"What an intriguing ability… No wonder Kabuto was the one who discovered you," Orochimaru mused, eyes glinting as he examined Jūgo's data. "This power of yours… it's truly irresistible~"
"Loss of rationality during full activation? Loss of consciousness?" he murmured, scanning the findings with growing interest. "You've experienced rejection before, haven't you, kid?"
Licking his lips, Orochimaru's smile deepened. "I really don't understand where your organization keeps digging up these prodigies. Why not join us instead? This, " he gestured vaguely around the lab, "is where you truly belong. I'll make full use of your talents… and ensure your abilities are acknowledged. There are many abandoned children here, just like you."
Jūgo finally stepped out of the lab, exhaling a long breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Honestly, if it hadn't been Kabuto who brought him here, he might have thought he'd been sold off. The way Orochimaru looked at him... it was as if he were a rare specimen waiting to be dissected.
And those strange things he kept saying, about purpose, about being forsaken, about giving him a future…
Is this what Leader Akihiko meant by 'empty promises'…?
"Ugh, forget it~ I don't want to think about this anymore!" Jūgo visibly shuddered, trying to shake off the lingering image of Orochimaru's unsettling, smiling face. He glanced around the corridor with a slight frown, muttering under his breath, "Where's Kabuto?"
He knew full well that Kabuto held a unique status in this place, trusted deeply by Orochimaru. With his intellect and skill, Kabuto had earned a level of respect that few others could. Orochimaru even seemed to be trying to pull him in completely.
He had entrusted Kabuto with managing the entirety of Sound Village, and lately, in their conversations, there had been subtle mentions of gathering intelligence… on the Akatsuki.
But seriously, what the hell? Wasn't the Akatsuki originally founded by Brother Yahiko? That half-baked organization still hadn't fallen apart?
Based on his own observations, Jūgo knew Kabuto's position here was more than just significant, Orochimaru treated him almost like one of his own.
As he surveyed his surroundings, Jūgo realized it had been a few days since his arrival, and he was slowly starting to get accustomed to the lab's strange and sterile atmosphere.
This was his first time acting as an undercover agent, and at first, he had been on edge, constantly worried that his cover might be blown. He had taken every precaution, often checking in with Kabuto for reassurance and advice.
But Kabuto's response had always been the same, delivered with his signature warm smile: "Just treat this place like home!"
That answer had left Jūgo thoroughly confused. After all, this was Orochimaru's base, and the Sound Village itself had been founded by Orochimaru. How could Kabuto possibly expect him to treat it like home? This wasn't Grass Ninja Village, after all.
As Jūgo moved through the facility, he remained vigilant, his eyes scanning the surroundings. Being Orochimaru's primary research base, the security here was extraordinarily tight. Sound Ninja guards constantly patrolled the area, walking in sync, their eyes ever-watchful.
Although he had been introduced as a junior member of the organization, Jūgo knew better than to relax. He couldn't afford to make any mistakes, not when Kabuto's plan was at stake.
"He's not here?" After a thorough search and still no sign of Kabuto, Jūgo furrowed his brow. "Seems like Kabuto must have something really important to handle outside."
He had been hoping to ask Kabuto for guidance on what to do next…
"Lord Jūgo, are you looking for Lord Kabuto?" The sudden voice from behind startled Jūgo. He quickly turned around, his eyes narrowing slightly as he faced the Sound Ninja who had approached him. There was a flicker of suspicion in his gaze. Why was this man asking about Kabuto? Had something happened?
Before he could respond, the Sound Ninja continued, "Lord Kabuto should be in the conference room right now. From here, take the first left, then turn right at the end of the hallway. After that, take the second left, and the third room ahead should be the one."
As he spoke, he gestured clearly, pointing in the direction he mentioned. "Every week at this time, Lord Kabuto holds a meeting there. You can check for yourself, Lord Jūgo."
Noticing the hint of uncertainty in Jūgo's expression, the ninja quickly added, "Ah, my apologies. You've only just arrived, haven't you? You might not be familiar with the layout yet. Please, allow me to escort you."
Without waiting for a reply, the Sound Ninja respectfully made a guiding gesture and began walking ahead, motioning for Jūgo to follow.
'Huh? A meeting? What kind of meeting? Do they hold meetings every week?' Jūgo thought, momentarily stunned and filled with doubt. But seeing the ninja leading the way ahead, he hesitated for just a second before deciding to follow.
After all, if something did go wrong, he knew that facing one of the former Legendary Three Ninjas of Konoha wouldn't end well for him. It might be better to at least observe what was going on. If things took a turn, he could always find a way to inform the Grass Ninja Village later.
As they walked, the labyrinthine layout of the base only deepened his suspicion. The twists and turns felt deliberate, designed to keep people from finding their way. But… what could Kabuto possibly be doing in a place like this?
