The Eve of the Storm

On the night of Danzo's arrest, Konoha held an emergency meeting of its senior leadership.

Besides the Third Hokage, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Kakashi, the attendees included the heads of the major clans: Hyuga Hiashi, Shikaku Nara, Akimichi Choza, Inoichi Yamanaka, Tsume Inuzuka, Shibi Aburame, and others. As someone directly involved, Lin Ye also attended.

The Third Hokage presented the evidence of Danzo's crimes, including his correspondence with Obito, his involvement in the Uchiha clan massacre, and his human experiments. By the time the clan heads finished reviewing it, their expressions were grim.

"To think Danzo did all this..." Hyuga Hiashi said heavily. "Several members of the Hyuga Clan's branch family went missing, too. Could he have..."

"It's very possible," Shikaku Nara said. "Danzo stopped at nothing to collect kekkei genkai. He's been arrested and Root has been disbanded, but he's left an enormous mess behind. Deciding what to do with those test subjects alone is a major problem."

"More importantly," Inoichi Yamanaka added, "Danzo colluded with outside forces, including Orochimaru and the Akatsuki. Now that he's been arrested, they may retaliate. Orochimaru in particular is certain to make a move during the Chunin Ninja Exams."

"That's exactly what worries me," the Third Hokage said. "The Chunin Ninja Exams must continue. They're an opportunity for Konoha to demonstrate its strength and reassure the people. But we must prepare for the worst. Shikaku, what do you suggest?"

Shikaku Nara considered it for a moment. "First, tighten security, especially around the Forest of Death and the venue for the second exam. Second, discreetly investigate the teams from each village to see whether Orochimaru or the Akatsuki have infiltrated them. Third, establish a special operations team of elite jonin, ready to respond to any emergency. Fourth, and most importantly-protect the jinchūriki. Fū, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, is currently the target in the greatest danger."

"Who would you recommend for the special operations team?" the Third Hokage asked.

"Kakashi Hatake as captain, with Might Guy, Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi, Uchiha Ye, and Karin Uzumaki as members," Shikaku Nara said. "Kakashi has the Sharingan and extensive mission experience. Guy's taijutsu gives him a clear advantage in chaotic battles. Kurenai and Asuma provide a combination of genjutsu and close combat. Ye and Karin have special abilities that let them detect and counter sealing jutsu."

"Ye and Karin are still genin. Isn't putting them on a special operations team inappropriate?" Tsume Inuzuka asked.

"Their strength already exceeds that of ordinary chunin," Kakashi said. "Besides, Ye was at the center of the Danzo incident, and he's very likely to become an enemy target next. Keeping him on the special operations team will allow us to protect him better. Karin's sensory and sealing abilities will be invaluable against the Akatsuki and Orochimaru."

After some thought, the Third Hokage nodded. "Very well. It's settled. The special operations team will be on standby effective immediately. Also, notify the jonin leading the teams from Sunagakure, Takigakure, Amegakure, and the other villages. Warn them of possible attacks and advise them to tighten security."

After the meeting, Lin Ye left with Kakashi.

"Ye, how are your eyes?" Kakashi asked.

"My vision has deteriorated by about thirty percent, but I can still use them," Lin Ye said. "And this battle deepened my understanding of the Mangekyo. I've found new ways to use both Divine Dominion and Time Reversal."

"That's good." Kakashi patted his shoulder. "But be careful from here on. Danzo may have been arrested, but his remaining followers are still out there, and Orochimaru and the Akatsuki won't give up. Especially Orochimaru-his obsession with the Sharingan runs even deeper than Danzo's."

"I know," Lin Ye said. "Kakashi-sensei, Orochimaru and Danzo were working together, weren't they?"

"Yes. Danzo supplied intelligence on Konoha and test subjects, while Orochimaru supplied forbidden jutsu and research results. They both got what they wanted," Kakashi said. "Now that Danzo has fallen, Orochimaru may accelerate his plans. I suspect he still has someone working for him inside Konoha."

"Someone on the inside..."

"In any case, better to be cautious."

When he returned to his lodging, Karin was already waiting. She hurried over as soon as she saw him. "Lord Ye, your eyes..."

"They're fine. A few days of rest will do," Lin Ye said, sitting down. "Karin, you really saved us today. Without your Reverse Sealing Formation, we might have been done for."

"I-I only did what I should." Karin blushed slightly. "Lord Ye, what do we do next? Are we still taking the Chunin Ninja Exams?"

"We are, and we need to act normal," Lin Ye said. "The enemy wants to use the Chunin Ninja Exams to their advantage, so we'll turn their scheme against them. By the way, have you found teammates?"

"I have," Karin said. "Three genin from Amegakure, two boys and a girl. They're pretty strong, and they're nice people, too. One of them is a sensory ninja who said they could work with me."

Amegakure... Lin Ye frowned. Amegakure was the Akatsuki's base. Could its genin be Akatsuki agents? But on second thought, Nagato probably wouldn't send genin to act as spies. That would be too conspicuous.

