A Failed Test

The laboratory deep within the Sound Village Base was perpetually filled with a strange odor, a mixture of preservatives and some kind of decaying biomass. When Neji returned using the Flying Thunder God, Orochimaru was leaning over a White Zetsu body immersed in nutrient solution, his golden snake eyes flashing with almost fanatical focus under the eerie green light of the culture tank.

"You're back?" Orochimaru didn't even look up, his scalpel precisely slicing open the skin of White Zetsu's arm. "What's Konoha's reaction?"

"Panic, but preparations have begun," Neji replied succinctly. He walked to the other side of the laboratory, where four specially made sealing containers were neatly arranged, each containing a complete White Zetsu body. "I'll keep three for future use. This one is for you to study."

Orochimaru finally raised his head, his gaze falling on the White Zetsu that had been pushed in front of him. He licked his lips—his signature gesture when excited. "What a perfect biological weapon... the perfect vessel for the First Hokage Cells, yet without any independent consciousness."

"So I need to prepare more." Neji opened one of the containers and checked the condition of the White Zetsu inside. "If Black Zetsu attacks, we need forces capable of withstanding his attack."

"Oh?" Orochimaru's interest was piqued. "What do you plan to do with these White Zetsu? Impure World Reincarnation?"

"Yes." Neji resealed the container. "The target has been selected: Nagato."

The air in the laboratory seemed to freeze for a moment. Orochimaru's scalpel hovered in mid-air, his snake-like eyes widening slightly before slowly narrowing, revealing a knowing smile, "Impure World Reincarnation... Nagato with the Rinnegan. Interesting, very interesting! Rinnegan user with no weaknesses and unlimited Chakra... This is indeed an excellent piece to deal with Black Zetsu. But Neji," he put down the scalpel and walked towards Neji, "Nagato's body should be in Amegakure, or rather, in the hands of Obito of Akatsuki."

"I took the cell samples beforehand," Neji said calmly, "At the scene of Nagato's death."

Orochimaru let out a low laugh, "As expected, you always prepare more thoroughly than I anticipated. So, what about the other three White Zetsu? Spare containers?"

"Just in case." Neji didn't say more. He knew Orochimaru would understand—in the ninja world, there always has to be a Plan B, a Plan C, and even a Plan D.

Leaving the laboratory, Neji headed towards the training grounds deep within the base. As he passed through the long tunnel inlaid with glowing minerals, he could hear the sounds of battle ahead—the clanging of metal, the explosions of Ninjutsu, and Jugo's distinctive roar, which sounded like a beast's howl.

Neji stopped in his tracks when the scene of the training ground came into view.

Sasuke was simultaneously dealing with a combined attack from Suigetsu and Jugo. He didn't activate Susanoo, and even deliberately suppressed the power of his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, using only basic Lightning Release, Fire Release, and Taijutsu. Even so, his fighting style was still terrifyingly fierce.

Suigetsu lunged from the left, his Kubikiribōchō sweeping across the air with a whooshing sound. Sasuke, instead of retreating, advanced, crouching low and sliding under the blade, his Grass Cone Sword thrusting back towards Suigetsu's ribs. But just as the sword tip was about to strike, Jugo attacked from the right—his speed increased dramatically after activating Cursed Seal Stage One, his massive fist slamming towards Sasuke's head.

Lightning Release: Chidori Current!

Sasuke's body crackled with electricity, forcing Jugo back while using the momentum to leap backward. But Suigetsu had already turned into water, and the lightning only caused temporary paralysis as it penetrated his liquid body. The next second, Suigetsu reformed his form, Kubikiribōchō came crashing down again.

"Good teamwork," Neji thought to himself. Although Suigetsu and Jugo had very different personalities, their battle synergy was rapidly improving. Suigetsu's Water Transformation Technique provided immortality and the ability to launch surprise attacks, Jugo's Senjutsu Chakra provided power and explosive force. Together, they could indeed suppress Sasuke, who was not using his "ultimate moves."

But Neji was more concerned about Sasuke's progress. This descendant of the Uchiha Clan was learning how to fight when his power was limited—not by relying on overwhelming Dōjutsu, but by returning to the basics of ninja: Taijutsu, tactics, and timing. Although he was still a bit raw, and although he was occasionally forced into dangerous situations, the combat instincts of a true strongman were awakening.

After narrowly dodging Jugo's punch once again, Sasuke suddenly changed tactics. Instead of retreating, he charged towards Suigetsu's slash. Just as the Kubikiribōchō was about to strike him—

"Sharingan: Genjutsu!"

