Three Years Later, the Story Begins

Three years later, Year 63 of Konoha.

In a valley within the Land of Wind.

The disguised Hyuga Kei and Kabuto Yakushi stood behind Orochimaru. Across from them stood three others: Fourth Kazekage Rasa and his two Anbu guards.

Rasa, his entire body wrapped in bandages, said, "Orochimaru, hadn't we already settled matters such as the division of benefits? Calling me out so suddenly—are you planning to go back on your word?"

"Of course not. Once the southern territory of the Land of Fire is taken, it will all belong to you. If Konoha is not destroyed, you will receive eighty percent of the reparations."

"Good. Just don't forget that, Orochimaru."

Orochimaru's voice remained unchanged as he said sinisterly, "Naturally. May our cooperation be fruitful. But before we begin, I need to borrow something from you."

"Borrow something? Gaara?"

"Of course not. I need to borrow your head."

Suddenly, countless sharp bone spikes burst from the ground, instantly piercing Rasa's two guards. Rasa reacted swiftly, with gold dust surging beneath his feet to lift him up, narrowly avoiding Kimimaro's hidden attack.

However, Hyuga Kei and the others would not give him the chance to escape. Hyuga Kei extended a hand, and powerful Attraction erupted from his palm. Rasa's body flew uncontrollably toward Hyuga Kei.

Orochimaru, controlled by Kabuto Yakushi, suddenly struck. Using Shadow Snake Hands, Orochimaru's arm transformed into several ferocious venomous snakes that tightly coiled around Rasa's body, piercing through his bandages and gold-dust armor to bite into him.

In an instant, poison spread throughout Rasa's body. He lost control and collapsed to the ground. He tried to gather chakra and launch an attack, but could not muster even a trace.

Rasa's Magnet Release excelled at long-range combat, yet they were now extremely close. Faced with such a sudden ambush, he did not even have the strength to fight back.

"Orochimaru, you broke your word..." Rasa spat out the words, glaring at the three of them as though he wanted to bore holes through them.

Yet Orochimaru showed no expression at all. Like a puppet, he gave no response, and all the liveliness in his expression had vanished.

Hyuga Kei bent down and delivered Rasa's final blow.

"Ah!"

Hyuga Kei summed up Rasa's life. "This guy was truly short-sighted. Did he really think Konoha could be destroyed so easily?"

"Didn't he stop to consider whether that was even possible? The number of Kage-level experts Sunagakure produced over three generations was not even as many as Konoha produced in one."

Kabuto nodded in agreement. The longer he followed Hyuga Kei, the more unfathomable he found him. "Lord Kei is right. What should we do next?"

"Continue according to the plan. You and Orochimaru will impersonate the Kazekage and wait in Sunagakure."

"Understood."

Kabuto Yakushi bent down, preparing to alter Orochimaru's face into Rasa's, while he himself would become the personal Anbu guard and control every one of Orochimaru's movements.

"Remember to preserve the corpses."

After reminding Kabuto Yakushi, Hyuga Kei curled his lips into a smile. The play entirely under his control was finally about to begin.

Act One: the Child of Prophecy Corruption Plan, begin...

Hyuga Kei then dispelled this Shadow Clone.

Meanwhile, Hyuga Kei's real body, along with Karin and Uchiha Hikari, had disguised themselves as Sound ninja and headed to Konoha to participate in the Chunin Exams.

Hyuga Kei used the Sage Transformation Technique he had learned from Ichikishimahime, disguising himself as a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old child.

"Hikari, remember: once we enter Konoha, do not use your Sharingan no matter what happens. Understood?"

Uchiha Hikari had grown considerably and become even more youthful and beautiful, but Hyuga Kei had used senjutsu to conceal her appearance, restoring her to how she had looked just after her seal was removed.

Hikari behaved very obediently. "Mm, okay."

Karin also leaned over. "Brother Kei, can I sleep in the same tent as you later?"

