Tap, tap. Orochimaru approached the building, his steps deliberate. As he reached for the door, he paused, eyes narrowing.
"The handle's been touched." He murmured, scrutinizing the faint disturbance. He wasn't overly concerned, perhaps some curious soul had wandered by.
His hidden laboratory, however, was secure. Even if a ninja discovered the sealed entrance, they'd need the precise method to unlock it. Forcing it would trigger the lab's self-destruct mechanism, leaving Orochimaru free to deny any involvement.
Shaking his head, he entered, locking the door behind him and heading straight for the room concealing the lab's entrance. But as he stepped inside, a chill gripped him, a mix of fear and fury.
The carpet lay crumpled in a corner, and the sealed entrance, protected by his custom seal, stood open.
Only Orochimaru should have known that seal. He'd refined it himself, ensuring no one else could unravel it. Yet here it was, breached. Could someone else know its secret?
Uncertainty gnawed at him.
"Who could it be?" Orochimaru took a deep breath, steeling himself. "Let's find out."
With an icy expression, he descended into the underground lab. As his foot touched the floor, he spotted a small, familiar figure.
The intruder was short, childlike. A glint of killing intent flashed in Orochimaru's eyes. This person had seen everything. If they informed Konoha, defection would be his only path, and Orochimaru wasn't ready to abandon the village.
Studying the faintly familiar silhouette, he spoke slowly. "Who are you?"
Tengen, having finished downloading the signal, sensed Orochimaru's approach. He chose to stay, opting to confront the issue head-on rather than slip away.
Playing hide-and-seek with Orochimaru wasn't his style. A direct conversation might yield better results, as Orochimaru would otherwise obsess over Tengen's intrusion, a fact Tengen understood well.
Hearing Orochimaru's question, Tengen turned, a smile on his face. "Orochimaru-sensei, what a surprise to meet here. Quite unexpected."
"Tengen." Orochimaru said, his pupils contracting. He hadn't anticipated his own student. The familiarity made sense now, Tengen had been under his tutelage, observed closely for some time.
"Sensei, I didn't expect you to be conducting human experiments." Tengen said, gesturing to the preserved corpses suspended in the lab's tanks.
"Tengen, this isn't mine. I only just arrived, noticing something amiss." Orochimaru said, shaking his head, refusing to admit culpability.
"Is that so? Then why do these scrolls bear your handwriting?" Tengen asked, holding up a scroll detailing Orochimaru's experiments.
Orochimaru's expression darkened. "Tengen, do you think passing the Chunin Exams gives you free rein? You haven't seen my true power."
"And I'm quite curious about that kekkei genkai of yours, the one that hardens your body." Orochimaru added, his tongue flicking across his lips.
"I have the utmost respect for you, Sensei. As one of the Sannin, you're undoubtedly formidable." Tengen replied.
"But I never imagined you'd uncover all this." Orochimaru said, his gaze chilling. "Care to explain how you bypassed my seal? That technique is mine alone. Tell me, and I'll make your end swift. Otherwise, don't blame your sensei."
Orochimaru's eyes were cold, devoid of warmth. This lab was his deepest secret. If Konoha's ninja discovered it, he'd face severe consequences, likely exile, even with his sensei, Hiruzen, as Hokage.
Other villages' ninja might be fair game, but here, Orochimaru knew, were Konoha's own, mostly Genin, some Chunin, and a rare few Jonin. Konoha's Jonin were scarce, and their disappearance would draw scrutiny. Subduing one wasn't simple, either, unless in a remote, isolated location with ample time.
For now, Orochimaru had no desire to betray Konoha. The village's backing was valuable, and he still harbored ambitions of becoming Hokage. He couldn't let Tengen expose him.
"I just happened to know how to undo the seal." Tengen said, shaking his head.
"Are you mocking me, Tengen?" Orochimaru laughed, his anger simmering. His student still wasn't being truthful.
Unbeknownst to Orochimaru, Tengen was telling the truth, just one so implausible it defied belief. Orochimaru hadn't taught that seal to anyone.
"Tengen, it seems I'll have to capture you and probe your mind for answers." Orochimaru said, his smile sinister.
"Sensei, I won't tell anyone about this." Tengen said. Exposing the lab would gain him nothing. Truthfully, Tengen's nature was pragmatic, even cold, he cared little unless those close to him were harmed.
"It's too late, Tengen." Orochimaru said, his eyes gleaming with menace.
"Wait, Sensei." Tengen began.
***
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