Uchiha Jin really had intended to strike the moment Danzō admitted it.
This wasn't impulse.
The last time, Danzō had slipped away because of Obito's interference. Jin had regretted that for a long time.
This time, if Danzō acknowledged those threats, then as a member of the Konoha Military Police, Jin would have justification to act.
Thin justification—but justification nonetheless.
Once Danzō was dead, his political value would drop sharply. With enough pressure and the right leverage, even Hiruzen would have to compromise. After all, how much was the Third willing to risk civil fracture—or even renewed war—for the sake of a corpse?
The only reason Jin hadn't attacked immediately—
Was the man standing behind Danzō's right shoulder.
The cloaked figure who had spoken about stealing children.
One of the Sannin.
Orochimaru.
Jin had no confidence in killing Danzō while preventing Orochimaru from escaping.
And with a witness like Orochimaru present—
He couldn't move without cause.
"Heh. I said nothing," Danzō exhaled slowly. "Merely offered a kind reminder."
A pity.
Jin suppressed the thought—but his aura didn't lessen. If anything, it intensified.
"Then allow me to offer one as well, Elder Danzō."
"As the director of this orphanage, it is my responsibility to protect every child here."
"If anyone dares lay a hand on them, I will not show mercy."
His scarlet eyes glowed.
"Unless the rats hiding in the gutters never leave the village again—"
"For every child missing, I will kill ten rats."
"For two children, a hundred."
"For three… I will tear out their nests beyond the village walls, roots and all."
"Don't doubt my ability to find them."
"You, of all people, should understand Nono's capabilities."
Yakushi Nono had once been Root's finest intelligence operative. She knew its inner workings better than most.
And she hadn't been idle lately.
It was she who had informed Jin of Danzō's covert deployment to the Land of Rain.
Danzō's face darkened.
"Impressive," he said slowly. "The Red Sun of the Uchiha… It seems I underestimated you."
"When one grows old," Jin replied calmly, "the eyes tend to fail."
"I suggest, Elder Danzō, that you avoid wandering carelessly."
"This time you only lost an arm—and an eye."
"Next time may not be so fortunate."
Danzō shot to his feet.
His single eye widened.
The severed arm was visible to all.
But the lost eye—
That was secret.
Even Hanzō might not have known. The Sharingan had been concealed beneath bandages until Izanagi consumed it.
How did Jin know?
Danzō's gaze flicked to Nono.
Had she learned it through some hidden channel?
The feeling of being seen through—of being stripped bare—crawled under his skin.
He hated it.
When he returned, Root would be purged.
Thoroughly.
With nothing more to gain here, Danzō turned and left, face stormy.
Orochimaru gave a light shrug and lifted the collapsed Root operative.
Then—
"Lord Orochimaru, please wait."
Jin's voice stopped him.
Orochimaru paused, intrigued.
"Oh? What is it, Jin-kun?"
Jin smiled warmly—a complete contrast to his earlier hostility.
"Would you spare some time to talk? I assure you, it will not disappoint."
His attitude had shifted one hundred and eighty degrees.
Because unlike Danzō—
Jin respected scientists.
Especially this one.
"Of course," Orochimaru replied smoothly. "I've found you quite interesting as well."
He casually tossed the unconscious Root shinobi back toward Danzō and seated himself across from Jin.
Danzō caught the body awkwardly, glaring.
"Elder Danzō," Orochimaru waved lazily, "I have business to attend to."
Truthfully, Orochimaru hadn't come to support Danzō at all.
He had come because he had his eye on one of the orphanage children.
Yes.
He had come to poach.
Danzō's humiliation meant nothing to him.
"Trash," Danzō muttered and left.
Jin gently patted Nono's shoulder.
"Nono, please bring tea. We mustn't neglect a distinguished guest."
She nodded, leading Aken and Keika away.
Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed in amusement.
"Jin-kun, to think you've won over the 'Walking Shrine Maiden.' Remarkable."
"There was never any winning over," Jin replied. "Only mutual benefit. Mutual support."
"If anything, we are companions. Comrades."
"Comrades?" Orochimaru tilted his head. "Kindred in ambition?"
"Precisely."
Jin reached into his robes and withdrew a sealed storage scroll, extending it across the table.
"I've long admired you, Lord Orochimaru."
"I intended to visit you personally one day."
"Consider this a small token of respect."
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