Children from the Hidden Leaf Village as test subjects.
Even a normal person wouldn't cause trouble on their own doorstep, let alone someone as cunning as Orochimaru, a scientist with countless escape plans.
Besides, the Third Hokage couldn't possibly be unaware of the human experiments.
In the Hidden Leaf Village, it's not so easy to escape the Hokage's watchful eyes.
So the real reason behind Orochimaru's defection...
It was likely because the higher-ups feared that if he failed to become Hokage, he might retaliate against the village.
Kushina was nearing childbirth, and the safety of the Jinchuriki was of utmost importance.
They feared Orochimaru might use that same drug on Kushina.
That was probably it.
What they didn't expect, however, was that even without Orochimaru, the Nine-Tails still rampaged.
And in the end, the Uchiha Clan took the blame, and were even forced to relocate.
"What's wrong, Yukika-kun?"
Seeing that Senju Yukika seemed a bit distracted, Orochimaru couldn't help but ask.
"If you're worried about the mission, there's no need," Orochimaru added. "I will cause the Eight-Tails to rampage as quickly as possible, then head to the intelligence room in the Hidden Cloud Village. We'll act together."
As if it were that simple.
Yukika smiled faintly. He knew Orochimaru meant well.
But saying it was one thing. Doing it was another.
Time waits for no one. Who knows what accidents might occur by then? Orochimaru would surely be busy too, and support might not arrive in time.
And Yukika knew that if he failed this mission, he'd face direct pressure from the Third Hokage.
"No, I was just wondering how you plan to make the Eight-Tails rampage, Orochimaru-sensei."
Ah, so that was it.
Orochimaru nodded, a glint of pride flashing across his face. He pulled out a bottle from his robes. Inside were small blue pills that looked quite unusual.
"Pills? Can I take a look?"
Yukika asked curiously.
Hesitating slightly, Orochimaru finally opened the bottle and handed a pill to Yukika.
"The materials for this were extremely hard to obtain. Just making one consumed all of my lab's remaining resources."
"But the effect is outstanding. Not just the Eight-Tails—even the Nine-Tails..."
Clearly proud of his creation, Orochimaru almost let something slip.
But seeing Yukika's expression, he quickly shut his mouth.
After all, the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki was Yukika's grandmother...
That kind of comment might've revealed too much.
Yukika shook his head, not minding Orochimaru's words.
If it works on the Eight-Tails, it's only natural it would be effective against the Nine-Tails as well.
That was to be expected.
But...
As he slowly put the pill away, Yukika's gaze shifted to the two large trees nearby. He began to approach step by step.
Thanks to his enhanced sensory abilities, he had already detected the bugs hiding there!
"Sou ka..."
"So, you guys know about this pill's properties too, huh?"
Swish!
A sudden movement sliced through the air.
Instant movement activated!
The spot where Yukika stood was now empty, leaving only a blur.
In the next instant, he was already at the base of one of the trees, his long blade piercing forward.
Shlurk.
Unlike the crisp sound of piercing wood, the blade meeting flesh and shattering bone sent chills down the spine.
Blood sprayed from the silhouette hiding in front of the tree, splashing onto Yukika's face.
Yet the boy remained calm throughout.
"In the flames of war, we are reborn."
He licked the blood from the corner of his mouth with a twisted smile, reaching out his bloodied hand to remove the forehead protector from the now-visible corpse.
He was a Leaf Shinobi.
Sent either by the ANBU or the Root Division to keep an eye on Yukika and the others.
"Orochimaru-sensei."
"It seems even your teacher doesn't fully trust you."
Withdrawing his bloodied sword from the corpse, Yukika only felt a brief discomfort at the stench before quickly adjusting.
Of course.
Once you step onto the battlefield, you live in hell.
If you can't adapt, you die.
As soon as the words left his mouth, Yukika vanished again like a phantom. In just a few blinks, he was back, this time holding a terrified ninja in his grip.
He brought the man before Nawaki.
"After being drenched in blood, even a young sprout will grow."
"Nawaki, my brother."
"Take up your kunai..."
"And pierce his heart!"