The Iburi Clan's Bloodline Limit was a strange and tragic inheritance—an innate form of Yin Release Ninjutsu passed down through their blood. Unlike many kekkei genkai that strengthened the body, this one slowly twisted it. As the members of the Iburi Clan grew older, their power increased, but so too did the transformation of their bodies. They gradually became more like creatures of shadow, eerily similar to the manifestations controlled by the Nara Clan's Shadow Imitation Jutsu.
But there was a price.
The overwhelming saturation of Yin Release chakra inside their cells began to distort the natural balance of the body. By the time they reached a certain age, the imbalance grew unbearable. Their cells would destabilize, their flesh losing its cohesion, and they would start to unravel into smoke. Even in a still, airless cave, their forms would simply disintegrate, vanishing as if their existence itself were being erased.
It was not merely a disease—it was the consequence of Yin overpowering Yang, the disruption of the essential balance that sustained all life.
Senju Tobirama, long ago, had studied this bloodline and concluded that outside intervention was required to save the clan. Unless something counterbalanced the excess Yin, the Iburi were doomed. Only by suppressing the Bloodline Limit, or by bolstering the body's Yang Release chakra, could the balance be restored.
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Orochimaru's Experiment
Inside a quiet laboratory of Konoha Hospital, Orochimaru held a syringe filled with blood drawn from Iburi Chiriu, one of the younger clan members. With a sharp motion, he injected Wind Release chakra into the sample. Instantly, the blood began to sizzle, turning into dark smoke that curled upward before dispersing into nothing.
Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed, reflecting both fascination and pity.
"So fragile," he murmured, jotting down notes in his worn leather book.
The door creaked open.
"Orochimaru, what are you doing?"
Tsunade strode in, her sharp eyes locking onto the syringe in his hand. She marched over quickly, as if suspecting mischief.
"Nothing of importance," Orochimaru replied smoothly. He flicked the syringe into the trash, closed his notebook, and tucked it into his pack. "I've already finished my analysis."
Tsunade crossed her arms. "You always say that when you're hiding something."
Orochimaru ignored her suspicion and asked instead, "How did you know I was here?"
A mischievous smile spread across her face. "Hehe, your Shadow Clone told me!"
Orochimaru's expression soured immediately. Tsunade laughed harder, holding her sides.
"Betrayed… by my own clone," Orochimaru muttered, his eyes half-lidded with despair. "How pitiful."
"No one would believe you if you complained," Tsunade teased, clearly enjoying his rare misfortune.
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Dinner Plans
"Is the soldier pill finished?" Tsunade asked casually, grabbing his hand and tugging him toward the exit before he could protest.
"I have nothing more to do here," Orochimaru replied with a resigned sigh.
"Good! Then you're making dinner." Tsunade's eyes sparkled mischievously. "I want Kung Pao Chicken tonight. My grandma's cooking isn't as good as yours."
Orochimaru stared at her flatly. "So you came all this way… just for food?"
"This isn't freeloading," Tsunade declared proudly. "I'm placing an order."
He shook his head. "I've turned my home into a free restaurant."
As they stepped into the twilight streets of Konoha, Tsunade asked curiously, "By the way, why is it called Kung Pao Chicken?"
"Why is sushi called sushi? Why is fried food coated in batter called tempura? Why is fish cake in ramen called narutomaki?" Orochimaru countered, raising a brow.
"…Forget I asked," Tsunade muttered, embarrassed.
Before Orochimaru could respond, a loud voice called out:
"Hey! Orochimaru! Tsunade!"
They both turned to see Jiraiya, waving enthusiastically while jogging toward them. His grin was wide, his posture relaxed.
"What are you doing tonight?" he asked, already knowing the answer. His intentions were written all over his face: a free meal.
Tsunade's fists clenched. "Don't even think about it, Jiraiya!"
He glared back at her, refusing to back down. Orochimaru sighed, caught between his two teammates. "We should stop by the market first. Supplies at home are running low."
The Legendary Sannin, reduced to bickering over dinner.
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Danzo's Suspicion
Far away, beneath the hidden chambers of Root, Danzo Shimura sat stiffly in his chair.
"Danzo-sama," a kneeling operative reported, "Orochimaru has been in contact with the Iburi Clan."
Danzo's single visible eye narrowed. "The Iburi Clan… the Second Hokage studied them once. Their kekkei genkai would be invaluable."