Just as Jūgo's mind wandered, a loud and clear voice broke his train of thought, emanating from inside the room ahead. The voice boomed with fervor as it recited, "Unity, friendship, mutual assistance!"
"Confidence, self-respect, self-improvement!"
"Patriotism, love for the village, love for the family!"
Jūgo's brow furrowed as he caught the strange chanting. What kind of meeting was this?
Jūgo froze in place, his body tense. That voice… it sounded oddly familiar. Wait, wasn't that the academy's morning pledge? Did the Sound Ninja Village have something like that, too? No… this was different. Kabuto? Could this be his secret?
The moment the thought crossed his mind, a realization dawned on him. His expression shifted sharply as his eyes darted to the Sound Ninja reaching for the door handle.
Had they been discovered? Panic surged through him. If their cover was blown, both he and Kabuto would be in serious danger. Without thinking, Jūgo lunged forward, reaching out to restrain the ninja before he could open the door.
But… he was too late. The door was already swinging open. The Sound Ninja, perhaps sensing the change in atmosphere, shifted his expression and raised his right hand. Was he about to perform a jutsu?
Jūgo's instincts kicked in, and he shouted toward the room, "It's bad! Kabuto, your, "
But before he could finish the sentence,
At that moment, the Sound Ninja, raising his hand, shouted firmly, "Take pride in serving the Shinobi Nation, and shame in betraying it! Take pride in protecting the people, and shame in harming them…"
Jūgo froze, his mind spinning. The words felt hauntingly familiar, as if he had heard them many times before. He watched in disbelief as the Sound Ninja continued, reciting the same phrases he'd once heard in Grass Village.
What… is going on here? Are the Sound Ninjas... studying the Spirit of the Grass Village?
Jūgo's thoughts spun wildly, as existential questions flooded his mind. Who am I? Where do I come from? Where am I going? The weight of these questions pressed down on him, filling him with confusion and uncertainty.
At that moment, Kabuto finally noticed him. Yet, instead of addressing Jūgo right away, who was still frozen in place, he kept his eyes on the students below, his tone calm and encouraging as he spoke, "Next, let's welcome our newest student, Tayuya, to say a few words."
The room filled with applause, and only then did Kabuto turn, approaching Jūgo with a mild look of curiosity. "You came looking for me at this hour. Did something happen?"
Jūgo blinked, as if waking from a dream. He opened his mouth, then hesitated. His face was still stiff, a strange mix of confusion and disbelief shadowing his features. "There... was something. But now… I'm not so sure anymore."
Before Kabuto could respond to Jūgo's cryptic words, Tayuya, now at the front of the room, gripped her speech notes tightly and began to speak in a solemn, almost haunting voice, "Hello, everyone. My name is Tayuya. Just like all of you, I was brought here by Orochimaru as an experiment. For years, we've been subjected to endless tests. We were told that in order to prove our worth, we must take lives. That only by stepping over the bodies of others could we survive. We fought just to stay alive, stripped of our dignity, with no right to live a normal life. Our future was nothing but darkness and pain. There was no hope."
As Tayuya spoke, the children below seemed to remember their own hardships. One by one, their heads drooped, an air of sadness sweeping across the room. A heavy silence filled the space, but then Tayuya's tone shifted.
"But…" she continued, her voice growing more resolute, a confident smile spreading across her face. "Then Lord Kabuto came. He brought us knowledge. He gave us hope. He taught us to believe in ourselves. He showed us our worth. He gave us a future, a light in the darkness. And so, "
Her voice became filled with fire, and she raised her fist high in the air. "Everyone, repeat after me! Unity! Mutual Assistance! Friendship!"
"Unity! Mutual Assistance! Friendship!"
"Today.."
The chants reverberated throughout the room, louder with each repetition. Every person present was swept up in the fervor, their faces flushed with passion, their fists raised alongside Tayuya's, eyes shining with newfound hope. The room was alive with energy, filled with voices that rang out strong and unwavering.
Jūgo stood frozen, his mind racing. The chants filled the air, familiar words that he had heard countless times before, the principles of Kusa no Seishin, the spirit of the Grass Village. He had learned them well, had internalized every single one. But seeing them being echoed here, in this place, felt... wrong. There was something unsettling about this scene.
His gaze slowly shifted toward Kabuto, who stood beside him, a warm, almost serene smile on his face. Kabuto seemed completely at ease, watching the scene unfold with quiet satisfaction.
And then, it clicked. Slowly, realization crept in. Jūgo recalled Kabuto's words earlier: "Don't worry. Just treat this place like home, just like the Grass Village."
Jūgo's throat tightened as the question formed in his mind. Could it be... He hesitated, his fingers curling into fists as he wrestled with the unsettling thought. Has Sound Ninja Village already become part of the Grass Nation?
Swallowing his uncertainty, he leaned closer to Kabuto and, in a low whisper, asked, "Kabuto... how many of our people are here?"