After patrolling the entire Research Division, Kin realized that everyone was busy at work—even Namikaze Minato hadn't left the archives yet, still engrossed in his studies. As for Kushina, she was deeply immersed in her sealing techniques.
After making his rounds, Kin scratched his head in confusion.
"Am I the only one with free time now?"
The only person he hadn't seen was Orochimaru, but the man was undoubtedly even busier than the others here.
"Kin-kun."
Speak of the devil—Orochimaru appeared around the corner, licking his lips as he eyed Kin.
"Do you have a moment?"
"I do have time. What do you need, Orochimaru-sensei?" Kin asked curiously.
He had been planning to take a short break. While his shadow clones were working nonstop, he, the original, intended to relax—though, to be fair, it seemed like he was always relaxing.
Well, he might as well rest on behalf of his clones. After all, the fatigue would eventually return to him anyway.
Kin had no qualms about enjoying his downtime.
"Danzo has provided me with some new test subjects. If possible, I'd like your assistance in researching them."
Orochimaru had been preoccupied with Hashirama's cells lately. Despite his efforts, the lack of progress was starting to wear even him down.
"Hashirama's cells, huh?"
Kin narrowed his eyes slightly. He was, after all, the second successful case of Hashirama cell integration—the first being a certain Uchiha Madara, who was still hiding in the shadows.
Orochimaru seemed to suspect that Kin had succeeded.
It appeared Orochimaru was genuinely trying to crack the secrets of Hashirama's cells.
"I don't mind helping, Orochimaru-sensei."
Kin shrugged. If Orochimaru wanted results, he'd give him one—consider it repayment for the training he'd received.
Not that Kin needed Orochimaru to learn his techniques. He could have acquired them all on his own.
But there was a difference when someone offered them willingly.
"When do we start?" Kin asked.
"I'm actually quite hungry. Let's grab a meal first, then head to the new laboratory Danzo prepared for me." Orochimaru placed a hand on his stomach. He had just come from his own lab and hadn't eaten in a while.
"How about that new Ichiraku Ramen place, Orochimaru-sama?"
"I have no objections."
With peace settling in, many ordinary civilians in Konoha had started opening businesses. Ichiraku Ramen was one of them.
Though, to be precise, Ichiraku had run a noodle shop before, but it had gone out of business due to poor management even before the war began.
Now, under a new sign, it had reopened—destined to become a classic landmark in Konoha.
Kin and Orochimaru stepped inside the ramen shop.
"Twenty bowls of your specialty ramen, please," Kin called out.
The young Teuchi responded calmly, "Please wait a moment, honored guests."
He had grown accustomed to Konoha's bottomless appetites. With the widespread practice of Basic Internal Energy, big eaters were everywhere.
Many shops could earn several days' worth of revenue in a single sitting thanks to these shinobi, leading to a booming food industry.
That was why this ramen shop had opened—the restaurant business was just too profitable now.
Soon, ten bowls each were placed before Kin and Orochimaru.
The two dug in.
The noodles were, without a doubt, delicious.
No wonder this place would remain popular for years to come.
Once they finished eating and stepped outside, their attention was drawn to two figures—one tall, one small—walking down the street ahead.
A mischievous grin spread across Kin's face. Orochimaru glanced at him, still unable to comprehend their relationship.
Were these two on good terms… or bad?
"Well, if it isn't the White Fang?"
Kin stepped forward with a smile, blocking the path of the two figures.
White Fang showed no embarrassment at being caught. Instead, he smiled and pointed at Kin, addressing the boy beside him.
"Call him Uncle."
Kakashi blinked in confusion, looking at Kin. Kin's smile froze, and he quickly crouched down to stop the boy before he could speak.
"I'm still underage. 'Uncle' is a bit premature. What's your name?"
Kakashi glanced between his father and the stranger.
"Kakashi," he said before turning away with a pout.
"I've got a gift for you."
White Fang's pupils contracted. Seeing Kin reach for his ninja pouch, he immediately scooped up his son and declared,
"We don't need it. We'll catch up another time."
With that, he vanished in a flash.
Kin sighed and pulled out a photograph, clicking his tongue.
"He's fast."
The "White Fang's Night Out in the Land of Lightning" edition—still undelivered.
What a failure.
Only when Kin was out of sight did White Fang let out a quiet breath.
"Dad, are you close with that person?" Kakashi asked curiously.
To his surprise, White Fang suddenly turned serious, his expression grave as he addressed his son.
"Kakashi, remember this: never, under any circumstances, associate with that man. Not in any way."
"Why?" Kakashi asked, puzzled. The two didn't seem to be on bad terms.
White Fang's face darkened as he gazed down the street.
"Because that man… is the most dangerous person in Konoha."
"He might even destroy the entire village one day."
Kakashi didn't fully understand his father's words. He just looked at the bustling street, at the people coming and going.
Why would anyone want to destroy a place like this?
Wasn't it nice?
He didn't get it.
In a hidden laboratory within Konoha, a Root ninja led the way for the two.
"Is it really okay for me to be here?" Kin asked.
After all, he and Danzo didn't exactly see eye to eye.
"Danzo might actually prefer it if you joined me in this research," Orochimaru said, licking his lips.
Kin's talent for jutsu development was something even Danzo coveted. If Kin weren't so difficult to manipulate, Danzo would have long since recruited him.
But reduced to a mere tool, Kin wouldn't last long.
"Here we are, sirs."
The guide stopped at their destination.
Just as they were about to enter, Kin suddenly halted, his expression darkening.
The sound of crying reached his ears.
"Kin-kun? What's wrong?"
Orochimaru turned to see Kin's grim expression.
Without a word, Kin pushed past him and stepped into the laboratory.
The spacious room was lined with shelves, each holding a cradle. The cries of infants echoed throughout.
Orochimaru's tongue flicked out as he surveyed the new test subjects.
"Danzo has truly outdone himself this time."
Not satisfied with adult subjects, he had now placed infants on the experimentation table.
How ruthless.
But then, Orochimaru's gaze shifted to Kin, who stood motionless, his face unreadable.
"Kin-kun, are you satisfied with these test subjects?"
Kin didn't answer. Instead, he turned slightly, his silhouette casting a deeper shadow in the dim light.
"Orochimaru-sensei…"
His voice was low, dangerous.
"Don't make me kill you."
(End of Chapter)