A surging killing intent, intertwined with dense chakra.
The oppressive aura sent chills down one's spine, to the point where even movement seemed restricted.
Cold sweat trickled down Orochimaru's forehead.
This intensity of killing intent, condensed into palpable malice, was something even Orochimaru had to admit he couldn't match. Not even the battlefield had ever subjected him to such crushing pressure.
The strongest killing intent he'd ever felt was from Hanzo of the Land of Rain, yet even that hadn't instilled fear in him.
But Kin was entirely different.
For a fleeting moment, Orochimaru saw Kin raise his blade and cut him down.
In reality, however—
Kin simply stood a short distance away, watching Orochimaru.
The warmth that had once existed in his gaze was gone, replaced only by naked hostility, ready to erupt into violence at any moment.
The sensation of death crept into Orochimaru's heart.
Orochimaru never imagined that Uchiha Kin had grown to a point where he could evoke such fear in him.
This growth was far too rapid.
"Kin-kun, there's no need to be so agitated. I only just learned of this matter myself," Orochimaru forced a smile, though he hadn't anticipated Kin's reaction to be so extreme.
"It's just... I never expected someone like you to have something that could provoke such anger."
Kin had always carried himself with an air of nonchalance, as if treating everything and everyone as a game.
Seeing him this serious was truly rare.
For some reason, Orochimaru found it fascinating.
It would have been better if this killing intent hadn't been directed at him, though.
"Orochimaru-sensei."
A sword hilt materialized in Kin's hand as he spoke slowly, his tone grave.
The shattered blade gradually reformed.
"I don't care whether the people who die by my hand are old men, children, or women. I don't consider myself a good person, either."
Kin wasn't burdened by excessive sentimentality. Call him cruel, call him selfish—he'd agree with them. Retribution could come later.
"But there's one line I won't cross: harming ignorant children."
That was Kin's one and only bottom line.
"I won't do it, and I won't allow others to do it, either."
Innocent, unknowing children had no place in a laboratory.
"I also don't want you, Orochimaru-sensei, to abandon your humanity."
"If you truly intend to discard it—"
"Then I'll help you. I'll ensure the part of you that still clings to humanity remains frozen in this moment."
Kin pointed his blade at Orochimaru.
He didn't particularly want to kill Orochimaru here. Orochimaru had always treated him well. If he were to kill him now...
He'd feel guilty for about three minutes. It'd sour his mood.
"Alright, alright."
Orochimaru raised his hands in surrender. The pressure Kin exerted was overwhelming. While he was confident he could survive against Kin, the sheer resolve in Kin's killing intent made it clear he wouldn't be let off easily.
Kin's growth was too rapid. And how old was he? Just sixteen this year. He still had a long way to go. If he grew even stronger...
Orochimaru didn't believe he could keep surviving encounters with him.
Kin's unyielding killing intent had made it abundantly clear: he would hunt Orochimaru to the ends of the earth.
What could Orochimaru do? He didn't want to die. There was still so much knowledge to pursue.
And turning against his own student over Danzō? That hardly seemed worth it.
"So, Kin-kun, what do you plan to do with these children?"
Orochimaru glanced at Uchiha Kin.
There were quite a few infants here. The fact that Danzō had brought them meant they were likely ones whose disappearances wouldn't be noticed.
Even Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn't condone something like this.
"I have my own methods."
Kin's cold gaze remained fixed on Orochimaru as darkness began to seep from his body. The tangible shadows gently lifted each cradle.
The darkness pulsed with an eerie glow, lulling the children into a deep slumber.
Gradually, the shadows consumed Kin—and every child in the laboratory.
By the time the darkness dissipated, both Kin and the children had vanished.
"How... gentle."
Orochimaru's snake-like tongue flicked out to lick his lips.
"Kin-kun."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was buried in paperwork.
Over half a year had passed since the war's end, and the village was busy reestablishing ties with nobles and wealthy merchants.
Not to mention keeping an eye on the other four great villages.
Their losses had been nearly as severe as Konoha's, but vigilance was still necessary.
Who knew what desperate measures they might take now that they were left with neither manpower nor funds?
The work was endless. Absolutely endless.
Hiruzen massaged his temples. These were just the major issues—minor ones had been delegated to Mitokado Homura and the others.
Yet his desk was still piled high.
Just then, the door opened, and the trio of Danzō, Homura, and Koharu walked in.
Hiruzen didn't look up, though he already had an idea why they were here.
"Hiruzen, Hanzo of the Land of Rain has installed a new daimyo," Danzō began, delivering the intel.
This finally made Hiruzen raise his head in confusion.
"What does that have to do with us?"
The succession of another country's daimyo was hardly their concern.
Hanzo continued, "The former daimyo of the Land of Rain, currently in the Fire Capital, wants to hire us to reclaim his country."
Hiruzen fell into thought. The Land of Rain was strategically important, but with Hanzo there, a full-scale assault would be more trouble than it was worth.
Moreover, ninjas rarely assassinated daimyos outright—doing so would draw the ire of other daimyos.
"It's... difficult," Hiruzen shook his head. At most, they could attempt it, but committing significant resources was out of the question. Hanzo was a formidable opponent.
Homura spoke up then, "If we can persuade the current Rain daimyo to step down and support the former one, we can intervene in the Land of Rain. It would be advantageous for future operations."
Koharu added, "For this mission, I believe Uchiha Kin would be the perfect candidate."
Whether Kin succeeded or failed, they could spin it to their advantage.
Hiruzen frowned. "Department heads have the right to refuse missions."
That was a decree established by the Second Hokage.
"Hiruzen, you're the Hokage. You have the authority to amend decrees—or even forcibly conscript Uchiha Kin," Koharu pressed, unwilling to let go. The memory of Kin's verbal lashing still burned fresh in her mind.
Hiruzen sighed. His old comrade was losing her rationality.
The real obstacles here weren't Uchiha Kin, but the other clans of Konoha.
It simply wasn't feasible.
Just as Hiruzen was about to try reasoning with Koharu—
Darkness materialized out of thin air, coalescing into a human figure.
"Uchiha Kin?"
Everyone frowned at the sudden arrival, their eyes darting to the figure and the cradles materializing around him.
The expressions of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō darkened.
(End of Chapter)