"Damn... is he toast?"
After what felt like an eternity, Kushina finally broke the silence.
"Yeah, pretty sure he's toast..." Yuto stared at the [Reconnecting...] prompt on the screen with a complicated expression and nodded.
After waiting over half a month for this kind of outcome—who wouldn't be baffled?
"Can we still rematch with him?" Mikoto asked softly.
"No idea. Let's just leave it for now." Yuto sighed and stuffed the communicator back into his pocket.
"How does this even happen? That cursed reward of yours is seriously unreliable." Kushina couldn't hold back. "And here I was, looking forward to trying out that online chatting thing you mentioned."
"We talk with the land of waves all the time—that's basically online chatting." Yuto reasoned.
"That's not the same! We already know everyone there!"
"Yakushi sensei and Rina haven't even met you yet."
"If I feel like we're close, doesn't that count?" Kushina huffed, clearly annoyed. "You just have to argue with me about everything, huh?"
"Fine, fine. You're right." Yuto raised his hands in surrender.
"Hmph. I can tell you're only saying that to shut me up!" Kushina rolled her eyes. "We'll settle this after school tonight."
"Again?! How many times did you go at it last night? Have some restraint!" Mikoto tugged at her sleeve, whispering, "This isn't good for your health."
"Oh, so now you're worried about me getting kidney deficiency?" Kushina glared. "What else is there to do for fun while the little brat's still growing up?"
"That's— That's not the point! Why is your brain always in the gutter?!"
"Don't tell me you don't think about it?"
"Well, I do, but—"
"Then how about we team up tonight to teach that brat a lesson?"
"Th-That's not… appropriate, is it?"
"What's inappropriate about it? The brat didn't even object!"
"…Well, I guess we could try?"
'Mikoto… have you noticed you're being led astray?'
Yuto desperately wanted to say something, but in the end, he chose silence.
"Yuto. Yuto!"
Naruto nudged his shoulder, whispering, "Dude, are you daydreaming or what?"
"Nah, just thinking." Yuto smiled. "What's up?"
"About the Chunin Exams," Ino cut in quietly. "Since the other villages are plotting to attack Konoha… which side are we supposed to take?"
"In theory, we stay neutral. But the civilians are innocent." Yuto said calmly.
"You're right!" Naruto nodded firmly.
"So our mission is to protect the civilians then?" Shikamaru rubbed his chin. "What about you?"
"Don't worry about me. By then, I'll probably be dead." Yuto replied with a smile.
"…Huh?!"
Everyone around him froze, exchanging bewildered looks.
*Land of Rivers – A Damp Cave*
Danzo's eyes snapped open as he pushed himself up, scanning his surroundings warily.
The dim cavern was littered with mutilated beast carcasses. His face twisted in confusion, brows furrowing.
Memories flooded back—betrayed by his own subordinate, losing his mind, becoming a monster. But now… what was this? Had he died?
'Is this the underworld?'
"Hmph. Finally awake, I see." A raspy voice sneered from the shadows.
Danzo stiffened, turning toward the sound.
A creature cloaked in bony scales slithered into view, a long tail dragging behind it—like a man stuffed into a lizard costume.
But Danzo recognized that voice.
"Orochimaru."
"What a miserable afterlife, to be stuck with you of all people." Danzo scoffed.
"Afterlife?" Orochimaru paused, then let out a dry laugh. "Ah, so you thought we died too. Unfortunately, even the King of Hell seems to despise creatures like us."
"What do you mean?" Danzo's eyes narrowed.
"Exactly what I said. We're not dead." Orochimaru's lips curled. "My hypothesis was correct—infusing Tailed Beast chakra prevents complete mental degradation during transformation."
"Tailed Beast chakra?" Danzo's voice sharpened.
"I happened to procure a sample of the Eight-Tails years ago." Orochimaru folded his arms. "Carried it with me ever since. A fortunate accident, really."
Danzo's gaze hardened. "Why save me?"
"Don't you want revenge, 'Lord Danzo'?" Orochimaru's forked tongue flicked out. "Betrayed by your own subordinate… surely that stings."
"You're proposing an alliance?"
"I just want to tear that brat apart. Teach him some manners."
"He's Hiruzen's prized pupil now. You think the two of us can storm Konoha and kill him?"
"That would be suicide." Orochimaru waved a clawed hand. "Mastering this power will take time. But next year's Chunin Exams… he'll participate, won't he?"
"You plan to infiltrate as a genin?" Danzo eyed Orochimaru's reptilian form with open disgust.
'In that hideous state, you'd be spotted before you even reached the gates.'
"…What's that look for?" Orochimaru's eye twitched. "Once we fully control this power, we can reshape our forms. I'll assume the Fourth Kazekage's identity—flawless infiltration."
A Kage's authority would lower the brat's guard. Then, a single, lethal strike—
"A solid plan." Danzo stroked his chin. "But we'll need more allies to ensure success."
"Allies?" Orochimaru raised a scaled brow. "How do you know they're not his pawns?"
"What about Hanzo of the Salamander—founder of Umbrella Corporation? You think he bows to a child?" Danzo smirked.
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed. "Now that's a name worth considering."
Their impression of Hanzo? A true warlord. No way such a man would submit to a snot-nosed brat. That kid probably just lucked out with Kabuto and Grey Feather. But Hanzo?
Preposterous.
With Hanzo—the mastermind behind the Super Soldier Project—on their side?
'Victory would be inevitable.'
"I'll handle Hanzo." Danzo stood. "We rendezvous in The Hidden Sand Village."
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