down by the soft pad, a hint of cruel amusement in the act.
But soon, as if sensing something, the black cat raised its head.
And only then could its appearance be clearly seen.
This pure black cat had one white eye and one black eye.
A normal person would only see it as a cat blind in one eye, but no one knew that the white eye was the "Byakugan," coveted by the other four great ninja villages.
It was well-known that the Jonin "Ao" from Kirigakure was called the "Byakugan Killer" simply for possessing one Byakugan, even earning him a place in Konoha's Gold Bingo Book.
No one would ever imagine that some lunatic would transplant such a precious Byakugan into a cat.
And yet, someone had done just that.
The black cat lowered its head, picked up a dead white snake, and leaped into the shadows of the crisscrossing pipes above like a phantom, as silent as stepping on cotton wool.
Crouched at a corner of a drainpipe, its white pupil dilated slightly, while its black eye narrowed to a thin line, staring at the calm water surface in the distance.
The murky, oily water, deep enough to submerge one's knees, reflected the rust-covered network of pipes overhead.
Splash... Splash...
A moment later, ripples disturbed the calm water surface. Three swift black shadows were seen treading water, their figures distorted into strange shapes in the rippling reflection.
It had taken Hiruzen Sarutobi and the two ANBU members quite an effort, encountering many of Orochimaru's traps and decoys along the way, to finally find the right path in the intricate sewer system.
Only snakes and rats would like this dark and damp environment. Orochimaru's habits truly seemed to be aligning with those of a snake.
"..."
Hiruzen suddenly stopped, his expression turning grim as he looked at the rust-covered door ahead. He raised a hand, signaling the ANBU ninja to advance.
BANG!!
With the muffled thud of the iron door being forced open, a pungent, foul smell—a mixture of disinfectant and the sweet stench of rotting flesh—rushed out with a cold wind, making one want to retch.
The dim yellow light cast bright shadows, but the scene before them made Hiruzen's pupils shrink.
The laboratory walls were stained with dark red blood, creating a mottled, abstract painting. The light bulb hanging from the ceiling flickered on and off due to the vibration of the door breaking.
The ground was caked with layers of dark brown matter, like evidence of a crime that could not be washed away despite repeated scrubbing.
Hiruzen could clearly hear the suddenly quickened breathing of the two ANBU ninja beside him. Both stared intently at the several cylindrical glass containers standing in the laboratory.
Within the pale green liquid, the curled outlines of human figures were faintly visible. Their skin, soaked for a long time, had a translucent, waxy sheen. The exposed muscle tissue was covered with suture lines resembling maggots.
A beating heart could still be seen inside the dissected chest cavity, and snake-like organs were grafted and entwined in the abdominal cavity. Messy wires extended out of the containers like jellyfish tentacles.
And there were many such experimental subjects in the laboratory, marked with blood-red numbers like "32," "42," and "65."
The iron shelves around were also piled with glass jars, containing biological organs in different stages of development, twitching bizarrely in the liquid.
"This..." The ANBU ninja's pupils trembled beneath their masks.
To be honest, although the scene before him was shocking enough, Hiruzen was already mentally prepared.
After all, Orochimaru's first contact with human experimentation was, in fact, with the tacit approval of him and all of Konoha's high-ranking officials, conducting transplant experiments with Hashirama's cells.
Although those people were all willing test subjects, hoping to cultivate a user who could wield Wood Release and bring it back to the world, it also proved that Hiruzen Sarutobi was not a soft-hearted person.
Even seeing this scene, Hiruzen still held a sense of forbearance and guilt towards his student.
Until he saw, in the deepest part of the laboratory, two overlapping shadows...
Because Orochimaru's back was to the door, Hiruzen first saw the youthful face on the operating table and the neck that had been cut open.
There was no longer any smile on Hyuga Kumo's face; it had long been replaced by fear. Tears streamed down his youthful face.
As if seeing Hiruzen, he raised a hand in his direction and opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
But Hiruzen clearly saw what the child wanted to say.
"Grandpa Third..." he said.
At that moment, Orochimaru, hearing the noise, also turned around. The bright, cold light reflected on his pale face, making the savagery stained with blood appear even more evil and ugly.
The headless corpse at Orochimaru's feet was still gushing blood, turning the laboratory into a hell of blood rain, composing a brutal and grotesque painting with the scene.
The impact of this scene on Hiruzen instantly surpassed that of all the other experimental subjects.
Most importantly, he knew that child. He had a very deep impression of him.
As the honorary principal of the Konoha Ninja Academy, he often made time to give speeches at the school, shaping his image as an approachable elder while expounding on Konoha's "Will of Fire."
Once, he had chosen Hyuga Kumo's class. While speaking about the "Will of Fire," he noticed the admiration that almost overflowed from the child's face.
