After receiving the system prompt, the killing intent that had been buried deep within Uchiha Ran's heart vanished without a trace. The corner of his mouth slowly lifted.
The system wouldn't issue a mission without reason. If it wanted him to subdue Yakushi Kabuto, then that meant Kabuto was someone worth keeping.
"Hey." Ran looked at Yakushi Kabuto.
Kabuto's body trembled almost imperceptibly. He quickly lowered his head.
"Y-Yes! Lord Ran! Please give your orders!"
His voice shook uncontrollably.
That fear was understandable. Anyone standing before someone who carried the power of Uchiha Madara of the Founding Era would feel it.
Ran examined Kabuto's stiff smile and chuckled lightly.
"Relax. By the way—if I remember correctly, you've met Orochimaru, haven't you?"
Kabuto's expression changed instantly.
The fear disappeared, replaced by sharp vigilance.
To him, Orochimaru was benefactor, teacher, and guide. Even if it meant death, he would never betray Orochimaru.
What Kabuto couldn't understand was how Ran knew this.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Kabuto replied calmly, straightening his back.
"Orochimaru is a rogue ninja of Konoha. There's a fifty-million bounty on his head in the black market."
"With his level of caution, why would he meet someone insignificant like me? Lord Ran must be mistaken."
He raised his head and met Ran's gaze directly—no trace of timidity left.
Ran frowned.
Didn't the system say Kabuto was afraid of death?
He opened the system panel again and noticed a line of tiny text in the lower corner:
> When Orochimaru is involved, Yakushi Kabuto enters a serious state, suppressing fear completely.
Ran's eyelid twitched.
So that's how it was.
He closed the panel and looked at Kabuto, who was clearly prepared to act at any moment.
Since that was the case, Ran no longer wasted words.
Chakra surged into his right eye.
His Mangekyō Sharingan rotated once.
"Demon Seed."
Kabuto's body stiffened instantly.
"What—? My body—why can't I move?!"
A red, pulsating seed-shaped object drifted toward him.
Ran spoke calmly, his tone indifferent.
"Let me explain. This is my Mangekyō ability—an instant genjutsu. It immobilizes the body, seals the consciousness, and plants a seed directly into the heart."
"If you disobey me, I can detonate it whenever I want."
The moment he finished speaking, Kabuto's entire body convulsed.
His consciousness plunged into darkness, imprisoned in an invisible cage. Though unable to move, he could clearly witness everything.
The red Demon Seed passed through his chest and sank into his heart.
The cage shattered.
Kabuto regained control of his body—
—and immediately collapsed.
"Ghh—ahhh!!"
He clutched his chest and fell to his knees. Agonizing pain erupted from his heart, so intense that death felt preferable.
Just as his consciousness began to blur, the pain vanished.
Kabuto gasped heavily and looked up.
Ran stood above him, eyes cold and emotionless.
"I'm not Orochimaru," Ran said flatly.
"I won't admire your loyalty or indulge your talent."
"You saw what I was after—Hashirama cells. So I'll give you two choices."
"First: submit. You'll continue your research in the Konoha Police Force's underground facility."
"Two days off per week. Holidays included. Triple salary."
Ran was still smiling—
—but in the next instant, his expression turned icy.
"Second: refuse, and I'll send you to the Pure Land to join Danzo."
The killing intent behind those words was unmistakable.
Kabuto slammed his head to the ground without hesitation.
"I submit! Lord Ran, I submit!"
He remembered something Orochimaru once told him:
A man who knows the times is a wise man.
At this moment, dignity was meaningless.
Ran stepped closer and leaned down, his voice low and cold beside Kabuto's ear.
"The Demon Seed is already inside you. Unless you replace your heart, killing you takes only a thought."
"Don't play tricks with me. No matter where you are, the moment I activate my Sharingan—boom."
"Your heart goes with it."
He straightened up and rolled his neck once.
"Alright. Next, it's time to clean up the small fry."
"Kabuto, follow me. Let me see what you can do."
Ran gathered everything of value: the research data on Hashirama cells, the list of Root spies planted across the villages and their codes, and the method to解除 the Tongue Curse Seal of Sealing.
Then, without hesitation, he burned the entire secret chamber to the ground.
This place contained Danzo's life's work—plans targeting the Uchiha Clan, applications of bloodline limits, Sharingan research, and data on resisting genjutsu.
If any of this leaked out, how would the ordinary members of the Uchiha Clan survive in Konoha? In the ninja world?
Before burning it, Ran skimmed through the materials—and the more he read, the colder his expression became.
One thick volume contained only twenty percent analysis of the Sharingan's traits.
The remaining eighty percent detailed methods to counter it.
Ran formed seals.
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation."
Flames flooded the secret chamber, reducing every so-called "valuable" document to ash.
When it was done, Ran stepped toward the exit, lifting the Uchiha flame fan, ready to smash through the stone wall—
Then his ears twitched.
Breathing.
Someone was lying in ambush outside.
Sweat dripped onto the ground.
Ran slung the flame fan onto his back.
"Susanoo."
A blue Susanoo surged upward. Following Ran's intent, a massive blue arm formed in midair and slammed forward.
Boom!
The stone door shattered.
Shouts erupted instantly.
"Now! Root ninjas—kill!"
"Don't hold back on the explosive tags! As long as Lord Danzo is rescued, I'll reimburse double!"
"Capture Uchiha Ran alive! Lord Danzo will reward you with rank and wealth!"
Explosions roared, dust billowed, and the sound of killing filled the corridor.
Then Fu Yamanaka's voice echoed through a mind-transmission:
"Everyone stop! Check the situation first—don't injure Lord Danzo!"
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