"Orochimaru-sensei, I heard Sarutobi Shinnosuke has been appointed commander of the Kumogakure front," Gen said casually as he passed Orochimaru a set of sterilized tools, keeping the laboratory tidy while his teacher continued with his experiment.
"It doesn't matter," Orochimaru replied flatly, his hands never pausing. "He's only a frontline commander of a thousand men."
"That may be true, but it's not a good sign. By all rights, you were the most qualified for the position." Gen's lips curved into a faint smile.
Orochimaru gave a soft chuckle. "I'd rather focus on my research than waste time on such trivialities."
Gen's eyes narrowed slightly. "Kumogakure has already moved. I doubt the other great villages will sit quietly. Which one do you think will strike next?"
"Iwagakure… or Kirigakure," Orochimaru answered without hesitation.
Gen tilted his head. "And Danzo? Surely he's keeping an eye on Iwagakure's Ōnoki?"
A glint flickered in Orochimaru's golden eyes. "He is. Danzo has been plotting to send a spy into Iwagakure recently…"
"And Kirigakure? Isn't he wary of them too?"
"Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage, is formidable, but he's not as shrewd and sinister as Ōnoki. Danzo considers the old man of the Stone more like… himself."
Gen snorted. Danzo, like Ōnoki? At least Ōnoki doesn't butcher his own people. Danzo's just a crow that can't see its own rot.
Then something clicked in Gen's memory; Danzo's spy mission to Iwagakure. Wait… isn't this the one? The one that dragged Kabuto and Yakushi Nono into tragedy?
Gen clenched his jaw. The thought of that twisted scheme reignited his hatred.
Last time Danzo meddled with the Uchiha, he nearly forced Gen's clan to move their compound from the village's second ring to the sixth—essentially the slums.
For someone who knew the pain of crushing housing prices in his previous life, such a thing was unforgivable.
Danzo's plan must not succeed.
"So," Gen said evenly, "the spy Danzo intends to send into Iwagakure must be special."
Orochimaru finally looked up, his thin lips curving. "Indeed. She was once one of Konoha's ace intelligence operatives, known as the Wandering Miko. She retired years ago."
Gen's expression hardened. Yakushi Nono.
And with her… Kabuto. He recalled the tragic scene of foster mother and son forced to kill each other, all because Danzo deliberately tampered with Kabuto's identity and foster records.
What kind of twisted logic is that? If you don't trust your operatives anymore, recall them, investigate quietly. If they're clean, let them continue. If not, eliminate them. But to deliberately orchestrate their deaths just to 'test' loyalty? That's not strategy but psychopathy.
Gen's fists clenched. Danzo, you really are rotten to the core.
"Intelligence operatives? Isn't that supposed to fall under the Torture & Interrogation Division?" Gen asked.
"Officially, yes," Orochimaru replied. "But Root has its own 'intelligence division.' Danzo likes to style his units as if he were Hokage himself."
Gen clicked his tongue. "Ambitious old fool. Root is technically just a sub-division of ANBU, yet even his second-rate branches call themselves 'departments.' He really thinks he's already Hokage."
Orochimaru glanced sidelong at him. "You seem to harbor strong opinions about Danzo."
Gen laughed dryly. "Opinions? More like disgust. You know about his attempt to relocate the Uchiha compound. And on the night of the Nine-Tails, he had the audacity to send Root operatives to issue orders to the Police Force."
He sneered. "Orders. As if the head of Root could command the Uchiha Police. Who did he think he was?"
Orochimaru's lips curled into a cold smile. "Heh… you're brave to resist him so openly. But that will make you a target. Danzo doesn't forgive slights easily."
Gen met his teacher's gaze steadily. "I'm not afraid. With you and my clan standing behind me, he'll think twice before trying anything."
"Still," Orochimaru warned, "if my alliance with him falters, he may turn his venom toward you directly. Be cautious, Gen."
Gen gave a short nod. He wouldn't ignore such rare words of concern from Orochimaru. But in his heart, his resolve had already hardened: No matter what, I won't let Danzo's schemes succeed.
He said aloud, "Sensei, where is the Wandering Miko now?"
"You intend to interfere?" Orochimaru raised a brow.
"Not interfere," Gen corrected smoothly. "Recruit. A spy of that caliber would serve you far better than Danzo."
For a moment, Orochimaru was silent. Then his thin smile returned. The thought clearly intrigued him. "Hmph. Another channel of information would indeed be useful. But now is not the time for direct conflict with Danzo."
"Then take her quietly," Gen suggested. "Let her serve both sides. A triple agent, if need be. With her skill, no one will notice."
Orochimaru's golden eyes glinted approvingly. "Heh… Konoha Orphanage. We'll pay her a visit after we finish here."
Gen smiled faintly. Perfect. Teacher can make the move while I watch from the shadows. Danzo won't even know where his plan unraveled.
After completing the experiment and logging the results, master and disciple sank into the earth with silent steps, leaving the lab behind.
The Konoha Orphanage sat on the outskirts of the sixth ring of the village, in a quiet, forested stretch. The buildings were plain wooden houses, unpainted and simple, arranged around a wide courtyard shaded by rows of trees.
Children played in the yard in mismatched clothes, their laughter carrying softly. A few older ones sat under the eaves, working on handmade crafts. The atmosphere was humble but warm.
That peace ended the moment Orochimaru and Gen stepped into view.
The children froze, eyes wide with unease at the sight of two strange shinobi. A silver-haired boy with round glasses immediately dropped his half-finished craft and bolted into the house.
Moments later, a woman emerged. Beside her waddled a plump, middle-aged matron.
The woman had beige hair tucked under a nun's headscarf, large round glasses, and a gentle smile that radiated warmth and reassurance. Her very presence calmed the air, sunny, kind, and maternal.
For a brief instant, her expression faltered when she recognized the tall figure at the door. But almost immediately, her gentle smile returned, flawless, as though it had never slipped at all.