"Do they know who you are?"

"No. I only told them I'm from the Uzumaki Clan and know a little sealing jutsu."

"Good. During the exam, hide your strength as much as possible and focus on observing. Pay particular attention to Fū, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki. If she's in danger, you can intervene, but don't reveal too much."

"Understood."

Late that night, Lin Ye sent Karin to rest, then sat by the window, activated his Mangekyo, and gazed into Konoha's night sky.

In his vision, Konoha's threads of fate had grown even more tangled. The black thread representing Danzo had vanished, but new black threads were emerging-from Orochimaru, from the Akatsuki, and from the forces eyeing Konoha hungrily.

The thread representing Fū, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, was entwined with several black threads, surrounded by danger.

"I have to protect her..." Lin Ye murmured.

Not just Fū, but the other jinchūriki as well. If the Akatsuki acquired the Seven-Tails, they would have collected two tailed beasts (they had failed to capture the One-Tail, but might already have the Two-Tails and Three-Tails). That would bring them another step closer to the Eye of the Moon Plan.

"System, show the current progress of the jinchūriki rescue mission."

[Special Last Wish: Save the Jinchūriki]

[Progress: 1/9]

[Saved: One-Tail Jinchuriki · Gaara (Sunagakure)]

[Current target: Seven-Tails Jinchuriki · Fū (Takigakure)]

[Warning: Target is in extreme danger. Probability of an attack within 48 hours: 87%]

Eighty-seven percent... There isn't much time.

Lin Ye opened a map and marked Fū's lodging, the exam route, and possible attack locations. Then he began drawing up a plan to protect her.

First, approach Fū during tomorrow's written retest and establish a connection. Second, protect her covertly during the second exam in the Forest of Death. Third, if the Akatsuki or Orochimaru made a move, join forces with the special operations team to strike back.

The plan was simple, but carrying it out would be difficult. He couldn't be too obvious, or he would alert the enemy. He also had to watch for the undercurrents within Konoha-Danzo had fallen, but his remaining followers were still around, and those dissatisfied with the Third Hokage's rule might seize the chance to stir up trouble.

"One step at a time." Lin Ye closed his eyes and began restoring his chakra and ocular power.

The written retest took place the next day. The venue had been moved to Training Ground One, and security had been doubled. Lin Ye and Karin passed without trouble, as did Team 7, Team 10, and Team 3. Gaara's team from Sunagakure also passed, but Lin Ye noticed something was off about Gaara-Shukaku's chakra inside him was agitated, as though something had provoked it.

After the exam, Lin Ye found an opportunity to approach Fū.

Fū was a lively girl with light green hair and a cheerful smile. Nothing about her suggested she was a jinchūriki. She was chatting and laughing with her teammates, discussing the questions from the exam.

"Hello, Fū. I'm Uchiha Ye," Lin Ye said as he approached.

"Oh, you're that Uchiha genius!" Fū's eyes lit up. "I've heard of you! You awakened your Sharingan at nine. That's amazing!"

"You're too kind. You're from Takigakure, right? I've never met a ninja from your village before. Could we talk?"

"Of course!" Fū warmly invited Lin Ye to walk with her.

As they chatted, Lin Ye used his Mangekyo's Chakra Information Vision to examine the Seven-Tails inside Fū. Chomei, the Seven-Tails, was a giant beetle skilled in flight and scale-powder genjutsu. At the moment, Chomei seemed to be asleep, with very stable chakra.

But Lin Ye noticed a trace of something foreign in Fū's chakra-something like a mark or a tracking formula. It was extremely well hidden. Without the Mangekyo, he would never have noticed it.

"Fū, have you come into contact with anyone strange lately? Or felt anything unusual in your body?" Lin Ye asked.

"Anyone strange? No." Fū thought for a moment. "As for anything unusual... I've been having nightmares these past few nights, about a giant bug chasing me. Does that count?"

Nightmares... Chomei might be trying to warn her. That mark must have been left by the Akatsuki or Orochimaru to track her.

"Here, take this protective charm." Lin Ye took out a sealing charm he had made the night before. "It can calm your mind and help you sleep."

"Wow, thank you!" Fū happily accepted it.

The charm contained a purification seal Lin Ye had placed inside, which could gradually erode the mark. It couldn't remove it completely, but it could interfere with the tracking.

"The second exam is in the Forest of Death. It's dangerous, so be careful," Lin Ye reminded her.

"Don't worry! I'm strong!" Fū waved her little fist. "Besides, I have Chomei protecting me!"

She had actually blurted out her tailed beast's name. Lin Ye smiled wryly. This girl was endearingly innocent.

"Still, it's better to be cautious. If you're in danger, use this signal flare." Lin Ye gave her a flare as well. "I'll come help you."

"Okay! You're such a nice person!"

After saying goodbye to Fū, Lin Ye returned to Karin. Karin whispered, "Lord Ye, I sensed a 'snake' presence on Fū. It's faint, but it's definitely there."

