Jiraiya stepped into the laboratory and was immediately struck by the sight of a dozen researchers, each immersed in their own experiments.
The room was packed with a wide array of instruments and biological samples. At the very center stood a massive cylindrical tank filled with a grotesque creature.
The creature's body was pitch black and covered in writhing tentacles. Its appearance was so nightmarish that just one glance sent a chill down the spine.
Jiraiya stood frozen, his expression shifting from mild curiosity to stunned disbelief. His eyes locked onto the containment tank, and he subconsciously leaned back, as if trying to distance himself from the disturbing scene.
His mouth parted slightly, a thin puff of cold breath escaping. Beads of sweat had begun to form on his brow. His fists clenched at his sides, his palms already damp with sweat.
None of the researchers paid him any mind. They were completely absorbed in their work, proudly presenting their latest experiment.
Just then, a man entered the lab and eyed Jiraiya suspiciously.
"What are you doing here? I don't recall seeing you on the lab roster."
Jiraiya quickly deflected with a vague excuse. "Ah... I was just passing by and got curious. Your experiment caught my attention."
The man's eyes lit up. Seizing the opportunity, he began passionately explaining his work.
"We're studying how to convert dark chakra into physical weapons of war..."
After the explanation, he earnestly invited Jiraiya to join their lab.
"So? Interested in becoming one of us?"
It wasn't surprising that he was so enthusiastic. The lab was severely understaffed, and people interested in this kind of research were rare. Naturally, he wasn't going to let the opportunity slip by.
But Jiraiya waved his hands quickly and declined, backing out of the room in a hurry. After all, he was on an infiltration mission—there was no way he could say yes. If the guy started asking about his area of expertise, the whole cover could fall apart.
No, he had to move faster. The Federation's research was far more dangerous than he had imagined. He had to report this to Konoha immediately. There were secrets here—dark ones—and it was becoming increasingly clear that Orochimaru really had been under Hyuga Gakuya's control all this time.
Jiraiya used to think Orochimaru and Danzo were already the pinnacle of madness. But now, after seeing this place, he realized what true insanity looked like.
The Federation had better equipment, more abundant resources, and research freedoms the Five Great Nations could never allow. All of this had turned the facility into a breeding ground for mad scientists.
...
Following the route he had memorized, Jiraiya soon found himself outside the room where Orochimaru was sealed. Sure enough, the doorway was covered in complex sealing formulas.
Unlocking it would take time, but fortunately, the room was next to a warehouse and rarely visited. He had enough time to break the seal.
Ten minutes later, Jiraiya carefully pushed the door open and slipped inside, then quickly shut it behind him.
Inside the empty room stood a white coffin with a single kanji painted on it: "Snake."
Jiraiya knew immediately that this was the place. He approached cautiously and slowly lowered the coffin's lid—revealing Orochimaru standing motionless inside.
His eyes were closed, and all traces of his usual arrogance and malice had vanished.
Jiraiya's eyes widened. Orochimaru really was under Hyuga Gakuya's control. That meant the Konoha Crush, manipulating Uchiha Sasuke—could all of that have been orchestrated by him?
There was no time to worry about what might happen if Orochimaru turned on him once he regained consciousness. The situation was too urgent. Without hesitation, Jiraiya pulled a talisman from his pocket and pressed it to Orochimaru's forehead.
In an instant, the control seal left behind by Kabuto was overridden by the new tag. Orochimaru's eyes slowly opened.
Orochimaru, being no fool, immediately pieced things together. With a dry chuckle, he said,
"Heh... So it was you who came to rescue me."
Jiraiya's face was stern. "Skip the pleasantries. Tell me everything. Who exactly is Chiba Mokushū?"
Orochimaru let out a cold laugh. "Chiba Mokushū? You mean Hyuga Gakuya, don't you?"
He had seen it all in the early days of his possession—he knew full well that Chiba Mokushū and Hyuga Gakuya were one and the same.
"What?!" Jiraiya reeled in shock. How could these two completely unrelated figures be connected?
"You're still as dense as ever, Jiraiya," Orochimaru sneered, shaking his head. "Chiba Mokushū is Hyuga Gakuya. That name was just another mask he wore."
Jiraiya's mind was a whirlwind of disbelief. His thoughts came crashing down in waves.
He stood there, frozen, eyes wide with shock, mouth agape but unable to speak a single word. He couldn't reconcile it. The Chiba Mokushū he had known—righteous, inspiring, a man who fought for peace—was also Hyuga Gakuya, a manipulator steeped in blood and deceit?
He thought back to Mokushū's fiery speeches, his tireless efforts for the welfare of the people... and now those memories were tainted by the image of Gakuya's cold, merciless hands pulling the strings from behind the scenes.
If that were true, then his denunciation of the Akatsuki and the formation of the six-nation coalition team—Team Dusk—what was it all for?
Jiraiya took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. His voice was low as he looked Orochimaru in the eyes.
"Tell me everything. From the beginning."
Orochimaru didn't hesitate.
He recounted it all—from his first battle against Hyuga Gakuya, to his loss and subsequent possession, to the hidden schemes he witnessed while trapped inside, and finally, his death and resurrection via Edo Tensei, leaving him sealed here for years.
"He's been orchestrating everything from the shadows," Orochimaru said, eyes gleaming with resentment. "Switching faces and identities to achieve his true goal. His ambition is far greater than any of you could imagine."
Orochimaru and Hyuga Gakuya were mortal enemies. By now, Gakuya had held him captive for nearly a decade.
Now that he had a chance to expose the truth and regain his freedom, there was no way he was letting it slip away.
Jiraiya's fists clenched tighter. His heart burned with anger—and dread. If what Orochimaru said was true, not just Konoha, but the entire shinobi world could be in danger.
Hyuga Gakuya had deceived the Akatsuki, the Five Great Nations, even orchestrated the formation of Team Dusk. There was no telling what his real endgame was.
"We have to get this information back to Konoha, now," Jiraiya said firmly.
But Orochimaru's expression darkened, and he shook his head.
"It won't be that easy. If he dared to go this far, you can be sure he's already covered every possible contingency. And don't forget—we're still deep behind enemy lines."
"Well said," came a voice from the doorway, followed by the sound of rapid footsteps approaching.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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