Whoosh!
Shinji appeared in a dim room. Dawn was almost here, yet the room was pitch-black.
On the bed,
a man slept soundly.
But Shinji could see every detail through the darkness, including the heavy bags under Orochimaru's eyes.
He was about to wake Orochimaru, then shook his head.
He left.
A moment later, Shinji appeared before a nutrient tank. Machines beeped rhythmically around him, their red and green lights flashing.
He looked down at Nobihi, who slept peacefully inside the tank.
Again, he shook his head.
As for the experimental reports and physical examination data, he couldn't understand them, so there was no point making trouble for himself...
Better to leave specialized work to the specialists.
Shinji walked slowly onto the platform outside the Laboratory. His ears suddenly twitched. He heard someone panting...
Someone training?
Shinji stepped out and narrowed his eyes. A man dressed in white was working up a sweat on the platform, honing his Taijutsu...
"Tenzo?"
"Hm?!"
Tenzo whipped his head around mid-training. He froze when he saw Shinji. "Ah, it's Shinji of the clan—no, Lord Shinji..."
Shinji blinked, clearly sensing a change in Yamato. "You're..."
Yamato shook his head. Even his usually vacant expression seemed much sharper and more alert. "Orochimaru told me everything. And since I'm usually at the base, I've noticed everyone coming and going..."
"The Shinobi World is about to face a terrible danger, isn't it?"
"Danger..."
Shinji nodded. "It certainly is dangerous, but..."
"I understand!" Yamato nodded earnestly. "I'll train even harder and keep up with everyone!"
Shinji: "..."
He wanted to say something, but had no idea where to begin.
Orochimaru had turned him into a completely different person!
Yamato went on training as if no one else were there.
Shinji sat down at the edge of the platform and