The stranger slowly raised one hand and removed his mask. At the same time, the disguise covering his body rippled like disturbed water before melting away completely.
Long black hair spilled over pale shoulders. Golden, snake-like eyes gleamed beneath the forest's fractured sunlight, and an oppressive aura spread through the clearing—cold, damp, and suffocating, like the breath of some enormous serpent slithering through the darkness.
The masked attacker was Orochimaru.
Ren's pupils contracted.
His breathing faltered for the briefest instant, and his heart slammed painfully against his ribs. Every instinct in his body screamed at him to retreat, yet he forced his feet to remain planted.
So that was why he had been helpless.
The man before him was not merely one of Konoha's famed Sannin. Orochimaru was currently at the height of his power—a veteran who had carved his name into the Second Great Ninja War and returned covered in enemy blood.
He had not yet damaged his soul through forbidden techniques such as the Living Corpse Reincarnation, nor had he devoted years to developing the Cursed Seal. At this moment, Orochimaru was unquestionably a true Kage-level shinobi.
Even Jiraiya might not be able to defeat him in a direct confrontation.
Compared with such a monster, Ren's recent accomplishments were insignificant. The fact that he had survived this long was not proof that he could contend with Orochimaru. It merely meant Orochimaru had never seriously intended to kill him.
"I had planned to entertain myself a little longer," Orochimaru said, his narrow eyes studying Ren with undisguised interest. His tongue slid across his lips as a faint smile appeared. "But we should stop here for today."
His gaze moved from Ren's sword to the scorched earth, broken branches, and fading traces of chakra left behind by their clash.
"You possess considerably more talent as a shinobi than I expected, Ren-kun. Your reactions, judgment, and adaptability are all exceptional for someone your age."
Ren tightened his grip on his sword before deliberately relaxing his fingers. He suppressed the shock surging through him and bowed his head just enough to remain respectful without appearing submissive.
"Thank you for the praise, Lord Orochimaru. I still have a great deal to learn."
"Modest as well." Orochimaru's smile deepened, although no warmth entered his eyes. "How interesting."
A chill crawled across Ren's back.
Praise from someone like Orochimaru was not necessarily a good thing. Being ignored by a serpent might allow a person to walk away safely. Attracting its curiosity was another matter entirely.
His thoughts raced as he reviewed everything that had happened. Orochimaru had disguised himself as the masked attacker, tested his abilities, and pushed him into revealing several of his hidden cards.
But why?
Was this simply the curiosity of a researcher who had discovered an unusual specimen, or had someone sent Orochimaru to evaluate him?
Ren's expression remained composed, but Orochimaru appeared to see through the questions gathering behind his eyes.
"You seem to have many things you wish to ask me." Orochimaru glanced toward the red smoke rising above the trees. "Unfortunately, this is not a suitable place for a long conversation. That signal flare of yours has already attracted attention."
He spoke calmly, yet Ren noticed the subtle movement of his eyes toward the northern side of the forest.
Someone was approaching.
More than one person.
Their chakra signatures were still distant, but they were closing in quickly.
Orochimaru slipped the mask between his fingers and examined it as though it were an ordinary laboratory sample.
"I can tell you one thing before I leave. This mask does not belong to me."
Ren's expression sharpened.
Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed with amusement.
"Its real owner is the person who was sent to target you."
The forest suddenly seemed much colder.
Ren had already suspected that Orochimaru's disguise concealed a second layer of danger, but hearing it confirmed changed everything. Someone within Konoha had arranged for a masked shinobi to approach—or perhaps abduct—him.
Orochimaru had intercepted that person, borrowed his appearance, and turned the entire encounter into a private examination.
"Who sent him?" Ren asked. His tone remained steady, although his muscles were taut beneath his clothes. "And what were they planning to do with me?"
"You are asking the correct questions, but answers have value." Orochimaru's smile widened slightly. "If you wish to learn the truth, come to the Research Institute."
The earth beneath his feet softened and folded around his body.
"I will be waiting for you there, Ren-kun."
Before Ren could respond, Orochimaru sank into the ground. His pale face vanished last, those golden eyes remaining fixed on Ren until the soil closed over his head.
Silence returned to the clearing.
Ren stood motionless for several seconds, listening for any indication that Orochimaru might still be nearby. Only after confirming that the oppressive chakra had disappeared did he slowly release the breath trapped in his lungs.
His clothes were damp with sweat.
"That lunatic…"
He had faced deadly enemies before, but Orochimaru was different. There was no rage or hatred in the man's gaze. He had examined Ren with the detached fascination of a scholar dissecting a rare creature.
And somehow, that felt far more dangerous.
Rustling erupted through the trees before Ren could dwell on it. Several figures raced across the branches, their movements disciplined and coordinated.
