Identity Shift

The final preliminary match ended.

The bloodstains on the arena floor had already been cleaned away, but a faint scent of rust still lingered in the air.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, walked to the center of the arena, several jonin standing behind him. His gaze swept over the nine contestants who had advanced, and his aged voice echoed through the empty space.

"The official roster for the third exam has been decided."

He read out the names one by one.

"Naruto Uzumaki."

Naruto grinned and raised a fist.

"Sasuke Uchiha."

Sasuke leaned against the wall with his eyes closed, saying nothing.

"Shikamaru Nara."

Shikamaru kept his hands in his pockets and sighed.

"Shino Aburame."

Shino adjusted his sunglasses and remained silent.

"Neji Hyuga."

Neji stood in a corner, his Byakugan devoid of emotion.

"Gaara."

The red-haired Sand Village boy folded his arms and opened those bloodshot eyes.

"Kankuro."

Kankuro, carrying a bandaged puppet on his back, nodded.

"Temari."

Temari rested her enormous iron fan on her shoulder, her expression calm.

"Finally—Dosu."

Yunju stood among the Sound Ninja, his exposed left eye lifting slightly beneath the bandages.

When his name was called, several gazes fell on him at once. Neji's Byakugan, Shikamaru's scrutiny, Temari's appraisal.

Yunju showed no reaction.

"The nine of you will participate in the third official exam one month from now," the Third Hokage said. "You may use this month for special training and to improve your strength. The official exam will be open to the entire ninja world, and daimyo and ninja representatives from every country will come to watch."

He paused.

"Your performance will directly affect your village's reputation."

He said it plainly, but every genin present understood the weight behind those words.

"Dismissed."

The arena gates opened, and the contestants left one after another.

Neji passed by Yunju without looking at him.

Rock Lee was carried out on a stretcher, wrapped head to toe in bandages. Might Guy followed beside him, his fists clenched until they turned white.

Naruto walked with Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino, while Choji's stomach continued to growl.

"Choji, are you really going to eat the Nara family into bankruptcy at the barbecue place?" Ino asked helplessly.

"He said it." Choji pointed at Shikamaru. "He said he was treating. I may have lost, but I'm going to eat my losses back."

Shikamaru rubbed his temples. "Hey, hey, hey, I said I'd treat if you won! You're such a pain."

The group gradually disappeared into the distance.

Yunju withdrew his gaze and turned toward another exit of the tower. Zaku and Kin followed behind him in silence.

Zaku's hand was still wrapped in bandages, his face pale. His Air Cutter had been completely ruined by Shino's insects. The air tubes were stuffed with Kikaichū corpses and could not possibly be repaired anytime soon.

Kin had not suffered any serious injuries, but her expression was gloomier than usual. Being effortlessly defeated by Shikamaru's Shadow Imitation Technique was a humiliation for any Sound Ninja.

The three left Leaf Village in silence.

Three kilometers outside Leaf Village.

In a secluded forest, a temporary camp had been set up in a concealed location.

Orochimaru sat beside the campfire, a book in his hand. The firelight cast shifting shadows across his face.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up.

"You're back?"

Yunju dropped to one knee, while Zaku and Kin lowered their heads as well.

"Orochimaru-sama."

Orochimaru closed his book, rose to his feet, and walked over to Yunju.

"I've already heard about the preliminaries." His voice was low and drawn out. "You performed well, Yunju-kun. You maintained the Water Prison Technique for nearly four minutes. Your chakra stability and endurance both exceeded my expectations."

"Thank you for your praise, Orochimaru-sama."

The corners of Orochimaru's mouth curved faintly upward.

"However—your mission is over."

Yunju looked up.

"What mission?"

"Dosu's mission," Orochimaru said. "You no longer need to act under his identity."

Orochimaru extended a hand, his long fingers pointing toward one side of the camp.

A boy stood there.

His head was wrapped in bandages, with only one left eye exposed. A perforated armor piece covered his right arm—it was the real Dosu.

Dosu stood there expressionlessly, his gaze resting on Yunju with an indescribably complicated emotion.

"The real Dosu will return to Konoha and take part in the third exam," Orochimaru said. "And you—Yunju-kun—you need to come with me."

Yunju looked at Dosu, then at Orochimaru.

"Where to?"

"To assassinate someone."

Orochimaru said it as casually as if he were discussing what to have for dinner.

"Who?"

"You'll know when the time comes." Orochimaru turned his back to Yunju. "You're strong enough now. There's no need for you to keep hiding. Come with me, and you'll see more things."

Yunju lowered his head.

"Yes."

His voice was respectful, his expression calm.

