INTERLUDE (1)

KONOHA

Six Years Ago.

"...Patriarch?" Inoichi mumbled in wonder as the Uchiha boy exited the room. Frowning, he glanced at the Hokage; the older shinobi's gaze remained fixed on the door that had just shut behind the boy. Hiruzen's shoulders sagged. At that moment, he looked to have aged ten years.

A knock came from beyond the door. The flimsy wooded barrier, absolutely littered with kanji and Fūinjutsu seals, opened as Kotetsu, one of his subordinates from the Intelligence Division, entered.

"Yes?" Inochi asked the Tokubetsu-jōnin.

"The analysis team have compiled their report, Leader-san."

The Yamanaka patriarch received the scroll containing the report, skimming through it as the Tokubetsu-jōnin departed the council. "Any progress with Fuu?" Hiruzen asked. Inoichi shook his head.

"They arrived at the same conclusion I did, Hokage-sama. Whatever technique the boy used was insidious beyond belief. It targets the soul, corroding it, near-absolutely; easily S-rank… Even in this gathering, few would survive being subjected to it."

The room fell silent.

"...I would evaluate the boy an A-rank threat. Deadly, yes, but a glass cannon nonetheless. Given the state he was in when the ANBU arrived, he would be hard-pressed to use the technique more than once in quick succession. Even then, it would be unlikely he survives such a strain on his chakra network."

"That's unlikely to remain true for the foreseeable future," Shimura grounded out, his gravelly voice filling the silence that followed Inoichi's announcement. "The boy has shown potential unsurpassed by any before him. Not even Itachi showed this much promise. His mastery of the fire-style jutsu he used against Fuu would easily rival that of most Jōnin… Hiruzen… The boy must not be allowed to live."

Surprise coloured Inoichi's expression for a split second before it was immediately suppressed. The killing intent with which Danzo spoke those words raised the hackles at the back of the Yamanaka's patriarch's neck.

"Danzo…" the Hokage rumbled, his countenance turning grave. "You speak of the hatred he carries with such trepidation, yet all you've done since is fan the flames. Did you truly believe Konohagakure would have gone unscathed if you succeeded in murdering the boy? ... You subvert my authority time and time again. It seems I have been too lax with you You will resign from your post as councilman today. Sasuke is to remain untouched; all information on this matter is now classified up to S-rank."

Inoichi could no longer suppress his surprise. Neither could any of his fellow council members. 'It seems there's more to this matter than meets the eye,' the Yamanaka patriarch realised, his expression turning grave.

***

A Week Ago.

Sarutobi inhaled deeply, the smoke from his pipe filling his lungs. "Now then," he said, putting the pipe aside, "I'd like to hear first from those who have overseen the training of our newest junior ninja. Masters Kakashi, Kurenai and Asuma, tell me, do any of you have, among your charges, any genin you would recommend for this year's Chūnin exams?"

Sarutobi took another lungful of tobacco before continuing. "Remember, before I consider them, they must have completed a minimum of eight missions. Beyond that, I would urge you to employ your own judgement as to whether or not they are fit to attempt the exams. To be truly competitive, candidates should have completed at least double the recommended number of missions, and have shown maturity and competence befitting of a shinobi of their status … Kurenai, you may begin."

"Yes, Hokage-sama," the red-eyed woman replied. "I recommend my charge, cell number eight consisting of Hyuga Hinata, Izunuka Kiba and Aburame Shino. I believe these three are ready to attempt this year's Journeymen Exams."

Sarutobi nodded, his gaze panning towards Asuma. "Asuma?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama. I recommend my charge, cell number ten consisting of Yamanaka Ino, Akimichi Choji and Nara Shikamaru. I believe these three are also ready to attempt this year's Journeymen Exams."

"Kakashi?"

"I recommend cell number seven consisting of Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Sasuke. As with my colleagues, I also believe these three are ready to attempt this year's Chūnin Exams, Hokage-sama."

Sarutobi paused, shooting a glance at the silver-haired shinobi. "...How unusual of you three to have unhesitantly assented. Especially you Kakashi. I have my doubts as to whether Team Seven, in its entirety, is truly capable of undergoing this hurdle… Are you certain your response did not stem from bias in light of a certain Genin's… outstanding brilliance? Certainly, they are all bright and have shown both commitment and talent… But isn't it too soon for Naruto and Sakura to take these exams?"

"...I understand your hesitation, Hokage-sama," Kakashi began, "and in a way, I share them as well. But still, I believe this is the right choice. For their sakes… and Sasuke's too."

"It's a harsh and unforgiving test, Kakashi. You might be rushing them into it. Only with time will they have the experience and maturity required for this."

"I understand, Hokage-sama, but I remain adamant... I believe in them; what my kids lack in experience they more than make up for in surprise."

"...Have it your way, then. But remember, I would be holding you accountable for whatever comes of this."

"I understand, Hokage-sama."

***

Orochimaru knelt by one of the corpses by his feet. He liked this one; its face was soft and feminine with just the right amount of edge to give off a predatory vibe. Its body was tall and lean, packed with dense musculature that hinted towards the masculine nature of its identity. It was perfect.

With his vanity sated, the sanin called upon his chakra. His hands formed the Snake seal; then Dog and Monkey, both distilling copying and transformation natures respectively into the technique. Dragon followed after, to facilitate the merging of identities, with Rat ending the technique.

"Shōshagan no Jutsu," he mumbled. Vanishing facial copy jutsu. Orochimaru felt his chakra drain into the palm of his right hand as the technique took hold. With a smile he reached out for the corpse's face, caressing it as his chakra mythically peeled it away, leaving behind a featureless head. He placed the skin mask on his face, inhaling as it bound to his skin.

His hand came away, falling to his side. He smiled, then frowned, testing the disguise before directing his attention towards his figure. His chakra churned again, his body morphing to mimic the form of the corpse by his feet as he executed Henge no Jutsu. The two techniques worked together in tandem, perfecting themselves until his transformation became flawless.

Orochimaru glanced at the men who stood by his side. Being reasonably competent, his two subordinates had also performed the technique flawlessly. It was a small testament to their skill as shinobi as the Jutsu was one that required a level of chakra control most Shinobi would be hard-pressed to possess.

Glancing back at the corpse of the Kusa-nin by his feet, the snake-sanin reached into its garments. His search was quickly rewarded as his hands came away, holding a bundle of papers. Travel documents and a recommendation granting permission to partake in this year's Chūnin exams. With a smile, Orochimaru tucked the papers away in the folds of his clothing before forming a one-handed seal and flickering away from the scene, his accomplices in tow.

***

Orochimaru arrived, undetected, at the academy minutes later. There he waited under the shade of a tree.

His patience was rewarded a few minutes later as a figure flickered into view.

"...Sasuke. Uchiha," the snake-sanin exhaled, unable to contain himself. The boy was everything he expected and more. A simple, dark-blue kimono hung from his shoulders, concealing the silk mesh, forearm guards and other shinobi accessories he wore underneath. The garment was embroidered with the image of an uchiwa on the back and high-collared in the manner the Uchiha were so fond of. His long, silken mane hung loosely from his head, dancing hypnotically every once in a while in the afternoon breeze. On his feet were a pair of Getas, the sagely, wooden footwear raising his height by an extra inch.

His face and his body were very beautiful and set into hard lines that belied a maturity far beyond that of his peers.

"...Yes," Orochimaru breathed again. "He would make the perfect vessel to succeed me…"