Naruto: Manipulation-Chapter 144: A Bunch of Treacherous Subordinates…

Life is filled with inevitable farewells.

Sometimes, disappearing without a word might be a blessing.

No matter how important someone is, their presence fades over time, until one day, they simply vanish, leaving only the dull passage of time in their wake.

Of course...

This kind of thinking didn't apply to Uzumaki Naruto.

For him, there were no farewells in life—only meetings and reunions. It was far too soon for a twelve-year-old to understand the pain of parting.

After returning from their first C-rank mission, Team 7 reported back to Konoha. Naruto excitedly ran to find Shigen, eager to talk about their mission in the Land of Waves, boasting about his contributions.

"Kakashi-sensei said that our C-rank mission ended up being as difficult as a B-rank or even an A-rank one! He said we're qualified to take the Chunin Exams this year!"

"If I pass and become a Chunin..."

Naruto adjusted his forehead protector, his eyes shining as he gazed at a Chunin passing by in a green vest.

"...I'll get to wear a Chunin uniform too!"

"Idiot."

Sasuke shot him a sideways glance.

"What did you say?!"

Naruto puffed up in anger but, for once, didn't argue back. Instead, he crossed his arms and huffed, as if remembering something that made him hesitate.

Clearly...

Something had happened during their mission that made Naruto more willing to back down when facing Sasuke.

Naruto sighed, looking around at the unfamiliar faces in the village.

"There are a lot more outsiders in Konoha lately..."

"Yeah."

Shigen's gaze lifted slightly, scanning the crowded streets before settling on three Rain Village shinobi.

They wore gas masks and had peculiar outfits—two men and one woman. The trio seemed to sense Shigen's stare and respectfully nodded at him before disappearing into the crowd.

"Well, it's the joint Chunin Exams."

Sasuke, too, observed the foreign ninja around them, his voice low.

"Kakashi-sensei said this year's exam will be dangerous. I've already seen a few strong opponents from other villages. That red-haired kid from the Sand Village... he's powerful."

During their journey back, Team 7 had already clashed with some of the visiting ninja. Sasuke had gotten a glimpse of what other villages had to offer.

And frankly...

Some of them were terrifying.

At least one of them had a killing intent that was absolutely real.

Had it not been for their mission in the Land of Waves, where they encountered a rogue ninja with an even more terrifying presence, Sasuke might have frozen in place when facing that Sand ninja's bloodlust.

A kid around their age...

Yet carrying such an overwhelming murderous aura.

If Sasuke had to guess, that boy—Gaara—was the most dangerous opponent in the upcoming Chunin Exams.

Of course...

Shigen didn't share Sasuke's opinion.

He had already seen far more dangerous individuals.

People who had entered the exams disguised as Genin.

For example...

Nagato and his team from Amegakure.

And more notably...

Orochimaru and Uchiha Obito.

Shigen remained calm as he chatted with the two boys before eventually parting ways, strolling casually into a secluded alleyway.

"Long time no see, Lord Shigen."

A raspy voice came from behind him.

Orochimaru.

Even though he and Obito had been scheming in the shadows to betray—perhaps even kill—Shigen, for now, he still technically served under him.

"We're here under orders to assist Nagato with assassinating Danzo."

Orochimaru spoke cheerfully, as if he were simply carrying out an assigned task.

"After all, I'm the only one who can lure Danzo out."

"Lord Shigen."

Nagato and his companions stepped forward.

"So, you've all arrived."

Shigen turned his head slightly. His Rinnegan no longer held its usual serene calmness—instead, there was only cold authority.

"Since you're here, I have one job for you. During the Chunin Exams, ensure the safety of Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

"Yes."

Pain agreed without hesitation.

After all, the safety of the Nine-Tails was crucial to the Akatsuki's long-term plans.

"Watch over him during the exams."

Shigen patted Nagato's shoulder, adding an explanation.

"That boy... like you, is also Jiraiya's student."

"Jiraiya-sensei's new disciple?"

Nagato sounded genuinely intrigued.

"..."

Orochimaru, too, couldn't help but flick his tongue out, licking his lips in curiosity.

After all...

Jiraiya was an old friend of his.

And as one of the people who knew him best, Orochimaru wouldn't underestimate Jiraiya's skill—especially when it came to training students.

But...

Orochimaru was more interested in someone else.

His mind drifted to Uchiha Sasuke.

He had seen the boy earlier—his sharp features, his striking appearance. A hungry glint flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.

That boy...

Would make a perfect vessel.

Though he had yet to perfect Shigen's proposed theory of fusing the Living Corpse Reincarnation technique with cloning, having Sasuke as a backup option wasn't a bad idea.

Of course...

Looks alone weren't enough.

Orochimaru planned to use the Chunin Exams to observe Sasuke's talent firsthand. If the boy proved worthy, he would become Orochimaru's next target.

"Orochimaru."

Shigen didn't seem to notice his scheming, asking offhandedly,

"When can Danzo be dealt with?"

"Well..."

Orochimaru snapped back to the moment, smiling slyly.

"It'll take some time. Konoha's defenses have been rather strict lately."

A blatant lie.

Orochimaru was merely stalling.

After all, he hadn't come to Konoha to help assassinate Danzo. He wasn't even planning on meeting the man—lest Danzo start making ridiculous demands.

The last time...

When Kabuto returned, he had relayed a message from Danzo.

The old man...

Had asked Orochimaru for a Rinnegan.

But perhaps...

This was actually a good thing.

Danzo still had some influence in Konoha.

Though minimal, it might be enough to stir Sarutobi Hiruzen. With the right approach, that influence could be leveraged.

A storm was coming.

Orochimaru just had to make sure it remained under his control.

"I need to find the right moment."

He narrowed his eyes, speaking softly.

"After all, Danzo was once Konoha's Hokage Advisor. Killing him without alerting the village won't be easy. We may only get one chance..."

"Then I'll leave it to you."

Shigen nodded, seemingly unconcerned.

"Don't worry."

Orochimaru's smile widened as he lowered his head, his long hair casting shadows over his face. His eyes gleamed with a predatory glint, like a serpent before the strike.

"I'll make sure Lord Shigen is satisfied."

"..."

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Konan instinctively frowned.

She never trusted Orochimaru.

"Obito."

Shigen's gaze shifted slightly, as if he already knew Uchiha Obito was lurking nearby.

"During this time... keep an eye on Orochimaru."

"Make sure nothing goes wrong."

"Tch."

Orochimaru let out a small laugh, pretending to be hurt.

"Why can't you trust me just a little?"

"Relax."

A swirling distortion appeared on the alley wall.

Obito emerged, his gaze arrogant as he glanced between Shigen and Orochimaru, as if he had never conspired against either of them.

"I'll watch him."

"I can help too."

From the wall, Black Zetsu and White Zetsu emerged, grinning wickedly.

"We'll make sure nothing goes wrong."

"That's... perfect."

Shigen swept his gaze over his so-called subordinates.

One scheming to kill him.

One aiming to replace him.

One hoping he would turn against the entire world.

Compared to these traitorous three, Nagato's group—who only wanted revenge—seemed almost innocent.

And yet...

They were the ones who would ignite the storm of the Chunin Exams.

But once the storm passed...

They would no longer need to be swept into an even greater whirlwind.

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