Deep inside Orochimaru's underground lair the passage was damp and cold; the wall-mounted torches flickered, making the serpentine runes painted across the stone look even more sinister.
Uchiha Itachi, clad in black, the crimson-cloud pattern on his cloak faintly visible in the gloom, moved with cat-like steps that made no sound.
His Sharingan was already active, the scarlet tomoe spinning rapidly as it swept every corner of the corridor, avoiding every trap and guard.
He had come for Orochimaru for one reason only: Sasuke.
Ever since Sasuke had left Konoha to serve Orochimaru, Itachi had kept watch from the shadows.
He knew Orochimaru's reputation—bloodthirsty, battle-hungry, obsessed with collecting Genius Ninja.
Silently Itachi reached the core of the base: Orochimaru's laboratory, the place where Sasuke normally Cultivated.
He could feel Sasuke's Chakra—stronger than when the boy had been in Konoha, yet tinged with an almost imperceptible darkness; the Cursed Seal's influence was obvious.
The stone door to the lab stood ajar; from within came Orochimaru's shrill laughter.
"Sasuke, you've already taken the first step in controlling the Cursed Seal. Wait a little longer; once you fully fuse with it you'll possess power capable of destroying the world. At that point, let alone Uchiha Itachi, even the whole of Konoha will be no match for you."
"All I want is to kill him," Sasuke replied, voice as cold as ice, carrying the stubborn hatred only a teenager could muster. He sat cross-legged on a stone platform, faint Cursed Seal vapour coiling around him, yet he never released it completely—clearly still wary of Orochimaru.
Itachi's gaze turned colder.
He knew Sasuke hated him—hated him for wiping out their clan. That was exactly what he wanted: to make Sasuke grow strong within that hatred.
But he would never allow Orochimaru to twist that hatred and lead Sasuke astray, nor would he allow the Sannin to harm even a hair on his brother's head.
When Orochimaru returned alone to the lab and began plotting how to deal with Danzo, Itachi raised his hand and the half-closed door creaked open.
Orochimaru turned; when he saw who stood there, surprise flashed across his face.
It was Itachi!
"Uchiha Itachi?" Orochimaru licked his lips, a hint of dread in his vertical pupils, though the sinister smile never left his face.
"Heh-heh-heh… so you actually found this place. You didn't steal my things, did you? Coming all this way—are you here to snatch back your precious little brother?"
"Orochimaru, I have no interest in your toys."
Itachi's voice was calm and flat, yet an invisible pressure rolled out with it, dropping the temperature of the entire laboratory.
"I came only to deliver a warning."
His Sharingan suddenly released an overwhelming surge of ocular power; crimson light flooded the room, and the snakes coiled around Orochimaru shrank back, too terrified to move.
"Sasuke is my brother." Itachi's eyes locked onto Orochimaru, the menace in them unmistakable.
"If you lay a hand on him, I will show you what Hell truly is."
"Oh?" Orochimaru laughed, the sound sharp and grating.
"Itachi, what gives you the right to order me around? Sasuke came to me of his own free will; he wants power, and I can give it to him. Your dear little brother can't wait to kill you and avenge your clan."
Itachi's figure vanished; in the next instant he stood in front of Orochimaru, his Mangekyo spinning, pressing the Sannin with its power.
Orochimaru reacted instantly, his body liquefying into a puddle of slime that shot backward; he re-formed a short distance away, cold sweat on his brow.
"Heh-heh-heh… subarashii… what exquisite eyes…"
Orochimaru gazed at those Mangekyo with naked greed, as though admiring a masterpiece.
The pressure from Itachi's Sharingan did not diminish in the slightest.
"If you dare harm Sasuke, I will hunt you to the ends of the earth."
His tone was mild, yet carried an unshakable resolve.
Orochimaru's mind was already calculating: Sasuke was the "vessel" he had chosen; he still needed time to nurture the boy, and when Sasuke was fully ripe he would perform the Possession—something he would never let anyone, including Itachi, discover.
"All right, all right."
Orochimaru spread his hands in feigned helplessness. "I promise not to harm Sasuke's life or force him further. Satisfied?"
Itachi stared at him for a moment, the tomoe in his Sharingan whirling as if weighing truth from lie; then he withdrew the ocular power.
"Remember your words. If I find you've broken your promise, you will bear the consequences."
Without another word Itachi turned, dissolved into crows, and vanished beyond the laboratory door, leaving only an intangible pressure behind.
Orochimaru watched the direction in which Itachi had disappeared, the smile on his face slowly fading, a sinister glint flashing in his vertical pupils.
"Itachi, you think that will protect him? Once he has truly become my vessel, even if you want to save him, it will be too late."
…In Hinata's room she was savouring a meal.
She took the bowl of porridge from a Clone, sipped, and the sweet taste blossomed on her tongue; spiritual energy slid down her throat into her Dantian, so comfortable it made her narrow her eyes.
Clones bustled around her, chattering noisily.
A high-ponytail Clone in the courtyard drilled combos with her brick, chanting under her breath.
"Hahaha! Time for my tomato combo!"
"Tomato booger, tomato booger, tomato pork, tomato chicken, tomato omelette, tomato egg, tomato beans, tomato rice, tomato fried noodles, fried vermicelli, fried rice, fried water, fried wall…"
"And the finisher! Tomato slam-dunk! Hahaha!"
A sword-riding Clone sent her blade weaving through distant trees; every now and then, thanks to lack of skill, she outright shredded several trunks… A scroll-studying Clone kept puzzling over the Forbidden Jutsu she had snatched, muttering,
"What the heck is this Yin?"
A slacking Clone leaned against a pillar nibbling snacks while sun-bathing; others watered the flowers and grass in the courtyard.
Whatever the Clones enjoyed equalled what the main body enjoyed; add the main body's own enjoyment, and when she finally dispelled the Clones and all their insights returned, it would be enjoyment doubled.
Sunlight spilled across the yard; cherry-blossom petals drifted in the wind, landing on Hinata and her Clones, warm and pleasant.
Hinata changed into a pale-green casual dress and left the house. She avoided Konoha's main street, instead taking a small forest path outside the village.
The Shippūden curtain had yet to rise; Konoha was at peace, the forest lush, sunlight filtering through the leaves in dappled patterns.
She walked slowly on the soft fallen leaves, her spiritual power naturally spreading out, sensing every bird, beast, and insect around her, her mind growing ever calmer.
Cultivation also required Cultivating the heart; this kind of leisure was good for her.
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