Land of Rice Fields.
Otogakure.
In the rudimentary training ground, Shin was facing off against the twin genin, Sakon and Ukon.
Today, Shin was dressed in a kimono adorned with the Uchiha Clan's emblem, shining brightly!
Shin showed prideful expression: "If you want to fight, come at me together, don't waste my time!"
"You bastard, you were just picked up by Orochimaru-sama, and even your Sharingan belongs to Orochimaru-sama. Everything about you belongs to Orochimaru-sama! What qualifications do you have to be arrogant here?"
"How dare you wear Konoha's Uchiha Clan's attire in our Otogakure! You really think you are Uchiha Clan's Shinobi?! Why don't you go to Konoha and leave this place then?"
Sakon and Ukon sneered, provoking Shin.
"Calling me a bastard? Haha, I'd say you two are idiots!"
Shin smiled triumphantly, "Orochimaru-sama would rather give the Sharingan to me than to small fries like you guys. Do you understand what that means? Hahaha, that's right, I am the successor recognized by Orochimaru-sama. As for you, you're just my future subordinates, nothing more. So, please recognize your status and stop baring your teeth in front of me. Understand?"
"You!!"
Although Sakon and Ukon knew that Orochimaru was only interested in Shin's body, they couldn't stand Shin's arrogance!
The two exchanged a glance filled with understanding and without a word, they brandished their kunai and rushed towards Shin.
Shin sneered at this, and his 2-Tomoe Sharingan emitted a faint crimson light. He then takes out his own kunai and engages in a fierce battle with the twin.
Clang, clang…
Amidst the crisp sound of metal collisions, the three of them turned into afterimages, clashing back and forth in the small training ground, causing countless sparks with their friction.
Shin kept chattering: "See that? See that? Last time, to defeat you two, I needed to rely on the Cursed Seal of Heaven, but now, I can defeat you even without relying on the Cursed Seal of Heaven. You two idiots, if I had trained like you from a young age, I would've been a Chunin long ago!"
"Enough."
A cold and hoarse voice suddenly interrupted them. Orochimaru approached from a distance, his golden vertical pupils coldly staring at the three in the training ground.
"Orochimaru-sama!" Sakon and Ukon kneeled on one knee, greeting Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru-sama." Shin gave a slight bow.
Sakon and Ukon were furious when they saw Shin not kneeling upon seeing Orochimaru-sama – 'How disrespectful!!'
Orochimaru stared at Shin without showing any emotions and said: "Shin, come with me."
"Yes." Shin gave a challenging smile to Sakon and Ukon before quickly following Orochimaru.
The two of them arrived at a concealed underground laboratory. Orochimaru then gestured for Shin to lie on the operating table.
"Orochimaru-sama, what are you planning to do?" Shin felt a bit worried, but also somewhat expectant.
'Last time, when Orochimaru-sama had me lie down, I received the Cursed Seal of Heaven and Sharingan. What would it be this time?'
Then…
"Ah, ah…Ah!!!"
"My hand, my hand!!!"
Amid the heart-piercing screams, Shin watched helplessly as his left hand was being removed by Orochimaru.
"Does it hurt?" Orochimaru asked with a smile, but his smile was not warm at all, it was as cold as ice cubes!
He leisurely placed Shin's left hand into a container, and then poured a special liquid into the container to preserve it. His movements were smooth and fluent, as if he was creating a work of art!
Amidst excruciating pain, Shin sweated profusely, unable to suppress the fear welling up in his eyes.
"Orochimaru-sama…" Shin stammered, feeling unsure and frightened.
"Take it."
Orochimaru took out a scroll, threw it along with the containers containing Shin's severed hand into his arms, and said coldly, "The scroll contains the cellular cloning technique you desire. Since you like cloning, you can start with your own left hand."
Watching the man who had just casually removed his own left hand and was now talking and laughing with him, Shin suddenly felt a chill. He quickly lowered his eyes, firmly covering the wound of his severed left arm, enduring the intense pain, and responded respectfully: "I… I understand."
