Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—
After revealing himself, the masked shinobi known as Hiruko was quickly surrounded by six Uchiha shinobi under Uchiha Naraku's command. They formed a tight circle, cutting off any escape route.
"Why are you running? Don't you realize what you've done?" Naraku's voice was sharp, his tone righteous, each word striking with the weight of judgment.
Hiruko's face darkened, "Is the Chimera Jutsu I developed… really destined to be buried before it's perfected?"
He scanned the encirclement with cold eyes.
"I am Konoha Jōnin Hiruko! This must be a misunderstanding!" Hiruko raised his voice, trying to maintain composure.
"Hiruko, you are under suspicion for the disappearance of multiple Konoha shinobi. You're coming with us."
"This is absurd! I'm a loyal shinobi of the Hidden Leaf! How could I be involved in something like that?"
"If you're innocent, the investigation will prove it. If you have nothing to hide, why resist?"
Hiruko's eyes flickered with unease.
"Look at me." Naraku's voice cut through the tension like a blade.
Hiruko's instincts betrayed him—he turned and locked eyes with Naraku's glowing Sharingan.
At that moment, Naraku raised his hand, and five small chakra spheres began spinning at his fingertips—each one radiating a different elemental nature.
Hiruko froze on the spot.
Naraku stepped forward with precision.
"Five Elements Seal!"
The genjutsu was successful—Hiruko stood immobilized as Naraku's fingers pressed firmly against his abdomen.
"My… my… chakra…"
Hiruko's body convulsed as the shock of the sealing jutsu surged through his chakra network. His back arched involuntarily, eyes wide with pain. Though the genjutsu collapsed, the seal was already in place—his chakra flow was completely blocked.
The Five Elements Seal disrupts and seals the target's chakra network. Even elite shinobi lose the ability to mould chakra effectively, rendering jutsu impossible.
Naraku didn't waste time. He pulled a rope from his pouch and bound Hiruko's hands behind his back.
"Take him away."
---
Konoha Prison
Located near the Uchiha district, Konoha Prison stood as both a detention facility and a symbol of the Uchiha Clan's law enforcement authority.
Since the prison fell under the Uchiha Police Force's jurisdiction, corruption was not uncommon. Some wardens abused their power, treating prisoners harshly and using their authority to instil fear.
It was said that once you entered Konoha Prison… you were halfway to the Pure Land.
In a dark and mould-ridden solitary cell, Jōnin Hiruko sat alone.
Two tiny holes in the stone wall allowed barely a trace of sunlight to leak through. The bedding was damp and blackened with rot. The smell of mildew and decay filled the air.
Hiruko held his nose, his face expressionless. He tried to gather chakra—but the energy dispersed the moment it formed.
He couldn't even activate a basic jutsu.
"To think I've been reduced to this…"
He muttered, staring blankly into the darkness.
---
Hokage Building
Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, calmly puffed his pipe while reading over a document.
"Naraku, a group of missing nin crossed into the Land of Fire and held Uchiha shinobi hostage. The Anbu have dealt with them. Your clansmen should be returning soon."
Uchiha Naraku, standing before him, replied with a measured tone.
"Yes. Ten Uchiha shinobi have returned safely… but five remain unaccounted for."
"Hmm?"
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. He had assumed Shimura Danzō had released all the captives.
Suspicion briefly flickered in the Hokage's gaze.
"I see. And what did your investigation uncover?"
"The culprit was Jōnin Hiruko. He appears to have suffered psychological damage during the Second Great Ninja War. He began kidnapping civilians and shinobi alike outside the village. Upon investigation, we found several traps and a secret laboratory hidden beneath his residence. When confronted, he resisted arrest."
"Is he on a classified mission?"
Hiruzen asked sharply.
"If he was, we received no official orders regarding him. Based on his behaviour and actions… it appears he has defected."
Naraku's tone was cold but steady. The Second Elder's grandson had returned, and tensions in the Uchiha clan had eased slightly.
The remains of the other missing shinobi had been recovered in Hiruko's lab—there was no room left for debate.
"Ghost Fox," Hiruzen spoke into the shadows.
A voice echoed from a concealed corner.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
"Verify Hiruko's status. I want confirmation on whether he was ever dispatched on an official mission."
With a puff of smoke, the Anbu operative disappeared.
Naraku glanced toward the shadows, his thoughts calm.
"The Hokage Building's defences remain tight as ever."
Hiruzen exhaled smoke slowly, then said:
"Naraku, you've handled the situation well. Let the village handle the rest."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Naraku gave a respectful bow and left.
---
In truth, there was no chance Naraku would turn over Hiruko.
He had already decided on the narrative: Hiruko had defected and would be labelled a missing-nin. The Hokage would issue a public bounty, and the matter would be closed.
But in reality, Hiruko was secretly imprisoned—under Naraku's direct control.
Before visiting the Hokage, Naraku had instructed the warden to ensure Hiruko's mental stability. There was to be no mistreatment; he was a valuable asset.
Now came the question: how to use Hiruko?
Judging by his desperation and behaviour, the Chimera Jutsu must be nearing completion. Hiruko would never have taken such risks unless he was close to a breakthrough.
And Konoha Prison? It was full of test subjects.
Some inmates were civilians who had committed minor crimes. Others were dangerous shinobi criminals—the kind society had already forgotten.
Naraku wasn't driven by cruelty—only by results.
Those locked away for serious offences had long lost their place in the village. Their bodies… could still be useful.
Historically, some Uchiha wardens abused this authority. Villagers with no family or status sometimes "disappeared" during incarceration.
Even Uchiha Sanzō had intervened once, punishing a corrupt warden to preserve the clan's reputation.
But the prison still operated in shadows—its quiet corners filled with secrets. Secrets that Naraku now intended to exploit.
The minor offenders would be left alone.
But the hardened criminals, the forgotten outcasts?
They would serve the future.