Time passed quickly, and dusk settled gently over Konoha.
Inside the Hokage's office, Minato Namikaze reviewed another report, signed it, and added it to a growing stack he would later hand to his assistant, Shikaku Nara.
By nature, Minato was the type to stay late and finish work ahead of time, but recently, things had changed.
A soft smile tugged at his lips as he thought of the reason why.
Kushina was pregnant. It had been over a month since they found out. While there were no visible changes yet, just knowing filled Minato with joy. The thought that he would become a father made the endless work of leading the village feel lighter somehow.
He always believed Kushina was the greatest gift life had given him. From the moment he first saw her, with her fiery red hair and fierce spirit, she had left a mark on his heart.
He stood up, his face still warm with affection—but that warmth quickly faded when his eyes fell on the topmost scroll of the remaining stack.
It was a proposal he had written himself—a reformation plan regarding the Uchiha Clan.
Stamped across the front: "Rejected."
Minato sighed, shaking his head. He had hoped to create trust and transparency between the Uchiha and the village, but it seemed resistance within the council—particularly from Danzo—remained strong.
Still, maybe tonight, he'd find a sliver of time to revisit the proposal. He had to try.
Meanwhile, near the edge of Konoha's inner forests...
"Captain, I'm telling you, we shouldn't be involved in this," said Imai Kenta, walking beside Uchiha Kai, his voice low and uncertain.
The forests surrounding Konoha were abundant—some natural, others rumored to be grown with Wood Release long ago. They provided Konoha with rich resources and hidden pathways—ideal for both defense and secrecy.
Too ideal, sometimes.
"What's wrong, scared?" Kai smirked slightly.
Kenta frowned. "Look, the Third Hokage may have stepped down, but his influence is still there—especially when it comes to Orochimaru. And judging by the Fourth's political situation, you probably realize it yourself—he can't afford to move against Hiruzen directly."
Kai shrugged. "That's exactly why this matters. I got information today that could expose one of the Third's old sins. We might finally catch something on Orochimaru."
"Catch something?" Kenta scoffed. "This is Orochimaru. We don't even know if this hideout is real! And it's just us two—you didn't even bring Aya! What if he's not alone?"
Indeed, they were heading to investigate what Kai suspected was a secret base of the rogue Sannin. Earlier that day, a patrol squad from the Konoha Military Police Force led by Uchiha Chuan had discovered suspicious activity—shed snake skins and chakra traces—in a secluded area of the forest.
Initially dismissed as irrelevant, the report caught Kai's eye when he cross-referenced it with past mission logs from former officers Uchiha Tsubasa and Uchiha Chiya. Both had investigated a nearby area shortly before their careers were quietly ended—thanks to Kai's own political maneuvering.
This pattern—and the snake evidence—piqued Kai's interest. Enough to risk contact.
Though he disliked involving the Sannin, the opportunity to uncover hard evidence against Orochimaru—someone tied to both Hiruzen and Danzo—was too valuable.
Of course, Kai wasn't reckless. Before setting out, he had quietly dispatched a messenger to Uchiha Fugaku, instructing him to keep a rapid response unit on standby.
But he hadn't told Kenta. If Kenta thought help was coming, he might relax—and Kai couldn't afford that.
"Besides," Kai said, "we don't even know it's Orochimaru's hideout for sure."
Kenta didn't respond immediately. He was watching Kai—his expression wary.
"You're serious about this," he finally muttered. "Fine. But if we run into trouble, I'm not dying with you."
"I trust your instincts too much to let that happen." Kai stopped and pointed ahead. "And it might already be too late."
Kenta followed his gaze—a brown viper with a triangular head was coiled in the brush, unblinking, flicking its tongue at them.
They'd been spotted.
Kenta's stomach dropped. They might have already been heard.
"Meeting you was the worst thing that ever happened to me," Kenta muttered, hand drifting toward his blade. "Got a plan?"
Kai's voice was quiet. "Not really. But if we walk away now, we'll never know what was down there. And that'll eat at you too, won't it?"
Kenta grimaced. He didn't answer—but he didn't leave either.
Kai stepped toward the snake. "Will you take me to your master? Or should I find the way myself?"
The snake didn't react for a moment, then slowly slithered deeper into the woods.
Kai adjusted his cloak, right hand sliding to his ninja blade, hidden underneath. He glanced back at Kenta, who gave a short nod—his expression now steeled, ready for battle.
They followed the serpent.
After nearly ten minutes, the forest opened into a hollow where an old stone basement entrance sat hidden beneath thick vines.
And standing at the entrance—clad in a long, high-collared cloak with Konoha's flak vest over it—was a man with long black hair, pale skin, and golden, slitted eyes framed by purple markings.
Orochimaru.
"Well now…" he hissed, licking his lips with an unsettling smile. "To what do I owe the visit of two fine officers from the Uchiha Police Force?"
"Orochimaru," Kai said coolly. "What would you do if I told you we're here because of Uchiha Yuchi and Uchiha Osamu?"
"I'd say you're wasting your time." Orochimaru sneered. "I didn't touch them. And besides… there's no one else here. Not unless I need them."
Kenta's eyes narrowed, already scanning the area with chakra sensory.
Kai didn't flinch. "Good. That means this conversation stays between us."
Orochimaru chuckled, voice low and serpentine. "You have a curious mind, Minister. I wonder what you hope to find in my little corner of the woods."
"I just want to see," Kai replied, hand still on his blade, "if there's anything worth my time… in your lab."