Uchiha Yuan's words seemed to say everything—yet at the same time, nothing at all.
Inside the prison, silence thickened. One thought surfaced uncontrollably in the hearts of many.
The village does not want Orochimaru-sama to become Hokage.
Orochimaru-sama was framed.
Seeing the shock gradually spread across the faces opposite him, Yuan allowed himself the faintest smile.
He understood human nature well—people were far more inclined to believe conclusions they believed they had reached themselves.
Orochimaru was the Third Hokage's disciple; his trusted subordinates were considered part of the Hokage's faction. Toward Yuan—an Uchiha—they inevitably harbored some caution.
If he directly declared that the village had sabotaged Orochimaru, it would only raise suspicion that he was attempting to sow discord.
So instead, he merely guided the conversation. Every statement he made was factual. Even if they wished to refute him, they would find no ground to stand on.
Bang!
Chiba Sōichi slammed his fist against the iron bars, grief and fury contorting his face. "Damn it… how did it come to this?"
Though he had realized the implication—that Orochimaru had been forced into defection—he dared not voice it aloud.
Yuan spoke again. "Everyone knows Orochimaru-senpai has always been devoted to research.
"As for the human experimentation the village claims… Orochimaru-senpai was indeed involved."
All eyes turned toward him once more.
Yet no one objected. In truth, none of them felt surprised hearing Orochimaru connected to experimental research.
"The village has long conducted human experimentation in secret," Yuan continued calmly. "Orochimaru-senpai was merely the project leader.
"I once heard from him that the research centered on the First Hokage's cells—Hashirama Senju. The project began as early as the Second Hokage's era.
"The village has always sought to recreate Wood Release—to restore the First Hokage's power to suppress the shinobi world. Perhaps one day, we will see someone wield Mokuton once more."
Silence fell like a heavy curtain.
Shock rippled through the prisoners—not only at the revelation itself, but at what it implied.
This was clearly top-level village secrecy. Yet Orochimaru had spoken of it freely to Yuan.
That level of trust far exceeded what any of them had imagined.
After a long pause, Chiba asked quietly, "What do you think the village will do with us?"
Yuan was briefly considered. "Orochimaru-senpai is now a missing-nin. In the village's eyes, we are his remnants. They will not trust us.
"Most likely, we will be exiled to border outposts for several years."
Some visibly relaxed at that.
But Yuan let out a soft, cold chuckle.
"However… it is equally possible that after exile, we may be eliminated quietly to prevent future trouble. Border outposts suffer frequent attacks, after all."
"That won't happen! The Third Hokage would never do that!" Anko shouted.
The others, however, grew grim. They were not so certain.
Silence returned—long and oppressive—until two ANBU appeared at the corridor entrance.
They opened a cell and escorted out a middle-aged man.
Whispers of unease spread.
So it begins.
Yuan opened his eyes slowly.
One by one, detainees were taken. Some returned pale and dazed.
Eventually, a four-man ANBU squad stopped at Cell No. 9.
"Uchiha Yuan. You're coming with us."
Escorted into an interrogation chamber, Yuan found several shinobi already waiting.
At the center stood a tall, bald man in black, with a fierce, predatory face.
"Special Jōnin Morino Ibiki. Chief of the Interrogation Division. Your questioning begins now."
Ibiki stepped forward, his cold gaze fixed on Yuan like a venomous serpent.
Yuan sat down casually, a faint smile touching his lips. "Ask."
Ibiki narrowed his eyes. He had reviewed Yuan's full dossier beforehand.
Konoha's Ferocious Tiger. Uchiha prodigy. Taijutsu rivaling the Fourth Raikage. Arrogant. Disrespectful of authority. Bold and reckless.
"Uchiha Yuan. When and where did you first make contact with the missing-nin Orochimaru?"
"The Sunagakure front. Orochimaru-senpai was supreme commander. I arrived as part of the reinforcement forces."
Yuan glanced at him lazily. "You've read my battlefield record. Orochimaru-senpai took interest in me after that and summoned me."
"July 5th—your first recorded visit to Orochimaru's residence. What was discussed?"
"Witnesses observed you speaking with him on Third Avenue near the shopping district. What did you talk about?"
"What do you know of Orochimaru's underground laboratory?"
"Mitarashi Anko stated you were highly valued by him. Reveal everything you know."
The interrogation continued relentlessly for hours.
Eventually, it ended. Yuan was returned to Cell No. 9.
He had been the final high-priority target.
With the questioning concluded, Ibiki departed the interrogation chamber carrying a thick stack of transcripts.
—
Upper Level, ANBU Prison.
Danzō stood upon the platform overseeing the handling of Orochimaru's defection.
Ibiki reported the interrogation results.
Flipping through the transcripts, Danzō's expression remained cold.
"These records are unreliable. They are special jōnin and jōnin—concealment is their expertise.
"I trust only what they reveal when their consciousness is beyond control."
His gaze sharpened.
"Ibiki. Conduct memory searches."
The atmosphere grew heavy.
The true trial was about to begin.
Some people die…
But they don't die completely.
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