Chapter 131: Unwelcome Pursuers

In the span of a heartbeat, Sai's mind became a whirlwind of classified data. *Uchiha Ren. Twin brother to Uchiha Sasuke. Initially assessed as the more promising talent before the Uchiha massacre, after which he was recorded as mentally incapacitated. Disappeared from Konoha three years ago, concurrent with Sasuke's defection. Subsequent actions: single-handedly annihilated the minor Hidden Star Village in the Land of Bears, appropriating their 'Star' artifact. Responsible for the kidnapping and murder of Sunagakure shinobi, leading to the confrontation where he critically injured Elite Jounin Hatake Kakashi. Current Status: Konoha S-Class Rogue Ninja.*

The dossier flashed behind Sai's placid eyes. *Two high-priority targets consolidated in one location. An unanticipated complication, but also a potential efficiency. The mission parameters have shifted.*

He maintained his vacant smile, a perfect mask over the recalculations happening within. The tool was assessing the new variables.

"Hehehe~ Ren-kun! So you have returned," Orochimaru rasped, his golden eyes gleaming with genuine interest. "Your timing is... impeccable."

"Orochimaru," Ren acknowledged with a curt nod, his gaze sliding past the snake sannin to land on Sai. "A Konoha shinobi. How... nostalgic."

"Indeed," Orochimaru purred, holding up a sealed portfolio. "This one was sent as an emissary from an old... acquaintance. Shimura Danzō. He even brought a gift."

The name 'Danzō' caused a nearly imperceptible tightening around Sasuke's eyes, a flicker of deep-seated animosity.

Sai seized the moment to step forward, his smile unwavering. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am—"

"Spare me the introduction," Ren cut him off, his voice laced with disdain. "I have no interest in the name of a puppet."

Sai's smile didn't falter. He simply bowed his head slightly, the picture of polite deference, even as he internally marked Ren as the more immediately dangerous of the two brothers.

Ren turned his attention back to Orochimaru. "I have matters to discuss with you, but I see you are occupied. I will find you later, once you've finished... entertaining." Without waiting for a reply, he turned on his heel. The members of Hebi fell in behind him without a word, and they exited the hall as abruptly as they had entered.

Once they were gone, Kabuto pushed his glasses up his nose, a frown of disapproval on his face. "Lord Orochimaru, his arrogance grows with each passing day. He shows you no respect."

Orochimaru's lipless mouth stretched into a wide smile. "Hehehe~ Power justifies arrogance, Kabuto. Do not trouble yourself with it. For now," he handed the portfolio to his subordinate, "compile the contents into a target registry. A hunter must know his prey."

"At once, my lord," Kabuto said, accepting the documents.

Orochimaru gave a final, lingering look toward the door Ren had exited through before slinking away into the depths of the stronghold, leaving Kabuto and Sai alone in the hall.

***

Back in their assigned quarters, Suigetsu was the first to break the silence. "Boss, what was the point of that? We went to see Orochimaru but didn't say anything!"

Ren stood by the door, listening to the silence of the base. "Orochimaru will be preoccupied shortly. Konoha's hounds have already slipped into this stronghold. His attention will be elsewhere."

"Konoha ninja? Here?" Suigetsu exclaimed. "And Orochimaru didn't notice? How is that possible?"

"They weren't tracking Orochimaru," Ren clarified, his senses stretched to their limits. "They were tracking the one called Sai. I sensed a very specific chakra signature on him. A trace, carefully concealed. Most would miss it, but I recognized its nature. It was Wood Release."

"Wood Release?!" Suigetsu blurted out. "Besides you, and the First Hokage... there's someone else?"

Ren nodded. "Orochimaru's experiments were not entirely fruitless. Decades ago, he infused sixty infants with Hashirama's cells. Only one survived. That survivor possesses the Wood Release kekkei genkai. The chakra I sensed on Sai is a marker, a beacon placed by that individual. A Konoha shinobi who commands Wood Style has infiltrated this base."

Jūgo, who had been listening quietly, spoke up. "If there is an intruder, should we not inform Lord Orochimaru? This is his territory."

"No," Ren said dismissively. "Let the snake deal with the pests in his own nest. Besides..." He turned his gaze to Sasuke, who was leaning against the far wall, seemingly indifferent. "...Sasuke. It seems this Konoha team contains someone you are quite familiar with. Don't you wish to... greet them?"

Sasuke didn't even look up. "Not interested." His voice was flat, devoid of curiosity. He pushed himself off the wall. "What I am interested in is my scheduled rest. Do not disturb me."

With that, he walked out of the room, leaving the others to ponder the impending storm. The stronghold, once a place of waiting, had now become a trap, and they were all inside.

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