*Land of Waves, Yuto's Apartment*
Yuto was lounging on the sofa, enjoying a rare moment of downtime, when the daily news broadcast from the Land of Waves flickered onto the screen.
The scene shifted to the heart of Kusagakure, where a massive platform dominated the village center. Kneeling in the front row was a line of men and women, wooden signs planted firmly behind their backs—the former powerholders of the Village Hidden in the Grass.
At the very front was the leader of Kusagakure, followed closely by the Great Elders, Musō and Suiku.
Behind them knelt ten more elders, figures usually so mysterious they attended meetings wearing eerie zodiac masks. To the average Grass villager, they were like devils emerging from the shadows, creatures to be feared.
But today, the devils had fallen.
Not only had they fallen, but they had also been dragged to the center of the village for a public trial.
As each name was called, judicial officers from the Land of Waves, acting as jurors, read out a list of crimes. With each piece of damning evidence—both physical and testimonial—presented, Konan, presiding as chief judge, delivered her verdict with swift, unflinching precision.
At first, the ordinary villagers of the Grass were somewhat hesitant and afraid to participate.
But after Konan swiftly executed several severely guilty elders and their close family members (accomplices), the common people began to speak out about the injustices and sufferings they had endured.
The judicial officers diligently recorded every word. After reviewing the latest documents, Konan finally waved a hand. "Today's public trial is adjourned. It will continue tomorrow."
Click.
The broadcast cut off, switching to a vibrant advertisement for the "Valley of the End".
"Wow, Konan is really going all out, isn't she?" Kushina murmured. She was curled up next to Yuto, her red hair spilling over her white silk pyjamas.
"You noticed it too?" Yuto replied, his fingers gently combing through her soft hair.
"How could we not?" Mikoto chimed in from where her head rested on Yuto's lap, her dark eyes thoughtful. She adjusted her black silk pyjamas. "Her eyes were so sharp at the end there. You could tell she was in a… mood."
Yuto let out a soft, understanding sigh. "It's no surprise a place like Kusagakure would set her off. I looked into it a while back. The poverty in Amegakure mostly comes from natural disasters—all that endless rain. But the suffering in Kusagakure? That's man-made. And man-made disasters are always uglier."
"It must be so hard on her," Kushina said, her voice softening as she nuzzled against his side. "Having to wade through all that rot and filth… it's bound to put anyone in a terrible mood."
"Is the esteemed 'first wife' worried about getting on the judge's bad side?" Mikoto teased, a sly smile playing on her lips.
"Even the first wife knows to tread carefully around an impartial judge," Kushina shot back with a theatrical sigh.
"Tomorrow is Konan's birthday. Have you thought of a gift, Yuto?" Mikoto asked softly.
"I'm still struggling with that," Yuto chuckled awkwardly. "Sister Konan isn't exactly materialistic. If I get her some expensive trinket, I'll probably just get a lecture. But if it's not a physical gift, I'm drawing a blank on what would actually mean something to her."
"Isn't it simple? Just wrap yourself up and give yourself to her," Kushina raised an eyebrow mischievously.
"Wouldn't that get him killed?" Mikoto covered her mouth, laughing softly. "You know she's a stern judge, and you're encouraging a crime?"
"It's not the same," Kushina immediately perked up, sitting straight. "The law is the law, but life is life! With a little creative interpretation, turning something 'forbidden by law' into a 'necessity of life' should work, right?"
"What kind of shady idea have you come up with now?" Mikoto blinked.
"What? I'm just giving our husband some advice! Don't interrupt!"
"The ideas you come up with are like leftovers that have been sitting for days—completely spoiled!"
"No, this time it'll definitely work! If it doesn't, I'll offer my head as an apology!"
"Which head?"
"Hey! I'm being serious here, and you're making dirty jokes? Take this!"
"Ah, stop, I surrender!"
Their playful bickering gradually filled the room with a warm, lively atmosphere. On the windowsill, the life tree—or world tree—swayed gently, a single eye opening quietly to watch the scene.
—
—
Konoha, Root Experimental Base.
"Well? Was the sample I provided useful?" Danzo's low, gravelly voice echoed in the sterile lab as he approached Orochimaru from behind.
"The effect is quite remarkable," Orochimaru replied without turning around, his golden eyes fixed on the specimen in the large container before him. A sinister smile touched his lips. "No—I should say it's absolutely perfect."
Gurgle, gurgle.
Bubbles rose in a string from the experimental subject in the container, as a milky white substance visibly spread across its body.
The subject was a wild deer that had been dead for some time, summoned back to the world of the living by Orochimaru using the Impure World Reincarnation technique. The combination of Hollowification material and the sample had indeed led to a breakthrough in its revival.
But one question still lingered in Orochimaru's mind.
"The sample is indeed perfect, and the souls of the deceased are far more suitable for hollowification than the living." At this point, Orochimaru paused. "However, I'm curious—what exactly was Yuto's intention in giving you such a perfect sample?"
'A mutual appreciation between old friends?'
Orochimaru didn't believe that. In his eyes, someone like Hayashi Yuto didn't have any real friends. He was a lone pursuer of ideals, much like himself.
"As long as the sample is perfect, that's all that matters. You don't need to know more," Danzo responded coldly.
Hmph.
Only Hayashi Yuto could truly understand him. Explaining such things to someone like Orochimaru would be beneath him.
"You're right," Orochimaru agreed without taking offence. "I'm just a researcher. There's no need for me to concern myself with the issues of your Allied Shinobi Forces."
"There's just one thing now—is it possible to mass-produce Arrancar using these samples?" Danzo asked calmly.
"If you're aiming for the level of the Arrancar from the Land of Waves, I advise you to abandon such thoughts," Orochimaru grinned. "Even with a perfect sample, we lack the environment necessary for creating perfect Arrancar."
"What do you mean by that?" Danzo asked, puzzled.
"The birth of a perfect Arrancar requires a special energy derived from the soul," Orochimaru explained, spreading his hands. "The oppressive force field emitted by Pakura during the battle in the Land of Rice Fields (Otogakure) two months ago originated from this very energy."
"What is this energy called?" Danzo asked curiously.
"I'm not sure, but I believe Hayashi Yuto probably has a name for it," Orochimaru replied with a sinister smile.
"Very well, I'll find a way to handle it."
"That would be for the best."
As he watched Orochimaru's busy figure, Danzo suddenly spoke again. "It seems there's only part of the experimental sample here. Where did you take the rest?"
"Ah, I thought you would have noticed earlier." Orochimaru pointed to the container on the far right of his lab, smiling slightly. "Over there. It truly is a masterpiece."
Danzo's eyes followed the direction, and his expression froze.
Uchiha Itachi!
Clad only in a green surgical gown, Uchiha Itachi was immersed in the container, his brows tightly furrowed. The milky white substance had already covered most of his face, making him appear grotesque.
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