He tapped his cane thoughtfully. The Iburi could turn to smoke, slip through barriers, vanish into shadows. Infiltration, assassination, espionage—they were perfect tools for Root.
And now Orochimaru was researching them.
Danzo's jealousy burned hotter than ever. He remembered well the improved soldier pill Orochimaru had crafted, a formula that had already benefited Root's operatives. If Orochimaru also found a way to stabilize the Iburi Clan's defect, their power could rival even the Nara Clan's techniques.
But worse… Hiruzen had given Orochimaru Tobirama's research scrolls.
"What?!" Danzo slammed his cane against the floor, standing abruptly.
So, Hiruzen was thinking the same thing—incorporating the Iburi into the Hokage's Anbu. If that happened, Danzo's own moves would be watched too closely. Everything he did would eventually be known to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Unacceptable.
His hands clenched. "Even if I cannot have it… I will not allow Hiruzen to claim the results of Orochimaru's research."
He steadied himself. Emotions were weakness. Root operatives must be tools.
"Continue your report," he ordered coldly.
"Yes, Danzo-sama. Orochimaru has also contacted Akimichi Torifu. He may have obtained the Akimichi Clan's Three-Colored Pills."
Danzo frowned. Why the Akimichi? Orochimaru was up to something. The puzzle pieces didn't fit—yet.
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The Iburi's Hope
Meanwhile, Orochimaru entered the cavern where the Iburi Clan had hidden for generations.
Most of the adults wore thick, airtight suits of his own design. The garments weren't elegant, but they prevented their unstable forms from evaporating into smoke. For the Iburi, even that was a blessing. To live another day, to breathe fresh air outside the cave—that was more than they had ever hoped for.
Yet their reverent gazes made Orochimaru uneasy. They looked at him as if he were a god.
"Orochimaru-sama."
Young Chiriu knelt before him, his voice filled with gratitude. Once, his body had been seconds from collapsing into smoke, but now, with the protective suit, he had regained stability. He had even learned to shift between smoke and human form with some control.
It was proof that Orochimaru's methods worked.
Still, there were… inconveniences. The protective suits offered little privacy for bodily needs. Orochimaru grimaced inwardly—he had no solution for that yet. His time was stretched thin between missions with Tsunade and Jiraiya, his chakra transformation training, medical research, and even developing skincare products for the hospital.
But he hadn't abandoned the Iburi. Never.
"Chiriu, you cannot remove your suit yet, can you?" Orochimaru asked.
Chiriu shook his head solemnly. "No, Orochimaru-sama. My body has already reached its limit."
Orochimaru studied him carefully, then produced a small pill. "This is a prototype. Try it—it may stabilize your condition."
Chiriu accepted without hesitation. He lifted his mask briefly; smoke hissed out, but he swallowed the pill quickly and resealed the mask. Warmth surged through his body.
Then… stillness.
He lifted the mask again—no smoke escaped. His body felt whole for the first time in years.
"Orochimaru-sama! You did it!" Chiriu cried, tears streaming down his face.
Orochimaru's lips curved faintly. "It appears my research is on the right track."
Behind him, clan head Qing He trembled with suppressed excitement. "Orochimaru-sama, if this medicine can save us…"
"Calm yourself, Qing He," Orochimaru interrupted. "This was only a single test. Chiriu's body is unique—he alone could be used as a subject."
"I… understand," Qing He said, bowing low, though his eyes burned with desperate hope.
Orochimaru handed him a scroll. When Qing He unsealed it, a briefcase full of money materialized.
"I want you to construct an underground laboratory for my continued research," Orochimaru instructed. "Purchase the equipment listed here."
Qing He accepted with both hands, his trust unshakable. The Iburi had been forsaken by the world, but now, Orochimaru had given them hope. To them, he was no mere man—he was salvation.
"The Chunin Exams are approaching," Orochimaru added, forming a seal. His figure blurred and vanished. "I will leave the preparations to you."
"Please rest easy, Orochimaru-sama," Qing He vowed.
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A Dangerous Meeting
That same night, within the Root base, Orochimaru descended into the dim corridors to meet with Danzo Shimura once again.
The two men, bound by ambition and secrets, faced each other in the shadows.
"Danzo-sama," Orochimaru greeted softly, his smile both polite and dangerous. "It has been some time."
Danzo's single eye studied him, unblinking. The tension between them was palpable.
In that underground chamber, the future of the Iburi Clan—and the schemes of two of Konoha's most dangerous men—were about to entwine.
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