Naruto: The Shattered Eyes

Building on a preexisting laboratory made Suguru's life easier. With just a mop and a few simple Wind Release and Water Release jutsus, he made the lab sparkle.

After cleaning up, he began summoning all of his equipment, emptying his scrolls to fill up the laboratory with the scent of blood and iron. A pile of corpses had been placed neatly to the side, which Suguru planned to process in the coming days.

Looking at one of Orochimaru's legacy scrolls, Suguru felt it apt to make use of its contents today.

'I wonder what Uchiha Shin is currently up to...'

Since Danzo had Shin's Sharingan-filled arm, Suguru also had access to Uchiha Shin's DNA. From what Suguru knew of the original and Orochimaru's guiding notes, he could create permanent clones using Shin's genetic makeup as a base.

After placing the scroll on a desk, Suguru went about and filled the laboratory with the appropriate Fuinjutsu seals. He also used a basic Earth Release jutsu to block the entrance.

When he was done, Suguru resumed his ever-beloved research.

***

Suguru had two projects he wanted to focus on. The first, of course, was the miniaturization of Sunagakure's Real Mirage Formation. The second was a Human-Clone Chakra Farm.

Suguru wanted to grow mindless, soulless beings born with large amounts of chakra for him to devour. By creating very pure beings with huge chakra reserves, his advancement in the realm of chakra would be exponential.

Furthermore, having such a farm would mean avoiding conflict with the outside world. Although Suguru's hunger won over any guilt he had, a small part of his sanity still spoke to him.

'I'll start with the miniaturization...' He thought, finalizing his notes.

This project was nearly complete. After all, he already made significant progress while he was in Sunagakure. All Suguru needed was a sufficient amount of Juinjutsu prowess, and he was good to go.

Enveloped in his studies, Suguru allowed time to pass.

***

While Suguru dove into his research, Hiruzen stood before Danzo with a peculiar expression.

[Uchiha Sasuke, Hyuga Mitsuko, Haruno Sakura]

Looking at the files of three freshly graduated Academy students, Hiruzen realized what Danzo was doing.

"You want me to become the sensei of another genin squad?" Hiruzen's expression was filled with incredulity and he had no desire to hide his emotions.

With Danzo's recent actions, this choice came out of left field. A wild card play that Hiruzen would have never expected.

What was Danzo planning to do with this move of his?

"Hiruzen, I thought I made it clear." Danzo's voice was unwavering and decisive. The ominous crimson tinge of his Sharingan made Hiruzen frown.

"The balance between the light and darkness is necessary for us shinobi. Why do you think I still keep you alive?"

Hiruzen's frown deepened.

"Hokage or not, you are still a symbol of Konoha's light."

Unfortunately, Danzo had a point.

"I need you to become active once more. Nurture the future of the village with your expertise. Konohagakure cannot leap forward without its Professor."

Danzo tossed Hiruzen a scroll.

"Focus on passing on your Will of Fire."

***

After his meeting with Danzo, Hiruzen donned a disguise using the Transformation Jutsu. He walked through the Academy's corridors, pondering on what kind of experiences he could expect in the future. He had many worries.

Upon arriving before a green sliding door, an inevitable sigh escaped his lungs.

—Clack.

Opening the door, Hiruzen walked in with a calculated gait. Three pairs of eyes fell upon him just then. Black, green, and white eyes made for a rather intriguing variety.

"Hmmm," He returned their gazes.

Sasuke, Mitsuko, and Sakura all looked at him with curiosity — the middle-aged face he wore was clearly unfamiliar to them.

"It has been a while since an Uchiha and a Hyuga have been placed in one group."

Hiruzen stood in front of the three. His posture did not exude any pressure, however, he left no openings. The image Hiruzen decided to portray was the ideal of a shinobi.

"Since there's no one else here, let's have our introductions. Give me your names."

A certain cruelty permeated Hiruzen's tone. However, it was all part of his test. Unlike in the past, he planned on trying out something new.

Inspired by Hitomi's success with Suguru, Isao, and Yumiko, Hiruzen planned on trying out a test that he liked to call, [Ambush]. It was a test that he came up with when he was training Uchiha Tatsuya.

A smirk tugged at Hiruzen's lips.

'Perhaps...'

Guiding a few more genin didn't sound that bad. He just had to push down his suspicions of Danzo, and all would be fine.

Indeed.

As long as he temporarily forgot about who the Hokage was...

Life would be pleasant.

***

After Hiruzen left, Danzo breathed out a heavy sigh. In his hand was a scroll detailing a report on a certain mercenary group that had been moving around lately.

Danzo instantly identified them as a threat. A group of S-rank missing-nins would always have such a status no matter where they went.

'The other Kage have already used them as well,' Danzo took note of one of another report that he received from his subordinates.

"The Akatsuki, huh..."

Danzo narrowed his eyes. Something about their presence was unnerving — as if a crucial possibility had forever closed its doors long ago.

However, his worries were fleeting. As long as the group known as the Akatsuki did not hinder him, he did not want to deal with them.

Time was of the essence. With the Kyuubi's jinchuriki missing, Danzo could elude the gazes of the other villages with ease.

—Swish.

Unfurling another scroll, Danzo traced his fingers on the ink.

By now, his various subordinates should have made their way into the various villages. Danzo planned on using them only when the time was ripe. For now, they were tasked to lie low and integrate themselves with their surroundings.

"What once was given away should be returned."

A flash of malevolent crimson sparked in his eyes.

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