Sarutobi Hiruzen's Warning
Chi Yu carried Uzumaki Cangna into the living room.
"Third Hokage," Chi Yu said respectfully, "this is my child, Cangna."
Hiruzen Sarutobi rose from his seat and stepped forward. He looked at the sleeping infant in Chi Yu's arms, his face softening.
"He has Kushina's red hair," Hiruzen remarked with a smile. "Only a few days old, yet I can already see your resemblance in him, Chi Yu. A fine child. I believe Cangna will grow up to be as reliable as his father."
"Thank you for your kind words, Third Hokage. I believe he will too."
After exchanging a few more words about the newborn, Chi Yu returned Cangna to Kushina in the bedroom before rejoining the others. He sat on the sofa, pouring tea for himself, Orochimaru, and Hiruzen.
All three raised their cups and drank in unison.
When Hiruzen set his cup down, his gaze shifted to Orochimaru. "Orochimaru, what have you been focusing on lately?"
"Research," Orochimaru replied calmly. "Ninjutsu at my base."
Hiruzen exhaled a quiet sigh. "You still aim to master every technique… But remember, Orochimaru, not all things are meant to be unraveled. Some doors, once opened, cannot be closed."
Orochimaru's golden eyes met his former teacher's without a flicker of emotion. "I know that. So why does Sarutobi-sensei find it necessary to remind me?"
Hiruzen chuckled lightly, masking his unease. "No reason. Merely an old man's habit of nagging. Go outside more often. Research is endless—you'll never finish it all."
He turned toward Chi Yu. "Chi Yu, advise your teacher from time to time. Obsession is a double-edged sword—it can devour the man who wields it. You two are precious to Konoha. Should anything happen to either of you, the village would suffer a great loss."
Then, waving his hand dismissively, he added, "Enough from me. I won't keep you any longer. I still have duties to attend to."
Chi Yu inclined his head. "Then we won't delay you, Third Hokage. Please take care."
They watched Hiruzen leave. When the old man's figure vanished, Chi Yu broke the silence.
"Orochimaru-sensei, should your research be paused?"
A faint gleam flickered in Orochimaru's eyes. "No. I am on the verge of mastering the Reanimation Jutsu, and I've made progress toward immortality. Thanks to the White Zetsu remains you secured for me, I've avoided years of wasted effort. There's no stopping now."
Chi Yu narrowed his eyes. "And if the Hokage decides to move against you?"
Orochimaru's gaze drifted toward the sky. "Then it will be the right moment to leave Konoha. Do not visit my base again—if the Hokage strikes, I don't want you implicated. Kushina just gave birth, and you have Cangna to protect. Neither of you can afford instability now."
Chi Yu nodded slightly. "If you leave, will you continue your work elsewhere?"
"I've considered it," Orochimaru admitted. "The Land of Rice Fields. It lacks a shinobi village, and the Fire Daimyō would welcome one within his borders. With such a base, I can continue my research and attract followers hungry for power—both as test subjects and as manpower. It will also aid your organization, Fukurō, in building its ranks."
Chi Yu's lips curved faintly. "Then I'll trouble you, sensei."
---
Three days after Orochimaru's departure, Chi Yu received an unexpected visit. Hinata Hizashi arrived, young Neji in tow.
Chi Yu was surprised. Given his open confrontation with the Konoha elders, and Hiashi's presence at that meeting, he had expected the Hyūga clan to keep its distance.
But Hizashi had chosen otherwise.
Chi Yu soon learned why. Hizashi explained how, on the day after Cangna's birth, he had intended to visit. Hiashi had stopped him, warning that associating with Chi Yu—now at odds with Hiruzen and Danzō—would endanger the clan. Hiashi had even placed guards on Hizashi to prevent him from leaving.
Yet today, Hizashi had slipped away, seizing the chance to bring Neji with him.
After hearing the account, Chi Yu shook his head. "Lord Hizashi… you're risking much."
Hizashi gave a bitter smile. "You think me irrational? Perhaps I am. But Hiashi's heavy hand only steels my resolve. I fear Neji will be shackled by fate as I was. I want to show him something different—that his father is not a weak man who bows blindly to the main family."
He looked at his son and then back at Chi Yu. "You are a father now, Chi Yu. You understand. We want to be pillars for our children—figures they can look up to with pride."
Chi Yu's expression softened. "Yes. I understand."
He hesitated, then spoke seriously. "Lord Hizashi, how long until the Caged Bird seal is placed on Neji?"
"A year and a half," Hizashi answered grimly.
Chi Yu nodded. "Then listen. I will not remain in Konoha more than seven years. That leaves me only a short time to teach Neji. If you still trust me, I will train him in secret until the day I depart. You, meanwhile, can keep your distance openly and avoid suspicion. Once I leave, neither you nor Neji will be burdened with my name."
Hizashi did not look surprised. Instead, he sighed. "So, my suspicions were correct. You do not intend to stay in Konoha."
Chi Yu blinked. "You already knew?"
A faint smile crossed Hizashi's face. "When I learned of your clash with the Hokage and Danzō, I knew you could not remain here forever. You are too deliberate, too calculating, Chi Yu. You revealed your hand because you no longer cared to hide it. That is the mark of a man preparing to leave."
Chi Yu frowned. "If you knew this, why risk bringing Neji here at all?"
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