Naraku stepped into Orochimaru's chamber. Orochimaru didn't even look up, his attention fully absorbed by the scroll in his hand. The cold reception irked Naraku, who took another step toward the chair.
"Hmph?"
As he moved forward, the tile beneath his feet suddenly morphed into soft yellow earth. In an instant, the soil surged like a rushing current, sweeping Naraku off his feet and hurling him toward the wall.
"What the hell!? Aaaaah—"
Naraku cried out as the wave of mud slammed him against the wall. He lost consciousness on impact.
Orochimaru finally looked up, setting the scroll aside. With that familiar chilling tone, he murmured:
"Lord Naraku, it was just a joke. Don't take it so seriously."
Suddenly, a muddy arm rose from the floor and gripped Orochimaru's neck, kunai in hand. Behind him, the yellow mud on the floor gathered and took human shape.
It was Uchiha Naraku, holding a kunai, his expression tense.
Off in the corner, the unconscious "Naraku" crumbled into mud and merged back into the floor.
"Orochimaru-kun, your idea of hospitality is a little... excessive."
"Hahahaha... anyone recognized by Lady Tsunade deserves a special welcome," Orochimaru replied, his voice magnetic and unsettling.
He clapped his hands, and attendants entered carrying tea and sweets. As Naraku dispelled his chakra, the loamy mud receded, sinking into the cracks between the tiles like water disappearing into the earth.
The servants laid out the tea and pastries on the table. Orochimaru smiled again.
"Lord Naraku, please, have a seat."
Naraku sat down, still in a foul mood. Being toyed with by Orochimaru like this had nearly pushed him to draw blood. If his bodyguards had accompanied him, they'd surely have stormed the hall with weapons drawn, creating an unnecessary confrontation.
Orochimaru licked his lips subtly, intrigued by Naraku's sudden visit. They had no relationship—had never even met. But with Tsunade's involvement, Orochimaru refrained from acting superior. He asked in a soft voice:
"Lord Naraku, we've never had the pleasure of meeting. What brings the captain of the Konoha Military Police Force to my doorstep?"
"Orochimaru-kun, are you familiar with the Uchiha clan?"
"Of course," Orochimaru replied. "The Uchiha are a renowned clan—famous for their Sharingan, a formidable dōjutsu."
Though he praised the clan, Orochimaru's knowledge of the Sharingan at this point was still surface-level, limited to the common rumors circulating in the village.
That said, Orochimaru's combination of raw power, mystery, and charisma made him highly respected among fellow shinobi—even admired.
"Heh, my Sharingan has a special trait. I can see glimpses of the future. That's why I've come to visit you."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Orochimaru's interest spiked. He didn't believe Naraku's claim, of course—he had never heard of a Sharingan that could see the future. But he played along, smiling as he always did.
His obsession with the Sharingan began after seeing the prodigious talent of Uchiha Itachi. Orochimaru was astonished by the boy's precognition and insight. After defecting from Konoha and being thoroughly defeated by Itachi, Orochimaru's fixation deepened.
Even now, his understanding of the Sharingan was incomplete.
Naraku, noticing Orochimaru's reaction, thought carefully before continuing.
"My Sharingan is unique. I saw something about you in the future—something I thought you'd want to know."
"Interesting. Do share, Lord Naraku."
Orochimaru chuckled softly, hiding his curiosity beneath a veil of politeness. He was eager to know what angle Naraku was playing.
"Very well. One number: sixty."
Orochimaru's smile faded slowly. His expression turned sharp.
"Where did you hear that?"
He licked his lips again, his tone dropping dangerously.
He was referring to the Wood Release human experiment, a covert project run by Root under Shimura Danzō and Orochimaru himself. Sixty children had been locked in life support capsules, all injected with Hashirama Senju's cells in an attempt to recreate the First Hokage's kekkei genkai.
This was a top-secret operation—even the Third Hokage was unaware of it.
"I already told you—my Sharingan sees the future. You just chose not to believe me."
Naraku raised his teacup, gently brushing aside the steam with the lid. Just before drinking, he paused—then set it down again. It was unwise to trust tea offered by Orochimaru.
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.
"So... does your Sharingan truly have this ability? Or is it you who has it?"
Naraku avoided answering, and instead said:
"Let's not get caught up in details. Just know that I've seen glimpses of what's to come."
"Then tell me... what happened to the sixty?" Orochimaru asked, sounding calm but watching Naraku closely.
The experiments had not gone well. Despite meticulous monitoring, the test subjects weren't manifesting Wood Release. Orochimaru was beginning to lose faith in the project.
"I saw the result. You failed... and yet, in a way, you also succeeded."
Naraku's words were ambiguous on purpose.
Orochimaru leaned back, lost in thought. Naraku clearly knew more than he should.
"Lord Naraku, tell me what you really want."
"Heh. I can give you information that will be extremely valuable to you. But I want something in return."
"What is it?"
"Hashirama's cell tissue."
Orochimaru's pupils shrank.
"That experiment is under my control. Whether it succeeds or fails, I'll learn the outcome eventually. I doubt your information is worth the trade."
"Orochimaru, I give you my word as head of the Uchiha clan—what I know is worth it. I saw how this ends: the experiment seems to fail. But there's one success. Only... you overlook it."
Naraku spoke in riddles, but the implication was clear. Orochimaru's oversight would cost him the only viable test subject—a boy who would later be hidden away by Danzō.
Orochimaru licked his lips again, this time more slowly. He reached for a scroll.
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