Late at night. The same bridge. The same nondescript samurai's face.
Orochimaru had been waiting for quite some time.
Finally, Masahiko broke the surface of the water, emerging in his disguise.
"Masahiko-kun," Orochimaru said, his expression hovering somewhere between a smile and a smirk. "Framing someone… that isn't exactly how partners should conduct themselves, is it?"
"Orochimaru-sama, you have so much trouble clinging to you already; surely one more incident won't weigh you down," Masahiko responded with a light laugh.
"I do not fear trouble, but I also do not appreciate being used. However…" Orochimaru let out a cold chuckle. "If Masahiko-kun can satisfy my curiosity, I will consider this favor done pro bono."
"It is actually quite simple. I read your notes on Soft Physique Modification and developed a few tricks of my own. I have achieved a small degree of success recently," Masahiko replied casually.
As he spoke, he offered a brief demonstration. His body seemed to twist in an unnatural way.
Witnessing this, Orochimaru appeared deep in thought. "Training the body's flexibility to such an extreme… that should be nearly impossible, no?"
"It is difficult," Masahiko admitted, offering no attempt to hide the method. "That is why I utilize certain techniques to forcefully activate the body."
Orochimaru, a man who had researched every corner of the ninja arts, understood immediately.
Using Lightning Style to stimulate cellular activity.
He couldn't help but sigh in admiration. "When I first traced this information, I immediately suspected you. But I never imagined you would execute the frame-up in such a manner… You really are a genius."
Orochimaru shook his head gently, a look of genuine regret crossing his face. "It is a pity you will not come with me. If you did, I could help you grow so much faster."
"I am quite satisfied with where I am right now." Masahiko's smile was inscrutable, making it impossible to distinguish truth from performance.
Orochimaru did not linger. He turned to leave, dropping one final sentence over his shoulder.
"Consider this a bonus piece of intelligence: Itachi Uchiha is here as well."
"Noted."
Masahiko's figure flickered and vanished without a trace.
The Capital — Guest House
Kurenai Yuhi paced back and forth across the room.
Orochimaru is in the Capital.
This intelligence had turned her initial worry into restless anxiety. She was only a Tokubetsu Jōnin. Even with Masahiko, if the two of them were thrown together against one of the Legendary Sannin, the outcome was grim.
Especially since…
For some reason, Masahiko wasn't here tonight.
Relying on her sensory abilities and the understanding of his chakra she had built up recently, she could tell that whatever was inside his room was not the real Yagyū Masahiko.
She bit her lip, her mind racing for a countermeasure. Suddenly, a voice came from the hallway.
"Kurenai? Are you still awake?"
Her eyes lit up at the sound. After a careful sensory sweep to confirm his identity, she immediately opened the door.
Masahiko stood in the hallway. Seeing Kurenai fully geared up in her flak jacket, he realized she hadn't been fooled by his decoy.
"Shall we talk out here?"
"Get in here," Kurenai whispered, dragging him inside and shutting the door firmly behind him. "Where did you go?"
"I went to take a look at Kazuma's side of things. Almost got caught, too. Fortunately, I only used a Shadow Clone to scout," Masahiko replied. He paused for a second before adding, "Inside the room next door, there's an Anbu protecting Naruto. I took the opportunity during the exchange today to reach an agreement with him."
Kurenai's tension spiked, and she scolded him in a hushed, frantic tone. "Do you realize Orochimaru is in the Capital? If you ran into him, do you think you'd make it back alive?"
"Orochimaru is in the Capital?" Masahiko feigned shock, his eyes widening perfectly.
Kurenai nodded gravely. "And it's very likely Shisui is here too. They might have formed an alliance. Two S-Rank Rogue Ninja… this is already beyond what we can handle."
Masahiko's expression turned solemn.
Kurenai sighed, seeing he understood the gravity of the situation. She pursed her lips. "Tell me… do you think we should take Naruto and retreat to Konoha?"
"That's not realistic. Since they allowed Naruto to come here, they won't let him leave easily," Masahiko analyzed, shaking his head. "Conversely, Lord Hokage and the others wouldn't have agreed to let Naruto come to the Capital without preparations."
Kurenai's anxious heart began to settle as she listened to his calm logic.
"What do you mean?"
"Lord Hokage definitely has other arrangements. Kakashi-senpai should be here as well, right?" Masahiko said.
Kurenai nodded slightly. "The intel about Orochimaru… Kakashi was the one who brought it to me."
