Night
Outside Konohagakure – A Hidden Underground Base
In the dim underground lab, five small chakra spheres floated in Uchiha Naraku's palm.
"Five Elements Unseal!" he intoned.
Shinobi scientist Shinno, known covertly as Hiruko, winced in pain but uttered no sound. After a few moments, he lowered the part of his robe he had lifted to expose the seal.
"Hiruko-kun, the materials have been prepared inside. The medical equipment should arrive within the week," Naraku said calmly.
"Hahaha, thank you, Lord Naraku."
Hiruko laughed heartily, clearly in high spirits. For three years, he had obsessed over the development of the Chimera Jutsu, and just as he began making progress, Konoha authorities discovered him.
Now, with this facility and backing from a high-level Uchiha, he could finally carry out his experiments without fear of discovery or pursuit.
"There's no need to thank me, Hiruko-san. You're operating alone, and should any of the test subjects go out of control, it could become dangerous. I'm assigning an elite shinobi squad to you. If you need support, contact them. If you prefer your own trusted subordinates, you may request their replacement."
Naraku's tone was polite, yet authoritative. The secret facility was divided into five sectors, each under strict surveillance via dozens of monitoring seals and hidden cameras.
"Understood, Lord Naraku. My Demonic Bud Jutsu is still incomplete. As for my former students... they may not necessarily follow me now. The safety of the base is in your hands."
As a former Konohagakure jōnin, Hiruko once had students under his command. But summoning them without proper incentives or powerful jutsu would be difficult—and any leak would be catastrophic.
The Uchiha squad leader stepped forward.
"I am Uchiha Zitetsu. If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask, Hiruko-sama."
Zitetsu possessed the Three Tomoe Sharingan and had mastered Uchiha-ryū: Fire Release, Genjutsu, and Shurikenjutsu—a formidable shinobi unofficially assigned to ANBU-level black ops. His unit of three Uchiha shinobi was unrecorded in public Konoha jōnin rosters, serving purely in shadow.
"No need to stand on ceremony with them, Hiruko-kun. Treat them as attendants."
Hiruko smiled faintly. He understood the purpose of the squad—surveillance. Still, he accepted it as part of their mutually beneficial arrangement.
"Understood," Hiruko said respectfully.
"You four—guard Hiruko-sama with your lives. Even in death, ensure his safety. Do you understand?" Naraku commanded.
"Yes, sir!" the four shinobi replied in unison.
Naraku nodded and vanished in a swirl of smoke.
"It's late," Hiruko said. "Zitetsu-kun, do as you please. I must begin the experiments immediately."
Zitetsu bowed. With a few quick hand signs, he ordered the others to take positions guarding the base's only two exits.
---
The Next Morning – Konoha
The sun gleamed brightly in the cool early autumn sky. Birds chirped softly in the peaceful village. Naraku gently rolled up a sealing scroll and sat in quiet contemplation.
The Four Symbols Seal—its strength depended on the caster. The more powerful the caster, the longer and stronger the seal would hold. But over time, even the strongest seal would weaken.
If no one reinforced the seal, the sealed entity might eventually break free.
Two shinobi had improved this seal in history. The first was Namikaze Minato, who created the Eight Trigrams Seal, layering two Four Symbols Seals for greater strength. Without a specific key, it couldn't be released.
The second was Shimura Danzō, who developed a variation known as the Reverse Four Symbols Seal—a self-destructive sealing jutsu that obliterated the target and the caster from existence.
According to Uzumaki Naoki, rumours claimed that when Uzushiogakure fell, the leader of the Uzumaki Clan used the Uzumaki Seal to take many enemies down with him.
Naraku had no interest in such suicidal jutsu, but he acknowledged their usefulness as references for developing advanced sealing techniques.
"My sealing arts have reached a respectable level," he muttered, satisfied, before dusting off his robe and heading for the Konoha Security Building.
Today was the day of the Konoha Military Police Force assembly. Last night, his father, Uchiha Sanzō, had informed him that the official handover would take place.
There was no suspense. Ever since Naraku had assumed more authority and Sanzō joined the Guard under him, the transition of power had been inevitable.
Even Uchiha Fugaku had seemingly stepped away from clan affairs, choosing instead to focus on personal matters—particularly his relationship with Uchiha Mikoto, to Naraku's mild annoyance.
---
Konoha Security Building – Conference Room
Uchiha Sanzō sat at the head of the long table. Below him were squad captains and elite members of the Guard.
Sanzō gave Naraku a knowing look.
Though the incident involving Hiruko and the deaths of several Uchiha were suppressed, a few senior clan members, such as Uchiha Daizō and Sanzō himself, knew the truth.
Sanzō disapproved of Naraku's collaboration with Hiruko and the use of forbidden jutsu like the Chimera Technique. The Uchiha already possessed the greatest dōjutsu—the Sharingan—and had no need to covet others' kekkei genkai.
But Sanzō also knew there was no stopping Naraku's ambition. He was the one the clan had supported for leadership, and now, after three years, Naraku's Clan Affairs Hall had become the true governing body of the Uchiha.
Naraku's First Squad had surpassed all others in strength and discipline. The other units looked to it as a model. The transition of power was already in motion.
Sanzō sighed and let go of his concerns.
"Silence!" barked Uchiha Nagao, captain of the Third Squad. The murmuring room quickly quieted.
Sanzō coughed lightly and addressed the room.
"I've led the Security Force for over twenty years. I am grateful for your dedication and loyalty. But now, I am tired—both physically and mentally. And so, I take this opportunity to announce—my retirement."
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