Ren quickly sheathed his sword and adjusted his expression.
Four shinobi landed around the clearing, each wearing Konoha's dark green flak jacket. The red-and-white Uchiha fan was proudly displayed on their uniforms.
The leader swept his gaze across the damaged training ground before focusing sharply on Ren.
"What happened here?" he demanded. "Who fired that signal flare?"
Ren looked at the smoke still drifting overhead and felt the beginning of a headache.
This was going to be troublesome.
Half an hour later, Ren stepped out of the Konoha Military Police Force headquarters with the exhausted expression of someone who had just survived a battle of an entirely different kind.
The shinobi who responded to the signal had all belonged to the Uchiha clan. Since maintaining order within Konoha fell under the Police Force's jurisdiction—and Ren's training ground was close to the Naka River—they had been the first to arrive.
Ren had given them a carefully edited account of the incident. He omitted the masked attacker, Orochimaru's test, and the invitation to the Research Institute, claiming instead that he had accidentally triggered the signal flare during training.
The explanation had not satisfied them.
They escorted him to headquarters, questioned him repeatedly, inspected the flare mechanism, and forced him to provide a complete written statement. One officer even asked him to demonstrate exactly how he had "accidentally" activated it.
Ren could hardly blame them. The training ground looked as if two shinobi had fought there, and unfortunately, that was precisely what had happened.
Still, he could not tell them the truth.
Accusing Orochimaru without evidence would be monumentally foolish. The man was a disciple of the Third Hokage, one of the Legendary Sannin, and a decorated war hero. If Orochimaru denied everything, Ren would be the one accused of lying.
Worse, revealing that a masked shinobi had originally been sent after him might alert the mastermind responsible. For now, ignorance was the safest mask he could wear.
Fortunately, Ren's record was nearly spotless. He had graduated at the top of his Academy class, received personal guidance from the Third Hokage, and become Minato Namikaze's disciple. Tsunade also thought highly of him, while his teammate Obito was a member of the Uchiha clan. His father had shed blood for Konoha, and no one could question the family's loyalty.
In the end, the Police Force settled for a stern warning about the improper use of emergency equipment.
Ren had expected to leave alone, but a tall Uchiha with stern features accompanied him to the entrance. He was still young, yet his composed bearing and quiet authority distinguished him from the ordinary officers.
It was Uchiha Fugaku, currently serving as one of the Police Force's squad captains.
Fugaku cleared his throat, seemingly aware that the interrogation had been excessive.
"Genin Ren, the questioning was part of our official procedure. Do not take it personally." His voice softened slightly. "Minato and I are acquainted. We have shared meals on several occasions."
Ren immediately understood that Fugaku was offering him a way to leave without resentment.
"So you're Uncle Fugaku." Ren allowed a trace of recognition to brighten his expression. "Minato-sensei has mentioned you before. He said you are one of Konoha's finest Fire Release users."
Fugaku paused.
"Minato said that?"
"Of course. He greatly respects your abilities."
It was not exactly a lie. Minato and Fugaku seemed to have a decent relationship, and Minato was unlikely to deny that Fugaku possessed exceptional skill with Fire Release.
Besides, everyone enjoyed sincere praise—especially those who rarely received it openly.
The sternness in Fugaku's expression eased, and a faint smile appeared.
"Minato exaggerates. With the Third Hokage, Lord Jiraiya, and so many experienced seniors in the village, I would not dare call myself one of the finest." Despite his modest words, his improved mood was obvious. "However, I believe he once mentioned that you are talented in both Fire Release and kenjutsu."
Ren sensed the conversation changing direction.
"My skills remain immature," he replied cautiously. "I have only been fortunate enough to receive guidance from excellent teachers."
"You are too modest." Fugaku folded his arms and examined him more carefully. "The Uchiha clan happens to specialize in those same areas. Several children in the clan are close to your age. If an opportunity arises, you should spar with them."
His eyes carried a hint of genuine curiosity now.
"I would like to see the ability of Minato's disciple for myself."
Ren smiled politely. Refusing too directly might seem disrespectful, especially after Fugaku had personally escorted him outside.
"I wouldn't dare claim I could represent Minato-sensei's ability. If I visit, I will be the one requesting guidance from the Uchiha clan."
Fugaku stared at him for a moment before laughing.
"You certainly know how to speak. You are far more tactful than Obito."
"That is because Obito speaks before his brain has time to intervene."
Fugaku's laughter grew louder. A few officers near the entrance glanced toward them in surprise, apparently unaccustomed to seeing their squad captain in such a good mood.
"You and Obito are teammates, so you are welcome to visit the clan district whenever you wish," Fugaku said. "I am usually there on weekends. When you come, I will arrange the sparring personally."
