Orochimaru's Intentions

He wore a mask too.

Chuan Yu was taken by the sudden appearance of a mysterious person to a safe place.

He struggled free from the person's arms.

Chuan Yu tightened his grip on the Kunai and pointed it at the other person.

"You couldn't even sense my chakra."

Chuan Yu froze. "Brother Itachi?"

Itachi took off his mask and drew a deep breath.

"If you'd seriously injured Killer B just now, Konoha and the Cloud Village would have gone straight to war without a doubt..."

Itachi looked troubled.

But he had never questioned anything Chuan Yu did.

Because he trusted him.

And because of Shisui.

Only then did Chuan Yu realize that he'd been completely caught up in the fight and had nearly sparked a catastrophe.

His only goal had been the Uchiha. Starting a war now would only drag them into the storm.

"I was reckless..."

"Brother Itachi, sorry for the trouble..."

Chuan Yu scratched his hair and said awkwardly.

Itachi walked over and ruffled Chuan Yu's hair. "I think of you as my own little brother, so I'm happy to be able to take care of you like this."

"I hope you'll think of me as your older brother, too. If anything happens, come to me."

When he'd been the same age as Chuan Yu, Itachi clearly remembered Shisui carrying him on his back and saying the same thing.

He couldn't forget how Shisui had doted on him. Itachi had once met the kindest person in the world.

"Brother Itachi..."

"I understand..."

Chuan Yu knew that the outcome of these negotiations was already set.

Even if he hadn't intervened last night, the result would have been the same.

Chuan Yu had chosen not to save Hizashi.

Because aside from the family affection he had now, everything else would become a target for his darkness.

That was simply how the Ninja World worked...

There was no point in being sentimental...

"The problem now is that you showed up today."

"Although you hid your identity with a mask, you used the Body Flicker Technique and Raikiri. And even..."

"Fire Style..."

Itachi's expression grew grave.

Chuan Yu was just as important to him as Sasuke.

He would never let anything happen to Chuan Yu.

"I'll protect you and get you out of the village..."

After a few moments, Itachi spoke quietly.

Konoha was very dangerous now.

Internal strife and war were both on the verge of breaking out.

Leaving might be the best choice.

"No need, Brother Itachi. I have a plan."

During the few minutes Chuan Yu spent thinking, he suddenly thought of someone.

The fight had started because of him, so going to him to sort things out should be the best option.

Itachi shook his head helplessly, then patted Chuan Yu on the shoulder.

"I absolutely won't let anyone hurt you..."

"If I don't find a better solution by tonight, I'll take you away..."

"Try to understand, Chuan Yu..."

Chuan Yu was deeply moved.

But there was no point in saying anything unnecessary now.

Time was short, and the negotiations would soon be over.

Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi would probably investigate the matter themselves...

But the one Chuan Yu felt most sorry for was Kakashi...

Raikiri, an S-rank ninjutsu, was considered a forbidden technique.

It was not only powerful but also exceedingly brutal. It pierced straight through an opponent's heart, leaving no room for mercy.

As far as Konoha was concerned, Kakashi was the creator of Raikiri.

He was also the only one who could use it.

Except for Chuan Yu, whose identity remained hidden.

"I'll wait for your news..."

Itachi turned and left.

Chuan Yu didn't linger either. He hurried toward the Mist Forest east of Konoha.

In a dim underground passage,

a black venomous snake coiled around a poor little mouse.

A heap of colorful chemicals lay among the ruins beside a mound of dirt.

Cockroaches.

Spiders.

They were everywhere...

When Chuan Yu arrived, he cautiously checked his surroundings.

A foul stench rushed into his nose.

It was probably garbage made by Orochimaru...

After entering the cave, he found a hidden passage below.

He lifted a torch from the wall and held it up, clearly revealing the steps below.

The stench of decay filled the air. A chill and dampness rushed straight to Chuan Yu's head.

"This guy actually likes living in a place like this..."

Carefully, he stepped onto the stairs.

Head lowered and back hunched, Chuan Yu cautiously made his way inside...

Once he'd passed through the underground passage, a huge laboratory appeared before him.

Shinigami masks covered the walls.

Vials of colorful chemicals sat on the tables.

On the shelves deeper inside, there were even specimens of human organs.

"Where did that freak go?"

Chuan Yu strolled through Orochimaru's laboratory, admiring his creations and artistry.

Suddenly, there was a noise from the stone wall in the corner.

Chuan Yu walked over warily.

A wooden head rested on a shelf set into the wall, with the words "scared to death" written beneath it.

The wooden head's expression was hideous, and it looked almost real. Orochimaru had put a lot of effort into making it...

Then he looked at the second one.

"Strangled to death"...

The third.

"Died of anger"...

The fourth.

"Not dead"...

"Wait? Not dead?!"

Chuan Yu spun around. Orochimaru suddenly opened his enormous mouth.

Chuan Yu stumbled back two steps in fright, and Raikiri sprang into his hand. Orochimaru burst out laughing.

"I knew you'd come looking for me..."

Orochimaru tilted his head slightly, then twisted it a full three hundred and sixty degrees with both hands.

The sight was horrifying. Chuan Yu almost thought he'd been transported into the Ghost Shadow World...

"Take care of the trouble from today."

Chuan Yu spoke calmly.

After all, this mess was Orochimaru's doing.

"That won't be a problem..."

"But after I help you, you'll have to do something for me, too..."

Orochimaru gave him a sinister smile. Chuan Yu got goosebumps all over.

"Let's hear it."

Chuan Yu treated Orochimaru as a potential partner.

After all, when it came to Hashirama Cells, Orochimaru was the one who would have to handle them.

"Go somewhere for me..."

Orochimaru spoke in a low, eerie voice, then took a map from his robes and handed it to Chuan Yu.

Chuan Yu took the map with a frown.

The moment he opened it, he was stunned.

"Ryūchi Cave..."

Chuan Yu murmured.

He hadn't expected Orochimaru to have been studying Ryūchi Cave from the very beginning...

"This place is important to me..."

"But I've never been there..."

"I got this map some time ago..."

With that, Orochimaru turned and walked into a dim little room.

Chuan Yu knew Orochimaru wanted to use him to verify whether this place was real.

That included the legends about the Ryuchi Cave Sage...

It seemed Orochimaru wanted to cultivate him as a trusted subordinate...

Interesting...

But how could Orochimaru know what he was thinking?

Did he really think Chuan Yu was only six years old?

"Fine. I accept."

Chuan Yu spoke calmly.

"Then... I'll help you deal with the problem you're facing now."

"You can head back first..."

"Don't tell anyone about the map. I'll let you know when the time is right..."

Orochimaru didn't come out of the room. He answered Chuan Yu, then slammed the door shut.

Night.

Hizashi Hyuga appeared atop a rock in the Uchiha compound.

"I don't have much time left..."

"Looks like I have to make a choice..."