But his thoughts were racing.

Orochimaru wanted to take him along.

To have him "train at his side."

That meant—he had earned Orochimaru's trust.

Orochimaru no longer regarded him as a spare vessel kept in cold storage. He was beginning to use him as a combat asset worth cultivating.

That was a good thing.

And a bad thing.

The good thing was that Orochimaru would give him more resources, more freedom, and more opportunities.

The bad thing was that he would be closer to Orochimaru and farther from any chance of escape.

But Yunju had no choice.

At least, not yet.

"Orochimaru-sama." Yunju looked up. "May I speak to Dosu alone for a few moments?"

Orochimaru tilted his head slightly, a glint flashing through his golden snake eyes.

"What about?"

"The third exam," Yunju said. "I fought Neji Hyuga before. I have some intelligence I can share with him."

Orochimaru stared at Yunju for two seconds.

Then he smiled.

"Go ahead. Don't take too long."

Yunju rose and walked toward Dosu.

Dosu remained where he was, his only exposed left eye staring coldly at Yunju from beneath the bandages. He knew Yunju was the one who had fought in his place, and he also knew Yunju was stronger than him. Orochimaru-sama valued Yunju, and that made Dosu uncomfortable, though he did not show it.

Yunju stopped before Dosu and lowered his voice.

"Dosu."

"Hmm?"

"You have a powerful enemy."

Dosu's brow creased slightly. "Who?"

Yunju's lips nearly brushed Dosu's ear, his voice so low that only the two of them could hear it.

"Gaara."

Dosu's pupils contracted slightly.

"That Sand Village one?" Suspicion colored his voice. "Why would I have to deal with him?"

"Because he'll be your first opponent in the third exam," Yunju said. "This is Orochimaru-sama's arrangement. He doesn't want you to know beforehand, but I think you should prepare in advance."

Dosu's frown deepened.

Yunju continued, "Gaara is very strong. His sand defends him automatically, and ordinary attacks can't hurt him at all. If you want to win, you'll have to make a move before he's prepared."

"You mean..."

"Assassinate him." Yunju's voice was quiet, but every word was clear. "Find an opportunity to take him out before the official exam begins. Orochimaru-sama cannot act personally, but you can."

Dosu fell silent.

Yunju took a step back and looked into Dosu's eyes.

"It's only my suggestion," Yunju said. "Whether you listen is up to you."

He turned and returned to Orochimaru's side.

Dosu stood there, watching Yunju's back. A trace of killing intent flashed in his eyes.

Not toward Yunju—but toward Gaara.

Yunju was right.

Rather than face a monster with absolute defense in the arena, it would be better to eliminate him beforehand.

Dosu turned and entered the forest.

No one asked where he was going, and no one cared.

Yunju stood beside Orochimaru, watching the direction in which Dosu had disappeared.

He knew very clearly—Dosu would not return.

Gaara was not an opponent Dosu could handle. If Dosu went to assassinate Gaara, there was only one outcome.

Either he would die at Gaara's hands, or he would be discovered by Sand Village people during the assassination and killed.

Either way, Dosu would die.

And once Dosu was dead, Neji would not expose the matter of the Senju surname.

Dosu had to die.

Yunju's heart remained perfectly still.

He did not hate Dosu. Dosu had no grudge against him, nor did he have one against Dosu. But in this world, hatred was not the only reason to kill someone.

Sometimes, it was simply to survive.

Orochimaru stood beside him, his golden snake eyes fixed on the distant forest.

"What did you say to Dosu?"

"I gave him some intelligence on Gaara, his opponent in the third exam," Yunju answered truthfully.

Orochimaru did not press further.

"Let's go." He turned and headed deeper into the camp. "It's getting dark."

Yunju followed Orochimaru's footsteps.

Zaku and Kin remained where they were, watching the two figures disappear into the forest.

Night fell.

The lights of Leaf Village flickered in the distance, like a quiet, warm dream.

Yunju followed Orochimaru through the dark forest. There were no torches, no lamps—only sparse starlight overhead.

"Yunju-kun."

"Yes?"

"Aren't you curious who we're going to kill?"

"When Orochimaru-sama wishes to tell me, you naturally will."

Orochimaru gave a soft laugh.

"You're very clever, Yunju-kun," he said. "That's what I like about you. But it's also what worries me."

Yunju said nothing.

"Clever people tend to think too much." Orochimaru's voice drifted through the night. "And people who think too much are prone to making the wrong decisions."

Yunju lowered his head.

"I will remember Orochimaru-sama's teachings."

Orochimaru said nothing more.

The two walked one behind the other and disappeared into the depths of the dark forest.