Chapter 308: 308.Either You Kill Them, or They Kill You

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“Put the things down.”

The arrival of the Anbu ninja interrupted Kazuki’s absent-minded state, prompting him to deactivate his Sharingan.

Kazuki reminded the Anbu member to place the packed meals on the table. Before the Anbu could set down the remaining change, Kazuki added, “Use the leftover money to buy some alcohol or drinks. After your shift, have a few rounds with your squad.”

“Ah, this…”

The Anbu ninja froze, hand still clutching the money, his mind momentarily blank.

“This isn’t a bribe. But if you think I need to bribe you, so be it. Either way, take your squad out for a drink and unwind a little.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll take my leave.”

Only after Kazuki’s explanation did the Anbu ninja feel at ease, pocketing the money with the intention of gathering his teammates later for a casual drink.

After all, this was an order from the Advisor—he had to carry it out seriously.

No sooner had the Anbu ninja left than Tsunade arrived.

“Quite the bold move, bribing an Anbu ninja?”

“Is our Hokage planning to report me?”

“Cut the crap.”

Annoyed, Tsunade kicked Kazuki lightly in the shin before opening the takeout containers to inspect the food. Confirming it was to her liking, she couldn’t resist picking up a piece of bone-in meat with her fingers and stuffing it into her mouth.

Between chews, she mumbled a reminder: “Don’t make a habit of this. It’ll cause problems later.”

“I know.”

Kazuki stood up and joined Tsunade at the table.

“By the way, where’s Shizune?”

“After work, she went to catch up with an old classmate. Apparently, they invited her.”

Tsunade answered casually.

“Alright.”

—

The Next Morning.

At dawn, the students of the Ninja Academy happily rushed into the school with their backpacks, ready for another day of classes. Sasuke, however, was the exception.

Carrying his ninja tool pouch, he headed alone to Orochimaru’s underground research facility.

Regarding Sasuke becoming Orochimaru’s student, after receiving Kazuki’s assurance, Mikoto and Fugaku didn’t raise any objections.

“Did Itachi go to escort Sasuke?”

Mikoto stepped out of the kitchen, drying her hands, as Fugaku, seated on the floor sipping tea, nodded slowly.

“He already left. But he doesn’t plan to let Sasuke know. I believe Kazuki has his reasons for entrusting Sasuke to Orochimaru. With Kazuki’s guarantee, why worry?”

“I trust Kazuki, but I don’t trust Orochimaru.”

Having her son under the care of such a dangerous individual would make any parent uneasy.

If not for Kazuki’s reassurance, Mikoto would have been the first to oppose it—and vehemently at that.

Though usually gentle and nurturing, once her temper flared, even Fugaku’s authority as clan head couldn’t withstand it.

“I don’t trust him either.”

Fugaku remained indifferent, as though his son’s safety mattered less than the tea in his hands.

“Hopefully, Sasuke will receive some unique training under Orochimaru. Earlier, someone reported that Orochimaru went to Konoha’s prison early this morning under Kazuki’s orders, taking away several captured spies slated for execution.”

“…”

Mikoto’s expression darkened immediately. She knew exactly what Orochimaru intended.

Those prisoners weren’t for experiments—Konoha had explicitly forbidden Orochimaru from conducting any human-related research.

If Orochimaru had taken them, it could only mean one thing: they were for Sasuke.

“Sigh… I just hope Sasuke grows stronger from this.”

Though reluctant, Mikoto understood that children had to grow up eventually. Those who remained sheltered under their parents’ wings would never mature.

“Hm.”

Fugaku gave a slight nod, still sipping his tea and reading documents.

His indifferent demeanor had remained unchanged, cold and detached.

Watching him, Mikoto’s temple twitched in irritation.

“What’s wrong?”

Noticing the shift in atmosphere, Fugaku looked up, confused.

“Nothing.”

Mikoto untied her apron and tossed it onto the table before walking out, leaving behind words that left Fugaku utterly baffled:

“Some sisters invited me to the Daimyo’s capital for a few days. I’ve decided to go. You’ll have to cook for yourself while I’m gone and clean the house. I expect it spotless when I return.”

“???”

What just happened? Everything was fine a moment ago.

Besides, hadn’t they already agreed she wouldn’t attend this gathering? Why the sudden change?

As a man of extreme emotional density, Fugaku couldn’t fathom why his wife had suddenly turned cold, abandoning him and their son to vacation in the capital.

Cooking? No big deal—he could just eat at the Police Department’s cafeteria…

Wait, no.

He could manage, but what about Sasuke? Would their son have to eat cafeteria food too? Or rely on Itachi to cook?

But Itachi was busy lately…

Something wasn’t right.

Only then did Fugaku realize his wife was angry.

And worse—if Mikoto returned to find the house in disarray, with the three men of the household struggling to feed themselves (especially their youngest, Sasuke), all hell would break loose.

—

Meanwhile, at Orochimaru’s Research Facility.

Summoning his courage, Sasuke arrived at Orochimaru’s lab, where the Sannin was already waiting.

“Sasuke, starting today, you will be my student, and I, your teacher. Let’s work well together.”

“Teacher.”

Sasuke bowed respectfully.

Unlike his brash, rebellious counterpart from the original timeline, this version of Sasuke had been tempered by hardship, making him far less arrogant.

“Good. Then let’s begin our first lesson. Did you bring your ninja tools?”

Without delay, Orochimaru led Sasuke to the facility’s third floor—a vast underground chamber, usually used for storing materials and equipment.

But Orochimaru had cleared the space, intending it to serve as Sasuke’s training ground for the foreseeable future.

Assuming this was where his training would take place, Sasuke nodded firmly, not wanting to disappoint or appear weak.

“Excellent.”

In the center of the chamber, Orochimaru gestured toward two prisoners in ragged uniforms sitting on the ground.

“These are spies captured by the village. Their crimes are severe, and they’re scheduled for execution. I brought them here under Kazuki’s orders.”

Orochimaru’s voice was calm, almost clinical.

“Now, your training begins. Kill them.”

Bloodshed and killing were fundamental to a shinobi’s growth—a rite of passage every young ninja had to undergo.

Without giving Sasuke time to hesitate, Orochimaru stepped back and addressed the prisoners:

“Kill him, and you’ll earn your freedom.”

*****

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