"Asuma and Chiriku-senpai are here too. We have allies against this common enemy," Masahiko explained patiently, soothing her fears. Then, he frowned slightly. "What we actually need to worry about is the attitude of the Radical Faction. If Orochimaru's presence in the Capital is connected to them…"
"I think we don't need to worry about that particular mystery anymore."
A lazy voice drifted in from outside the door.
Kurenai opened it to reveal Kakashi Hatake standing there. He looked at the two of them—Kurenai pulling Masahiko into her room late at night—and couldn't help but chuckle.
"My, you two certainly are in sync."
"What's the situation?" Kurenai asked hurriedly, ignoring the tease. She glanced at the wall separating them from Naruto. "I've set up a barrier around Naruto; he can't hear us."
Kakashi's demeanor turned serious. "The nobles have pooled their money to hire quite a few ninja. Orochimaru and Shisui Uchiha appear to be among them."
"What do they want to do?" Kurenai felt as though a bucket of ice water had been dumped over her.
With a lineup like that…
Are they planning a rebellion?
She took a deep breath. "So, what's our move?"
Kakashi glanced at Masahiko.
Masahiko looked at his nose, and his nose looked at his heart—the picture of meditative silence.
Kakashi remained silent for a few seconds before speaking. "First, we wait and see what their objective is."
The Next Day
Kurenai rushed out early to synchronize information with Asuma and the others.
Naruto was training in the courtyard, growing increasingly bored. He muttered about wanting to go back to Konoha to run laps with his friends. Originally, they were scheduled to visit a school today, but due to the death of Kitane, the Daimyō and the conservative faction sensed something was wrong and abruptly halted all movements.
Masahiko stayed with Naruto, guarding him closely. He went nowhere during the day.
He believed that no further push from him was needed; the conflict between the two factions would naturally boil over. All Masahiko needed to do was deliver a critical blow at the very end—and harvest the people he needed.
To that end, he needed to prepare some Shadow Clones in advance.
Just as he was closing his eyes to rest and recover chakra, a noise erupted from outside.
Kurenai returned, looking frantic.
"It's bad!"
She flickered into the room with the Body Flicker Technique, glanced at Naruto, and then locked eyes with Masahiko. "Seito and the others located Kazuma's stronghold outside the city. They've already gone to confront him!"
"What is Asuma's stance?" Masahiko asked calmly.
"He hopes we can assist—at the very least, to save Seito and his team."
"He and Chiriku have already gone?"
"Yes." Kurenai nodded.
Masahiko pondered for a moment. "Do you have a sealing scroll?"
"I do."
Masahiko created a Shadow Clone and immediately sealed it inside the scroll Kurenai handed him.
"Keep this Shadow Clone with you. If you run into a critical situation, use it to cover your retreat."
"..."
Naruto, watching the exchange, could tell that something serious had happened in the Capital. He began to look nervous, especially realizing Masahiko might be leaving.
"It's fine. I'm just going to take a look," Masahiko reassured him.
Naruto gulped loudly. "Sensei, I… I want to go too!"
Kurenai froze for a moment and looked at Masahiko.
Masahiko tilted his head slightly, his gaze drifting to a nearby rooftop.
Up on the roof, the concealed Kakashi revealed himself for a split second, flashing a hand sign: 'Approved.'
Masahiko nodded. "Then let's go together."
He grabbed Naruto, and they vanished from the guest house, sprinting toward the eastern outskirts of the city—the location Kurenai had identified as Kazuma's temporary hideout.
However.
Just as they left the city suburbs, before they could even reach the coordinates Kurenai mentioned…
A figure slowly rose from the earth a short distance ahead of them.
Once fully emerged, the figure let out a cold laugh. "Is this all of you?"
"Orochimaru!"
Masahiko's hand flew to the hilt of his sword, his face darkening. "What do you want?"
"Heh, I merely wish to retrieve something. Step aside; I have no desire to kill anyone today."
Orochimaru took a step forward, walking straight toward Naruto Uzumaki.
Naruto's eyes were wide with terror. His body was frozen stiff, unable to move a muscle.
Kurenai swallowed hard. The sheer pressure of the Sannin's killing intent forced her to take an involuntary step back.
Only after she moved did she realize what she had done.
What am I doing?
I actually retreated in fear!
Shame and anger washed over her in equal measure. Her grip on her kunai tightened until the veins on her hand bulged.