Maoyi considered himself a veteran of Root — one of Danzo's earliest recruits. From the moment Lord Danzo founded the organization, Maoyi had followed him loyally, carrying out every shadow mission without question.
But lately, one arrogant upstart had crossed the line — that so-called prodigy, the Hokage's disciple, Orochimaru.Not only had he mocked Maoyi more than once, he'd even captured Maoyi's younger brother.
Unforgivable.
Maoyi's jaw clenched as he imagined the man's pale, smug face. Orochimaru — tall, handsome, and useless. He'd show him what a real Root operative could do. He'd prove that sensory specialists like him were the backbone of Root — not flashy, fame-chasing scientists.
He smirked. Heheh. Just wait, pretty boy. You'll see soon enough.
After receiving Danzo's approval, Maoyi melted into the shadows of Konoha's underbelly.
He didn't bother with the usual passageways. Instead, he slipped into the unmarked tunnels known only to Root's inner circle.To him, the underground network of Konoha was like the back of his own hand — every route mapped perfectly in his memory.
Orochimaru's lab was easy to find.
That place reeked of chakra — layered, complex, impossible to miss. In the darkness of the tunnels, it shone like a beacon.
Pathetic, Maoyi thought. A hidden lab that leaks chakra like that?If Orochimaru had built it above ground, maybe it would've gone unnoticed. But this? This was an insult to Root's sensory corps.
He was clearly the only one here with real skill — Danzo's sharpest blade.
Maoyi stopped at a safe distance from the lab's entrance. He suppressed his chakra to near zero and expanded his perception outward, casting a sensory net with surgical precision.
This was delicate work. Orochimaru might have layered seals or barriers around his lab — after all, the Hokage line specialized in such techniques.But strangely, there was almost no resistance. The barriers were weak, incomplete. That relaxed Maoyi instantly.
Soon, the structure of the lab took shape in his mind — every hallway, every chakra signature.
No guards worth mentioning. Just a handful of low-level assistants, barely Chūnin-level at best, all gathered around a small figure.
What is Orochimaru doing with a bunch of nobodies and a child? he thought irritably.Useless ninja should be dying on battlefields, not hanging around in secret labs while the capable enjoy luxury.
Maoyi frowned, continuing to probe.
He found a sealed chamber — completely devoid of chakra, like a void. A black hole in his sensory map. Whatever was inside was hidden deliberately. He'd deal with that later.
Then, three strong chakra sources caught his attention.
The first was massive, coiling and cold — like a giant snake slumbering in the dark. Orochimaru, obviously.
The second was faint and trembling. Maoyi's heart lurched. That was his brother, Jiro. He recognized the chakra instantly — fragile, anxious, distinctly medical-nin in nature.
So it's true, Maoyi thought, fury flaring. He really captured him.A harmless medic. What threat could Jiro possibly pose? Orochimaru must've done this just to spite him.
And the third chakra… was oddly ordinary.Stable. Calm. Unremarkable. Like a newly graduated Genin.
That must be Hiroki Sawada.
Maoyi nearly laughed out loud. This? This is the "genius" Orochimaru bragged to Lord Danzo about?The so-called child prodigy who supposedly wiped out a Cloud ninja squad by himself? Ridiculous. With chakra that weak, he'd be lucky to throw a shuriken straight, let alone defeat three trained jonin.
Probably another propaganda stunt, he sneered.Danzo-sama must've been too old, too trusting, blinded by Orochimaru's silver tongue.
A bloodline that copies ninjutsu and reads minds? Please.As Root's most seasoned spy, Maoyi had heard of every kekkei genkai and secret art across the ninja nations — and none matched that description.
He snorted. Absurd.
Just as he was about to shift focus to his brother, something odd caught his attention — Hiroki's chakra flickered briefly.The boy's head moved, as if glancing around.
Hmm? Did he sense me?Maoyi dismissed the thought immediately. The kid was probably just cold — the lab had that oppressive chill. No one could detect him; he was Danzo's top sensory operative, invisible even among shadows.
Still, a tiny thought surfaced: Should I encrypt my own mind? Just in case.
Then he chuckled to himself. Don't be ridiculous.
There's no way a child could invade my mind. I'm the number one sensory ninja in Root.
But…something felt off.
He shook his head. No, I'm fine. It's just nerves.He told himself that again, and again.
My chakra's steady. The kid's weak. There's no way he could detect me.
And yet—why did his thoughts feel… fuzzy?
He scowled. Damn it. I'm just distracted because of my brother.
Yeah. That had to be it.
He forced himself to focus—until he saw it.
Hiroki's hand, resting gently on Jiro's shoulder.
At first, it looked harmless.Then realization struck like lightning.
No… he's accessing Jiro's mind! He's copying his jutsu!
Information surged uncontrollably through Maoyi's brain — every file, every rumor, every classified report about Hiroki's ability.
For a second, reason returned. Wait… didn't Jiro already get scanned once when they caught him? He doesn't have anything important left to steal.
But just as quickly, that logic evaporated.
No! He's my brother! How could I let that brat violate his mind again?!
Fury drowned out thought.
Maoyi burst from the shadows, chakra flaring.
And just as he lunged forward, one last, fleeting thought drifted through his mind:
Ever since I sensed that kid… why can't I stop thinking?
Then—nothing.