Konoha's Snake Sanin

The underground secret passage was narrow and dimly lit. The air was thick with a foul odor due to poor ventilation.

"This is the real ninja life," Kazuya mused, somewhat admiringly. Such an environment made it uncomfortable for him to stay even ten minutes, yet Orochimaru had conducted experiments here for years. Orochimaru was no ordinary person. Despite his dark pursuits, Orochimaru was surprisingly humane towards Konoha's ninjas, refraining from cruelty unless it involved his experiments. Otherwise, even the Third Hokage wouldn't dare split up Anbu's troops against him—Orochimaru was a Sannin, a Kage-level ninja who could annihilate an entire Anbu squad.

The underground facility was a medium-sized experimental base. Upon entering, they saw two human laboratories. On the left, dozens of containers held human subjects, their purpose unclear but undoubtedly nefarious. The right side was even more grotesque, with large containers holding creatures with snake heads and human bodies or vice versa, some of which were still alive and writhing in agony.

Several researchers in the lab fell to their knees in terror when they saw the Third Hokage, trembling with fear.

"F**k!" Kazuya exclaimed internally. He knew Orochimaru was a dark scientist but hadn't realized the extent of his horrific experiments. The sight reminded him of Shaw Tucker from "Fullmetal Alchemist," who had fused his daughter and pet dog into a chimera—a childhood trauma. Shaw Tucker was even more reviled than Shimura Danzō in villain rankings.

Kazuya sighed inwardly. Orochimaru was indeed a monster in human skin. Even the battle-hardened Third Hokage was taken aback.

"Orochimaru!!!" Third Hokage roared, gritting his teeth. His disciple had truly become a demon. If this lab's horrors were exposed, the political fallout could force the Hokage to abdicate.

While Third Hokage hesitated, flames suddenly engulfed the lab. It was Kazuya who had acted, using the Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique.

Third Hokage, Sarutobi Shinnosuke, and Neko turned to look.

"Sorry," Kazuya said calmly. "Orochimaru's subordinates tried to attack, so I acted."

With the evidence destroyed, Third Hokage's anger subsided somewhat. "Kazuya, you did well. These people who have fallen into darkness cannot be forgiven and must be executed on the spot."

"Yes, Lord Hokage!" Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Neko agreed.

"Kazuya!" Third Hokage's stern expression softened. "You truly embody the will of fire!"

"All for the village, all for Lord Hokage!" Kazuya declared, though he himself didn't fully believe the words.

"Yes, everything we do is for the village!" Third Hokage echoed, looking at Kazuya with increasing admiration. This was the kind of talent the village needed.

"Orochimaru!" Third Hokage suddenly sensed something, his expression darkening as he vanished from sight.

"Captain Kazuya, then we..." Sarutobi Shinnosuke looked to Kazuya for direction.

"You two go and execute those who have fallen into darkness," Kazuya ordered. "I will support Hokage-sama!"

"But..." Sarutobi Shinnosuke hesitated. The battle between his father and Orochimaru was a Kage-level duel, deadly even for an Elite Jōnin. Yet, Captain Kazuya charged ahead without hesitation, reminiscent of Jiraiya facing the Fourth Raikage.

Neko interjected, "Shinnosuke, you control the underground base. Captain Kazuya and I will support Lord Hokage!"

"Yes, Vice Captain!" Sarutobi Shinnosuke didn't hesitate further and left to secure the base, planning to support his father as soon as possible.

"Captain Kazuya?"

"Let's go!" Kazuya was eager to witness the master-student battle between Third Hokage and Orochimaru. A clash of two peak Kage-level, perhaps even super Kage-level, ninjas would be spectacular.

As they approached the battlefield, Kazuya glanced at Neko beside him. On the night of the Nine Tails attack, the Anbu captain had died, and this position remained vacant. Neko, as the highest-ranking Anbu, wielded significant power, similar to Jōnin class leader Nara Shikaku. He could influence the choice of Hokage candidates.

In a small laboratory, Third Hokage stared grimly at the corpses hanging on the wall. "Orochimaru, I'm very disappointed in you!" he said. "You have completely forgotten the "will of fire" and fallen into evil!"

Among the corpses were members of the Uchiha clan and missing Anbu ninjas. Orochimaru had crossed an unforgivable line.

"Hehe..." Orochimaru's pale face twisted with a sinister smile. "My teacher, the will of fire is worthless! In this world, only the pursuit of eternal life is valuable! Hahahaha!"

"The Will of Fire..." Orochimaru mocked. "When you grow old, can it save you from the Shinigami's call?"

Hearing this, Third Hokage's expression turned extremely grim. His disciple was beyond redemption.