Suigetsu's movements paused for a mere 0.3 seconds. This would be insignificant to an ordinary person, but it was enough for Sasuke. He sidestepped, his sword hilt striking Suigetsu's wrist with Jugo swift motion.

Jugo had no choice but to parry the flying Kubikiribōchō. Sasuke had already appeared behind him, the tip of his Grass Cone Sword pressed against his back.

"Stop," Sasuke said.

The training ground fell silent. Suigetsu rubbed her wrist and complained, "That's not fair, Sasuke! Using Sharingan Genjutsu is so unfair!"

"The enemy won't treat you fairly." Sasuke sheathed his sword and looked at Neji standing on the sidelines. Neji's breathing was a little rapid, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, but his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan remained as bright as ever.

Suigetsu and Jugo also noticed Neji. They exchanged a glance and tactfully stepped aside—they knew the following conversation wasn't for them.

"How is the situation in Konoha?" Sasuke asked directly, wiping the sweat from his face with a towel.

"Tsunade is awake. Begin preparations for battle," Neji replied succinctly. "Information about Obito obtaining the Rinnegan has been relayed. War could break out at any moment."

Sasuke paused for a moment. He put down the towel and looked directly at Neji: "So, we don't have much time left."

"Yes," Neji said, "You don't need to rush, your chance to shine will come soon."

"Don't rush." Sasuke's tone was a little impatient. He suddenly changed the subject, "Neji, can I learn your Flying Thunder God Technique?"

Neji was taken aback by the question. He looked into Sasuke's eyes, which were filled with longing—the eyes of a true strongman, a pure pursuit of power, untainted by hatred or obsession.

Flying Thunder God? Neji felt a complex mix of emotions. You'll master Amenotejikara, an even more overpowered spatial ability than Flying Thunder God. Learning it now is a complete waste of time.

But he couldn't say that. So he chose a more vague answer, one that was also closer to the truth:

"The Flying Thunder God Technique is not suitable for you. You will master spatial powers in the future."

The moment those words left his mouth, Neji regretted them. He saw Sasuke frozen in place, the light in his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan shifting from confusion to shock, and then to anger at being treated so casually.

"What do you mean by 'I will also master spatial powers in the future'?" Sasuke's voice turned cold. "Why isn't the Flying Thunder God Technique suitable for me? Neji, we are partners. If you don't even have basic sincerity—"

He didn't finish his sentence, but Neji could understand the unspoken message: You bastard, you have no sincerity in cooperating at all. If it weren't for the fact that you saved my life, and I can't even beat you, I would have turned you into roast chicken in no time.

Neji sighed inwardly. This was the trouble with dealing with the Uchiha Clan —they were too smart, too sensitive, and too quick to interpret everything as a conspiracy or a mere pretense. But he truly couldn't explain it. Should he say, "I know the plot; you'll awaken the Rinnegan and gain Amenotejikara later?"

He originally came to find Sasuke, but he had another plan: to have Sasuke return to Obito's side as a spy. After all, Sasuke was still nominally a member of the Akatsuki's "Hawk" team, Obito trusted him to a certain extent. If Sasuke could infiltrate Obito circle, obtain crucial intelligence, or even betray him at a critical moment...

But seeing Sasuke's current arrogant demeanor, Neji abandoned the idea. Who was Obito? He was a schemer who had manipulated the entire Shinobi World for decades. Although Sasuke was intelligent, he wouldn't last a single episode against Obito. His Uchiha Clan arrogance, his unconcealable emotional fluctuations, his desperate thirst for power—each one was a fatal flaw.

"Fine, let him be a handsome man in peace," Neji thought helplessly. The undercover plan wasn't working; he had to think of another way.

"The Flying Thunder God requires a special spatial perception talent, which you don't have." Neji finally gave a technical reason—it wasn't exactly a lie, Sasuke truly didn't possess the spatial perception talent of the Fourth Hokage or himself. "But you have your own path."

Sasuke stared at Neji for a long time, then finally snorted coldly and turned back to continue training. He didn't agree, but he didn't press the matter further either. This was the pride of the Uchiha Clan —they could accept defeat, but they couldn't accept charity.

Neji knew this topic had to end. He left the training ground and returned to his temporary room at the Sound Village Base. It was a simple, almost rudimentary space: a bed, a table, and a map of the Shinobi World on the wall, marked with different colored symbols indicating the territories of various factions.

