Deep within the Forest of Death, in a location so hidden it could almost be forgotten by the world, Orochimaru held a slender, ash-colored serpent in his hand, his expression curling into an eerie smile.
Kabuto Yakushi stood respectfully at his side, glancing over with curiosity. "Lord Orochimaru, is something the matter?"
"It's nothing," Orochimaru replied, his voice cold and sharp as a blade. "I've just discovered a rather interesting little brat."
The moment he recalled what Neji Hyuga had done to him, a shadow passed over Orochimaru's face. Fury surged through his veins, and with a sudden, violent twist, he crushed the snake in his hand.
That was humiliation.
Kabuto flinched. Never before had he seen Orochimaru release such pure, deadly killing intent.
Yet he was wise enough not to ask further. As a tool of Orochimaru's will, his only role was to obey, not to question.
A long silence passed before Orochimaru finally regained his composure.
"Kabuto," he said suddenly, "after the Chunin Exams, you will come with me."
He narrowed his serpentine eyes.
"That boy discovered us long ago."
"What?!" Kabuto's calm mask cracked for the first time. "Then why didn't he report us to the Leaf?"
"Who knows?" Orochimaru let out a low, sinister chuckle.
He couldn't read Neji Hyuga at all. The boy had known of his presence from the start, had multiple chances to report him to Konoha, even had opportunities to kill him, and yet had let him go time and time again.
"What exactly is he trying to do?"
Or perhaps... Orochimaru's eyes turned glacial.
"Danzo."
Yes, Danzo. He was the only one who knew Orochimaru's true plan. Keeping Orochimaru alive to challenge Hiruzen Sarutobi was precisely what Danzo would want.
"Danzo... you sly old fox."
At that very moment, on the other side of the Forest of Death, Neji's expression shifted.
His connection to one of the surveillance snakes had just been severed.
"So he noticed after all."
Withdrawing his attention from the disrupted link, Neji remained unfazed. Though he was mildly surprised Orochimaru had caught on, it didn't trouble him.
He had no intention of engaging Orochimaru just yet. His focus shifted instead to Kin Tsuchi, who stood nearby.
He wondered just how powerful he could become once he had fully drained her value.
"Orochimaru, don't disappoint me."
In front of Neji, Sasuke Uchiha sat with half of his face swollen grotesquely. Honestly, when Naruto had dragged him out of the dirt moments ago, Neji had been sorely tempted to land another punch.
That puffed-up, pig-like face was truly an eyesore.
But Sasuke's thoughts weren't on appearances. His mind was still looping the events of the earlier battle.
He hadn't even managed to withstand a single strike.
It was a devastating blow to his pride.
"Why? Why am I still so weak?" Sasuke screamed, overcome by frustration.
He had the Sharingan. He had the Curse Mark. And yet, he was still pathetically outmatched. At this rate, how could he ever hope to kill that man and avenge his clan?
Neji glanced at him with undisguised disdain.
With that level of strength, unless you get the Rinnegan, you'll never defeat Itachi.
Unwilling to linger, Neji turned and leapt away, dragging Kin behind him.
After he disappeared into the distance, Naruto finally voiced the question that had been burning in his mind.
"Sakura, what's Neji planning to do with that girl?"
He had been wanting to ask for a while, but something about Neji made him too nervous to speak. Now that the boy was gone, curiosity got the better of him.
He already had a vague idea, though he found it hard to believe.
Crack.
Sakura smacked him hard on the head. "Shut up! Mind your own business."
Still, she couldn't help glancing in the direction Neji had gone, her expression filled with longing and bitterness.
Sure, Kin was pretty, but she wasn't exactly out of her league. Why had Neji chosen her?
Neji paid no attention to what they might be thinking. He looked down at Kin with satisfaction.
She was the key to his strength.
After finding a quiet, secluded spot, Neji flung Kin to the ground.
"Mmmph… mmph…" Kin's mouth was gagged, her cries muffled and helpless.
Neji remained unmoved. In his eyes, she was no longer a person but a treasure trove of potential. Now was the time to refine his physical limits.
Under Kin's terrified gaze, Neji stepped closer.
"Relax. I'm a man of principles," he said calmly. "I won't do anything too excessive."
He took her hand.
"Host has held hands with Kin Tsuchi. Reward: Chakra capacity increased by 10 percent."
Not a massive gain, but still valuable. The growth was percentage-based. Early on, these seemed like small steps, but over time, each improvement would bring about a qualitative change.
I must keep walking down the path of power, no matter how far it takes me. Quantity will eventually become quality.
Kin, terrified and utterly confused, had no idea what Neji was planning. He seemed calm now, almost gentle, but this was the same boy who had killed her teammates without hesitation.
Her instincts screamed that her end would be ugly.
When Neji reached out again, she flinched and shut her eyes tight, bracing for pain.
But instead of a blow, she felt a soft pressure on her head.
"Host has used the head-pat technique on Kin Tsuchi. Reward: Strength increased by 20 percent."
Tch. Not chakra?
Neji frowned slightly. What he needed most now was chakra, not raw strength.
He's not killing me?
Kin was stunned, frozen in disbelief. She stood there, unsure what to do next.
Then Neji reached out once more. Kin's heart leapt in fear again.
To her astonishment, she suddenly found herself wrapped in a warm embrace.
"Host has hugged Kin Tsuchi. Reward: Chakra capacity increased by 50 percent."
Ah, now that's what I'm talking about.
Neji smiled. These percentage-based gains were beginning to show real results. He could feel it.
His body had never felt stronger. His chakra reserves had never felt fuller.
Though Kin's overall strength was limited, the boost she gave him had pushed his chakra reserves to jōnin level.
Satisfied, Neji pulled out a kunai.
This was enough.
Kin saw the glint of the blade and finally understood.
This man had never harbored good intentions.
But it didn't matter. As long as she survived, she would have her chance to take revenge.
Yet this time, as Neji reached for her, Kin did not shrink back. In fact, she leaned in ever so slightly.
Neji blinked. Was this woman tired of living?
Very well. Since I've gone this far, I might as well send you on your way.
"Wait... why is he holding a kunai?" Kin's eyes widened. A terrible realization struck her, and she tried to twist away.
Too late.
Shhk.
The blade pierced her heart.
"You played me?" That was her final thought, filled with fury and disbelief.
He'd toyed with her, kept her guessing, filled her with false hope, only to kill her without warning.
She died with rage in her heart.
"Rest in peace."
In this world, gender meant nothing. Good or evil meant nothing. Only sides mattered. And when you stood on the wrong side, your fate was sealed.
A tongue of flame lit the corpse, and Neji disappeared into the forest's shadows.
Elsewhere, deeper in the Forest of Death...
Three genin from the Village Hidden in the Grass were strolling leisurely through the woods, showing no signs of caution.