Afterwards, as usual, the teacher had the children write down their feelings.
Hiruzen normally wouldn't have time to read those "reflections," but he happened to recall that youthful face full of admiration. On a whim, he dug out the "reflection" paper that was almost covered in dust.
And then, he was stunned.
[My home is like a great tree with deep roots and lush leaves.]
[Grandpa Third is the trunk.]
[Sometimes harmonizing from within, sometimes providing nutrients.]
[Father is the branches and leaves.]
[Sometimes providing warmth against the cold, sometimes sheltering from wind and rain.]
[Though they are old and their strength fails them, though they are riddled with holes by borers, they still sink their roots deep into the earth, supporting and protecting the whole family and the fruit.]
[And we are all the fruit.]
[Our family rejoices at our birth. We often suckle on delicious nutrients, and someone often shelters us from wind and rain.]
[But we forget who provides us with nutrients, who shields us from the wind and rain.]
[I am too high up.]
[Perhaps, when I fall, am eaten by someone, and thrown on the ground,]
[As a seed, taking root and sprouting, then I will understand.]
Hiruzen was tired of the endless flattery from adults, and he was tired of the blind, ignorant adoration and worship from children.
But this essay, devoid of any ornate words, yet perfectly fitting the "Will of Fire," even subtly pointing out the conflict between the ninja clans and the village, its childish words revealing a sincere and beautiful text.
Especially the last three sentences, one could say, in an instant, struck a chord in Hiruzen's heart, making his weary body feel warm.
Yes, those ninja clans only teach their children to protect the interests of their clan. They never teach those children to see themselves as a part of Konoha. Yet, the children of those ninja clans can only see the "branches and leaves" that shelter them from wind and rain, but not him, the one supporting the entire "tree" and all the "fruit."
Without a doubt, this was a good child who could see beyond the limitations of his clan, focus on the entirety of Konoha, and inherit the pure Will of Fire!
If anyone dared to tell Hiruzen that Hyuga Kumo was a bad child, Hiruzen would summon Enma on the spot and smash that person's brains out.
But, such a good child, was now...
Watching that figure slowly fall onto the operating table, the complex feelings Hiruzen held for Orochimaru quietly dissipated, and veins gradually crawled onto his old face.
"Orochimaru!" he roared, staring deadly at Orochimaru. "What are you doing!"
"What have you done?!"
Seeing Hiruzen, who was clearly genuinely enraged, Orochimaru's heart skipped a beat as he came to his senses.
He hadn't expected the other to be so furious. Based on his understanding of his increasingly indecisive teacher, even if the human experiments were exposed, the other would likely not act against him. There was still a high chance of escaping from Konoha.
But now, why... Before Orochimaru could think of Hyuga Kumo, the enraged Hiruzen had already formed hand seals.
Boar－Dog－Bird－Monkey－Ram! "Summoning Jutsu!"
POOF! With a puff of white smoke, a stout ape wearing a fur coat and a Konoha forehead protector appeared beside Hiruzen.
"Hiruzen, are you in trouble?"
Enma asked subconsciously as soon as he appeared, but when he looked up, he saw Orochimaru and froze. "This..."
"Enma!"
Hiruzen's explosive shout interrupted Enma's thoughts.
With a "poof" of white smoke, Enma transformed into a staff as thick as a pillar.
Using Enma from the very beginning?! Seeing this, Orochimaru's face instantly turned ugly. He had no time to think about why the old man was so angry today, nor did he have time to wonder why his white snakes hadn't given him any warning.
If he hesitated any longer, he might really die here today!
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!!"
VMM!!
A gale mixed with fine wind blades spewed from Orochimaru's mouth. The shrieking air pressure created ripples in the air.
The surrounding bottles and jars shattered in an instant, swept towards Hiruzen and the two ANBU, obscuring their vision.
Even now, as he was about to flee, Orochimaru still thought of taking Hyuga Kumo with him.
But Hiruzen didn't even look, the staff in his hand lengthened and slammed towards the distant Orochimaru.
"Pfft!"
Orochimaru, already depleted of chakra from the organ transplant surgery, was sent flying by the staff as he tried to grab Hyuga Kumo. He vomited a mouthful of thick,腥 blood mixed with organ fragments in mid-air.
"Damn it! Damn it!!"
Orochimaru looked down resentfully at the grim-faced Hiruzen below. Seeing the other instantly appear beside Hyuga Kumo, he knew he probably couldn't take the boy with him this time.
Realizing this, although unwilling to accept it, Orochimaru calmed down.
"Earth Release: Underground Fish Projection!"
Using the force of the blow, Orochimaru quickly formed hand seals in mid-air. His feet landed on the ceiling, and the solid rock beneath them turned to liquid. His body submerged into the earth like a fish in water.
