Konoha, within a forgotten, abandoned experimental facility.
The air was damp and oppressive, permeating with dust and a faint sour stench.
A slender figure soundlessly slipped into this dark space.
"What a nostalgic place."
"You are too audacious, Orochimaru."
Shimura Danzo, leaning on his cane, slowly emerged. His single eye stared fixedly at Orochimaru.
"Who permitted you to enter the village at will? You are now a rogue ninja."
"Hehehe..." Orochimaru released a low, pleased chuckle. "Was it not you who invited me, Danzo?"
Through Otogakure's application itself served as an invitation letter. Orochimaru naturally understood this. At such a time when Konoha would inevitably retract its warning barrier, only then could he openly enter Konoha Village.
Shimura Danzo did not deny this, saying, "I need you to do something."
"Oh, has Root become unusable?" Orochimaru looked at him with interest. "Then please, tell me."
"Currently, four Uchiha members are executing missions outside under ANBU identities." Danzo's voice was low. "I want their eyes. Make them completely disappear during the mission."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly. "Uchiha, interesting. So even Uchiha can join ANBU now."
Danzo snorted coldly. "Nothing but foolish wishful thinking and naive fantasies. The Uchiha clan's inherent rebelliousness has never changed."
"Those four happen to be the most radical within the Uchiha clan, filled with resentment toward the village. Having them die during missions is the best outcome."
Their deaths would also make the Uchiha clan deeply suspicious of joining ANBU. Just one reconnaissance mission resulting in the loss of four Uchiha elite.
At that time, the plan Tsunade was pushing would prove difficult to continue. The village would ultimately only be able to use his plan.
"Cooperating with them on the mission is also an Uchiha Shisui. I will use intelligence to transfer him away beforehand."
Uchiha Shisui's strength proved outstanding. Danzo did not wish for word to leak, allowing Shisui to bring back intelligence of Orochimaru attacking the Uchiha squad.
Only by having those four disappear inexplicably could suspicion and fury among radicals be maximally triggered.
Orochimaru listened, laughing hoarsely. "What will you use to exchange for my services?"
"I only want the Sharingan." Danzo said decisively. "As for how to dispose of the bodies, do as you please."
Orochimaru merely mocked. "How thorough your planning is, Danzo."
Danzo stared at Orochimaru. "Completing what I assigned is your only current choice."
"Otherwise, Otogakure's establishment qualification, I have means to give you, and likewise can retract it."
"Without Otogakure, you must continue facing Konoha's pursuit. ANBU and Root will no longer show you mercy."
This threat held some use, but not much. After leaving the Land of Fire, merely wanting to evade pursuit, Orochimaru had plenty of methods.
However, that meant leaving the shinobi world's center. This was not what he wanted.
Breaking away from Konoha was his desire to cast off shackles. Therefore, he attacked villagers, even ANBU, without any hesitation. Otherwise, even knowing Orochimaru conducted forbidden experiments, Sarutobi Hiruzen would merely remain silent.
Choosing Otogakure was because it lay closest to the Land of Fire, obtaining resources most conveniently.
However, without Otogakure, targeting another small shinobi village would work the same. It merely required spending more time and possibly encountering more accidents.
"Hehe, if wanting to stimulate the Uchiha clan, why not choose a better target?" Orochimaru chuckled, clarifying Danzo's purpose. "For instance, Uchiha Itachi. I am quite interested in that child."
"He is Fugaku's eldest son with special status. If he mysteriously disappeared, plus four Uchiha ANBU elite losses... Under double blows, your plan's implementation would surely proceed more smoothly, correct?"
Danzo's cane heavily struck the ground, producing a dull sound. "Do not do superfluous things. Uchiha Itachi is being watched by Tsunade and another person."
"He is not someone you can easily abduct."
"Oh? Actually making you so wary, even listing alongside Tsunade..." Orochimaru's interest deepened. His long tongue unconsciously licked his lips again. "This makes me even more curious."
"That is the Senju possessing First's cells, currently your former subordinate Mitarashi Anko's captain, Shuji."
Anko's captain...
The figure glimpsed momentarily at the exam venue instantly surfaced in Orochimaru's mind—that black-haired youth sitting quietly beside Anko.
