Konoha's outskirts were deserted, with hardly a soul to be found.
An ordinary person would need half a day to walk from here to central Konoha. It was an area Konoha had yet to develop.
Inside a small house near the perimeter wall, Hiruko furtively glanced around. As a Jonin, his counter-surveillance awareness was still sharp.
At the courtyard entrance, Hiruko repeatedly checked the arrangements he had left when he went out.
The hair hadn't snapped!
The dead leaf hadn't broken!
Good. One last check. Hiruko hopped lightly into the air and glanced at the top of the gate and the roof.
The dust hadn't moved!
OK, safe!
Hiruko opened the gate and cautiously entered the courtyard, then poked his head back out to inspect his surroundings while gently pulling the gate shut, making sure not to make a sound.
Hiruko was a rather handsome, silver-haired Konoha Jonin who had graduated around the same time as the Sannin. His health had been poor since childhood, and seeing even that idiot Jiraiya climb eight floors in one go made him envious!
His strength had stagnated after he reached Jonin, while the Sannin's performance dazzled.
The sense of disparity overwhelmed him. He ultimately attributed it to his mediocre talent, and he bitterly resented it.
He was being so secretive because he was researching Forbidden Ninjutsu that could remedy his shortcomings!
With several uses of the Body Flicker Technique, Hiruko reached the dry well in the courtyard and jumped down without hesitation.
A concealed door stood at the bottom of the well. Hiruko carefully opened it and slipped inside.
Darkness swallowed Hiruko, but he was long accustomed to it. He felt around for the light switch.
His research room felt especially dark today. Perhaps he, too, had fallen into darkness...
Hiruko laughed at