In a dim, shadowy laboratory, Orochimaru's serpentine eyes gleamed as he stared at the blindfolded boy before him. His entire body trembled with excitement.
"Hahahahaha! So many people spend their whole lives chasing after the Rinnegan, never realizing that some rare genetic mutations within certain clans are exactly what they seek. And now… little one, these eyes of yours—are mine!"
As he spoke, Orochimaru suddenly reached out with claw-like fingers, aiming directly for the boy's eyes.
A surge of searing pain exploded from Hyuga Ranmo's eyes. Terrified, he stared at the figure looming over him—but inside, he was furiously cursing.
What the hell is going on? Just moments ago, he'd been peacefully asleep in bed. How did I end up here?
And isn't that Orochimaru?! Had Orochimaru just said something about the Rinnegan?
Hyuga Ranmo had reincarnated into this world—and as someone who knew the Naruto story inside out, of course he knew who Orochimaru was. He also knew exactly what the Rinnegan was—and how terrifying its power could be.
But… had Orochimaru lost his mind?
Everyone in the Hidden Leaf Village knew: Hyuga Ranmo was blind. Born without sight. A total failure. The shame of the Hyuga Clan—lower than even an average civilian. How could he possibly possess the Rinnegan?
Is it because of the 'mutation' that orochimaru spoke? Or something else?
It was true that children of the Hyuga Clan were typically born with the Byakugan.
But not Ranmo.
He was a Hyuga born without the Byakugan—a blind, powerless outcast.
And yet, the infamous Orochimaru had somehow taken an interest in him? It was simply inconceivable.
The sharp sting of pain returned to his eyes—
[Ding!]
[Mirror System has detected external interference. Mirror Bloodline Host, do you wish to counterattack? Warning: if no action is taken, your eyes will be gouged out. If your eyes are lost, the system will self-destruct.]
"Counterattack! COUNTERATTACK!!" Ranmo's brain throbbed from the pain. He hadn't even fully processed what this so-called "system" was before shouting out in desperation.
[Initiating Host Protection Protocol. Step one: Mirror Counterattack. Initiating Mirror Illusion Shift…]
Ranmo's eyes glowed a radiant blue-white hue. Orochimaru, staring greedily at those shimmering eyes, narrowed his gaze with lustful anticipation. But in the next instant, his vision blurred—everything flipped—and he suddenly collapsed to the ground.
He was trapped in an illusion.
In this illusion, Orochimaru saw himself standing across from him, grinning wickedly. The clone opened its mouth and said:
"Little one, these eyes of yours—are mine."
Within the illusion, Orochimaru had become Hyuga Ranmo, and the version of himself in the illusion reached out, gouging toward his eyes.
Excruciating pain surged through every cell in his body.
"Wh-What is this?!"
Hyuga clansmen aren't supposed to be able to use genjutsu! How could this be happening?!
Those were the last words Orochimaru uttered before he fell silent.
Meanwhile, Ranmo jumped down from the bed, rubbing his eyes. In his mind, a strange new interface had appeared—his system had awakened.
[Apologies, Host. Mirror System reporting in late. Would you like to proceed with full awakening?]
"Awakening?" Though Ranmo was reborn, he had never been aware that his body harbored anything like a "Mirror System."
[Correct, Host. This system was bound to you at birth, but remained in a dormant state. It only activated just now in response to mortal danger. Would you like to fully awaken it?]
"Yes!" Ranmo frowned as he looked at the still-convulsing Orochimaru on the floor. He was only five years old—he had to survive.
And besides, if that single Mirror Counterattack had been powerful enough to take down Orochimaru, then this system… must be worth trusting.
[Ding! Congratulations, Sole Heir of the Mirror Bloodline. The Mirror System has Fully Awakened!]
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