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Morino had seen this scene many times.
As the head of Konoha's Torture Department, he had interrogated countless individuals and encountered all manner of responses—those who lost control, those who begged for mercy, those who cursed until the end, and others who descended into madness. For many spies and criminals, unable to endure the intense physical and mental pressure, sanity eventually snapped, leaving them as mere shells of their former selves. This was the familiar face of psychological collapse.
Seeing Danzo exhibit similar symptoms, Nara Shikaku adopted a thoughtful stance, saying nothing.
Yamanaka Haiichi, however, scoffed, waving to the ANBU guards, "Crazy or not, time waits for no one. Escort Danzo to the Intelligence Department immediately."
Yet the ANBU members didn't move.
Before Yamanaka could urge them, an aged hand firmly pressed down on his shoulder. "Haiichi, Danzo's condition is pitiable. Don't make it worse," the Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, said solemnly. "Despite his faults, he has contributed greatly to Konoha. Without his efforts, our village might not be where it is today. Whatever his transgressions, let his current state be his punishment."
Yamanaka Haiichi began to protest, "But...Hokage-sama, Danzo—"
Hiruzen interrupted with a firm gaze, the pipe clamped between his lips. "Danzo might be feigning madness. Let the medical ninjas assess him first, and we'll regroup once we have their report. That's my decision."
Without waiting for objections, Hiruzen signaled to the ANBU, who understood his orders immediately. They entered the cell, lifting Danzo, still muttering deliriously, and carefully restrained him. "Take him to the hospital. Ensure there's constant surveillance. No one approaches without my authorization. Understood?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama!" the ANBU chorused, taking Danzo away.
As Sarutobi left, Yamanaka turned to Shikaku, utterly puzzled. "Shikaku… why would Hokage-sama act this way?"
Shikaku sighed, "There's more here than we can see. Let's wait for the diagnosis. At our rank, some things are beyond us."
"…Fine," Haiichi relented.
---
Meanwhile, in the Land of Rice Fields, Orochimaru's secret base...
"Tsk, tsk, tsk…"
Orochimaru finished a grim experiment and began rinsing the remaining blood from his hands. Donning the black cloak emblazoned with the Akatsuki's red clouds, he adjusted his appearance in the mirror, a wicked grin playing on his lips.
"Lord Orochimaru, you seem in unusually high spirits," remarked Kabuto Yakushi as he entered the room.
Startled, Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. "Kabuto? I don't recall summoning you. Shouldn't you be in Konoha gathering intelligence? Why the sudden return?"
Kabuto bowed slightly, speaking respectfully, "Lord Orochimaru, a significant event has occurred in Konoha."
"Ha…" Orochimaru chuckled, adjusting the "Sky" ring on his finger. "And what monumental event could have occurred in that tranquil village? Kabuto, I'm pressed for time; tell me when I return."
"Lord Orochimaru, where are you heading?"
"Where else? To claim what's rightfully mine… those eyes…"
Kabuto's eyes widened. "Could it be… Uchiha Itachi?"
"Indeed," Orochimaru sneered. "Much has been happening within Akatsuki. Itachi's partner, Jūzō Biwa, has fallen. With Itachi temporarily alone, I must act before Kakuzu, who also lost his partner, can team up with him."
"Lord Orochimaru, please allow me to accompany you. Uchiha Itachi's strength is formidable, and facing him alone would be—"
"Very well," Orochimaru replied, though his expression hinted at annoyance. "But don't interfere. And you can brief me along the way—what's this 'significant event' in Konoha?"
Kabuto quickly shared the news. "Danzo has been arrested, his Sharingan arm incapacitated. And a ninja has appeared within the Uchiha clan… one who can wield Susanoo."
Orochimaru froze, his shock palpable. Losing his longtime ally, Danzo, was a considerable blow. But the notion of a Susanoo user emerging from the supposedly eradicated Uchiha clan? That was altogether unexpected.
"Who is this person?" Orochimaru inquired, astonished. "Is it Sasuke?"
"No, my lord. He is known as Uchiha Haruto."
"Haruto? Who is he?" Orochimaru's curiosity was piqued. As someone familiar with Konoha's noteworthy shinobi, it was rare to come across an unfamiliar name, especially from the Uchiha.
Kabuto continued, "Haruto's background is surprisingly mundane. Since the massacre, he's reportedly taken over a thousand wives. His time has been spent on affairs and producing offspring. In fact, on the night of the massacre, he was said to be at another's home, which is how he survived. He's been a notorious womanizer since childhood…"
Orochimaru scoffed. "A wasted existence. What value could such a man have?"
"Very well, let's be on our way. Once I acquire Itachi's eyes, we'll revisit this Haruto."
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru."
---
The next morning, Uchiha Itachi was descending a long set of stone steps alone when fate seemed to intervene.
Approaching him was none other than Orochimaru, whose gaze glinted with sinister intent, a predatory smile forming on his face. Itachi, however, remained unperturbed, walking past Orochimaru with an air of indifference.
But Orochimaru's resolve finally broke, unable to ignore the treasure he coveted.
From beneath his robe, a massive, dark serpent slithered out, lunging forward to ensnare Itachi. Orochimaru grinned as the serpent wrapped around Itachi, binding him with calculated precision.
Itachi was momentarily taken aback but remained silent, his expression reflecting only a hint of resignation.
"Itachi," Orochimaru whispered, "do you understand the essence of eternal life?"
The serpent tightened its grip, drawing a slight groan from Itachi, who responded, voice steady despite the strain, "Orochimaru, desire unchecked is ruinous."
The statement gave Orochimaru pause, but he resumed his lecherous grin, savoring the conquest. But in a heartbeat, everything shifted—reality inverted, and Orochimaru found himself restrained, bound by an invisible force.
Struggling to break free, Orochimaru realized he was ensnared in Itachi's genjutsu.
"No… I never anticipated…" Orochimaru stammered, half-impressed, half-defeated.
The illusionary bond held him immobile, his body and mind caught in Itachi's seamless genjutsu trap.
With a dry laugh, Orochimaru whispered, "Such extraordinary power, Itachi… truly remarkable…"
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