"Orochimaru's mark." Lin Ye nodded. "Looks like he's already set his sights on her. He'll definitely make his move during the second exam."

"Then we..."

"Proceed as planned."

The second exam, in the Forest of Death, would begin in two days. Those two days were the calm before the storm.

Lin Ye used that time to fulfill several more last wishes, bringing his total of Rinnegan Fragments to sixty. Some of his ocular power had also recovered, and his vision was back to seventy percent.

Karin's sealing jutsu improved rapidly, and she could now perform B-rank sealing jutsu on her own. She had also developed a new technique-Healing Chain-which connected her to the wounded through chakra chains and delivered medical chakra from a distance. It was extremely useful in team battles.

Everything was ready.

On the night before the second exam, Lin Ye stood outside the Forest of Death, gazing into its pitch-black depths. In his vision, thick black mist hung over the forest-a mass of malice, murderous intent, and conspiracy.

"Ye, are you ready?" Kakashi's voice came from behind him.

The special operations team had assembled: Kakashi, Guy, Kurenai, Asuma, Lin Ye, and Karin.

"I'm ready," Lin Ye said.

"Our mission is to protect the examinees covertly, especially Fū, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki. But remember, don't reveal yourselves unless absolutely necessary. The exam belongs to the examinees. We're only a safeguard," Kakashi said.

"Understood."

"Then the operation starts now. Ye, Karin, you'll work together in the eastern sector. Kurenai, Asuma, take the west. Guy, the north. I'll take the south. Stay in contact and report any abnormalities immediately."

"Yes!"

The six split up and slipped into the Forest of Death.

Lin Ye and Karin concealed themselves in a large tree in the eastern sector. From there, they could overlook a wide area. Karin activated her sensory ability, covering a one-kilometer radius.

"Twelve teams have entered the eastern sector so far. Nothing unusual," Karin reported.

"Keep watching."

Time passed, and the exam continued. Sounds of battle occasionally echoed through the forest, but they were all normal clashes between examinees. Lin Ye kept his attention fixed on Fū's team.

Fū's team was in the middle of the eastern sector, collecting the Heaven and Earth Scrolls. They were fairly strong and soon defeated two teams, securing the scrolls. But Lin Ye noticed another team had been secretly following them the whole time-a team from Amegakure, though not Karin's temporary teammates.

"Something's wrong with that Amegakure team," Lin Ye said. "They're concealing their chakra well, but it's too perfect. That makes it suspicious. Karin, can you sense their actual strength?"

"I'll try." Karin concentrated. "The leader is jonin-level, and the other two are chunin. Wait... There's something familiar about the leader's chakra..."

"Familiar?"

"Like a snake... Cold, slimy, with a sense of greed." Karin's expression changed. "It's Orochimaru! He's disguised himself as an Amegakure genin!"

Lin Ye's gaze sharpened. Orochimaru is taking action himself? He's really going all out.

"Notify Kakashi-sensei. We'll follow them, but we can't get too close. Orochimaru's senses are very sharp."

The two followed silently. In the forest ahead, Fū's team stopped, apparently having noticed their pursuers.

"Come out! You've been following us for ages. Aren't you tired?" Fū called.

The Amegakure team emerged from the shadows. The "genin" at the front raised his head, licked his lips, and gave a sinister smile.

"The Seven-Tails Jinchuriki. I've finally found you."

His voice changed, becoming Orochimaru's distinctive rasp. He stripped away his disguise, revealing his true appearance-pale skin, golden slit pupils, and long black hair.

"O-Orochimaru?!" Fū's teammates cried out.

"Oh? You know who I am." Orochimaru smiled. "That makes things easier. Fū, come with me. I don't want to hurt you. I only want to invite you over as a guest, and while you're there... borrow your tailed beast."

"Not a chance!" Fū gritted her teeth. "Chomei, lend me your power!"

Green chakra erupted. Insect wings sprouted from Fū's back, and markings appeared on her face-she had entered a Partial Tailed Beast Transformation.

"Partial Tailed Beast Transformation? Interesting." Orochimaru calmly formed hand seals. "But it's nowhere near enough. Summoning Technique!"

Bang! Three giant snakes appeared and lunged at Fū.

Battle erupted.

Lin Ye looked at Karin. "Ready?"

"Yes!"

"Then let's move. Our objective is to rescue Fū and buy time until Kakashi-sensei and the others arrive."

"Yes!"

The two leaped from the tree and charged toward the battlefield.

The battle in the Forest of Death had officially begun.

And deeper in the forest, someone else was watching the fight.

Wearing the Spiral Mask, Obito Uchiha stood on a treetop and spoke to Zetsu beside him. "Notify Nagato. The prey has appeared. Have Deidara and Sasori get ready. Once Orochimaru and Konoha's people have worn each other down, we'll make our move."

"Understood."

The storm had finally arrived.