Three Years Later — Year 63 of the Hidden Leaf
Somewhere in the valleys of the Land of Wind...
A disguised Hyuga Gakuya and Kabuto Yakushi stood behind Orochimaru. In front of them were three figures: the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, flanked by two elite Anbu guards.
Wrapped head to toe in bandages, Rasa spoke with irritation,
"Orochimaru, didn't we already finalize our agreement, including the distribution of spoils? Why did you summon me here all of a sudden? Don't tell me you're planning to back out."
"Of course not. The southern Fire Country territories you help conquer will be yours. If Konoha isn't completely destroyed, you'll still get eighty percent of the reparations."
"Good." Rasa's tone eased slightly. "Just make sure you keep your word."
Orochimaru's voice remained as sinister as ever.
"Naturally. To a smooth partnership... but before we begin, there's one more thing I need from you."
"You want something? Is it Gaara?"
"Oh, no. What I want… is your head."
Suddenly, razor-sharp bone spikes erupted from the ground, instantly impaling Rasa's two guards. Reacting quickly, Rasa summoned a surge of gold sand to lift himself off the ground, narrowly dodging Kimimaro's sneak attack from the shadows.
But Hyuga Gakuya wasn't about to let him escape. He extended his hand, and a powerful gravitational force exploded outward, yanking Rasa's body uncontrollably toward him.
Controlled by Kabuto, Orochimaru struck. His arm morphed into a cluster of serpents—Hidden Shadow Snake Hands—lunging forward and coiling tightly around Rasa. Fangs bit through bandages and his sand armor alike, injecting venom directly into his veins.
The poison spread instantly. Rasa's body seized up and crashed to the ground. He tried to summon chakra to fight back, but found he couldn't muster even a trickle.
Rasa had always specialized in long-range combat with his Magnet Release. But with his enemies so close and the attack so sudden, he never had a chance.
"Orochimaru... you liar..." Rasa croaked, glaring at them as if trying to burn their images into memory.
But Orochimaru didn't respond. His face was blank—devoid of the usual sneering malice, like a puppet with its strings cut.
Gakuya knelt and delivered the final blow.
"Argh—!"
He stood up, brushing off his hands with casual disdain.
"Short-sighted fool. Did he really think it would be that easy to destroy Konoha?"
"He should've known better," Gakuya continued. "Sunagakure's three generations of Kage combined still don't compare to the strength of Konoha's first generation."
Kabuto nodded in agreement. The longer he served under Gakuya, the more he realized how deep his master's power ran.
"You're absolutely right, Gakuya-sama. What's our next move?"
"Stick to the plan. You and Orochimaru will pose as the Kazekage and infiltrate Sunagakure."
"Understood."
Kabuto crouched and began his transformation. Orochimaru's face twisted, shifting into Rasa's, while Kabuto took on the likeness of one of his personal Anbu.
"Make sure you preserve the corpse," Gakuya reminded him with a smile.
The play he'd orchestrated was about to begin—and this time, every string was in his hands.
Act One: The Fall of the Child of Prophecy... begins now.
With that, Gakuya released the Shadow Clone.
...
Elsewhere, Gakuya's true body was traveling toward Konoha, disguised as a genin from the Hidden Sound, alongside Karin and Uchiha Hikari.
Using a transformation technique he'd learned from Ichikishimahime's senjutsu, Gakuya altered his appearance to that of a thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy.
"Hikari, listen—no matter what happens, don't use your Sharingan once we're inside Konoha, got it?"
Hikari had matured a lot over the years—more graceful and composed—but Gakuya had masked her appearance to match the younger version of herself from just after her seal was broken.
"Mm, got it," she replied obediently.
Karin skipped up beside him. "Gakuya, can I sleep in your tent tonight?"
She, too, had grown up quite a bit. Her long, straight crimson hair flowed down her back, and she'd ditched the glasses that once dulled her charm. She still had that cute, clingy personality though.
"Nope. You're old enough to take care of yourself now."
"But why can Hikari sleep with you, huh? She's already sixteen!"
Gakuya coughed awkwardly. "Don't be cheeky, Karin. You're sleeping in your own tent tonight, alright?"
"But every night, I hear you two laughing and playing... why can't I join in?"
Hikari's face turned bright red. She shot Gakuya a death glare. "I'll sleep with Karin tonight."
"Okay~" Karin huffed, clearly still unhappy she couldn't stay with Gakuya.
Just then, the Shadow Clone's dispersal sent a flood of memories surging into Gakuya's mind.
"Everything's proceeding as planned."
...
The next morning, the trio picked up their pace and finally arrived at the gates of Konoha.
Looking at those familiar gates, Gakuya felt a wave of emotion. Six years had passed. He'd left as a boy and returned a married man—with three wives, no less. He wondered how Neji was doing.
The three approached the gate guards: Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane.
Gakuya pointed to the Sound headband on his forehead and handed over three passes.
"We're genin from the Hidden Sound. We received your village's invitation to participate in the Chunin Exams."
Kotetsu examined the passes carefully, matching each to their appearances and comparing them to the Hidden Sound's official participant list.
"Chiba Mokushū, right?"
"Yes."
"Chiba Hikari?"
"Mm-hmm."
"Uzumaki Karin?"
"That's me."
At the sound of the last name, both guards looked up sharply, their eyes locking on Karin's vivid red hair.
That unmistakable shade... just like Lady Kushina's.
This would need to be reported to the Hokage.
Gakuya and Hikari were using aliases, and their disguises were flawless. But Karin's red hair was a dead giveaway to anyone who knew the Uzumaki clan.
"All your paperwork's in order. You may enter." Kotetsu handed the passes back.
"The exam's still half a month away. Mind telling us why you're here so early?" he asked curiously.
Gakuya smiled. "We wanted to do a little sightseeing in the Leaf—the greatest shinobi village in the world."
Flattered, both gate guards beamed. "Well then, enjoy your stay!"
"Thanks."
As they stepped into Konoha, Gakuya immediately sensed the presence of several hidden observers. Among them was someone familiar—an old teammate, the Wood Release user Yamato, once known as Tenzo, now a future jonin of the Leaf.
Kakashi had probably retired from the Anbu by now. As for Akumu... he was probably off getting married and settling down.
But Gakuya couldn't risk being recognized. He had to act like he hadn't noticed a thing.
Karin sidled up beside him, squeezing his hand twice. It was a signal—her clan's secret technique for silent communication.
"We're being followed," she whispered.
Gakuya squeezed her hand back, twice in return: I know.
"Let's go. First, we find a place to stay."
...
Hokage's Office
A masked Anbu kneeled before the desk.
"Lord Hokage, the three genin from the Hidden Sound have arrived."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up from his documents. "That early? The exam's still half a month away."
"They said they wanted to sightsee."
"I see. No need to keep watching them. Three genin won't make any waves."
The Anbu hesitated. "There's one more thing to report. One of them... is an Uzumaki."
Sarutobi's expression darkened. "Are you certain?"
"Yes, sir. She has the red hair and an unusually strong chakra signature."
"Understood. You're dismissed."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
As the Anbu left, Hiruzen took a slow puff from his pipe.
An Uzumaki... she must be a survivor from their destroyed homeland.
Now wasn't the time to make a move—not with the Chunin Exams so close. But afterward... they'd confront the Hidden Sound and demand her handover.
It would be the least they could do—for Lady Mito's sake.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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