Though Karin had grown up quite a bit, she was still adorably airheaded. She was not wearing the glasses that sealed away her looks, and her long straight red hair fell over her shoulders.

"No. You've grown up already, so you need to learn to take care of yourself."

"Then why can Sister Hikari stay in the same tent as you? Sister Hikari is already sixteen."

Hyuga Kei coughed twice to ease the awkwardness. "Karin, don't be naughty. Sleep by yourself, okay?"

"But every night, I can hear you two playing around. Why don't you let me play too?"

Uchiha Hikari's face instantly turned red, and she glared at Hyuga Kei. "I'll sleep in the same tent as Karin tonight."

"Okay~" Karin still sounded somewhat reluctant. She wanted to stay with Hyuga Kei.

On the other side, the Shadow Clone was voluntarily dispelled, and a massive amount of information instantly flooded into Hyuga Kei's mind.

"The plan went smoothly."

The next day, after hurrying along the entire way, the three of them finally arrived at Konoha's gates.

Looking at those familiar gates, Hyuga Kei felt somewhat wistful. Six years had passed in the blink of an eye. He had left as a youth, but returned as the husband of three women. Still, he wondered how Neji was doing.

The three approached Konoha's two gate guards, Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane.

Hyuga Kei pointed at the Sound Ninja Headband on his forehead, then took out three passes. "We are genin from the Sound Village. We received your village's invitation to participate in the Chunin Exams."

Izumo Kamizuki took the passes and carefully checked their appearances against them, then compared them with the roster sent by the Sound Village.

"Chiba Kishu, correct?"

"Yes."

"Chiba Hikari?"

"Mm."

"Karin Uzumaki?"

"That's right."

Upon seeing that name, the two guards looked up and saw her highly distinctive red hair.

Hair the same color as Lady Kushina's. This had to be reported to Lord Hokage.

Hyuga Kei and Uchiha Hikari were using false names, since the two of them could easily conceal themselves. But with Karin's head of red hair, anyone clever would know the reason.

"Mm, there are no issues with the passes. You may enter." Izumo Kamizuki returned the passes to Hyuga Kei.

"There are still fifteen days until the Chunin Exams. If you don't mind me asking, why did you come so early?"

Hyuga Kei answered first, "We wanted to spend more time sightseeing in Konoha, the number-one ninja village in the shinobi world."

The two gate guards were delighted to hear Hyuga Kei's praise. "Then we hope you enjoy yourselves."

"Thank you."

The moment the three entered Konoha, Hyuga Kei sensed the watchful gazes of the Anbu. There was even an old acquaintance among them—his former teammate, Wood Release Tenzo, the future jonin Yamato.

Kakashi had already left the Anbu by now, hadn't he? And Ameyuri had probably gone off to get married and have children.

But Hyuga Kei did not dare step forward to acknowledge them. He could only pretend not to notice.

Karin suddenly walked to Hyuga Kei's side, took his hand, and squeezed it twice as she transmitted through a secret technique, "Someone is following us."

Hyuga Kei squeezed her hand twice in reply, indicating that he had noticed as well. "Let's go. We'll rent a place first."

Hokage's office.

An Anbu came to report, "Lord Hokage, the three genin from the Sound Village have arrived in Konoha."

Sarutobi Hiruzen raised his head. "So early? There are still fifteen days before the Chunin Exams, aren't there?"

The Anbu bowed and replied, "They said they wanted to tour Konoha."

"I see. There's no need to monitor them. Three genin won't be able to stir up any trouble."

The Anbu continued his report. "There is one more matter. One of the three Sound ninja is a member of the Uzumaki clan."

Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately frowned. "Are you certain?"

"Certain. She has red hair and powerful chakra fluctuations."

"Understood. Go back and rest."

"Yes!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a draw from his pipe. She was probably an Uzumaki clansman who had escaped.

It was not suitable to make a move while the Chunin Exams were being held. Once they were over, he could force the Sound Village to hand her over.

That would also give Lady Mito an explanation.