"Tsunade, Jiraiya—what are your thoughts?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, looked toward his former students.
Tsunade crossed her arms. "Instead of sitting here guessing, why don't you just ask that brat directly? It's not like Haiya can confirm anything either."
Beside her, Jiraiya nodded—but his eyes were hopelessly glued to Tsunade's chest, utterly entranced.
WHAM!
"PERVERT! Where the hell are you looking?!" Tsunade's fist drove Jiraiya straight into the wall, leaving a crater.
Orochimaru, watching coolly, smirked. "Asking the subject directly isn't always effective. If he's hiding something, he won't admit it. Hehehe…"
"That's not a reason not to try," Minato Namikaze said, his tone respectful but resolute. "We should give him the chance to explain himself. Sensei."
"Hmph." Orochimaru scoffed.
"In that case," Hiruzen said calmly, "Sakumo, I'd like you to check on Fenghuo."
"I'll go too," Orochimaru offered, narrowing his eyes. His slit pupils gleamed ominously, full of unreadable intent.
Hiruzen gave a small nod. "Very well."
Hatake Sakumo and Orochimaru arrived shortly at Konoha Hospital.
"Lord Hatake, Lord Orochimaru." Yakushi Nono, the current caretaker of the orphanage, greeted them with a courteous smile.
"Uncle Sakumo?" Fenghuo looked up, surprised. He quickly set aside a plate of peeled fruit. "Why are you here?"
Yūhi Kurenai, seated beside him, also jumped to her feet. Her cheeks reddened. "G-good afternoon, sirs…"
Sakumo noted Fenghuo was well enough to snack and nodded approvingly. "He looks stable. That's good. Nono, can you take Kurenai outside for a moment?"
"Yes, Sakumo-sama," Nono said kindly. She gestured for Kurenai, who followed her out reluctantly, giving Fenghuo one last glance.
Once the door closed, the room fell silent—until Sakumo broke it gently.
"Fenghuo, we were all worried. More importantly… we need to ask you what really happened."
Orochimaru stepped forward, his voice like a blade wrapped in silk. "Tell me, boy… did someone from the Uchiha clan cast a Genjutsu on you?"
"Huh?" Fenghuo blinked. Izanami? They're seriously thinking I got caught in that? He shook his head. "No, sir. I was experimenting with a new combined Genjutsu technique. It… backfired."
"Heh… is that so?" Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed, gleaming with cold suspicion. His instincts screamed that Fenghuo was hiding something. "Has the technique been… completed?"
Fenghuo scratched his cheek. "I guess… maybe? Kind of?"
"Then let me see it," Orochimaru said sharply. "Use it on me."
"Eh?" Fenghuo turned to Sakumo. Is Orochimaru serious?
Sakumo gave a slight nod. "Let's see it, Fenghuo. Just a test."
Fenghuo frowned. "I succeeded last time almost by accident. I'm not confident I can replicate it reliably…"
Orochimaru sneered. "How convenient."
"If you really insist, then I'll need a test subject—a ninja who's exhausted and on the verge of sleep. Also, I can't guarantee they'll wake up quickly if it works."
Orochimaru's smile was thin and dangerous. "There should be a few traitors left in the ANBU holding cells."
Sakumo nodded and vanished with a Shunshin no Jutsu.
Suddenly, Orochimaru's voice chilled. "You're lying."
Fenghuo stiffened. "Excuse me?"
"Your heart rate spiked. You're guilty." Orochimaru's grin widened. "You can't deceive me."
Fenghuo's brow twitched. Okay. This snake bastard wants to play, huh?
"Fine, Master Orochimaru. Since we're all so free, how about I tell you a story?"
Without waiting for permission, he began.
"There was once a kind farmer who came across a frozen snake. Feeling pity, he took it into his coat to warm it. When the snake revived, the first thing it did was bite the farmer—killing the very man who saved it."
He finished with a meaningful pause. Then, with an innocent smile, added, "Strange, your heart rate changed just now. Could it be… you're the snake in my story, Lord Orochimaru?"
Fenghuo stared at him fiercely, eyes blazing. Accuse me of lying? What about you, huh? Acting so holy while your research reeks of blood! Shameless snake!
"Why, you little—!"
Orochimaru's killing intent exploded. His fingers twitched into hand seals, serpents emerging from his sleeves, tongues flicking in anticipation.
Fenghuo didn't flinch. "What? Planning to silence me now? You are the poisonous snake that bites the hand that feeds it."
Orochimaru's chakra surged—then suddenly vanished.
Shunshin!
Sakumo returned in a blur of wind. "They're bringing the prisoner. Should be here in half an hour."
"Heh… I'll be waiting," Orochimaru murmured, his grin tightening. Though he'd pulled back, his killing intent hung thick in the air like venom. He was convinced Fenghuo was lying—and soon, he'd prove it.
Fenghuo scowled. If I live through this, I'm changing my name to Zhao Ritian—the man who flies up and stands side-by-side with the sun! Come at me, you creepy bastard.
It took less than thirty minutes.
A rebel from Sunagakure was dragged in, shackled in iron chains, body covered in blood and bruises. He looked like he hadn't slept in days.
Fenghuo exhaled slowly, steadied his mind, and cast the Genjutsu.
The man's eyes fluttered shut… and moments later, he began to snore.
Success—at first.
But then, his face contorted. Sweat poured from his brow, muscles spasming. His breathing grew shallow.
Sakumo frowned and shook him. "Hey. Wake up."
No response.
Harder now. "Wake up!"
Still nothing.
Orochimaru's smile vanished.
Impossible…
Fenghuo cracked a triumphant grin. "I call this combined Genjutsu—Samsara. Cool name, huh? Majestic, unforgettable. Want me to tell you the story behind the name too?"
Orochimaru said nothing. His expression was like a grave, his pupils slitted and cold, staring at the convulsing traitor on the ground.
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