Outside Konohagakure
Underground Research Facility
Hiruko sat quietly in the dimly lit lounge of the underground base, eyes closed in anticipation. He wasn't meditating—he was calculating. Planning. Waiting.
The steady sound of boots echoed through the corridor—calm, deliberate, and devoid of emotion.
A figure entered.
Dressed in a black cloak with a deep purple haori, Uchiha Naraku stepped into the room.
---
Hiruko opened his eyes, a deranged glint flashing across them as he grinned like a man possessed.
"Lord Naraku. I've arrived as instructed. Let's begin. Where are the samples?"
When Naraku had summoned him back, Hiruko hesitated.
His Chimera Technique had already borne fruit. There was no real reason to return to Konoha—or to involve himself with Naraku again.
Uchiha Naraku was cunning, unpredictable, and commanded formidable shinobi. A man like that was dangerous.
But the prize Naraku promised—the cells of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama—was irresistible.
The power of Wood Release, the legendary chakra that brought peace to the Warring States Era, was too tempting to ignore.
After two days of hesitation, Hiruko's obsession overcame his fear. Naraku had kept his word before. Perhaps he would again.
And so, like the saying goes: "Men die for wealth, birds die for food."
---
"Heh. Still impatient, Hiruko-dono? That's unlike you," Naraku said with a cold smirk.
Despite the freedom he once had, Hiruko had willingly returned to Naraku's side. A man like him didn't take chances lightly. His desperation was palpable.
"There's no time to waste, Lord Naraku. Let's begin."
Naraku unfurled a summoning scroll. With a puff of smoke, a sealed glass tube appeared—its contents suspended in a glowing green nutrient solution.
Within it floated a tiny sliver of flesh—no larger than a fingernail.
Hashirama's cells.
Naraku passed the tube to Hiruko with deliberate care.
---
Hiruko's eyes sparkled with madness as he received the sample. His fingers trembled with anticipation.
"Everything's prepared," Naraku said. "You have twenty experimental subjects, complete nutrient chambers, infusion tanks, growth formulas, and supplementary medical herbs. That cell fragment came at a heavy cost."
"Understood," Hiruko nodded. "I'll begin by cultivating and replicating the sample before attempting any integration."
"Good. Replicate it first. If we use it up recklessly, we'll have nothing left."
"Such a precious specimen must be handled with respect."
"As before, Uchiha Zitetsu will serve as your personal guard. If you need anything, inform him."
"Hmph. Don't worry about me. I'm starting immediately."
---
Hiruko rushed into the lab, barely able to contain himself.
Since Naraku had upheld his promises previously, Hiruko felt at ease. As long as he didn't overreach, Naraku wouldn't discard him.
They were bound by shared interests. Science and power were their common ground.
Naraku lingered a moment, watching Hiruko disappear into the lab, before turning and leaving the base.
---
Uchiha Clan Compound
Tribal Affairs Office – Clan Leader's Quarters
The clan leader's office was grand, as expected from the head of a prestigious, ancient bloodline.
In the first three years after founding the Tribal Affairs Office, Naraku handled all affairs personally. But once he took command of the Konoha Military Police Force, his visits became infrequent.
Now, he only came a few times a month—mostly to check on internal matters or oversee the Uchiha Orphanage.
The orphans raised there were trained as shinobi and later became Naraku's direct inner circle—loyal, elite, and untethered to clan politics.
They had no ties. They had no past. They only had Naraku.
---
Naraku entered a small side room within his office.
Inside were only a few furnishings: a simple sofa, a tea table, and decorative vases.
He pulled the curtains shut, flipped on the lights, and approached the bare wall.
A hidden panel slid down, revealing a surveillance screen—streaming footage from Hiruko's underground laboratory.
The camera feed had been wired through the clan hall in secret. Everyone thought Naraku simply rested here. In truth, he was always watching.
For hours, even.
---
On the screen, Hiruko could be seen extracting the Hashirama tissue with surgical precision. He sliced a small piece, placed it into a nutrient tank, and began the cultivation process.
The tank filled with enriched serum as the cell began absorbing nutrients.
Though outwardly impatient, Hiruko's hands were steady and deliberate during the operation. Years of research made him methodical when it mattered.
---
Experiments on First Hokage cells were long banned by the Hokage's office.
Only Root, under Shimura Danzō, conducted them in secret. Even Hiruzen Sarutobi likely didn't know the full extent.
Root operatives were silenced by the "Sealing Technique: Ultimate Suppression", a tongue-based fūinjutsu that prevented them from revealing classified secrets—even under torture.
And though Orochimaru had done extensive research, his friendship with Naraku was tentative—built more on shared connections (like Tsunade) than real trust.
Orochimaru had helped Naraku in the past, but trying to pry further into Root's restricted data would shatter that delicate rapport.
Naraku knew better than to push.
---
On the screen, Hiruko inserted a syringe into the vial and extracted a small amount of the Hashirama solution. He moved to the experimental subjects chamber, inspecting each one with a calculating gaze.
He was choosing the first subject for injection.
Naraku, watching from afar, let out a quiet sigh.
Enough observation for now.
He shut off the monitor, sealed the wall, and returned to the main office.
---
"Bai," Naraku called calmly. Moments later, Uchiha Bai—a silent, loyal guard—appeared.
"Have Chihuo and the others departed?"
"Yes, Lord Naraku. Akahei, Wakafuze, Yuhei, and Genji left earlier today."
"Good. I'm relying on you during this period."
"Understood. You honor me, Lord Naraku."
"Then return to your post."
"Yes! Lord."
---
Naraku's personal guard unit was like the Second Hokage's elite detail, which had later supported the Third Hokage.
Every member of Naraku's guard was fiercely loyal. No politics, no factions—only allegiance to the man himself.
Former Captain Akahei had been tasked with establishing a new southern base near the Land of Tea, accompanied by Yuhei and Genji, who had proven their strength in the Amegakure.
Naraku's influence was growing—and he was planting roots far beyond the walls of Konoha.
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