Hidden agendas

Late at night, the day before the Chunin Ninja Exams.

Underground in Konoha, at Root headquarters.

Danzo sat in the shadows, listening to his subordinate's report.

"Uchiha Ye has fulfilled 55 final wishes over the past seven days, and his strength has improved noticeably. Karin Uzumaki has registered for the Chunin Ninja Exams. She currently has no teammates, but she may form a team at the last minute."

"Orochimaru's people are operating on Konoha's outskirts, but they haven't entered the village yet. He seems to be in contact with people from Sunagakure."

"Fū, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki from Takigakure, has been sightseeing in Konoha these past few days. Nothing unusual. Four Anbu are secretly protecting her, all at the Special Jōnin level."

Danzo nodded slowly. "Understood. Follow the plan during the exams. The first round, the written exam, will be held at the Third Training Ground. We've placed a sealing formation underground there. Once activated, it can suppress everyone's chakra, especially the Sharingan."

"But Lord Hokage and the Jonin from the other nations will all be there. Won't that..."

"That's precisely why we must act during the written exam," Danzo said. "The written exam takes place in an enclosed space, making it the easiest to control. Besides, everyone's attention will be on the exam then. They won't notice what's underground. Once the sealing formation activates, I'll personally take Uchiha Ye and Karin Uzumaki away. As for the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki... let Orochimaru's people deal with her. She's none of our concern."

"What if we fail..."

"There is no 'what if.'" A cold gleam flashed in Danzo's lone eye. "Izanagi is ready, and the Hashirama cells have been adjusted to their optimal condition. This time, we must succeed."

"Yes, sir!"

At the same time, in the forest outside Konoha.

Orochimaru stood atop a tree, gazing at Konoha in the distance, greed glittering in his golden, slit-pupiled eyes.

"The Uchiha Orphan, the Mangekyō Sharingan... an Uzumaki orphan, an intact sealing jutsu bloodline... truly perfect vessels and material."

Behind him, Kabuto Yakushi adjusted his glasses. "Lord Orochimaru, word has arrived from Danzo. He'll act during tomorrow's written exam. Should we cooperate?"

"Cooperate? Of course we should." Orochimaru licked his lips. "But our target isn't Uchiha Ye. It's the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki. Danzo wants the Sharingan, so let him fight for it. We'll seize Fū in the chaos, then withdraw immediately."

"Then the Konoha Crush Plan..."

"Proceed as originally planned," Orochimaru said. "Sunagakure is ready. The second round of the Chunin Ninja Exams, in the Forest of Death, will mark the beginning of Konoha's collapse. When that happens, Danzo, the Third Hokage, Uchiha Ye... everyone will get dragged in. It'll be the perfect opportunity for us to profit from the chaos."

"Understood." Kabuto paused. "There's one more thing. Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki have appeared at the Land of Fire's border. They may be coming for Uchiha Ye."

"Itachi..." A trace of wariness flashed in Orochimaru's eyes. "Ignore him. His target is Uchiha Ye, so he won't interfere with ours. Let them tear each other apart."

"Yes, sir."

Farther away, deep within the Forest of Death.

Wearing the Spiral Mask, Obito Uchiha stood atop a giant tree, gazing toward Konoha.

"What did Nagato say?" he asked.

Zetsu rose halfway out of the ground. "Pain said the attempt to capture the One-Tail failed, so the plan needs adjusting. The Seven-Tails Jinchuriki's presence in Konoha is an opportunity, but the village is heavily guarded. He advises against a direct assault. He suggests waiting until the second round of the Chunin Ninja Exams, in the Forest of Death."

"Wait?" Obito sneered. "Wait for Danzo and Orochimaru to move first? What if they succeed?"

"Pain means to let them wear down Konoha's forces first, then reap the rewards," Zetsu said. "Besides, Uchiha Ye has secrets. Pain wants to capture him alive and study his wish system."

"Then we'll wait," Obito said. "But I have a feeling there will be unexpected complications in these Chunin Ninja Exams. That Uchiha Ye is no ordinary man."

"You're worried about him?"

"What worries me is that he may actually be able to break the Uchiha's curse." Obito's voice was low. "If the curse is broken and Indra's chakra is freed, Madara's plan will face new uncertainties. Zetsu, notify Black Zetsu. Have him keep a close eye on Uchiha Ye. He can intervene if necessary."

"Understood."

Every faction harbored its own hidden agenda. And Lin Ye, at the center of the storm, was not entirely unaware.

Late that night, Lin Ye stood on the apartment rooftop, activated his Mangekyo, and looked up at Konoha's night sky.

Through his "Chakra Information Vision," countless "lines" shrouded the sky above Konoha. Gray lines represented fate, black lines malice, white lines goodwill, and red lines danger.

At that moment, Konoha's "lines" were tangling violently, forming an enormous vortex. Its center pointed toward three locations: the Third Training Ground-the written exam venue-the Forest of Death, and... the Uchiha Clan Compound.

"Three eyes of the storm..." Lin Ye murmured.

"Lord Ye, aren't you going to bed?" Karin's voice came from below. She climbed onto the roof as well, carrying a cup of hot tea.

"In a moment." Lin Ye took the tea. "Karin, are you ready for tomorrow's exam?"

"I'm ready," Karin said. "I went to see the exam venue today and memorized the layout. I also scanned the ground beneath it with my sensory ability. There's a very complex sealing formation down there, but it's well hidden. You wouldn't find it without sensing carefully."

"A sealing formation?" Lin Ye's gaze sharpened.

"Yes. It looks like a formation that suppresses chakra, but it's much more advanced than the one in Kusagakure. If activated, it might even suppress a Jonin's chakra."

Danzo's doing. Lin Ye understood instantly. The written exam venue, an enclosed space, chakra suppression-a perfect place to capture someone.

"Understood. Sit near me during tomorrow's exam. If anything unusual happens, protect yourself with sealing jutsu immediately. I'll handle it."

"Please be careful, Lord Ye..."

"Don't worry. I'm prepared."

Lin Ye looked up at the night sky. Danzo, you want to act during the written exam? Then come. Let's see who's better prepared.

He returned to his room and took a scroll from the cabinet. It was one of the seven scrolls left by Kagami Uchiha that he had brought out of the Forbidden Grounds, and it recorded a jutsu.

[Forbidden Jutsu: Reverse Sealing Formation]

[Effect: Creates a "reverse flow" within a sealing formation, reversing or nullifying its effects. Requires mastery of sealing jutsu and consumes a large amount of chakra.]

This jutsu was exactly what he needed to counter a chakra-suppressing sealing formation. Lin Ye's sealing jutsu skills were only basic, but with Karin's help, he should be able to perform it.

"Karin, come here. I'll teach you a jutsu."

"Okay!"

The two studied the Reverse Sealing Formation by lamplight until dawn. When the first ray of sunlight shone through the window, Lin Ye closed the scroll.

"Have you memorized the formula?"

"I have." Karin nodded. "But I might not have enough chakra..."

"I'll support you. At the critical moment, use these." Lin Ye handed Karin three Soldier Pills. "They're specially made. They can triple your chakra for a short time, but the side effect will leave you weak for a day afterward. Don't use them unless you have no other choice."

"I understand."

Day broke, and the first round of the Chunin Ninja Exams began.