When Riku woke again, the blinding light almost made him recoil. It took a few moments for his eyes to adjust, and when they finally did, he took in his surroundings. His gaze fell upon Lord Orochimaru, who was deep in thought. Immediately, Riku's pupils contracted with alarm.
"Lord Orochimaru… what are you planning?!" Riku asked, his voice a mix of fear and caution.
The sight of Orochimaru had always brought him unease, and now, that familiar dread gripped him fully. As expected, Orochimaru's hoarse, deliberate voice cut through the tension.
"Hoshimi-kun, what do you think I want? I've summoned you because I need your assistance. Our last… transaction was rather enjoyable, wasn't it?"
Riku's lips curved into a wry smile, though it did little to mask his apprehension. "Lord Orochimaru… if this is a transaction, isn't it a bit improper for you to have me restrained like this? I am, after all, a member of Konoha—and a Hyuga at that. A branch family member. If I were to disappear, the Main Family would surely activate the Caged Bird Seal. Are you planning to kill me?"
His words, careful and measured, carried a faint edge of desperation, though only he knew that the Caged Bird Seal he bore already had a loophole.
Orochimaru's sharp eyes narrowed as he pushed aside the black ribbon that bound Riku's forehead, revealing the blue mark beneath. Though he rarely allowed sentiment to interfere with his experiments, the mark intrigued him. This young Hyuga had surprised him in the past, and there was more than just curiosity in the way Orochimaru regarded Riku now.
A year earlier, Orochimaru had obtained a sample of Riku's blood. From it, he had discovered a rare and powerful ability inherent in the Hyuga bloodline—an ability even stronger and more potent than that of the main family members. Over time, Orochimaru's experiments had confirmed that Riku's blood contained an extraordinary form of the Hyuga Kekkei Genkai, far surpassing anything he had encountered before.
However, Orochimaru's research had been interrupted. Danzo had summoned him to work on Hashirama cells and Wood Release. For over half a year, he had to set aside his Hyuga studies, forced instead to navigate the volatile and destructive power of the Hashirama cells.
The challenge had been immense. Ordinary humans could not withstand the cells' corrosive strength; they would either be destroyed or, in rare cases, accidentally cultivated into living Wood Release vessels. Only once had this happened—Yamato, who likely still served Danzo at this point. Yet replicating such an accident was impossible. To achieve true Wood Release, Orochimaru needed a new type of cell that could rival Hashirama cells in vitality.
This brought him back to the Hyuga. Kekkei Genkai users were rare and precious, and those of Konoha even more so. Orochimaru turned his attention to Hyuga blood that could endure the vitality of Hashirama cells.
By sheer fortune—or fate—Riku's blood was compatible. When Orochimaru experimented by combining diluted Hashirama cells with a portion of Riku's blood, something remarkable happened. While most of Riku's cells perished under the stress, a fraction survived, coexisting with the Hashirama cells. Moreover, the two types of cells began to fuse, revealing a faint but unmistakable potential.
Orochimaru's excitement was palpable. These cells, vibrant and resilient, might finally hold the key to achieving the immortal-like vigor he sought. Had circumstances allowed, he would have injected them into his own body without hesitation.
But for now, Riku was essential. Orochimaru needed him alive, a living conduit for his experiments. He had orchestrated Riku's capture with meticulous planning, restraining him in his laboratory to begin the crucial work.
The weight of the Caged Bird Seal on Riku's forehead was a constant reminder of the danger he faced. Yet Riku's mind was already racing, calculating possibilities.
"You speak the truth, in part," Orochimaru said, his tone casual but sharp. "The Hyuga Main Family—despicable as they are—have indeed crafted a cruel tradition. The Caged Bird Seal is their way of controlling their own clansmen. Truly, it is a marvel of cruelty."
Riku's response was cautious. "Then… do you have a method to remove it? If so, I will fully cooperate with your experiments."
His expression shifted rapidly—a complex blend of fear, anticipation, hesitation, and curiosity. Orochimaru, however, was unimpressed by the display.
"Heh… stop dreaming, kid. The Hyuga Caged Bird Seal has existed for over a thousand years. Even I would find it difficult to remove. And even if I could, the cost in time and effort would be extraordinary. For you? I wouldn't bother paying that price."
Riku's mind churned, though he could only think, not act. Hmph. You think I need you to break the Caged Bird Seal? I can do it myself. Give me a few years of training, and you won't know what hit you.
Yet in the present, he was at Orochimaru's mercy. One wrong move could end him. The elder's power was undeniable—a Kage-level force in his prime. Riku's only option was patience and strategy, and to wait for the right moment to grow strong enough to challenge his captor.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru's thoughts were a tangled web of ambition and calculation. Riku was more than just an experimental subject; he was a key, a potential breakthrough in fusing the extraordinary vitality of Hashirama cells with a rare Kekkei Genkai. If successful, it would be a step closer to creating the ultimate body—stronger, more resilient, and nearly immortal.
Despite the danger, Riku's presence stirred something rare in Orochimaru: a thrill of discovery, a spark of challenge. Every measured word, every flicker of expression on the young Hyuga's face fed into his experimental calculus. This was no ordinary subject; this was potential that could not be ignored.
Riku's mind, sharp and unyielding, began formulating his own plan. Orochimaru might be stronger now, but strength was not the only path to victory. Observation, patience, and subtle manipulation could serve as equal weapons. If he played his cards carefully, there would come a day when roles reversed, and the predator would find himself outmaneuvered by his own prey.
For now, though, survival was paramount. Every motion, every word had to be deliberate. The slightest misstep could cost him his life—or worse, leave him permanently at Orochimaru's mercy. And yet, beneath the fear, a spark of determination burned brighter with each passing moment.
The laboratory was silent, save for the faint hum of equipment and the occasional rustle of Orochimaru's robes. Shadows flickered across the walls, painting the scene with an eerie sense of inevitability.
Riku's heart pounded, but his mind was clear. He would endure. He would adapt. And, when the time came, he would seize the chance to rise beyond even the formidable power of Lord Orochimaru.
The test was only beginning.
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