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After Black Zetsu and Obito Uchiha left, Qianyu went straight to Orochimaru's base.
"Orochimaru-sensei," Qianyu said. "I've brought you some excellent research material."
Orochimaru's interest sparked instantly. When Qianyu said 'excellent', he meant top-tier.
Qianyu summoned the giant snake that had swallowed the White Zetsu. The snake disgorged ten pale, plant-like bodies onto the floor.
Orochimaru was on them immediately, his long fingers probing, a scalpel flashing in the dim light. The more he examined, the wider his smile grew.
"Incredibly active cells. Remarkable cellular compatibility. The physiology is clearly non-human… missing so many standard organs." His golden eyes gleamed. "What are these?"
Qianyu felt a spike of satisfaction. White Zetsu were, without a doubt, the finest research specimens in the entire shinobi world. Orochimaru hadn't yet developed his Living Corpse Reincarnation technique, nor had he perfected cellular transplantation. With these as a foundation, his research could leap forward.
Even Orochimaru, usually so unflappable, couldn't hide his keen interest. "Qianyu," he said, a rare note of genuine appreciation in his voice. "I am quite fond of these specimens."
Qianyu grinned. "If you're satisfied, Sensei, that's all that matters. Don't hold back. If you need more, just say the word. I'll get them."
Orochimaru's head tilted. "And where, exactly, does one acquire such materials?"
Qianyu laid it out—the deal with the Akatsuki, the exchange. Orochimaru's brow rose in genuine surprise.
"Obito Uchiha… alive? And part of a mercenary group? That is… unexpected."
Qianyu saw no reason to hold back. He laid out the rest—Madara's survival, his plans for resurrection. Orochimaru listened, his expression shifting from curiosity to open astonishment. For a long moment, he was silent.
Then, a low chuckle escaped him. "This world grows more fascinating by the day. Uchiha Madara, plotting his return from beyond the grave." His gaze sharpened on Qianyu. "This Owl Organization of yours… it's a counter to this 'Akatsuki', isn't it?"
"Partly," Qianyu confirmed. "The next act is going to be spectacular. It would be a shame not to have a front-row seat."
"Indeed it would," Orochimaru agreed, his smile returning.
"One more thing, Sensei," Qianyu added. "These White Zetsu… they were all once human."
Orochimaru's eyes lit up with a hungry, academic fire. "Were they now? The research value just increased exponentially."
"I imagine you're eager to begin. I won't keep you." Qianyu knew formalities were wasted here.
Orochimaru was already turning back to the specimens, his attention wholly captured. "Very well. I shall commence my research."
Qianyu left, heading for home. Miyuki Uzumaki's pregnancy was in its ninth month. One month to go. It all hinged on how many Witness Points this coming event would yield.
…
Three days after Obito and Zetsu's departure, Miyuki was moved to a prepared cave outside Konoha for the final stage of her confinement.
The entrance was heavily guarded by Anbu and sealed with multiple barriers. It was as secure as it could be.
Fifteen days later.
Qianyu brought Kushina Uzumaki to Orochimaru's base. He'd also ordered Kakashi to halt all missions.
"Qianyu," Kushina asked, sitting on the edge of the bed in the assigned room as he set up a small television. "Why the sudden move to Orochimaru-sama's place?"
"Miyuki's due any day now," Qianyu explained, plugging in the last cord. "When the time comes, I won't be with you. I'll worry. Here, with Orochimaru-sensei nearby and Kakashi on guard, I can relax."
Kushina sighed. "You're being overly cautious."
Qianyu shook his head. "You're eight months along. Caution is mandatory. Don't worry, I'll be with you right up until Miyuki goes into labor."
He couldn't risk Kushina, in her delicate third trimester, experiencing any severe emotional shock due to events around Miyuki's delivery. So, Qianyu, Kushina, and Kakashi settled into a temporary routine at the base.
Another half-month passed.
Qianyu had just returned from a market run when the message came: Miyuki was entering labor. His presence was required at the cave.
He shoved the bag of groceries into Kakashi's arms. "Guard Kushina. Whatever happens outside, you ignore it. Your only mission is here."
Kakashi's single visible eye hardened. "Understood, Sensei!"
Qianyu vanished in a flicker, arriving at the sealed cave outside the village. Minato Namikaze was already there, giving a tight nod before disappearing inside.
Qianyu took up a post outside with the Anbu, a statue of contained tension.
Inside, Minato stood by Miyuki's bedside. The Eight Trigrams Seal formula was already visible, glowing faintly on her swollen abdomen.
"Minato," the midwife, Biwako Sarutobi, instructed firmly. "Your focus is the seal. Maintain it."
"I understand," Minato replied, his voice taut. He placed his hands over Miyuki's stomach, channeling chakra to reinforce the weakening barriers.
Miyuki cried out—a raw, pained sound that tore through the cave's stillness.
Outside, Qianyu's brow furrowed deeply. It sounded… agonizing. Would his own Kushina have to endure this same pain? A knot of worry tightened in his chest.
"Even Miyuki's never cried out like this before," Minato fretted, his hands steady but his voice laced with anxiety. "Is she truly alright?"
Biwako's voice was a whip-crack of professionalism. "She is fine! Your duty is the Nine-Tails' seal!"
"But… this is…" Minato protested, watching Miyuki's face contort.
"Fourth Hokage!" Biwako chided. "Do not panic! A man might die from this pain, but a woman's strength is formidable!"
Within Miyuki, Kurama made no active struggle. But the mere leakage of its immense chakra as her body and mind were strained to the limit was enough. The seal strained, threads of corrosive energy seeping through the cracks.
Minato, mistaking the passive leakage for active rebellion, poured more chakra into his maintenance. "You can do it, Miyuki! Hang on! Almost there, Naruto!"
Outside, Qianyu's eyes were closed. His Observation Haki, honed over years to its second stage, was fully active. It painted the world in a web of presence and intent. He could sense the Anbu's focused chakra, the frantic energy inside the cave, the stillness of the forest beyond.
Then, they came.
Four presences. Cold. Alien. Malicious. Obito. Zetsu. And two others, their chakra signatures dense with killing intent and foreign power. They were closing in fast.
Qianyu let out a long, slow breath. He opened his eyes, looking up at the pitch-black, starless sky. A faint, grim smile touched his lips.
"The night simmers…" he murmured to the encroaching darkness.
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