Late December, Konoha Year 60 – Land of Rice Paddies
The Land of Rice Paddies lies north of the Land of Fire. Originally, it lacked a hidden village, but the Daimyo's thirst for military power created an opportunity for Orochimaru. Thus, Otogakure, the Village Hidden in Sound, was established.
Otogakure served not only as Orochimaru's ninja village but also as his experimental base. It attracted civilians yearning to become ninja, but in Orochimaru's eyes, they were all merely living test subjects.
In a brightly lit laboratory, a man covered in bandages held a scalpel that glinted silver. He stood beside an dissection table upon which lay a dismembered human body. Blood dripping from the table soaked the floor beneath.
The bandaged man was currently dissecting the head on the table. Nearby, several sealed glass test tubes rested on a desk. Inside the tubes, suspended in clear liquid, appeared to be human brain tissue.
The bandaged man picked up an empty test tube from the desk and returned to the dissection table. Using forceps, he carefully extracted a clump of brain tissue from the opened skull, placed it gingerly into the test tube, added the clear preservative liquid, sealed it, and then placed it alongside the rows of other tubes containing human brain tissue.
Combined with the bandaged man's indifferent yet slightly crazed eyes, the entire scene was utterly chilling.
Click. The laboratory door opened, and a white-haired man wearing glasses entered.
The bandaged man didn't turn around, continuing his dissection. A raspy voice emanated from his throat, "Kabuto. Didn't I tell you not to disturb me during my experiments?"
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto replied, his glasses flashing white. "News just arrived. It seems Akatsuki has taken control of Amegakure."
"Akatsuki!" Orochimaru paused his work. "Hehe, interesting. Hanzo was killed by Tsunade's disciple, yet Akatsuki reaps the rewards of victory."
"It truly is unexpected that she could kill Hanzo," Kabuto mused internally. "If you hadn't held back that time, she would have died. To think she could grow so much in just half a year."
"Kabuto," Orochimaru turned his head slightly, his snake-like eyes locking onto Kabuto behind him. "What are you trying to say?"
Pinned by Orochimaru's icy gaze, Kabuto felt a chill run down his spine. Forcing a smile, he quickly said, "A suspected DNA sample of Hanzo has been collected. We can proceed with Edo Tensei testing at any time."
Orochimaru turned fully, scrutinizing Kabuto for a long moment before speaking. "Good... Go back and prepare the ritual."
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru." Cold sweat beaded on Kabuto's brow under Orochimaru's frigid stare. Hearing the command, he quickly exited the room.
Orochimaru watched the door close, a thoughtful expression on his face. He had known about Hanzo's death; Kabuto hadn't reported it immediately at the time, but Orochimaru hadn't paid it much mind. Collecting Hanzo's DNA was something Kabuto had suggested later when reporting Hanzo's confirmed death. Orochimaru had actually already begun collection efforts himself, but seeing Kabuto seem even more invested than he was, Orochimaru had feigned ignorance and tasked Kabuto with it.
Is Edo Tensei his goal? Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with curiosity. He wasn't bothered in the slightest by Kabuto eyeing the Impure World Reincarnation. Kabuto... what are you really up to? Don't disappoint me...
Konoha Village – Sunset
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Haruno Sakura walked home, holding the hand of a bruised and swollen Junko. Ultimately, Junko had been defeated in the continuous sparring gauntlet. The one who beat her was the boy with the honest face, Kazuki. He had pummeled Junko relentlessly.
Watching it happen, Sakura had desperately wanted to jump in and kick the boy away. However, Junko had looked at her and shaken her head, signaling her not to interfere. Ueno-sensei had also intervened promptly to stop Kazuki, but not before Junko was left black and blue.
"Why?" Sakura asked suddenly on the way home.
"What?" Junko looked up, confused, at Sakura's profile, her small hand held tight.
"He was clearly doing it on purpose," Sakura said, recalling the look of enjoyment on the boy's seemingly honest face. He was clearly relishing the act of beating someone.
Junko paused, then shook her head. "I lost. I accept the result."
"Didn't you even think about trying to change that result?" Sakura asked, taken aback. She didn't understand why Junko would accept failure so calmly.
"...I tried. I couldn't change it," Junko said after a moment's silence.
Sakura had watched the entire fight. Junko truly had reached her limit by then, genuinely unable to fight back. However... even if you can't fight back, you shouldn't harbor such defeatist thoughts.
"Have you ever thought that if this were a battlefield, your persistence might allow you to hold out until allies arrive?" Sakura tried to make Junko realize that her seemingly resigned attitude was flawed.
"But this isn't a battlefield, is it? It was just a one-on-one practical drill. No teammates were coming to help me," Junko stated matter-of-factly.
Hearing Junko's words, Sakura finally understood. Junko wasn't giving up out of despair; she was being rational. It was just a drill, a one-on-one exercise with no possibility of backup. Therefore, once the situation was irreversible, continuing to resist served no purpose. Junko had simply accepted the logical outcome.
Because Junko's demeanor often reminded Sakura of Sasuke, she had naturally assumed Junko, fueled by the fire of revenge, wouldn't easily accept defeat. But Junko wasn't controlled by hatred; she accepted her loss.
She possessed, perhaps, the innate talent of a true ninja – the ability to prevent emotions from dictating her actions.
Or perhaps, Sakura considered, it's because Junko isn't naturally competitive, just forced into this situation. But ultimately, Junko wasn't consumed by hatred, hadn't lost her core self. Seeing the usually quiet Junko like this... it was actually somewhat good news. Maybe she would change more in the future.
"Thank you, Sakura-neechan," Junko said suddenly. "Thank you for coming to get me."
"Huh?" Sakura was surprised; Junko usually called her 'Senpai'. "Oh, don't mention it. I was just passing by today anyway."
Junko's expression dimmed, looking somewhat disappointed. Sakura waited a moment, but Junko remained silent. Glancing over and seeing the girl's crestfallen look, Sakura suddenly had an idea. "To rapidly improve your stamina, I'll come pick you up every day after school from now on for direct training!"
Hearing Sakura's words, the disappointment in Junko's eyes instantly vanished, replaced by a bright light. "Okay," she murmured softly.
Seeing classmates being picked up by their parents at school must be hard for her, Sakura thought. Seeing that familiar spark return to Junko's usually lively eyes made Sakura feel the small sacrifice of her time was worth it. If possible, Sakura truly wanted to see that curious, bubbly little girl again.
Under the setting sun, two small figures walked hand-in-hand, one following slightly behind the other, on the path home.
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