He held some vague impression of this person. Before leaving the village, due to Senju Momoka, he had paid slight attention. His impression was merely an uninteresting, dull honor student at the shinobi academy with sensitive identity.
Now, he had actually grown into trouble worth Danzo's special mention?
Truly... more and more interesting.
Tsunade had just received emergency intelligence transmitted by ANBU. Her expression instantly darkened.
After quickly explaining several sentences in low voice to the Third, she strode away from the main guest platform, proceeding to the temporary medical aid station established beside the Chūnin Exam venue.
This was prepared for examinees but put to use prematurely.
"Orochimaru infiltrated the village?!" Tsunade almost ground out this sentence through clenched teeth, forcibly suppressing her voice. "Tch, actually choosing this timing."
She immediately ordered ANBU standing by. "Immediately dispatch two additional squads. Strictly guard the village's Forbidden Technique room. That guy may very well be targeting village secret techniques."
Shuji reminded, "Also need to notify all clans with secret techniques or bloodline limits to strengthen vigilance."
These also proved important resources for a shinobi village, resources Orochimaru would covet.
Especially the Uchiha. Who knew if he planned taking advantage of this opportunity to abduct two?
Tsunade nodded, supplementing orders to ANBU beside her. "Immediately notify all ninja clans. Especially the Uchiha side. Inform Fugaku immediately of the current situation."
The ANBU member acknowledged orders, instantly vanishing from their position.
After issuing these instructions, Tsunade quickly walked to the temporary sickbed, checking Anko's condition. Seeing she only remained slightly pale and confirming no other issues, she looked toward Shuji again.
"Shuji, you remain here and pay more attention to Anko's condition. I must immediately return to explain the situation to the old man in detail."
Shuji nodded, watching Tsunade depart decisively.
He found a position beside the sickbed and sat. His gaze fell on the faintly visible curse seal on Anko's nape. His brow furrowed slightly.
Even possessing Sage Mode with deeper understanding of sealing techniques and curse seals, he lacked means to handle the Cursed Seal of Heaven.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's Evil Sealing Method proved the best known handling method within known scope.
Even Uchiha Itachi could only consume Sasuke's chakra, making Orochimaru actively manifest from the Cursed Seal of Heaven to seal him.
Meaning, aside from Orochimaru actively withdrawing, temporarily no other methods existed...
Just as he contemplated, the medical station's curtain was lifted. A new injured person was brought in. Shuji raised his eyes. It was a white-haired young woman with a Kusagakure forehead protector.
It was Ryuzetsu.
Following alongside were also Muen and his son Muku.
Ryuzetsu bore obvious blade wounds. Her clothing also showed scorched traces, clearly damage caused by Lightning Release.
"Shuji, I feel much better." At this time, Anko sat upright, supporting herself. Her complexion recovered considerable color. "Let us also go to the venue and watch. Itachi's match should not have ended."
Muku beside them, hearing "Itachi's" name, instinctively looked over.
He said quietly, "Are you talking about Uchiha Itachi?"
"If it is him, he will surely achieve final victory."
Muku's gaze fell on his slightly trembling hands, carrying unwillingness and defeat. "That is... truly, an unreachable opponent." He could not even cause the opponent the slightest trouble before being easily defeated.
Those eyes, that speed... Once praised as a genius, he perhaps fundamentally could not be called talented.
Muen patted his son's shoulder, remaining silent without words. The strength gap truly proved excessively vast.
"Certain there are no problems?" Shuji confirmed with Anko.
"Mm! As a teammate, how can I be absent for his important moment!" Anko jumped off the sickbed, moving her hands and feet.
"Teammate?" Muku looked somewhat surprised at these two, obviously several years Itachi's senior.
Shuji met his puzzled gaze, calmly nodding. "I am his captain."
Muku murmured, "I see..."
So this was why Uchiha Itachi proved so powerful? Executing missions together with teammates older than himself.
"Then we will not disturb you." Muen spoke timely, leading Muku aside to clear the path.
Shuji nodded slightly toward this father and son in acknowledgment before departing the medical station with Anko, heading toward the Chūnin Exam venue.
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild