Chapter 31 — Malice Stirring in the Darkness
Deep underground, inside a hollowed-out cavern.
The lamps burned steadily, yet the gloom never lifted.
The air was thick with the scent of damp soil—and beneath it lingered a faint, decaying odor, like something ancient and half-rotted was waiting to die.
---
"How is the boy progressing?"
A low, weary voice echoed through the chamber.
"Far better than expected,"
came the reply from the shadows.
"He has fully adapted to the erosion of the Hashirama cells and is rapidly regaining his health. He's… a promising candidate."
"Good. Then it's time to move forward with the next phase."
The voice hidden in the darkness hesitated.
"You mean…?"
The old man seated on the stone chair lifted his gaze toward the thick blackness pooling in the corner.
"The one Obito cherishes most is that girl—Nohara Rin, isn't it?
Use her to show him the true face of this hellish world."
A pause.
Then a doubtful murmur floated out:
"Now? Isn't this too soon?
Obito has only adapted to the Hashirama cells."
"It's enough,"
the old man said calmly.
"Anyone who can withstand Hashirama's cells without being devoured already possesses immense potential.
And for us Uchiha… strength awakens in a single instant."
A reluctant sigh.
"Very well. I'll send the message."
"Go."
The dense shadow in the corner thinned, peeling away like mist.
On the stone chair, the old man slowly closed his eyes—slipping into a shallow, corpse-like slumber.
---
Meanwhile—
After more than ten days away, Hyūga Ritsu returned to the Eastern Front camp.
The scenery was unchanged; the war had not shifted.
Both Konoha and Kirigakure continued their relentless tug-of-war, throwing lives into the grinder day after day.
At the main gate of the encampment—
"Clan Leader!"
Hyūga Takashi, one of the clan's elders, led a group of Hyūga forward to greet him.
After Konoha officially issued its announcement regarding the upheaval within the Hyūga clan, Hyūga Ritsu gathered with his elders to discuss how to handle the group of clan members still stationed on the Eastern Front—especially those loyal to the now-fallen Main House.
In the end, they decided that the eldest elder, the forty-four-year-old Hyūga Takashi, would personally travel to the frontlines carrying a letter from Hyūga Hiashi.
The goal was simple: de-escalate the situation.
Convince those loyalists to accept reality.
If persuasion failed, then at the very least, prevent them from causing chaos.
---
"Was everything handled smoothly?"
Ritsu asked.
"The process was extremely dangerous…
But in the end, the outcome was acceptable."
Hyūga Takashi still looked shaken.
"What happened?"
"Hiashi's letter saved us all,"
Takashi replied with lingering fear.
"Clan Leader, your wisdom truly saved the day.
If you hadn't spared Hiashi, we would have had a full-blown civil war at the front camp."
Takashi explained the situation:
The group brought to the front by Hiashi, Hyūga Daichi, and Hyūga Hishō were all die-hard loyalists of the Main House.
When they heard that nearly all Main House members had been wiped out, they flew into a frenzy.
They tried to kill Takashi and the others on the spot.
Then they planned to storm back to Konoha to "restore order"—in other words, to overturn Ritsu's leadership.
Only Takashi's quick reaction—pulling out Hiashi's handwritten letter—prevented catastrophe.
Once the loyalists saw Hiashi's own words, they deflated instantly like frostbitten eggplants.
The letter extinguished their murderous resolve.
---
"You've done well, Elder Takashi."
Ritsu did not explain that he'd spared Hiashi mostly to keep a promise to Hyūga Hizashi, not out of foresight.
But whether it was strategy or luck didn't matter now.
The crisis had been averted—and his own prestige soared even higher.
"Not at all, not at all,"
Takashi laughed heartily.
"Compared to everything you've done, Clan Leader, this was nothing.
Right—you're going to see Orochimaru, yes? I'll take you there."
Ritsu actually knew the camp like the back of his hand—he'd helped build it, after all.
But he didn't refuse the elder's goodwill.
So, accompanied by Takashi, he walked to the large command tent in the center of the camp, where the Eastern Front's commanding officer awaited.
---
Inside the Command Tent
"Ritsu-kun, we meet again!"
Orochimaru greeted him from behind a desk, a bright smile stretched across his pale features.
"Orochimaru-senpai… thank you for your help last time."
"Hmm? Did I do anything?"
"Regardless, I will remember that favor."
Ritsu spoke sincerely.
He knew very well that without Orochimaru issuing him a legitimate assignment, leaving the camp would have been considered desertion.
Even if he reached Konoha, ANBU and elite jōnin would come hunting him.
Orochimaru's signature had saved his life.
And Ritsu never forgets favors—or grudges.
One day, he would repay this debt.
---
"Give me the Hokage's dispatch order,"
Orochimaru said lazily.
"I'll assign you your role."
Ritsu handed over the document.
Orochimaru skimmed it, then suddenly raised an eyebrow.
He looked up.
"Ritsu-kun… are you certain this document wasn't swapped on the way here?"
"I kept it with me at all times."
"If that's the case… then listen carefully:
Before you arrived, the village appointed Aburame Ryōma as Deputy Commander of the Eastern Front."
Ritsu's eyes narrowed.
Aburame Ryōma.
Danzo's trusted subordinate.
Sending him here now—
Ritsu could practically taste the hidden malice seeping from beneath the deceptively calm surface.
"The tree wishes for stillness, yet the wind refuses to stop,"
Ritsu whispered.
"How relentless."
A cold light glinted in his eyes.
But then—
His expression smoothed into an easygoing smile.
"It's fine, Orochimaru-senpai.
Hardship is nothing new. I didn't return to the frontlines for comfort.
And danger? There is no battlefield without danger.
I'm here to wash away the shame those useless Main House fools brought to the clan.
And I will take back the stolen Byakugan."
Orochimaru studied him deeply, his smile growing sharper.
"Ritsu-kun, you truly are exceptional.
I'm beginning to feel a little jealous of Hiruko—being able to take a disciple like you."
Ritsu only smiled silently.
Orochimaru chuckled, shaking his head.
"Very well. Since you have no objections, rest here for now.
If I'm right, orders for you will arrive soon.
I look forward to the surprises you'll bring me."
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