"Lord Third!"
The two ANBU ninja stepped forward, looking at Hiruzen who was looking up with a cold expression.
Hiruzen withdrew his gaze, his anger slightly abated. He looked at Hyuga Kumo beside him and said, "Take this child for medical treatment immediately. You must save his life."
"Yes!" The two ANBU ninja didn't ask any questions. They nodded in acknowledgment, picked up Hyuga Kumo, and vanished on the spot.
At this moment, Orochimaru, rapidly ascending through the earth, clutched his chest, his face pale to the extreme.
Not to mention that his chakra was almost completely depleted, even at his peak, he couldn't defeat Hiruzen Sarutobi.
So all he could do now was to escape from Konoha with all his might. Hyuga Kumo could only be left to Konoha for now, to be dealt with later. Moreover, he had to keep Hyuga Kumo's secret to ensure he lived.
Thinking of this, he felt extremely frustrated.
How did things suddenly spiral out of control? Right, it's all that damn kid's fault!
But could all of this have been done by that kid? Not only did he plot against him for years, but he also plotted against the old man. Everything that happened today was part of his plan? That kid is only fifteen years old. Is he a monster or something?! As thoughts raced through his mind, Orochimaru broke out of the ground, only to be met by a figure.
Wearing an ANBU mask, with a short sword on his back, and his signature silver hair.
Kakashi Hatake.
"Chidori!"
Without a single word of nonsense, he charged forward with Chidori in hand, which made Orochimaru laugh in anger.
Are all these brats so overconfident?!
Just as murderous intent arose in Orochimaru's heart, an almost inaudible sound reached his ears.
Tsk! "This is..."
Orochimaru looked down at his feet and saw a black cat darting out. It finally looked up at him.
A human-like mockery actually appeared on the cat's face.
Most importantly...
"Byakugan?!"
Noticing the cat's white eye, Orochimaru's long, narrow pupils shrank instantly.
The next moment, before he could react.
BOOM!!
The explosions of several explosive tags shattered the quiet night. The entire experimental base was shattered by a terrifying force.
Cracks like a landslide caved into the flat ground, and flesh and blood scattered and flew like rain in the blast! Meanwhile, in the opposite direction, feeling the huge explosion from afar, the two ANBU ninja leaping through the trees subconsciously stopped.
"Is that Lord Third..." They looked in the direction of the sound, inevitably feeling terrified.
And they did not see, at this moment, a faint, imperceptible smile appear on the face of Hyuga Kumo in their arms.
"You still held back?" he laughed inwardly. "I hope Orochimaru will like my final gift."
He hadn't expected Hiruzen's momentary anger to actually be able to kill Orochimaru. Emotional acknowledgment could not compare to decades of master-student sentiment.
When Hiruzen completely calmed down, he might even regret striking so heavily.
But, it didn't matter.
What Hyuga Kumo wanted was to clear his name. Whether Orochimaru lived or died was not important.
Besides, a useful pawn like Orochimaru wasn't easy to find.
It would be a pity if he died before being completely squeezed dry.
Thinking of this, Hyuga Kumo glanced at the sky.
It was already five in the morning. The morning glow was already on the horizon.
The sun is always a setting sun and a rising sun. When it extinguishes and descends the mountain, gathering all the desolate afterglow, it is also the moment when it burns and climbs the mountain peak on the other side, spreading its brilliant morning glory.
"Next, is the Tenseigan," Hyuga Kumo closed his eyes and laughed softly in his heart.
Heh, the Hyuga Clan, the caged bird.
What is false, make real; what is real, make false. The strong feign weakness, and the weak feign strength.
From today onwards, the tables have turned.
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PS: The plot of this book is fundamentally a re-creation based on the foundation of the original work's setting, but it will not follow the original slavishly. It's perfectly normal for the plot to run wild and completely change all the storylines. I've written like this before, and I guarantee it will be a satisfying read.
For example, the opening arc where Orochimaru's human experimentation is exposed and a soft-hearted Hiruzen Sarutobi lets him escape is a plot point from both the manga and the anime.
Although there are subtle differences between the two (for example, in the anime, when questioned by Enma, the Third Hokage directly states he can't bring himself to kill Orochimaru, whereas in the manga he just remains silent, and Orochimaru's lab is much more gruesome than in the anime), the plot is more or less the same.
I have also read the Naruto anime, manga, and official databooks four or five times. I will not write about things that don't exist in the original work, such as "Konoha's Eight Colors," "Lord Cold Orochimaru," "Shinobi Hero Hiruzen Sarutobi," "Elite Jonin," "Kage-level," or "Demigod Hanzo."
So please, read with confidence. Thank you all for your support.