The members of the Twilight Hermit Order regrouped at the designated meeting point after a tense and frantic escape from Konoha.
Each face wore a different expression. Some were filled with fury. Others remained calm. A few lowered their heads, lost in silent contemplation.
All their effort—the carefully crafted plan, the manpower, the resources—had ended in failure.
"Where are they?"
Uchiha Mikoto frowned as she glanced at the two empty seats.
"They haven't returned yet," Orochimaru replied, brows furrowed and expression heavy.
Then, suppressing the fury in her heart, Mikoto turned her sharp gaze toward Onoki. Her voice was icy as she demanded, "If you hadn't stopped it… that thing would already be dead. Just what were you thinking?"
"You're accusing me now?"
Onoki frowned slightly, meeting the subtle suspicion in the eyes around him. His tone remained calm and deliberate.
"I've already explained. I believe White Zetsu might hold the method to awaken Lord Adam."
"Hmph. And who knows what you're really thinking inside?"
A cold sneer tugged at Mikoto's lips. The blood-red tomoe in her Sharingan spun slowly as her voice dropped—tinged with killing intent.
"Hearing White Zetsu speak... that must've made you very happy, didn't it?"
Whoosh—
The flame in the brass oil lamp flickered violently.
It cast eerie shadows across Onoki's face, half-lit, half-hidden. His eyelids drooped slightly, his expression unreadable.
"Mikoto," he said flatly, "you need to calm down. Barking like a mad dog doesn't suit you."
Mikoto's eyes flared with rage.
"A mad dog, am I? Then what about you?" she shot back.
"An old mutt longing to steal Lord Adam's power for himself? Don't think your act fools anyone, Onoki of the Twin Scales. Your ambition's been obvious for a long time now."
"Uchiha Mikoto, you're crossing the line."
Even someone as patient as Onoki couldn't hold back anymore. A sharp glint flickered deep in his eyes.
"Did I say anything wrong, old dog?"
Uchiha Mikoto stood her ground without fear, her voice cold and sharp as a blade.
"Don't think I don't know. Ever since Lord 'Adam' fell into slumber, you've been building up Iwagakure's military strength—tightening laws, pushing cultural reforms, and secretly searching for Lord 'Adam'. What exactly are you planning?"
"I've explained this many times already, Uchiha Mikoto."
Onoki's voice was heavy as he fought back his anger. "Strengthening Iwagakure's forces, refining our laws and culture—everything I've done is to resist the Aurora Order and White Zetsu. As for searching for Lord 'Adam', it's because I'm trying to find a way to awaken him."
"Heh, who really knows?"
To be fair, Mikoto was walking the 'Hunter' pathway. Her provocation skills were top-tier.
With just a few cutting remarks, she had completely riled up Onoki. His face turned a blotchy purple, his breath ragged like a beast's, and blood vessels bulged in his furious eyes.
The tension in the room thickened. One more word and the fight would've broken out—
Until Orochimaru slammed his hand on the table.
"Enough!"
His sharp voice cut through the rising storm and silenced both sides.
He looked around at everyone, then let out a heavy breath. His voice was hoarse and low. "This is on me. I failed to kill White Zetsu in time."
With that one line, he took full responsibility for the failure of the entire plan upon himself.
"Hmph."
Uchiha Mikoto said no more.
Ōnoki suppressed his anger and sat back down, muttering to himself, "No... the blame lies with me. I trusted White Zetsu too easily. That's why we missed our chance."
"There's one more thing I have to say."
Orochimaru rubbed his aching forehead.
The battle had drained his spirituality severely. He could barely endure the tearing pain in his mind, but he forced himself to speak in a low voice,
"White Zetsu likely used 'psychological suggestion' while speaking. His goal was to divide us. So—whatever happens, don't fall for it."
Before he left, White Zetsu's words had been like a bomb, stirring waves of chaos in everyone's hearts.
His purpose was simple—
To plant a ticking time bomb inside the Twilight Hermits.
After speaking, his snake-like eyes narrowed, sweeping across everyone's faces with a sharp, judging gaze.
"I never believed White Zetsu to begin with."
Uchiha Mikoto's voice was calm, steady—without a trace of hesitation.
"I agree with her."
Konan's expression gave nothing away.
"Same here."
Ōnoki's reply was brief.
But it made Orochimaru's gaze linger on him for half a second longer.
"The plan failed. White Zetsu will likely advance very soon..."
Orochimaru turned his gaze back to the group, his tone heavy, "From now on, we must be extremely cautious. For now, all we can do is wait for Lord Adam to awaken."
The flickering candle flames died out one after another.
In response, the members of the Twilight Hermits quietly took their leave, until only Orochimaru remained in the room.
After a moment, a single candle lit up again.
Sensing the sudden glow, Orochimaru slowly opened his eyes.
"You're back?"
"Yeah."
The candlelight revealed White Fang's face.
But at that moment, White Fang looked a mess.
His body was covered in vicious wounds—clear signs of a brutal battle.
"What happened?"
Orochimaru looked across at him, a hint of blame in his voice.
"We were so close. Just a bit more, and we could've eliminated that damned traitor."
Hearing this, White Fang let out a bitter sigh.
"It was the Sage of Six Paths. According to the plan, he was supposed to hold off Uchiha Obito as the main force, and I'd be the second line of defense. But… something changed midway. The Sage suddenly left. That's what shortened our window so drastically."
"He left… suddenly?"
Orochimaru paused, frowning deeply as he sank into thought.
"For the Sage to leave like that… could it be related to the secrets of the Pure Land?"
The Pure Land—the final resting place of souls—was said to hide immense secrets.
Though the Sage never spoke of it openly, there had been subtle clues over time.
It was clear he was hiding something.
Something important.
And something huge.
"Things must be serious, or else he wouldn't have left with such a grim expression."
White Fang relaxed against the back of his chair and added quietly.
Just then, the brass lamp at the end of the room lit up, and a figure suddenly appeared.
"The Sage of Six Paths?"
Orochimaru and White Fang were a little surprised.
"It's me."
The Sage of Six Paths looked weary as he spoke in a low voice, "I have very bad news I must tell you."
Orochimaru and White Fang exchanged glances, and in each other's eyes, they saw shock.
For the Sage of Six Paths to show such a serious expression, it clearly wasn't a small matter. Combining that with their earlier guesses, an answer began to form in their minds.
"Is it about the secret of the Pure Land?"
Orochimaru asked cautiously.
"You…"
The Sage of Six Paths stopped mid-sentence as if realizing something, then said bitterly, "Yes, it's related to the secret of the Pure Land."
Just as expected!
Orochimaru's guess was confirmed, but he showed no sign of relief.
"What exactly is going on?"
"Adam once visited the Pure Land and told me to guard that secret carefully."
The Sage's face was full of pain as he said, "But now, for some unknown reason, the secret that has been suppressed in the Pure Land has completely broken through the seal left by Adam long ago."
"It has directly flooded into the physical world and is now lurking underground on this planet."
"Is that really a problem?"
White Fang asked with some confusion.
"Yes, and it's a big one."
The Sage sighed, "I asked Adam what that thing actually is. His answer was... the origin of everything."
"If that thing floods into the physical world, it means the power of the Primordial will affect the entire ninja world."
"I don't know what that means exactly. It could be a blessing, or it could be destruction."
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