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Qianyu carried Uzumaki Cang M into the living room.
He addressed Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Third Hokage, this is my child, Cang M."
Hiruzen rose and approached. He looked at the sleeping infant and smiled warmly. "Red hair, just like Kushina. Only a few days old, but I can already see he takes after you, Qianyu. A lovely child. I'm certain Cang M will grow to be as dependable as you."
"Thank you, Lord Third. I believe so too."
They chatted for a while longer about the baby before Qianyu carried Cang M back to the bedroom, handing him to Kushina.
When he returned, he settled onto the sofa.
A moment of silence. Then, in perfect unison, Qianyu, Orochimaru, and Hiruzen each took a sip of tea.
Hiruzen set his cup down. His gaze turned to Orochimaru. "So, Orochimaru. What have you been occupying yourself with lately?"
Orochimaru's reply was utterly calm. "Researching ninjutsu. At my lab."
Hiruzen sighed, a sound laced with weary nostalgia. "Still chasing the dream of mastering all ninjutsu, I see. But, Orochimaru… some arts are fit for study. Others are not. You understand the line, don't you?"
Orochimaru's expression didn't flicker. "Naturally. Might I ask why my teacher feels the need to remind me of this?"
Hiruzen let out a sudden, hearty laugh, waving a dismissive hand. "No reason, no reason! I just think you should get out more. The well of ninjutsu is bottomless, you'll never finish."
His eyes then shifted to Qianyu, the jovial tone taking on a sharper edge. "Qianyu, you should persuade your teacher from time to time. Not to become too… obsessed. Excessive obsession can be counterproductive. You two are pillars of Konoha. If something were to happen because of an… unhealthy fixation, it would be a tremendous loss for the village. Ah, listen to me ramble. An old man's habit. I won't disturb you two any longer. I have matters to attend to."
"I won't keep you then, Lord Third. Safe travels."
They watched him leave. Watched until he vanished from sight.
Qianyu spoke first. "So, Teacher. Should you… pause your research?"
Orochimaru's eyes glinted. "Unnecessary. I'm on the verge of a breakthrough with the Impure World Reincarnation. The research into immortality has also progressed significantly, thanks to those five White Zetsu corpses you provided. They saved me years of work. I have no intention of stopping."
Qianyu tilted his head. "And if the Third Hokage decides to act against you?"
Orochimaru's gaze was distant, fixed on the sky. "Then I leave Konoha. Qianyu, avoid my lab for now. No need to be implicated. Kushina just gave birth. I assume you have no desire to uproot your family. She and Cang M shouldn't be subjected to that kind of instability."
Qianyu nodded. "If you leave, Teacher… will you just set up another lab elsewhere?"
Orochimaru shook his head. "I've given it thought. If I depart, I intend to establish a hidden village in the Land of Rice. A proper base requires manpower. The Land of Rice has no shinobi village of its own. I suspect its daimyo would welcome one. Once established, I can recruit… volunteers. Those seeking power, willing to participate in experiments. It would sustain my research and provide a recruitment pool of ordinary operatives for your Owl Organization."
A faint smile touched Qianyu's lips. "I'll leave that to you, then."
…
Three days after Orochimaru's visit, Hizashi Hyūga arrived at Qianyu's home, his son Neji in tow.
It was unexpected.
After Qianyu's very public confrontation with Konoha's elders, he'd assumed Hiashi—who had witnessed it—would forbid his brother from associating with him.
He'd underestimated Hyūga Hizashi's resolve.
The incident had driven a deep wedge between the two brothers. Their relationship was now frigid.
Hizashi had intended to visit with Neji the day after Cang M's birth. Hiashi had forbidden it—a direct order. He warned Hizashi to stay away from Qianyu, fearing the association would bring the elders' wrath upon the Hyūga clan.
Hizashi refused, citing it as a personal matter.
Hiashi responded with force, assigning two Hyūga clansmen to effectively house arrest his brother.
Today, Hizashi had seized a fleeting opportunity and come straight here.
After hearing the story, Qianyu sighed. "Hizashi… this is…"
Hizashi offered a bitter smile. "Impulsive? Reckless? I know. But I can't help it. The harder Hiashi pushes, the more I resist. I'm afraid. Terrified Neji will walk the same path I did. And I want to set an example. I want my son to see that his father isn't just a coward who bows to the main family. You're a father now, Qianyu. You must understand. We want our children to look up to us. To be proud."
Qianyu nodded slowly. "I do."
He considered for a moment. "A year and a half left, correct?"
"Yes," Hizashi confirmed, his voice tight. "A year and a half until Neji receives the Caged Bird seal."
Qianyu's expression turned solemn. "Hizashi, you've placed great trust in me. I won't deceive you in return. My time in Konoha… it has a limit. Seven years, at most. That means I can only guide Neji for a few years. If you still trust me, I will teach him in secret, hiding my involvement. You can publicly distance yourself from me. That way, when I eventually leave, you and Neji won't be implicated."
Hizashi showed no surprise at the revelation. Instead, he let out a soft, knowing sigh. "So I guessed correctly. You won't stay."
Now it was Qianyu's turn to be surprised.
Hizashi's smile was thin but genuine. "After I learned how you stood against the Third Hokage and Danzō in that meeting, like fire and ice… I suspected you might leave Konoha one day. They hold the power here. If you intended to stay, you wouldn't have made the breach so final. You've always been a planner, Qianyu. To act so openly… it meant you no longer felt the need to hide your true stance from them."
A heavy silence hung between them. Qianyu studied the man before him, this father risking everything. "If you guessed that… why take this risk? Why bring Neji here?"
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