The Beginning of Fate

The winds of Konoha's forty-fourth year carried an increasingly heavy scent of gunpowder, along with an invisible sense of urgency. The accelerated curriculum at the Ninja Academy, the increasingly grave expressions on those around him, and the almost frantic pace at which Might Guy and Kakashi were advancing all silently proclaimed one fact: Uchiha Kyohaku did not have much time left to develop in peace.

Graduation was drawing near, and every student was preparing or worrying about their future path. For Kyohaku, however, the conventional path of joining a ninja squad had been almost completely cut off by his right foot. No jonin would be willing to accept a genin who would clearly slow the team's mobility, especially with the clouds of war hanging overhead.

But he had long planned another path for himself—Konoha Hospital. It valued ability over taijutsu, making it the perfect haven for him and a place where he could continue accumulating knowledge. However, as an ordinary graduate, it would not be easy to remain at the hospital directly, especially during a period when manpower might be stretched thin and experienced ninja were more likely to be transferred in.

He needed a powerful "pass."

After months of careful thought and discreet investigation from various angles, he set his sights on someone dangerous, yet perhaps the only person capable of understanding his "value"—one of the Sannin, the Cold Lord Orochimaru.

Choosing Orochimaru was a carefully considered gamble. Orochimaru was obsessed with forbidden techniques and the mysteries of life, so he was bound to hold great interest in the Uchiha bloodline limit. At the same time, he held a lofty position within the village and possessed enough influence to arrange a position for a medical ninja. More importantly, Orochimaru appreciated those with ambition, methods, and the courage to break convention in pursuit of knowledge and power.

It was an extremely risky choice. If he misjudged the situation, the consequences would be unthinkable. But after weighing it all, Kyohaku believed that at this stage, the "bargaining chip" he could offer, along with how easily Orochimaru could control him, was enough to make the deal worthwhile.

One afternoon, he took leave. He did not go to the academy, nor did he go to the hospital. He changed into clean clothes and, leaning on his crutch, made his way step by step toward the relatively secluded residential district at the edge of the village.

At last, he stopped before a courtyard with an old-fashioned style and strong Japanese character, yet one that somehow exuded a sinister stillness. This was Orochimaru's residence.

He took a deep breath, suppressing all his nervousness and stray thoughts. His gaze returned to its usual calmness. Raising a hand, he knocked on the heavy-looking wooden door.

Knock, knock, knock.

The sound was especially clear outside the silent courtyard.

After a while, the door slid open soundlessly, leaving a narrow gap. A pale young man with hollow eyes opened it—perhaps he had once been a ninja. He stared mechanically at Kyohaku without speaking.

"My name is Uchiha Kyohaku. I have an important matter to discuss with Lord Orochimaru," Kyohaku said calmly, neither humble nor overbearing.

The man silently inspected him for a moment, especially the conspicuous crutch, then slowly stepped aside.

Leaning on his crutch, Kyohaku entered the courtyard. It was kept very clean, but it lacked any sense of life. Strange plants grew in the corners, and the air was filled with a faint scent of herbs mixed with an indescribable, slightly fishy odor.

He was led before a Japanese-style room. The paper door slid open, revealing a tall, slender man in a kimono standing with his back to him, looking out the window. Long black hair cascaded down his back, and an icy, dangerous aura radiated from him.

"Lord Orochimaru." Kyohaku bowed slightly.

Orochimaru slowly turned around. His golden snake eyes on his pale face examined this uninvited, young yet unusual visitor with a hint of amusement and scrutiny. "A little Uchiha brat... and you've brought an interesting crutch with you. What do you want from me?" His voice was hoarse and magnetic, carrying a cold, slick quality.

Kyohaku raised his head and met those chilling snake eyes without flinching. "Lord Orochimaru, I am about to graduate from the Ninja Academy. But because of my disabled right foot, I cannot handle the missions assigned to ordinary ninja squads."

"Oh? So you came to seek pity?" Orochimaru's tone held a trace of mockery.

"No. I came to make a deal with you." Kyohaku's voice remained calm. "I hope to enter Konoha Hospital after graduation and become a medical ninja. It is better suited to my abilities. In return..."

He paused, then slowly lifted his head. Deep within his eyes, a tomoe quietly emerged and began to rotate.

"...I can offer my Uchiha bloodline as an observation subject for your research into bloodline limits. And I am confident that I already possess a certain foundation in medical ninjutsu. The candidate you recommend will not appear incompetent."

He held out his palm. A gentle, steady green glow of chakra lit up, condensing into form and displaying his refined mastery of healing techniques.

Orochimaru's golden snake eyes narrowed slightly as his gaze shifted between the tomoe and the green chakra glow. The amusement on his face gradually gave way to genuine interest.

An eight-year-old Uchiha orphan, physically disabled, yet having awakened the Sharingan and mastered impressive medical ninjutsu. More importantly, he possessed enough courage and a cold enough mindset to come to someone like him—a notorious "dangerous figure"—to make a deal, offering his own body as a bargaining chip...

Interesting. Very interesting.

"Heh... hehehe..." Orochimaru let out a low laugh, like the hiss of a venomous snake. "How surprising, Uchiha Kyohaku. You have more courage than many adult ninja... or perhaps you are simply more insane."

He stepped forward a few paces and looked down at Kyohaku, his golden pupils seeming to peer straight through him. "Do you know what 'observation subject' means?"

"I know the risks." Kyohaku met his gaze without retreating. "But compared to living an ordinary life, or dying pointlessly on the battlefield because I cannot complete missions, I choose to seize this opportunity. I will use everything I can use, including myself, to exchange for a future where my value can be better realized."

Silence spread through the room. Only the faint rustling of the wind passing through the strange plants outside the window could be heard.

After a long while, Orochimaru's lips curved into a smile, cold and full of inquisitiveness. "A fine resolve. Those who change their own fate are always worthy of appreciation. I appreciate your honesty and... your value."

He turned around and waved a hand. "I accept your request. After graduation, you will enter Konoha Hospital. As for the 'observation'... I will arrange a part-time position for you as a laboratory assistant. Perform well, little one."

"Thank you, Lord Orochimaru." Kyohaku bowed deeply. The tomoe in his eyes quietly faded, as though it had never appeared.

Leaning on his crutch, he slowly left the Japanese-style room and departed that sinister courtyard. The sunlight fell over him, dispelling the cold chill that had clung to his body.

He knew that from the moment he had knocked on that door, his fate had stepped onto another entirely different path—one filled with danger, yet also boundless possibilities.

The deal with Orochimaru had been made, and his path after graduation had been laid out before him. Uchiha Kyohaku, a name that might otherwise have been pushed to the margins, was about to step onto the stage of the era as a medical ninja at Konoha Hospital. Behind the scenes, however, a dangerous thread had firmly bound him to that scientist who pursued immortality.