Naturally, Anko cared deeply for her master. However, even though Hiruko understood the nuances of Orochimaru's emotional distance, he couldn't exactly explain the gritty details of a high-level defection plot to a young girl.
He smiled gently, ruffling her hair with a bit of force. "Of course not. It's just that the Research Division has been incredibly swamped lately. Even I can't interfere with Orochimaru's schedule."
Anko's heart was sensitive, but because her father was still alive in this timeline, she was far more cheerful than the brooding version from the original story.
"Lord Hiruko, can even you not see my teacher often?"
"Hardly ever."
The best way to build empathy is to let the other person know you share their plight. In truth, Hiruko and Orochimaru's research paths had diverged significantly. Even though they shared the same laboratory complex, their specific workstations were worlds apart. They rarely crossed paths.
"Teacher is so busy... People in the village used to whisper that he'd be the Fourth Hokage," Anko muttered, her mood lifting as she began to chatter about various village rumors.
Hiruko listened patiently, picking up a few skewers of Three-Color Dango and handing them to her. Looking at the colorful mochi, his mind drifted back to Itachi and Shisui. The Uchiha clan truly was a factory for geniuses; the sheer number of Mangekyō-level threats was staggering. Then, a stray thought of Mikoto Uchiha's graceful figure crossed his mind. Tsk, tsk. Fugaku is a lucky man.
"Oh! Lord Hiruko!" Anko suddenly grabbed his sleeve as if remembering something important.
"What is it?"
"There are things Teacher taught me that I don't quite understand. Could you... guide me a little?" she asked, looking at him with pleading eyes.
Hiruko considered it. He had some free time, so he didn't refuse. He led her to a training ground and began supervising her drills. With his vast knowledge and power, guiding a genin like Anko was a trivial task, but he provided high-level insights that made her training far more efficient.
The session didn't last long. A sudden flash of lightning streaked across the sky, signaling an approaching storm. As the thunder roared, Hiruko looked at the sky and a thought flickered through his mind: Sasuke's future invention, Kirin. That jutsu was fascinating—using one's own chakra to guide the raw power of nature.
After walking Anko home, he returned to his own residence.
The Next Morning: Hiruko's Laboratory.
A research ninja, having finalized the arrangements for the chosen test subjects, approached Hiruko to report: "Lord Hiruko, the Kurama clan has arrived."
Hiruko looked up and smiled. "Are these the subjects they've selected?"
The Kurama clan elder nodded respectfully. "Yes, Lord Hiruko."
Hiruko turned his gaze toward the two teenagers: Kurama Chiaki and Kurama Chiyuki. Both siblings felt a sudden chill, as if they were being stared down by a predatory nightmare beast. Their skin crawled, and cold sweat froze on their brows; they didn't dare move.
"Chiaki and Chiyuki are the most gifted in genjutsu among our younger generation," the elder explained. "They are the most likely to inherit the clan's Kekkei Genkai."
"The contracts are signed, right?" Hiruko's tone turned professional and stern. "This voluntary experiment carries significant risk. It will be a matter of public record for the village. If it goes wrong, they could die, or at the very least, their lives as shinobi will be over."
The elder's eyes flickered with a mix of ambition and fear. He looked at the children, his grip tightening. He met Hiruko's gaze and said firmly, "We understand, Lord Hiruko. Proceed!"
"Then let us begin."
Hiruko led the way into the depths of the Research Division. Per his preference, the core facilities were located deep underground. The hallways were clinical and brightly lit, adding to the siblings' mounting anxiety.
They stopped at a heavy door labeled Kekkei Genkai Laboratory. Inside was a vast space filled with precision instruments. In the center sat an experimental bed surrounded by a dense web of cables and high-end sensory equipment. The layout was perfectly symmetrical and organized—a paradise for any perfectionist.
Orochimaru was there, hunched over a thick tome, cross-referencing data.
Hiruko smiled. "Orochimaru, are you using the lab right now?"
Orochimaru looked up, his golden, slit pupils scanning the siblings with a chilling curiosity. A faint, knowing smile played on his lips. Without a word, he closed his book and stepped aside, ceding the space to Hiruko. He wasn't one to loiter where he wasn't invited.
As Orochimaru's shadow vanished down the hall, the experiment began. Chiaki, the older brother, stepped forward while his sister hesitated. He approached the bed and quickly removed his clothing as instructed.
Chiaki lay down, adjusting his posture under the clinical gaze of the researchers and the worried eyes of his elder. Hiruko pressed a button on the console.
Instantly, mechanical shackles emerged from the bed like striking snakes, pinning Chiaki's limbs. Glowing sealing symbols flickered to life across the metal. From above, a large, semi-open helmet descended, locking onto his skull with a precise, metallic click.
Hiruko wove a series of hand signs, channeling chakra into the machine to activate the neural-link array. Then, he produced a syringe filled with a dark, concentrated fluid.
Stab! He plunged the needle directly into Chiaki's chest, aimed straight for the heart.
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