Ren had entered the Police Force as a suspicious Genin and emerged with a personal invitation from Uchiha Fugaku.
"Thank you, Uncle Fugaku. I'll remember."
After exchanging a few final pleasantries, Ren left the Police Force headquarters. He walked several streets before stopping beneath the shade of a shop awning.
The village appeared peaceful around him. Merchants called to passing customers, children raced between stalls, and the smell of grilled fish drifted from a nearby restaurant.
Yet Ren could no longer see that peace in the same way.
A masked shinobi had targeted him inside Konoha. Orochimaru knew about it and had deliberately interfered. If Ren's suspicions were correct, the person responsible possessed enough authority to operate from within the village's shadows.
There were not many people who fit that description.
Ren lifted his head and studied the sun. He had spent nearly half the day trapped inside the Police Force headquarters, but there was still enough time to visit the Research Institute.
He could return home and pretend none of this had happened. That would be safer—at least for today.
But if he ignored the invitation, Orochimaru would not suddenly lose interest. More importantly, the true owner of that mask might come for him again.
By now, Ren had roughly pieced together the shape of the trap. What he lacked was proof.
And under normal circumstances, he was not supposed to know any of it.
That meant he had to play the part of a confused child searching for answers.
"With Tsunade and Minato-sensei behind me, Orochimaru shouldn't dare do anything too outrageous," Ren murmured, beginning to walk toward the Research Institute. After several steps, he grimaced. "Probably."
At that same moment, inside a sealed laboratory beneath the Konoha Research Institute, a far less polite conversation was taking place.
The room was crowded with precision instruments, preserved specimens, stacks of research notes, and glass containers filled with strangely colored liquids. The sharp scent of medicine mixed with something metallic in the air.
Orochimaru stood before a microscope, calmly examining the contents of a petri dish.
Behind him, Danzo Shimura gripped his cane so tightly that his knuckles whitened.
"Orochimaru."
The restrained fury in his voice filled the laboratory.
Orochimaru did not turn around.
Danzo's visible eye narrowed.
"You had better give me a reasonable explanation. Why did you interfere with Root's evaluation and contact with Ren?"
"Oh?" Orochimaru adjusted the microscope with one hand, seemingly more interested in the specimen than in the furious elder behind him. "Lord Danzo came here in person over such a trivial matter?"
"Trivial?"
Danzo struck his cane against the floor.
"I am selecting promising young shinobi for Root and guiding them toward the proper path. They will become blades that protect the village from within the darkness." His voice grew colder with every word. "The strength of those blades determines whether Konoha survives its next war. This concerns the village's future."
Orochimaru finally lifted his face from the microscope.
"You obstructed an operation authorized by Root," Danzo continued. "Are you challenging my authority? Do not forget who helped you acquire your current position."
A suffocating silence followed.
Then Orochimaru laughed softly.
"Lord Danzo, there is no need for such noble speeches when only the two of us are present." He turned around, his golden eyes shining beneath the laboratory lights. "We are both people who walk through Konoha's shadows. Neither of us should pretend our hands are clean."
Danzo's expression darkened, but Orochimaru continued before he could respond.
"I will be direct. Ren possesses the instincts of a researcher. His curiosity, adaptability, and ability to understand unfamiliar techniques are exceptionally rare."
Orochimaru's tongue brushed across his lips.
"Handing such a child to Root and turning him into an obedient weapon would be an unforgivable waste. Under my guidance, his true value can be uncovered."
"You intend to take him as your subordinate?"
"Perhaps." Orochimaru's smile was impossible to read. "Or perhaps I simply wish to see what he becomes."
Danzo stared at him coldly.
Orochimaru stepped away from the microscope and approached the nearest table, where the borrowed mask rested beneath the light.
"There is something else you seem to have overlooked. Ren's team leader is Minato Namikaze—the increasingly famous Yellow Flash."
Danzo's fingers tightened around his cane.
"Jiraiya is clearly treating Minato as his successor," Orochimaru continued. "Teacher also favors him, and his reputation is spreading rapidly through the village. If Minato earns enough merit in the coming war, both the shinobi and civilians will begin looking at him differently."
He tapped one finger against the mask.
"A war hero beloved by the village, supported by Jiraiya, trusted by the Third Hokage, and surrounded by talented young shinobi loyal to him…"
Orochimaru's smile slowly widened.
"What do you think will happen then?"
Danzo's anger faded. In its place appeared a far colder emotion.
Calculation.
"You mean Minato Namikaze could become my rival for the position of Fourth Hokage?"
Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed as footsteps echoed faintly in the corridor outside the laboratory.
Someone was approaching.
Someone young.
"No, Lord Danzo," Orochimaru whispered. "I mean he may already be your greatest rival."