Test Subject

"Reporting to Lord Danzo: after analysis by the Ninjutsu Division, the Blue Asura secret technique does indeed share the same origin as the Spirit Transformation Technique. A feasibility analysis has also confirmed that the ninjutsu scroll is most likely genuine."

"However, without a Kato Clan test subject, we cannot verify its authenticity in detail..."

The muffled voice of the Root ninja kneeling on one knee echoed through Danzo's spartan office. Danzo, who had been resting with his eyes closed as though pondering something, picked up the scroll recording the Blue Asura's secret technique again and slowly nodded.

"Bloodline... Mei's bloodline..."

"Does it contain any Uchiha Clan blood?"

The blue giant inevitably reminded Danzo of that "evil clan." A trace of viciousness appeared on his face. It seemed that merely mentioning the name filled him with deep disgust.

"After tracing the bloodline, the research division found no trace of Uchiha Clan blood... At the same time, they reviewed every Kato Clan genealogy since Konoha's founding. They were all civilian ninjas or married within the clan, and had never formed any marital ties with the Uchiha Clan..."

"Mm..."

Danzo lightly tapped his cane. To him, the Spirit Transformation Technique was nothing more than a third-rate secret technique. Even the so-called Asura Giant had fatal weaknesses. The only thing he could not confirm was whether it had some inexplicable connection to Susanoo.

Madara Uchiha's invincible Susanoo was like a brand seared into his heart, carved there by a blade. It was also one of the reasons he so deeply feared the Uchiha Clan.

But now, it seemed he had merely been overthinking things.

"Send Mei to the research division to assist Hiruko in studying a way to counter the Flying Thunder God..."

"Lower Mei's threat level and cancel surveillance on him..."

Through the dim light of the underground chamber, the masked Root ninja could only make out the inscrutable expression on Danzo's face. He replied yes in a subdued voice, then vanished.

A gloomy glint surfaced in Danzo's eyes. He slowly turned and drew out the crimson scroll displayed in the most conspicuous place.

The blood-colored crimson scroll seemed to seal away all of Danzo's ruthlessness. The moment it opened, it released every last bit of it.

His gaze fell upon the large characters on the scroll—the name of the evil clan.

In the empty underground chamber, with no need to hide his emotions any longer, his voice seemed to emerge from the underworld, cold enough to pierce through the earth and reach the clan's gathering place, annihilating them completely.

"Evil clan! Even reduced to scraps, you are only fit to nourish Konoha's Root..."

After spending three days in the Root base, Kato Osamu walked out of the detention cell beneath the cold, wary stares of countless Root ninjas.

A Root ninja wrapped from head to toe in a white cloak and bandages appeared before him. Unlike ordinary Root ninjas, he wore no mask.

He seemed to be fond of white: white hair, a pale face, white clothes. Only his blood-red eyes made it impossible to tell whether that was their natural color or merely bloodshot veins.

"You are Mei, right? Follow me..."

The white-clad Root ninja spoke coldly. Only then did Kato Osamu slowly withdraw his gaze and silently follow behind him.

One black figure and one white figure gradually disappeared into the deepest reaches of Root beneath the flickering lights.

"You may call me Hiruko..."

The base gate suddenly opened, and piercing cold air rushed in like a raging sea, drowning everything.

The utterly frigid air swept through Kato Osamu's body. Only then did he greedily draw in the sweetness of the air, like a man who had been strangled and unable to breathe finally tasting the wonder of breath again.

Glistening remnants of snow fell upon his face. Standing at the exit of the Root base, Kato Osamu shivered for no apparent reason.

He detected neither pursuit nor surveillance, and Kato Osamu let out a breath of relief. It seemed Danzo would not suspect him of betraying Root again anytime soon.

"You seem to know me?"

Kato Osamu spoke softly as he looked at the ninja named Hiruko before him.

Unlike the ordinary Root ninjas, Hiruko seemed to carry a faint disdain for Root. Yet at the same time, he also seemed somewhat hostile toward Kato Osamu.

A hint of surprise flashed through Hiruko's eyes, and his gaze at Kato Osamu gained an indescribable spark.

"You're Orochimaru's disciple, aren't you..."

"You really are arrogant—nothing like him at all..."

Kato Osamu did not know what grudge this man held against Orochimaru, but it did not seem to be anything pleasant.

"I heard you're a genius?"

Apparently unconcerned by Kato Osamu's silence, Hiruko led him through the forest and farther away from Konoha.

Only a very small number of people knew the location of each Root research base. Kato Osamu did not know what research was currently being conducted in the base that had once studied Wood Release fusion, but he no longer had any way to enter it—unless he chose to blast open Konoha's ground entirely.

"Perhaps..."

Kato Osamu answered quietly as he considered Hiruko's identity. This man had definitely not been raised by Root from childhood. Though he seemed somewhat gloomy, compared to Root ninjas, his fluctuating emotions surged like waves.

"I hate geniuses... I hate famous geniuses even more..."

Hiruko snorted, stirring a strange feeling within Kato Osamu. He could sense that this was the man's genuine emotion. Perhaps the title of Orochimaru's disciple had reminded Hiruko of something, but he had revealed his temperament and preferences far too easily.

But those who were easily seen through were always looked down upon.

Kato Osamu narrowed his eyes slightly. Danzo would never entrust the most critical research on countering the Flying Thunder God to an ordinary ninja. This Hiruko might appear guileless, but he definitely possessed some unique ability. Kato Osamu simply could not see it yet.

"Master Orochimaru truly is a genius, a genius beyond common sense..."

"Hmph. Sooner or later, I'll surpass him..."

They had almost left Konoha's borders when Hiruko finally stopped. His hand seal shifted slightly, and a hidden entrance slowly opened amid the rocks.

"Danzo's mission is to study a way to counter the Flying Thunder God through its formula markings..."

"And you will be my test subject..."

"Orochimaru's disciple... You're going to have a wonderful experience..."

The night was pitch-black, silent, and eerie. The wind in the woods howled with chilling coldness, while the forest swayed beneath the gloom as though shadows were darting past, ready to devour everything.

Hiruko chuckled as he stood among the rocks, a dark smile spreading across his face.

"With only you, I'm afraid that won't be enough!"

He had sensed Hiruko's faint contempt for Danzo. Beneath the bones of arrogant people often hid inferiority, and Kato Osamu roughly understood why this man was so sensitive about Orochimaru.

The arrogant and foolish Hiruko did not seem to have been branded with Danzo's Cursed Seal. It appeared Danzo regarded him as no more than a disposable pawn, so he would never come into contact with deeper secrets.

The day this research was completed would also be the day of Hiruko's death. Unfortunately, he still could not see that clearly.

Kato Osamu chuckled and slowly stepped into the pitch-black passage.

If this was all Hiruko amounted to—foolish and arrogant, relying on Danzo's orders and believing Kato Osamu would submit like the other Root ninjas—

Then in this dark base deep underground, it was still unclear who would be whose test subject.

As it happened, he also needed a complete laboratory for some interesting experiments.