Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 38: A Parting Gift

Above the Root base, two figures stood in the shadows, facing each other.

"Using Edo Tensei to remotely manipulate Konoha's affairs—what a coincidence, Fuji-kun. It seems we thought of the same approach," the reanimated Hyuga Meijiu said, his voice carrying the familiar cadence of Hyuga Fuji's thoughts.

Orochimaru chuckled faintly at the playful remark. "Convenient, isn't it? After all, if things go awry, the blame can easily be pinned on me."

Hyuga Fuji, controlling his reanimated vessel, smirked lightly. "Convenience aside, it also ensures plausible deniability, doesn't it?"

Orochimaru studied the animated corpse, his golden eyes narrowing with amusement. "You've become much more confident. Is it the result of your recent growth in power?"

"Confidence comes from strength and accumulated knowledge," Fuji replied calmly. "If, after all this time, I still lacked the courage to face you, wouldn't you, as my teacher, feel disappointed?"

Orochimaru's lips curled into a peculiar smile. "Teacher, hmm…"

He observed Fuji's reanimated form in silence, as though peering past the Edo Tensei shell to glimpse the essence of Fuji's soul.

Indeed, Orochimaru was Hyuga Fuji's second mentor. While Might Duy had instilled the foundations of physical combat, Orochimaru had filled in the gaps—teaching research, forbidden jutsu, and sealing techniques. Though their arrangement was transactional, Orochimaru had never half-heartedly imparted knowledge to Fuji.

In a way, Fuji was the only true disciple Orochimaru had ever "graduated."

"I've heard you've mastered the Flying Thunder God technique," Orochimaru mused, his tone both casual and probing. "Already a standout within the Hyuga clan, you now possess one of the most fearsome abilities in the ninja world. Tell me, are you ready to break free from Konoha's cage?"

"Not yet."

Fuji's calm response seemed to surprise Orochimaru.

"I want to witness the peace that the Fourth Hokage dreams of achieving."

Orochimaru raised a brow, intrigued. "Flying Thunder God and the Nine-Tails are certainly formidable, but even after the First Hokage passed, neither Tobirama nor Mito could bring peace to the world."

"Minato is a fresh wind for Konoha," Orochimaru continued. "But a breeze cannot blow through the entire shinobi world. You understand this, don't you?"

"I do," Fuji affirmed, his tone steady.

Orochimaru tilted his head slightly, his sharp gaze studying Fuji. He did not press the matter further. Instead, he shifted his attention to the entrance of the Root base and offered a wistful remark.

"We both witnessed the creation of Shin," Orochimaru said, referring to his artificial Mangekyō Sharingan experiment. "But you've yet to see his full abilities, haven't you?"

"He is my proudest creation thus far. The fusion of Senju and Uchiha powers in perfect harmony. When I gave him life and purpose, his awakening did not disappoint."

Orochimaru's eyes glinted with excitement.

"The genjutsu he used on Tsunade is remarkable. Though it requires time to activate fully, even the Byakugan struggles to detect it before it's too late. And unless one understands their core 'truth,' they can never break free from its grasp."

Hearing this, Hyuga Fuji's pale eyes narrowed as he observed the Root base below.

Tsunade, who had been subdued and indecisive, was now lifting her head. Her gaze was sharp, unwavering, and filled with a newfound resolve.

"A genjutsu akin to Izanami…"

Through his Byakugan, Fuji watched the process unfold. The initial chakra from Shin's genjutsu had acted like a seed, buried deep within Tsunade's mind. For it to take root and activate, she had to experience deeply personal, impactful events.

The illusion must have been placed on her before she even entered the Root base.

So, a type of Transcription Seal, perhaps? Fuji speculated.

Within the genjutsu, time likely flowed differently—similar to the space within Tsukuyomi. Fuji suspected that Tsunade had repeatedly relived the same scenario: entering the Root base, facing her fears, and grappling with Shizune's apparent death.

Though Shizune hadn't truly died, forcing Tsunade to endure such a loop was a psychological torment—a relentless trial meant to confront her most painful memories.

And yet, Tsunade had endured. She had overcome the shadow cast by Dan's death and the crippling guilt that followed.

"With this, the Third Hokage's original plan will amount to nothing," Orochimaru remarked, a sly smile tugging at his lips.

"At its core, Hiruzen merely wanted to push Tsunade into a pseudo-crisis, forcing her to confront her past. Danzo, of course, feigned compliance, all the while scheming to uncover Hiruzen's hidden contingencies."

"Neither of them truly believed Tsunade could succeed. So, I decided to give her a little… push. Consider it my parting gift to Konoha."

Orochimaru's voice carried an odd mix of nostalgia and detachment. For him, this war was the final thread binding him to Konoha.

Fuji chuckled lightly. "Your 'gift' will likely leave both Hiruzen and Danzo paranoid."

Orochimaru smiled faintly in return. "And yet, you seem unconcerned."

Fuji shook his head. "Have you forgotten my position?"

"…Ah, an elite guard of the Hokage and a member of the Hyuga branch family," Orochimaru murmured, understanding dawning in his golden eyes.

Tsunade's recovery would shift the political dynamics of Konoha. As the granddaughter of the First Hokage, she was bound to back Minato, who represented Konoha's future.

Moreover, the ripple effects of her recovery would inevitably touch the Hyuga clan. Any moves Danzo made to manipulate the branch family or exploit their Caged Bird Seal would come under sharp scrutiny.

In this context, Hyuga Fuji stood to gain—perhaps even receiving Tsunade's personal protection.

And, should the need arise, she might even assist in removing Fuji's Caged Bird Seal.

For a fleeting moment, Orochimaru wondered: Had Fuji orchestrated this outcome himself?

"Besides," Fuji said, his voice as cold and measured as ever, "Konoha is a fitting cage for raising birds."

Orochimaru paused, then broke into a soft chuckle.

"Indeed."

While the two conversed in hushed tones above, chaos erupted within the Root base below.

When Tsunade began to shift, her presence growing steadier and stronger, Tokuma—a Hyuga under Danzo's command—made his move.

He lashed out at Shin with a forceful air palm and shouted, "Lord Danzo, he's one of the Uchiha! Tsunade has broken free of her hemophobia and may no longer be restrained!"

Without hesitation, Danzo leaped to the side, his singular eye narrowing as he scrutinized the supposed Root operative.

Shin, unfazed by the attack, summoned a protective skeletal arm of orange chakra—an early stage of Susano'o—to deflect the strike.

Wasting no time, he bolted toward the base's exit.

Danzo's expression darkened.

That chakra… Susano'o?

Another Mangekyō Sharingan has emerged among the Uchiha… When did this happen?

As Danzo calculated the implications, he felt his suspicions toward Hiruzen grow even deeper.

Was this yet another piece in the Third Hokage's elaborate scheme?

Turning his gaze toward Tsunade, whose chakra was steadily surging, Danzo raised a hand to halt his subordinates.

"You are no match for him. Focus on Tsunade instead!"

Danzo's voice was cold and commanding.

The truth was clear: the Fourth Hokage was young—too young to outlast him.

If Danzo was to reshape Konoha into his vision of strength, he had to act now.

Tsunade, however, posed a formidable obstacle.

"Leave her here," Danzo ordered, his tone unyielding. "Dead or alive."

At his command, dozens of Root operatives lunged toward Tsunade.

(End of Chapter)