Chapter 28: Shadows and Schemes
"Why don't we take this opportunity to deal with Orochimaru as well?" A cold light flashed in Uchiha Fugaku's eyes. "I would like to see how he intends to participate in the Hokage election once his human experiments are exposed."
"Probably not feasible," Uchiha Akira shook his head, dismissing the idea. "Orochimaru's main laboratory is located within the Root compound." Danzo's Root organization operated as a branch of the Hokage's Anbu, and its authority, in many ways, superseded even that of the Police Department. Under normal circumstances, the Police Department had no jurisdiction over Root affairs.
There were ways for the Police to intervene—if, for example, missing persons cases pointed directly to Root involvement. But such a move would be an open declaration of war. That kind of tactic couldn't be wasted on a minor skirmish. It had to be saved for a critical moment to deliver a decisive, maximum blow.
Fugaku's expression shifted, wrestling with the logic. After a long moment, he let out a slow breath. "You're right. I had thought we could remove Orochimaru directly and clear the path for Minato to ascend without contest."
"I believe we should hold onto this information," Akira advised. "We wait, and at the most critical future moment, we use it to strike a fatal blow against both Danzo and Orochimaru."
Fugaku gave a conceding nod. "That is a better strategy. With the Third Hokage still in power, exposing this now might not significantly damage Danzo's position. His influence runs too deep."
After returning to his own home, Akira summoned the clan's ninja cats. He entrusted them with a new mission: to locate individuals named Xiangling and Jūgo.
With the cloning research now officially underway, it was time to begin the search for these two, crucial components for his ultimate goal—the Demonic Mirror Technique.
The ninja cats were the Uchiha clan's premier intelligence network. Cats were everywhere, natural and inconspicuous observers. With a little directed effort, they could uncover many things that weren't top-level secrets.
Akira had reasonable confidence in their abilities for this task. The people he sought were not within the five great ninja villages, making the search feasible for the feline network. While Xiangling herself might not yet be born, her mother had likely already entered Kusagakure. It was a matter of patient surveillance.
Finding Jūgo would be more challenging. His unique Sage Transformation might not be a singular mutation, but a latent bloodline trait. Akira didn't even know which village or region Jūgo hailed from. He could only describe the distinctive physical characteristics of someone who had undergone that transformation and instruct the cats to watch for groups exhibiting such traits.
Time passed swiftly. Three months flashed by, and it was now August.
In that time, the Uchiha-acquired company, Shentian Biologics, was fully established on the outskirts of the Uchiha district within Konoha, and its research work officially commenced.
The reputation of the Uchiha clan and the village of Konoha itself proved powerful magnets. After posting recruitment notices, a large number of qualified researchers and scientists applied. In a very short time, Shentian Biologics had assembled a full, capable staff. For many, Konoha represented the safest place in a ninja world scarred by three great wars in recent decades—a world where rogue ninjas ran rampant. The chance to settle and work securely within its walls was a rare opportunity.
Currently, Shentian Bio focused on three main research branches. The first was foundational cloning technology. The second was its further extension and application. The third was directed tissue cultivation. Hidden discreetly between these projects, under the innocuous name "Solving Organ Transplant Rejection," was the true priority: research into Senju Hashirama cell transplantation.
Alongside these major projects, Shentian's original pharmaceutical business continued. After recruiting more personnel, they pushed to develop new drugs. The focus, however, had shifted slightly. While research on medicines for ordinary civilians continued, new efforts targeted ninja-specific applications. After all, ninjas were far more likely to have the funds to pay for specialized treatments. The company's goal, as Akira saw it, was to have it all.
To Akira's surprise, Yakushi Nono's knowledge of biological cloning was not an exaggeration. She had conducted genuinely in-depth research in the field. Within a month, she had impressed the entire project team with her expertise and decisively secured the position of project lead.
During this period, the entire village learned that the Third Hokage was preparing to step down. The election for the Fourth was about to begin. To the surprise of many, only two nominees emerged: Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin, and the "Yellow Flash," Namikaze Minato. Jiraiya, another popular candidate among the Sannin, did not put his name forward.
The news sent ripples of excitement and speculation throughout Konoha. Everyone began preparing for the historic election. While minor skirmishes still flickered along the Fire Country's borders, the war was broadly over. The dawn of peace seemed close at hand.
Yet, while Konoha buzzed with political anticipation, a tragedy was unfolding in the Land of Rain, one that would ensure peace remained elusive.
High atop a rain-swept canyon, Danzo watched the scene below with cold, calculating eyes. A smug smile touched the corner of his mouth. After two months of intricate planning, his scheme was finally coming to fruition.
"Now, I simply wait to reap the benefits," he thought, a cruel satisfaction in his heart. "Let me witness the power of the Rinnegan for myself."
Three months prior, he had arrived in the Rain Country under orders to promote peace. Instead, he had commanded his Root operatives to disguise themselves as ninja from other villages and wreak havoc across the land. Surprisingly, Hanzo, the leader of Amegakure, had not moved to stop them or protect his own civilians.
Instead, a new organization calling itself "Akatsuki" had appeared, its members tirelessly defending the vulnerable villages. This had piqued Danzo's interest. During a routine ambush, he had made a staggering discovery: one of Akatsuki's leaders possessed the legendary eyes of the Six Paths Sage—the Rinnegan.
After seeing the monstrous summons those eyes could command, a plan crystalized in Danzo's mind. He would pit this newborn Akatsuki against Hanzo and his Hidden Rain Village. Ideally, they would destroy each other, or at the very least, eliminate one of the two threats—the Rinnegan wielder or the stubborn Hanzo.
For two months, Danzo worked meticulously. He bribed Hanzo's lieutenant, Konzo. He had Root attack Rain ninja and left behind fabricated evidence pointing to Akatsuki. The scheme proceeded with shocking ease. Hanzo, paranoid and proud, accepted the frame-up without deep investigation.
Now, in the relentless downpour at the canyon's bottom, the result of that manipulation played out. Yahiko and Nagato stood facing each other, trapped. On a raised platform above them, Hanzo held Konan hostage, his gaze icy as he looked down at the two young men surrounded by his Rain ninja.
"Red-haired boy," Hanzo's voice cut through the drumming rain, cold and absolute. "Kill Yahiko. Do this, and I will spare your life. I will also release this girl."
(End of Chapter)
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