The message had come suddenly — someone wanted to meet Hyūga Shigeo here, and from the tone of it, it sounded important.
Just as he activated his Kanchi no Jutsu (Sensory Technique), the air around him stirred.
The calm shoreline rippled with chakra signatures.
Dozens of shinobi appeared along the coast — and then, all at once, they dropped to one knee.
Behind them, the tall, snake-like figure of Orochimaru emerged from the mist, slithering forward until he knelt directly before Shigeo.
"Hyūga Shigeo," he said solemnly, lowering his head until it almost touched the sand, "I am willing to acknowledge you as my master. From this day forth, I will serve you faithfully — without hesitation, without regret. Please, accept my allegiance."
He stayed bowed, motionless.
Shigeo's gaze shifted sideways — toward Kōrin, who was also kneeling nearby. His brow furrowed slightly.
Kōrin immediately spoke up, panic in his voice.
"Master, a few days ago, our headquarters was attacked. It was Lord Orochimaru who saved us! We'd been poisoned — death was only moments away — so I…"
"So you agreed to bring him here to see me?" Shigeo's tone went cold.
"What if he had demanded your lives in exchange for my death? Would you have done that too?"
His pale eyes glowed faintly — the ripple of the Rinnegan visible for an instant. The chill of his chakra made Kōrin tremble uncontrollably.
"I—I wouldn't dare!"
"You dare plenty." Shigeo's voice was like ice.
"He asked you to lead him to me, and you obeyed. That's enough."
He raised a hand. "Kōrin, you're no longer needed in Blue Gate."
"Rinnegan — Banshō Ten'in (Universal Pull)."
Kōrin screamed as an invisible force yanked him forward. Shigeo seized him by the collar, tore the badge from his belt, and pressed two fingers against his forehead.
In that instant, Kōrin's body went limp — his soul pulled free, drawn into Shigeo's palm like a wisp of smoke.
The power of the Rinnegan — Ningendō (Human Path).
Orochimaru froze. Then he quickly fell forward in a deep bow.
"My lord, please calm yourself! It's true — I did wish to study you. But I have never once harbored thoughts of rebellion. Please spare him — he acted only for the sake of Blue Gate and its disciples!"
Shigeo's eyes narrowed. "You think I don't know what you are, Orochimaru? You poisoned my men to stage your own rescue, just to earn an audience with me. Did you imagine I couldn't see through it?"
He took a slow step forward, the faintest smirk curling his lips.
"Don't forget — I was Tsunade's student. I can see the traces of toxins in a man's blood with a single glance."
Kōrin, his soul half-dragged from his body, shuddered. Realization dawned — and despair. Tears slipped down his cheeks, guilt twisting his face.
Orochimaru pressed his forehead into the sand.
"I only wished to follow you. There was no other way! It has become almost impossible to meet with you directly — I had to resort to this. Forgive my presumption, master."
Shigeo released his grip. Kōrin's body dropped heavily to the ground, gasping for air as his soul rejoined his body.
"Next time," Shigeo said coldly, "I won't give you another chance."
He flicked his sleeve dismissively.
Then his gaze fell again upon Orochimaru. With a slight movement of his fingers, a slender black rod appeared in his palm.
"You say you want to follow me? Then prove your loyalty."
He snapped the rod in half and tossed one piece to the ground in front of him.
The Rinnegan's Yin–Yang chakra pulsed within it — one of Shigeo's own Chakra Receivers, capable of relaying his will and storing the host's chakra. A weapon powerful enough to subjugate even a Tailed Beast.
He looked down at Orochimaru.
"Think carefully. Once this rod pierces your body, it will become part of you — no matter how many times you change hosts or bodies. It will merge into your very bloodline. From that moment on, your life, your chakra, even your thoughts, will all be mine to command. Do you still wish to follow me?"
A flicker of unease crossed Orochimaru's pale face.
He had heard of this technique — how Shigeo once created a chakra virus that spread through a single hair, annihilating an entire clan of rogue soldiers and even their monstrous matriarch.
Could this rod carry the same power?
He hesitated. His desire to obtain Shigeo's cells battled with the fear of losing himself entirely.
Shigeo smiled faintly and reached out to reclaim the rod—
But Orochimaru suddenly lunged forward, clutching it tightly.
Before Shigeo could react, the snake-sannin drove the black rod straight into his own chest.
It sank deep — into his heart.
Orochimaru's face contorted in pain as the invasive chakra surged through his body, searing him from within. Yet through the agony, his lips curved into a trembling smile.
"Master… now do you believe me?" he gasped.
"It was desperation that led me to strike at Blue Gate's headquarters. I wanted only to do something — anything — to prove my devotion. I won't make such a mistake again. Please, trust me."
Shigeo stared at him, a rare flash of surprise crossing his eyes.
He hadn't expected him to go that far.
"Then remember this," he said quietly. "If you want my trust — abandon your schemes. Show sincerity, not tricks."
With a flick of his cloak, he turned and disappeared into the mist.
Later, Kōrin was removed from Blue Gate and reassigned to Nammo Village as a security officer — his rank reduced.
All operations of Blue Gate were now under the management of Hongyan (Red Yan).
When Shigeo finally returned home, he sat down and opened his Mirror System Interface.
The cloning of all nine Tailed Beasts was complete.
The system chimed softly.
Reward: Special Gift Pack.
He opened it with a wave of his hand.
Inside were two items — a golden pill and a mirror.
It was the first time he had ever seen a treasure chest reward appear in the system.
[Golden Pill] — "Immortality Elixir. Warning to host: the age at which this pill is consumed will be the age you remain for eternity. Choose carefully."
Shigeo chuckled, turning the pill between his fingers before placing it back into the system inventory.
"I'm only seventeen," he murmured. "Too soon for that. Maybe in two years."
[Dividing Consciousness Mirror] — "When activated in the host's mind, any individual appearing within consciousness may temporarily inherit the host's abilities without sharing chakra. Duration: twenty-four hours. At expiration, the target retains a portion of the power. Note: subject to bloodline compatibility."
Shigeo's eyes lit up.
"Interesting. So it can enhance others, huh?"
He asked aloud, "System — what if I summon multiple individuals at once?"
System Response: "All may divide the light."
"Perfect," he said, smiling. "Now that's a real upgrade."
He spent the evening studying every line of the mirror's description.
Meanwhile — far away in Kumogakure, the Fourth Raikage raged within his hospital room, his injuries still fresh.
"Send word to Konoha!" he shouted. "I want an explanation!"
Days later, his envoys stormed into the Hokage's office.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, frowned deeply.
"Hyūga Shigeo left Konoha seven years ago," he said calmly. "He is no longer one of our shinobi. Whatever grudge you have is not our concern."
The envoy slammed a fist on the desk. "Then hear this, Sarutobi! If you refuse to give us a proper answer — we won't hesitate to start another war!"
The air in the office grew heavy.
Another storm was brewing in the shinobi world.
(End of Chapter)
[50 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter]
[10 Reviews = 5 Extra Chapter]
[Check out my Patreon to read 20+ chapters ahead]
[[email protected]/Zukooo]