Orochimaru slowly turned and walked away: "I'll be going out for a while. Shin, don't disappoint me."
Leaving the laboratory, Orochimaru found Sakon and Ukon, instructing them to keep an eye on Shin before leaving Otogakure alone.
Since learning about Konoha hosting the Joint Chunin Exam, Orochimaru had a restless feeling in his heart, as if there was something destined for him to fulfill. But after Orochimaru thinks about it, he can't find what it is. It wasn't until he just saw the battle between Shin and Sakon and Ukon, where the term 'Chunin' was mentioned, that Orochimaru realized!
'Joint Chunin Exam…'
A terrifying plan quickly took shape in his mind.
Orochimaru named it: Konoha Crush Plan!
However, with Orochimaru and the power of the Otogakure, it was far from enough to complete this plan!
He needs help!
...
After a brief New Year holiday, students returned to classes, and workers resumed their duties. Kanpū also arrived at the Anbu's Headquarters early to check in.
Unfortunately, despite checking in for so many times, there's no system that would reward Kanpū.
"Shisui, I have something to discuss with you." After his team's members gathered, Kanpū sent them to the sixth training ground for training, leaving Shisui alone.
As everyone left, Shisui somewhat impatient, removed... his mask and asked eagerly: "Kanpū, is there any news from Hokage-sama?"
'What?'
Kanpū was stunned for a moment, then realized and said: "The transplantation operation of Shodaime's cells is very dangerous, so Yondaime-sama is a bit hesitant."
"Oh, I see." Shisui felt a bit down.
"I kept you here not to discuss this matter with you."
Kanpū quickly changed the topic and said, "That guy Kakashi hopes you can help him."
"Kakashi-senpai?"
Shisui looked at Kanpū in confusion, "The Military Police Force?"
Kanpū nodded, and then briefly explained the difficulties Kakashi faced in the Military Police Force, and finally said: "Shisui, although I won't force you to agree, I still hope you can go to the Military Police Force to retire… cough, to keep your health, keep your eyes open, yes, keep your eyes open!"
Shisui hesitated.
Kanpū continued to persuade: "Shisui, I know that Advisor Fugaku has also awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan…"
Shisui's eyes widened: 'How do you know?'
'Hmm hmm, not only did I know, I also had a fierce battle with his black Susanoo's big sword!'
Kanpū didn't explain, and continued, "But Advisor Fugaku's eyes are not at risk of blindness. Why? Isn't it because he stays in the Military Police Force all day long, and the Military Police Force hardly has any serious matters? Once you enter the Military Police Force, you won't have to worry about the risk of blindness for a short period."
Shisui's eyes flickered with deep thoughts, 'Why is it so uncomfortable to hear Kanpū say this?'
But on second thought, Shisui felt that it was indeed the case. Both him and Fugaku awakened their Mangekyo during the Third Shinobi World War, and there was no more than a year between them. However, Fugaku had never experienced any blindness issues, not to mention any decline in vision.
As for him…
Shisui sighed deeply, and under Kanpū's persuasion and coaxing, he finally nodded.
"Go, I will help you through the resignation procedures today." Kanpū said with a smile.
Because this matter had already been discussed with Minato during the holiday, Kanpū directly took Shisui to find Anbu's Commander, Eagle, and, with special arrangements, they successfully completed the resignation process in less than half a day.
Walking out of the Anbu's Headquarters, Shisui, now dressed in 'civilian clothes', encountered a white-haired man, who had been lurking outside laughing pervertedly while reading 'Icha Icha Paradise'. There are a few stray cats staying beside the man, each wagging their tails and licking their paws, their cat eyes staring intently at the man.
"Kakashi-senpai…" Shisui felt like he had been sold.
"Call me Captain from now on." Kakashi pushed the two stray cats with his feet and walked in front of Shisui, patted his shoulders, and said, "You're going to work hard from now on."
"I will do my best." Shisui took a deep breath and said earnestly.