In a hollow dug deep underground.
The lamps burned brightly, but the gloomy, chilly atmosphere never lifted. The air naturally smelled of soil, mingled with a faint, decaying scent, as if everything were on the verge of death.
"How has that child been doing lately?"
"Far better than expected. He's completely adapted to the erosion of the Hashirama Cells and is rapidly recovering his health. He has great potential."
"In that case, we can put the next phase of the plan into motion."
"You mean..."
An uncertain question came from the darkness in the corner.
The old man seated on the stone chair stared into the thick darkness and said slowly, "The person Obito cares about most is a girl named Nohara Rin, right? We'll use her to show Obito the true face of this hellish world!"
"Are we starting now? Isn't it a little too rushed? Obito has only adapted to the erosion of the Hashirama Cells."
"That's enough. His ability to adapt to Hashirama's cells proves he has great potential. And for us Uchiha, becoming stronger only takes an instant!"
"Fine! I'll go send the message, then!"
"Go!"
The thick darkness in the corner instantly faded.
The old man seated on the stone chair slowly closed his eyes, as if slipping into a light doze.
Returning to the Frontline Camp after more than ten days away, he found the scenery unchanged. The battle on the front had barely shifted during his absence; the two sides were still locked in a war of attrition, trading lives in a drawn-out struggle.
"Clan Head!"
At the entrance to the camp,
Elder Hyuga Takashi led a group of Hyuga Clan members to welcome Hyuga Ritsu.
After the village had officially announced the upheaval in the Hyuga Clan, Hyuga Ritsu had met with the elders to discuss how to handle the clan members still stationed on the Eastern Front. Quite a few loyal Main House members remained there.
In the end, they had decided that Elder Hyuga Takashi, the oldest of them at forty-four, would take a letter from Hyuga Hiashi and head to the frontline camp on the Eastern Front. The aim was to bring things to a peaceful close, preferably by persuading those clan members to accept the new reality. If that proved impossible, he was to do his best to keep them calm and prevent any trouble.
"Did everything go smoothly?"
Hyuga Ritsu asked.
"The process was extremely dangerous, but the outcome was acceptable."
Hyuga Takashi said, still shaken.
"What happened?"
"Hyuga Hiashi's letter did the trick. Thankfully, you planned ahead and spared his life, Clan Head. Otherwise, we nearly had a civil war right here at the frontline camp—and a civil war within our own Hyuga Clan, at that."
Hyuga Takashi gave him a rough account of what had happened.
The Branch House members whom Hyuga Hiashi, Hyuga Daichi, and Hyuga Hisho had brought from the clan to the frontline camp were all fanatical, unwavering supporters of the Main House. When they heard that the Main House members had been nearly wiped out, they flew into a rage and were about to kill Hyuga Takashi and the others before returning to the village to set things right. Fortunately, Hyuga Takashi had reacted quickly and produced the letter of surrender Hyuga Hiashi had written before he left.
Hyuga Hiashi's handwritten letter had been remarkably effective. After reading it, the Branch House members wilted like plants hit by frost.
"You've worked hard, Elder Takashi."
Hyuga Ritsu didn't explain that he had spared Hyuga Hiashi largely because he had promised Hizashi Hyuga, and that he hadn't considered the fallen former Clan Head might have any other use.
But whether it had been foresight or sheer luck,
Hyuga Ritsu had been fortunate. Things hadn't taken the worst possible turn, and he had even gained a bit of prestige in the process!
"It was nothing, it was nothing. Compared to everything you've done, Clan Head, my part was nothing at all." Hyuga Takashi laughed heartily, then added, "Clan Head, you're going to see Orochimaru, right? I'll show you the way!"
In truth, Hyuga Takashi didn't need to guide him. Hyuga Ritsu knew every inch of the place; he had been there when the frontline camp was first established.
Still, Hyuga Ritsu didn't turn down his kindness. Accompanied by Hyuga Takashi, he went to the main tent at the center of the camp and met Orochimaru, the supreme commander of the war against the Mist Ninja on the Eastern Front.
"Ritsu, we meet again!"
Orochimaru sat behind a desk, a pleasant smile on his pale face.
"Senior Orochimaru, thank you for helping me before."
"Did I do anything?"
"In any case, I'll always remember what you did for me."
No matter how deranged and perverse Orochimaru was, without his help, Hyuga Ritsu would have had no legitimate reason to leave the camp. That would have been tantamount to desertion, and even if he made it back to the village, Jonin and Anbu would be waiting to capture him.
In short,
The order Orochimaru had issued him back then had been crucial. It was a great favor, and Hyuga Ritsu believed in repaying kindness and avenging grudges.
He would repay that favor when he had the chance.
"Give me the old man's document. I'll arrange an assignment for you." Orochimaru paid no mind to Hyuga Ritsu's words and simply held out his hand for the document.
Hyuga Ritsu handed him the transfer order.
Orochimaru picked it up and glanced over it. His brows suddenly rose, and he looked up at Hyuga Ritsu. "Ritsu, are you sure no one switched this document?"
"I've kept it with me the whole time," Hyuga Ritsu replied calmly.
"If there's nothing wrong with it, then let me tell you something. Before you arrived, the village appointed Aburame Ryoma as the deputy commander of the Eastern Front. He isn't as easygoing as I am. If you don't have an official position, your time here could be difficult—and dangerous."
"Aburame Ryoma?"
Hyuga Ritsu narrowed his eyes. If he remembered correctly, Aburame Ryoma was one of Danzo's trusted subordinates. Sending him to the front as deputy commander at a time like this... Hyuga Ritsu sensed the intense malice brewing beneath the calm surface.
"The tree may wish for stillness, but the wind won't cease. They really are pushing me hard."
Hyuga Ritsu murmured softly, a flash of ferocity surfacing in his eyes.
But a moment later,
He put on an unconcerned smile. "Senior Orochimaru, so be it if things get difficult. I didn't come to the front to enjoy myself. And as for danger, how could there be none on the battlefield? I've returned to the front to wash away the disgrace those useless Main House fools left the clan with, using the Mist Ninja's blood—and to take back the Byakugan that was stolen from us."
Orochimaru gave Hyuga Ritsu a long look, the smile on his face growing more inscrutable. "Ritsu, you really are exceptional. I'm almost jealous of that fellow Hiruko for having such an outstanding student."
Hyuga Ritsu smiled without replying.
Seeing this, Orochimaru smiled and shook his head. "So be it. Since you have no objections, rest up at the camp for now. If I'm not mistaken, orders will reach you soon. I hope you'll bring me even more surprises, Ritsu."
Before you continue