He used the Flying Thunder God Technique to return to the secret hideout he had prepared during his time as an undercover agent in the Akatsuki —the number one safe base in the Land of Rivers.

After a moment's thought, Neji began to contact Zetsu through the Akatsuki's ring.

"Senior Zetsu, Lord Orochimaru has a deal he wishes to discuss with Lord Madara. He hopes Senior Zetsu can pass on this message."

The message was brief and direct. Neji's idea was: since he couldn't get Sasuke, he would try to contact Obito directly. In Orochimaru's name, he would propose a deal—such as technical support for the Impure World Reincarnation). As long as they could establish contact, they would have a chance to obtain intelligence and even plant spies.

While waiting for a response, Neji began to consider the specifics of the deal. Orochimaru did indeed have many things that Obito might be interested in: the Impure World Reincarnation, further applications of the First Hokage Cells...

But the response came faster than he expected, and its content was completely unexpected.

New information appeared line by line on the scroll, and after Neji finished reading it, he was momentarily lost in confusion.

"Sake, Lord Madara thinks highly of you. I never expected you to be Orochimaru's man. Lord Madara 'Orochimaru deals, but if you're willing to return to Akatsuki and follow Lord Madara, Lord Madara can forgive your past and continue to value you."

Neji stared at the lines of text, his first thought being that he had misinterpreted them. He read them again to make sure that every word was unambiguous.

Obito... isn't interested in me? He's not interested in the deal with Orochimaru, but he's interested in me personally? And he even offered the condition of "no past transgressions, continued reliance on him"?

"What did I do to make Obito happy?" Neji wondered blankly. He recalled his limited interactions with Obito, trying to figure out which action or word of his had offended the mastermind behind it all.

Then he remembered. At the Akatsuki New Headquarters, when he was still known as "Sake," he had a conversation with Obito. At that time Obito asked him for his opinion on the Eye of the Moon Plan, Neji, in order to maintain his persona, quoted a Buddhist scripture:

All beings suffer, yet desire to attain ultimate bliss.

Just those eight words? Because of those eight words, Obito looked at him differently, even willing to recruit him after his "betrayal"?

Neji suddenly understood. For Obito, the Eye of the Moon Plan was not only an ambition, but also a twisted form of redemption—to save the world that had caused him to lose everything. And the eight words "All beings suffer, and desire to reach paradise" struck a chord deep within him, in that part of him who still believed that "creating a dream world without pain is redemption."

It was an unexpected stroke of luck. No, it was a complete accident.

But while he understood, Neji immediately realized the danger of this "olive branch." Obito's interest in him meant that he held a greater place in Obito's heart than he had imagined. It also meant that if he went to see Obito now, the risk of exposure was extremely high— Obito would definitely test his loyalty in various ways, and Neji was unsure whether he could pass those tests.

More importantly, he cannot go now. In particular, he cannot risk going near Obito, currently the pinnacle of the Shinobi World.

"Be more composed," Neji told himself. "After all, you're not the main character; you only have one life."

He replied via the ring, "Thank you for your appreciation, Lord Madara. However, I currently have important matters to attend to, and I will personally apologize to you after I have dealt with them."

A vague response, leaving room for maneuver, neither explicitly refusing nor promising a return date, is the safest approach.

After sending the message, Neji leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. Moonlight streamed in through the cracks in the stone, casting long, narrow patches of light on the floor.

Obito's olive branch, Sasuke's stubbornness, Orochimaru's research, Konoha's preparations for war, Black Zetsu's conspiracy... all the clues intertwined in my mind, like a net that tightened and tightened.

At the center of the net, he was trying to find a fulcrum in the gaps, a fulcrum that could move the entire game.

"Strength..." Neji muttered to himself, "Still too weak."

In a remote, fog-shrouded base, Obito Uchiha read the message Zetsu had sent back, a meaningful smile curving his lips beneath his mask.

"Wine..." he said softly, "Are you plotting something too?"

Zetsu emerged from the ground, a sinister smile spreading across his sharply defined face, "Shall we send someone to find him, Lord Madara?"

"No need." Obito turned and walked deeper into the laboratory, where the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path stood silently. "He will come. When he realizes that he and those few minor characters alone cannot change anything... he will come."

"And then," Obito his hand on the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's cold exterior, "I will show him what true 'Pure Land' is."

The Rinnegan glowed faintly in the darkness.