[Ding! Key figure Uchiha Itachi's evaluation-and-protection plan for his little brother has been drastically altered by the host; the brothers' relationship has entered a new phase.]
[host successfully raised the difficulty of the Uchiha brothers' guessing game from 'Hard' to 'Hell'! The script of love-and-hate grows ever more bewildering! points gained: 8,000!]
[Current points: 39,050.]
[System snark: Can't these two just talk it out? The cards are already on the table and they're still pulling this stunt—pair of stubborn mules.]
Hinata seconded the System's complaint; if those two actually joined forces, it would be something—look at Killer Bee and the Raikage, or the Gold-and-Silver brothers.
"When we brothers charge side by side, who could stand against us? Show the Ninja World a combo forged in red-hot blood—one drags the foe into Tsukuyomi while the other roasts them outside with Amaterasu. That scene… epic."
Hinata didn't linger in Orochimaru's lair; she'd seen what she came for and left the old friends to catch up and continue their research—everything was in Orochimaru's hands now. Inside the base, the laboratory filled with the hum of precision instruments and life-support Systems now held a new vitality.
Kimimaro, the "resurrected" who had successfully crossed the boundary between life and death, sat quietly on a specially designed examination chair.
His face still bore the characteristic pallor of the Kaguya clan, but his ash-gray eyes now held clear focus, silently tracking Orochimaru most of the time.
Orochimaru, record board in hand, meticulously—and with scientific fervor—jotted down every post-awakening metric.
"Muscle activity restored to 97.8% of projected, neural response speed 15% above pre-death baseline… hm, with the hereditary illness removed, Shikotsumyaku control seems smoother and more precise…"
He muttered in satisfaction: "Total Chakra steadily climbing, nature identical to pre-mortem, Fusion with the new body continuously optimizing… Perfect, simply perfect!"
Occasionally he had Kimimaro display basic Shikotsumyaku—say, a pale bone blade protruding from the palm.
Kimimaro obeyed in silence, movements fluid and steady; the blade's edge keener than ever.
Each test deepened the satisfaction in Orochimaru's eyes. This wasn't just the return of a mighty combat force; it was proof positive that his lifelong quest for the "perfect vessel" had scored a titanic success.
"How do you feel now, Kimimaro?" Orochimaru set the board aside, asking with keen interest.
Kimimaro inclined his head slightly, voice unwavering.
"Never better, Lord Orochimaru; this body can serve you more effectively."
Just then the lab's metal door slid open and a travel-worn figure strode in.
Red hair, thick round glasses—it was Karin.
She reflexively pushed up her glasses, gaze sweeping the lab; when it landed on Kimimaro in the chair she froze, bewilderment flickering in her eyes.
She knew Kimimaro, knew he had died. Seeing him alive—and stronger—sent an eerie chill through her, accustomed though she was to Orochimaru's outlandish experiments.
Yet her attention was quickly diverted.
Her keen sensory perception told her one Chakra signature she cared about was missing from the base.
She couldn't help interrupting Orochimaru's observations, voice laced with barely concealed urgency.
"I'm back. Um… where's Sasuke? I can't sense his Chakra—did he go training again?"
The lab's atmosphere shifted subtly at the question.
Orochimaru glanced at her, lips curving into a meaningful smile, long tongue flicking over them.
"Sasuke-kun, hm? Heh-heh-heh… he's gone."
"Gone?" Karin blinked. "Which hideout did he head to? When's he back?"
"No." Orochimaru's tone carried a cruelty of calm.
"He left—defected from me—to seek his dear elder brother and verify some tedious truths."
"What?! My Sasuke just up and vanished?!"
Karin cried out, shock and worry written across her face.
"He… he's going after Uchiha Itachi alone?! That's suicide! Lord Orochimaru, why didn't you stop him?!"
Beside them, Yakushi Kabuto adjusted his glasses and interjected smoothly.
"Karin, when Sasuke departed he had already awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan. He possesses power great enough to threaten Lord Orochimaru; forcibly stopping him would have cost dearly."
"Mangekyo Sharingan…"
Karin murmured. As a sensor she knew better than anyone the terror of those legendary eyes—yet she also knew how fearsome Itachi was.
Sasuke had grown stronger, but facing that man alone… Seeing her undisguised anxiety, Orochimaru gave a low chuckle.
"Heh-heh-heh… Karin, no need to worry; he'll be fine."
His gaze returned to the silently seated Kimimaro.
"Now we have a far more reliable subordinate worth our attention, don't we?"
Kimimaro's presence seemed to herald a new era.
Karin lowered her head, adjusted her glasses, hiding her thoughts.
She knew there was nothing she could do except carry out Orochimaru's assignments and silently pray the stubborn raven-haired boy would stay safe.
The lab returned to its earlier rhythm: Orochimaru resumed logging data, Kabuto sorted files, Kimimaro waited in silence.
Karin asked curiously about the resurrection; the details stunned her.
"What? The revival idea wasn't Lord Orochimaru's? It came from that Hyuga Hinata? When did the Hyuga Clan produce someone that impressive—able to cooperate with Lord Orochimaru?"
Karin's eyes widened in disbelief; outrageous experiments had always been Orochimaru's brainchildren, yet now a stranger had initiated this one.
From Orochimaru and Kabuto's description, this girl had contributed the lion's share and served as the project's core leader.
"Hmph, she's no ordinary Hyuga—something different, something… mysterious."
Orochimaru spoke with a smile.
Anyone who could earn such praise from Orochimaru only made Karin more curious.
"Just who exactly is she…?"
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