Teacher, You've Grown Old

"Rest assured, there absolutely won't be any mistakes with this."

Once Hyuga Hiashi saw Orochimaru arrive, the worry hanging over his heart finally settled.

Cooperating with the Uchiha Clan was no different from seeking a tiger's hide.

But the Hyuga Clan no longer had any choices left. Hyuga Hiashi could only keep walking down this dark path.

With Orochimaru joining them, they had a few more chances of standing against Konoha's higher-ups.

Orochimaru said in surprise, "I didn't expect even the Hyuga Clan to be brought over by you."

Uchiha Kyu curled his lips smugly. "The people's hearts are with me, not Konoha."

A shrewd glint flickered in Orochimaru's eyes, and a smile appeared on his pale, gloomy face.

"Heh. With Danzo's personality, there's an eighty-percent chance he'll personally head to the laboratory to ensure the Wood Release test subject's safety."

"Wood Release?" Hyuga Hiashi stared at the two of them in shock.

Uchiha Kyu gave Hyuga Hiashi a strange look. "Don't tell me you don't know that Danzo covets Kekkei Genkai more than anything?"

"That arm of his, wrapped in bandages year-round, is covered in the Three-Tomoe Sharingan of my Uchiha Clan."

"If the Hyuga Clan's main family didn't rarely leave their compound, and the branch family's Byakugan weren't controlled by the Caged Bird, Danzo probably wouldn't have spared the Byakugan either."

"Every member of the Root Organization under his command used to be a genius ninja from one clan or another. Unfortunately, they were all brainwashed by Danzo and even branded with the Tongue Root Eradication Seal, unable to reveal any of Danzo's intelligence or secrets."

"H-how did you know all that?" Hyuga Hiashi felt as though he had lived in vain all these years, having never discovered this.

Uchiha Kyu's icy voice brimmed with killing intent.

"If you don't want others to know, don't do it. No matter what, Danzo will die today."

Elsewhere, after Danzo received news that Orochimaru's Wood Release test subject had succeeded, he immediately gathered his subordinates and headed for Orochimaru's laboratory.

Along the only route there, no matter how well Danzo's group concealed themselves, they could not evade the surveillance of that Byakugan from a hundred meters away.

Hizashi Hyuga did not leave immediately. Only after confirming that it was Danzo himself did he depart.

Orochimaru had not deceived Danzo either. An extremely unstable Wood Release test subject was indeed still alive inside a container.

At the same time, the Anbu also reported Danzo's trip to Orochimaru's laboratory.

The Anbu were far stronger than the Root Organization. The reason Danzo had never escaped Hiruzen Sarutobi's control was that the Anbu had always been able to keep track of his information.

Even when Danzo had attempted to assassinate Hiruzen Sarutobi years ago, Hiruzen Sarutobi had received intelligence in advance and had even used it as bait to win over the troublesome youth Kakashi.

Minato Namikaze did not dare conceal the matter and hurriedly sent someone to notify the Third Hokage.

If Lord Danzo acted on his own and attacked Orochimaru, the consequences would be serious.

After receiving the news, Hiruzen Sarutobi became even more worried about his disciple's safety. Given Danzo's temperament, he truly might do such a thing.

Especially since he had brought so many elite subordinates, the possibility was even greater.

Worried that things would spiral out of control, Hiruzen Sarutobi hurriedly changed into combat gear and ordered the Anbu to bring men and move out with him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was not only worried about the safety of his disciple Orochimaru. He also feared that if this news were exposed, he might not be able to preserve his reputation in his later years.

"According to the news we just received, Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi have both set out according to our plan."

Hyuga Hiashi sat formally on his knees in Uchiha Kyu's courtyard and placed the message his younger brother had just sent on the tea table.

Uchiha Kyu looked toward Uchiha Kage at his side. "Make sure the camera can be used immediately."

It had to be said that some things in this ninja world were remarkably similar to the modern era—a ninja world where backwardness and advancement coexisted.

Carrying the camera on his shoulder, Uchiha Kage hurriedly assured him, "Rest assured, Clan Head. The camera can start recording at any time."

Uchiha Kyu set his teacup down on the tea table. "Gentlemen, the fish has taken the bait. It's time to reel in the line."

Hyuga Hiashi and Orochimaru simultaneously looked at the kunai engraved with a Flying Thunder God Mark on the tea table, then grabbed it in the next instant.

Whoosh!!!

All four vanished from the courtyard at the same time.

Bang!

The two of Danzo's subordinates guarding the laboratory entrance collapsed to the ground without any ability to resist.

Two venomous snakes coiled around the corpses and slowly slithered over them.

"Retreat!!!"

Uchiha Kyu immediately led the other three away from the scene.

The timing was perfectly staggered, allowing Hiruzen Sarutobi to arrive just then. Upon seeing the venomous snakes on the corpses outside the laboratory door, he led his team inside without the slightest doubt.

"Seeing your teacher care so much about you, aren't you a little moved?"

No sooner had Hiruzen Sarutobi entered than Uchiha Kyu, Orochimaru, and the others appeared behind him.

There was no emotional ripple in Orochimaru's cold snake eyes.

"He has grown old. He is no longer the Shinobi Hero he once was. If I get the chance, I'll deal with him personally."

Uchiha Kyu narrowed his eyes, revealing an inscrutable smile.

If Orochimaru merely wanted to kill Hiruzen Sarutobi, Uchiha Kyu truly would not believe it.

That tear in the original story had been shed when Orochimaru stood against Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Moreover, killing Hiruzen Sarutobi was meant to give him a good ending.

At the very least, he would not die of illness or old age, but would die heroically in battle while protecting Konoha from its enemies.

Orochimaru's laboratory was remote and concealed. Even if a major battle broke out, no one would discover it for some time.

A conflict had already erupted inside the laboratory. After Hiruzen Sarutobi rushed in, he did not find Orochimaru. Instead, he saw Danzo moving a piece of equipment.

Danzo did not want Hiruzen Sarutobi to notice anything amiss. He only wanted to take the thing away as quickly as possible.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi was no fool. A test subject Danzo valued so greatly could not be handed over to him.

Their argument grew increasingly fierce, until both were red in the face.

"What a lively scene. I could hear you two arguing from far away."

Uchiha Kyu walked in while clapping, followed by Orochimaru and Hyuga Hiashi, as well as Uchiha Kage, who was responsible for recording.

"But as the former Hokage and the current Hokage's advisor, you secretly conducted unspeakable human experiments."

Uchiha Kyu shook his head in disappointment. His expression gradually turned solemn as he declared furiously, "You two have truly disappointed me. I strongly suspect that the missing clan ninja were abducted by you."

"As captain of the Hidden Leaf Police Force, I, Uchiha Kyu, have the authority to search you. I suspect your actions have already endangered Konoha."

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo exchanged glances. Why did that excuse feel so familiar?

Seeing Orochimaru standing beside Uchiha Kyu, a trace of disappointment appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's aged face. "Orochimaru, you have disappointed me greatly."

Danzo struck first, his gaze cold and sinister. "Sarutobi, this is the fine disciple you taught."

Orochimaru instinctively licked his lips, a kunai in his hand. "Teacher, you've grown old."