Chapter 250: CHAPTER 250
Although Kai Uchiha's words were vague on the surface, their implications were clear.
Yes, the three of them—Kai, Aya Hyuga, and Kenta Imai—were all tied to the same fate now, caught in a conspiracy much bigger than themselves.
No matter what their intentions had been, by confronting Orochimaru, they had taken a step that could not be undone.
Just like on the battlefield, lines had been drawn. Enemies had been made.
And Kai Uchiha would likely become the primary target of retaliation. But in the chaos to come, no one would walk away unscathed.
When an avalanche begins, no snowflake considers itself responsible.
The quote rang in Kai's head, echoing the gravity of what they had triggered.
What they had uncovered wasn't just a dark secret. It was a destabilizing truth—one capable of shaking the entire foundation of Konohagakure.
Everyone involved in this, willingly or not, would share the consequences.
If they won, they might reform the village from within.
If they failed, no one—not even the innocent—would be spared from the fallout.
Kai Uchiha recalled an old saying: "War is the continuation of politics by other means."
But he disagreed.
In this world—the shinobi world—politics was already a kind of war. And when you lost, it wasn't just your own life on the line.
When you were seen as a threat, you didn't just die. Your family disappeared. Your name was struck from records. Your entire existence erased from the village ledger.
That was how Konoha sometimes protected itself—by erasing perceived dangers before they grew.
Looking at the alertness in Kenta Imai and Aya Hyuga, Kai felt a small sense of reassurance.
They were ready. Not eager, not fearless—but prepared to see this through.
Originally, their plan had been simple: deliver the intelligence to the Fourth Hokage and let him handle the fallout.
But things had changed. Somehow, the evidence had made its way into Orochimaru's hands.
That, in itself, suggested a deep compromise in the chain of command.
Kenta Imai had sensed something strange: according to him, the Sandaime had deployed Security Department units away from the investigation zone—cutting them off from the site entirely.
Which begged the question: when the Fourth Hokage finally arrived… who would control the scene? And what had they missed?
Before they could think further, a few figures emerged at the edge of the scorched forest.
This place—Orochimaru's lab—had been partially cleared of trees. It was likely a deliberate defense against fire-based attacks.
A kind of containment zone, perhaps, designed in anticipation of its own destruction.
Soon, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, arrived with several Anbu and trusted personnel.
His eyes scanned the area, landing on the charred remains of two giant serpents—and the three young ninja before him.
His gaze lingered especially on Kai Uchiha. The boy seemed unharmed, calm even.
But Orochimaru was gone.
And what Sarutobi didn't see was more troubling than what he did.
No trace of the man. No lingering chakra that matched Orochimaru's disturbing signature.
Just three young shinobi, each bearing the mark of the Konoha Police.
"…Where is Orochimaru? And do you even know where you are?"
Sarutobi's voice was quiet, but cold. Controlled anger beneath the surface.
The surrounding shinobi immediately focused on Kai Uchiha, suspicion clear in their eyes.
Sarutobi was angry—but not necessarily at them.
His fury was directed at Orochimaru.
But the disappearance of one of the Sannin, under such suspicious circumstances, demanded answers.
Kai took a step forward and bowed slightly.
"Sandaime-sama. Orochimaru has fled. As for this location—I'm fully aware. I acted under a search warrant, signed by the Fourth Hokage."
"Fled?"
Sarutobi's brows furrowed.
It wasn't a satisfying answer, but his gaze shifted to someone else—Shimura Danzō.
If this really was what it looked like… the burden of explanation should fall on someone who knew what Orochimaru had been doing here.
Danzō stepped forward, as expected, but kept one foot behind Sarutobi—carefully measuring his presence.
"This was a covert laboratory operated by Konohagakure," Danzō said, his voice loud and authoritative. "Its existence was classified. These… children… interfered with sensitive research."
Whispers spread through the gathered shinobi.
Anger simmered, though the larger clans remained quiet—watching. Waiting. Weighing their next moves.
Danzō continued: "We were studying forbidden techniques—some recovered from enemy nations. Understanding them is crucial for developing countermeasures."
"And now?" Kai Uchiha interrupted.
All eyes turned to him.
"You're saying this was sanctioned? That this lab—where our investigation confirmed missing civilians were held—was legitimate?"
Danzō's eye narrowed.
"You're accusing a Leaf facility of conducting human experiments?"
"How curious," Kai said, eyes glowing red as his Sharingan activated. "I never said anything about human experimentation, Danzō-sama. You did."
A ripple of tension ran through the assembled forces.
Jiraiya stepped forward at last. His silence thus far had been thunderous, but now his words struck with clarity.
"He has the Fourth's authorization. That's enough for me to listen."
Danzō's face darkened, but Jiraiya's status as a Sannin—and his bond with the current Hokage—could not be ignored.
Still, Danzō was not one to back down.
"Even if they speak the truth, they will have to explain their actions. Perhaps not here—but in a more… suitable setting."
"Anbu detention?" Kai asked, voice cold. "Or straight to your 'Foundation'?"
Gasps from several onlookers.
"We're Konoha shinobi, Danzō-sama," Kai continued. "Acting under Hokage orders. Unless you're saying Minato-sama's warrant is meaningless?"
"…Where is the Fourth now?" Danzō replied, deflecting. "Until he arrives, we are the authority here."
Kai's chakra flared, the blue hue of Lightning Release forming in his hand.
"If that's your stance, then we'll wait right here for him to arrive."
Aya Hyuga and Kenta Imai moved beside him—defensive, but unshaken.
Silence.
Finally, Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled.
"Stand down, everyone. No one moves until the Fourth arrives. No arrests. No action."
He didn't look at Danzō as he said it.
The old Hokage had seen too much. And in his heart, he already knew—this was no farce. Something rotten lay buried beneath Orochimaru's work.
Whether it was sanctioned or not, the truth would come out.
And Kai Uchiha… might be the spark that set the rest of the village ablaze.